Temple Theatre
Day One:
A Whole Lot of Heart

Just minutes apart on either side of the Saginaw River, meet unique Old Town and Riverfront Saginaw neighborhoods and see why they’re each considered the heart of this city!

SVRC Marketplace | @riverfrontsaginaw

Breakfast: Begin your day by indulging in artisan baked breads and delicious pastries from The Bread Gal. Order the Seasonal Galette, Chocolate Croissant, or the always-irresistible Cardamom Bun (and be sure to grab a few extra loaves to bring home with you).

Shop & Sample: Located in Riverfront Saginaw, be sure to explore the SVRC Marketplace, an indoor, European-style market of unique shops, with a second-floor atrium overlook. Here, you’ll find clothing, jewelry, and eateries galore (and the seasonal Downtown Saginaw Farmers Market beneath the outdoor pavilions).

Take Part in the Art: Treat yourself to delicious eye candy of more than 2,000 objects of art, spanning 4,500 years, housed in the historical 1904 Georgian-Revival mansion that is the Saginaw Art Museum. Admission is only $5, and don’t miss the Italianate gardens out back. Swoon.

Japanese Cultural Center | @alexandra_abroad

Tea & Tour: Visit the Japanese Cultural Center, Tea House and Gardens of Saginaw to book a Tea & Tour. Experience one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America, then enjoy as a trained docent traditionally and beautifully serves you green tea and sweets. (A 400-year-old Traditional Tea Ceremony is also presented here on the second Saturday of each month. Don’t miss this opportunity if you’re in town!)

Lunch: Taste Asian fusion, specialty Thai cuisine, and a local favorite that is Pasong’s Café. Order spring rolls they're known for, and don’t pass on Thai Tea, because it’s delicious! Or, pull your vehicle right into Old Town Drive In, a 1950s-style carhop restaurant, and enjoy Coney dogs, burgers, fries, and homemade draft root beer brought right to your car!

Explore: Old Town is about three-ish city blocks easily discovered on foot. You’ll find murals peppered throughout that make beautiful photo backdrops from your weekend in Saginaw!

Peruse shops like Adomaitis Antiques or three-story Old Town Furniture for vintage finds. Be sure to hit Court Street Antiques just up the road, with more than 5,000 square feet of treasures and possibilities!

(If antiquing is your thing, the Antique Warehouse and Freeland Antique Mall are two gems worth the short drive out of Old Town. Just be sure to save enough space in the car for all your priceless pieces!)

Artisan Urban Bistro | @riverfrontsaginaw

Dinner: Cozy up in Old Town for dinner. Enjoy artful décor and exquisite dining with distinct European touches at Artisan Urban Bistro. Experience an open kitchen, made-on-site house wine selections, and the Thick Cut Smoked Pork Chop or the ever-popular Lonnie's Pasta. Or, dine at Jake's Old City Grill, a casual-upscale chophouse with an extensive, award-winning wine menu (and simply divine steak & seafood selections).

Showtime
: Look to The Dow Event Center for concerts, comedy, and Saginaw Spirit OHL hockey games. Or, take in a show in a more intimate setting, amidst the historical charm and grandeur of the Temple Theatre.

Carpe Noctem: Seize the night at Old Town Distillery, featuring craft cocktails handmade with spirits distilled on-site — including Moonshine! And head into Woody’s Draught House to order a flight from 100+ craft brews on tap to try!

MFS Museum
Day Two:
Get Out + About
Shiawassee NWR | @ninaneuschuetz

Breakfast: Begin your day with eggs & sausage like locals at Fuzzy’s Restaurant, or order the Cinnamon French Toast to taste one of the many reasons people return time and again. (On the way out, pick up a loaf of Fuzzy’s homemade iced cinnamon bread to bring home. You simply must!)

Far Out: Want to get out, feel the wind in your hair, and breathe some fresh air? Plan in advance to hop aboard Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips! You’ll experience incredible wildlife sightings, a shallow-draft boat and customizable tour, and be guided through the pristine Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge by the one-and-only Johnny Panther. He calls this glorious land the “Everglades of Michigan”, and you’ll enjoy every minute spent with him welcoming you through it!

