What are some great relaxing summer outdoor attractions in Michigan?

There are plenty of relaxing things to do outdoors in Michigan in the summertime when you Go Great Lakes Bay, including: exploring Dow Gardens and the longest canopy walk in the United States; boarding a guided boat tour with Frankenmuth FunShips, Bavarian Belle Riverboat, Bay City Boat Lines, or Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips; experiencing world-class walleye fishing on Saginaw Bay; hitting the beaches at Bay City State Park and Haithco Recreation Area; or discovering some of the best kid-friendly outdoor attractions like the Saginaw Children's Zoo, Wilderness Trails Zoo, and Grandpa Tiny's Heritage Farm.

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Dow Gardens | @nrupalikulkarni

Outdoors + Nature

  • Dow Gardens Be surrounded by 35,000 vibrant blooms this summer as you stroll 110 acres of botanicals, including Color & Rose Gardens, a peaceful Stream Walk, and Boulder Pass waterfall. Explore a one-of-a-kind canopy walk through the trees — with a glass-floor viewing platform four stories high!
  • Chippewa Nature Center Paddle the Chippewa River, overlook three marshes from the Observation Tower, and visit the 1870s Homestead Farm. With 19 miles of trails for hiking, join a Full Moon Stroll or Wildflower Walk!
  • Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Discover one of the largest wetland ecosystems in Michigan and witness egrets, warblers, and more — especially along the 6.5-mile auto tour route, Wildlife Drive.
  • Frankenmuth Aerial Park A sky-high obstacle course through the trees with options for all skill levels, this wooded park is packed with ladders, rope bridges, and ziplines for the ultimate adventure.
Boat Tours in Frankenmuth | @michiganaddicts

Boat Tours + Boat Rentals

  • Frankenmuth FunShips Could there be a better summer pairing than a relaxing boat ride where wine samples & handcrafted chocolates are served? Float away on a Wine & Chocolate River Tour, and keep your souvenir tasting glass!
  • Bavarian Belle Riverboat Climb aboard to ride this 150-passenger paddlewheel vessel, departing from the waterfalls of Frankenmuth River Place Shops, and enjoy a narrated history tour as you take in the beautiful Bavarian architecture.
  • Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips Experience the “Everglades of Michigan” on an expertly guided boat tour. Discover one of the richest wildlife habitats in Michigan and a unique boating adventure where guests can pack picnics, coolers, beverages of choice — and bring their pets!
  • Bay City Boat Lines Float freely on the Princess Wenonah this summer! Dine on deck before you boogie down aboard “Carefree Cruisin’” or “Rock the Boat” themed trips with live bands, or relax on a Saginaw River Guided Tour for spectacular views and the chance to see a lighthouse!
  • Bay City Boat Rental Pick your pontoon from the fleet and spend a sunny summer afternoon on the water. Explore the Saginaw River, Kawkawlin River — or even venture out onto Saginaw Bay!
Bay City State Park | @mi_playground

Beaches

  • Bay City State Park Relax along almost a mile of natural, sandy Saginaw Bay shoreline! Break from swimming with a picnic in the shade at on-site pavilions, and enjoy access to Tobico Marsh — a wetland preserve with Lagoon Trails and two observation towers.
  • Haithco Recreation Area Hit the beach at this picturesque park with a 40-acre lake & swimming beach. Rent rowboats, paddleboats, canoes, or kayaks — and see what you can catch from the fishing pier!

Fishing

  • Summer Walleye Fishing on Saginaw Bay Whether you’re fishing from your own boat, a chartered vessel, the Saginaw River banks, or the shores of Saginaw Bay, get in on the world-class summer walleye action!
Saginaw River in Bay City | @mi_playground

Paddling

  • Frankenmuth Kayak Adventures Paddle along the Cass River on a self-guided kayak tour, and experience the tranquility of the water as it winds through Little Bavaria.
  • Nor’East Outdoors Book a 2-4 hour scenic paddle on the Chippewa River. Brief paddling lessons & shuttle service come with each of Nor’East’s pre-set trips!
Feet on the Street in Bay City | @miles2gobeforeisleep

Tours + Experiences

  • Sunrise Pedal Trolley Partake in a mobile party on a 16-person trolley bike! Guests choose their own drinks & music, and each two-hour Bay City tour can include architecture, shops, and local pubs.
  • PedAle Trolley Coast through Frankenmuth on a City River Tour! Power a 16-person trolley on a two-hour sightseeing tour, and visit local shops, pubs, and attractions.
  • Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides Clip-clop through streets of Little Bavaria on a horse-drawn carriage ride with Fantasy Carriage Company or H&H Acres and Carriage Service. Your tour with either will include charming scenery and insider Frankenmuth gems!

Sports

Bay City State Park | @mi_playground

Hiking + Biking Trails

  • Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail With the 30-mile Pere Marquette Rail Trail, 21-mile Bay City Area Riverwalk/Railtrail, 11-mile Saginaw Valley Rail Trail and beyond, soak up gorgeous scenery & waterfront views.
  • Saginaw Bay Birding Trail Bring your binoculars to a natural habitat for more than 200 species of birds, covering 142 shoreline miles.
  • Midland City Forest Take on eight miles of mountain biking trails at this 520-acre oasis for outdoor enthusiasts.
    • Insider tip: City Forest is also home to Ray’s Bike Shop, so riders can test out bikes on the trails.
Downtown Frankenmuth | @roaming_michigan_together

Outdoor Public Art

  • Great Lakes Bay Region Public Art Passport Take an awe-inspiring route to outdoor art! Find information about public art across the region — with photos, Google map locations, and opportunities to see an aerial preview.
  • Old Town Saginaw Street Art Park Immerse yourself in an array of streetside beauty, including the colorful Court Street Bridge Mural.
  • Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum Stroll through an outdoor Sculpture Garden alive with artistry! Enjoy beautiful bronze sculptures, botanical beds, and tranquil water sounds from the Day and Night Fountain.
Drift Shoreside Beer Garden | @frommichiganwithlove

Outdoor Beer Gardens

  • Drift Shoreside Beer Garden On a multi-tiered deck overlooking sunsets on the Saginaw River, split buckets of cold beer, sip wine & craft cocktails — and don't leave without sampling from food trucks regularly parked on-site!
  • Midland Brewing Company Toss back pints in a beer garden that backs up to the Pere Marquette Rail Trail! With fireside seating and lawns that host summer cornhole leagues, try seasonal suds like Jenny’s Raspberry Sour Shandy.
  • Tri-City Brewing Company Cozy up in the classic outdoor beer garden setting of Bay City's hometown brewery. With a year-round pavilion providing plenty of shade, sip your choice of beers, wines, and ciders on tap.
  • Schnitzelbank Bier Garten Sway to live music on summer nights in front of the Bavarian Inn Lodge. Enjoy your favorite beverage and “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit!” or “A drink to good friends and good times!”
  • Fischer Platz Experience a music cafe modeled after a German beer garden, right outside the Bavarian Inn Restaurant! Open daily during summer months, listen to accordion music while sipping a cold brew or glass of wine in the sunshine.
Grandpa Tiny's Farm | @x_stina

Zoos + Farms

  • Saginaw Children’s Zoo Ride the miniature train, say hi to 150+ animals, and take a spin on the hand-carved carousel. Picnic on-site with a bite to eat from the Train Whistle Café, and snap pictures of the peacocks if you see them!
  • Wilderness Trails Zoo Meet more than 200 exotic animals! With a Petting Area, Parakeet Encounter, and Rainforest Experience, this 56-acre zoo is home to lions, bears, zebras, reptiles, and so much more.
  • Grandpa Tiny’s Heritage Farm Pet Rosie the Donkey and Simon the Rooster! Enjoy hayrides, hands-on learning experiences, and chances to pet & feed some of the animals.
Buoy 18 | @frommichiganwithlove

Outdoor Mini-Golf

  • Buoy 18 Mini Golf Create forever memories on the green, right by a bustling marina. Play games in the arcade, and have fun choosing your ice cream!
  • Parkside Mini Golf Have a ball playing miniature golf, and treat yourselves to a cool-down with sundaes, shakes, slushies, floats, or custom ice cream sandwiches!
  • Funway Amusements Saginaw Putt-putt your way to a hole-in-one, race go-karts, run through laser tag, ride bumper boats, and play arcade games — all in one place!
  • Alpine Mountain Golf Choose between two mini-golf courses, or play both! Challenge the fam to bank-shot basketball, race go-karts & bumper boats, and indulge in ice cream.
Bay City State Park | @frommichiganwithlove

Spray Parks + Splash Pads

  • Spray by the Bay Splash Park Whoop it up with water inside Bay City State Park. You’re right next to a playground, pavilions for picnics, a sandy beach, and nature trails!
  • Haithco Recreation Area Check out this earthy-themed splash pad for sun-soaked fun! Enjoy the lake & swimming beach, and ride the accessible merry-go-’round.
  • Frankenmuth Jaycee Spray Park Count to 18 together, because this zero-depth water play area has 18 fountains, sprays, and geysers — accessible for all ages & abilities!
  • Celebration Square Splash Park Play for ages in filtered-water, zero-depth sections. Enjoy Discovery Bay with misters for toddlers, Adventure Bay with dumping buckets for children, and Action Bay with large Ground Geysers fun!
  • Longview Spray Park Get wild, wet, and feel wonderful — and be ready for belly laughs by the buckets, and waterspouts!
  • Gerstacker Spray Park Splash & play by the iconic Tridge, and right next to the Pere Marquette Rail Trail.
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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