You could also tootle along the 6.5-mile Wildlife Drive and experience the Refuge’s natural splendor from the comfort of your car, June - September!

Birch Run Premium Outlets

Shopping Worth the Trip: Take a “country drive” out to Pride and Country Village and shop six refurbished, pioneer-style buildings dating back to 1890! Hit the General Store for shabby chic to kitchen wares, grab coffee and eats at the homestyle deli, and shop the Schoolhouse Boutique for clothing and accessories.

Speaking of which, take a 20-minute trip from Pride and Country to Birch Run Premium Outlets and your weekend will include 100+ name-brand outlet stores, from Columbia to Coach and Pottery Barn!

Lunch: If you’re not grabbing lunch at Pride and Country or near the Outlets, Fralia’s is a lunch-only spot in Old Town worth sticking around for! Enjoy outstanding deli sandwiches, salads, and homemade soups, and good luck choosing between the Georgia Reuben and Grilled Havarti!

MFS Museum | @mfsmuseum

Get Creative: Attend a Pick Your Project Workshop at Board & Brush Creative Studio, the place to be to sand, stain, distress, and paint on-trend wood signs and decor for your home.

Or, visit Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum to see a collection of 200 sculptures spanning the 70-year career of "America's Public Sculptor". (The gift shop here is exquisite, too!)

Dinner: Experience an always-changing seasonal menu and intimate bistro setting at The BoardRoom inside SVRC Marketplace. Sample from curated wine, beer, and craft cocktail menus with your meal — possibly on the outdoor patio!

Or, step inside Benihana for a one-of-a-kind dining experience, featuring table-side teppanyaki cooking by trained chefs. Start with sashimi or artfully rolled sushi, then enjoy your choice of hibachi meal, possibly with signature hot sake or a specialty cocktail!

Oracle Brewing | @oraclebeer

Into the Eve: Plan to see a play in Old Town at Pit & Balcony Theatre, one of the oldest community theatres in the country. Or, see what kind of outdoor concert or festival is happening at Jolt Credit Union Event Park! Bring your own seating (blankets, lawn chairs) to this 5,500-capacity outdoor amphitheater, and enjoy every bit of this unique experience at the heart of Riverfront Saginaw!

Nighttime: Known for its low-key vibe and inventive brews, see what’s on tap at Oracle Brewing Company in Old Town. Try the C-Beans (chocolate coffee stout) or Causal Loop, a Mosaic-hopped IPA.

Saginaw | @winsomeglimpse
Day Three:
Must Brunch
Red Eye Coffeehouse | @mint.mushroom

First, Coffee: Head to Old Town’s local hotspot, Red Eye Coffee + Tea, and grab coffee, tea, and tasty muffins to start your day.

For the Fun of It: Head just over the Court Street Bridge and find the huge sign made up of individual, bright, bold letters: S-A-G-I-N-A-W. You can’t miss it — or your opportunity to snap a photo in front of it! It’ll surely be a framer and will always remind you of your weekend spent in Saginaw.

Sunday Brunch: Fill up before heading home with Sunday brunch at Artisan Urban Bistro. Sip on house sangria or mimosas, paired with the Salmon Eggs Benedict Breakfast Pizza or Blueplate Breakfast Pasta.

Or, head out of town a touch to the Mountain View Restaurant inside Kathleen's at Apple Mountain. Brunch on elevated classics like the Crème Brûlée Pancakes while you enjoy mimosas and spectacular views of the surrounding resort.

As you head out of town: Recognize you’ve enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Saginaw and you've seen first-hand why locals call it “Saginawesome”!
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Author
Jen W. O'Deay + Go Great Lakes Bay

By: Jen W. O'Deay | Updates: Go Great Lakes Bay | Jen is a Saginaw native and owner of Feel These Words, an independent copywriting studio & home to the free "5 Day Website MiniBoost". Jen specializes in writing that connects, delivered through website copy, branded content articles, and WingWoman writing services. You'll find Jen camping with her family, laughing, and at feelthesewords.com