When the question isn't, "What's there to do?" but more like, "What can we afford to do?," the answer is here — you don't have to be rich to live a life that's rich with unforgettable travel experiences!
Let this be your guide to tight-money travel, belly laughs without the budget crunch, and big fun that only costs a little when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Michigan!
Spend a day sunbathing and swimming the 40-acre, spring-fed lake at Haithco Recreation Area in Saginaw for only $5 per vehicle entry, not per person. Throw horseshoes, fish from the pier, enjoy the splash pad & playground area, and grill on the hibachis. Rent paddleboats or kayaks on-site for a small fee, and enjoy a day of affordable fun at the beach.
Read More +Experience the Japanese Cultural Center, Tea House & Gardens of Saginaw — treasured as one of the most authentic in North America — with a "Tea & Tour" for just $5/person, where you'll enjoy three acres of Japanese gardens and a docent-led tour of the tea house. Or, attend a Traditional Tea Ceremony for $10/person. Celebrants wear traditional kimono as they perform the 500-year-old ritual of serving tea, a mesmerizing and not-to-be-missed experience.
Read More +A diverse collection of fine art & sculpture on display inside a mansion, experience the Saginaw Art Museum for only $7 per person ($5 for students & seniors, 15 years & under get in free). Discover changing exhibitions and a permanent collection of art produced by American & European artists. (And don't miss touring its gorgeous Italianate gardens!)
Read More +Unleash your inner artist, affordably, in a relaxed & inviting setting at Painterly Pottery! Visit the region's largest paint-your-own pottery studio for Ten Buck Tuesdays, where select pottery items are just $10 to personalize & glaze into custom creations at the color bar!
Read More +Admission into the magical Castle Museum of Saginaw County History is just $3 for individuals, $5 for families, and only $2 for ages 65+. The slice of area history you'll experience inside, including riveting photography, lumbering & automotive manufacturing exhibits, and various traveling exhibits? Worth every penny!
Read More +Highlighting the history of Bay County, take a tour provided & led by the Bay County Historical Society. Enjoy exploring the beautiful City Hall building, learn its rich history, and climb the clock tower, all for only $5.
Read More +A museum unlike any other, experience the Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth to discover more than 900 exhibits, each honoring a Michigan soldier, marine, sailor, airman, or astronaut. Step inside this priceless piece of history for just $10 ($8 for seniors, $6 for veterans, $5 for students, and children under 5 enter for free).
Read More +From summer's Bay City Fireworks Festival to winter's epic snow- & ice-carving competition, Zehnder's Snowfest, the Great Lakes Bay is home to unforgettable year-round festivals, and admission is often free or below $10. Watch for some of our top annual favorites, and get going!
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Planned, designed, and built just for kids, have fun while learning a ton inside the Mid-Michigan Children's Museum for only $8 (just $7 for "big kids" over 60 and free for kids younger than 2). Watch your children's faces light up at galleries that include stuffing fuzzy balls into "A-Mazing Airways," experimenting at the "Tinker Track," or splashing around at "Water, Water Everywhere"!
Read More +Take a trip to the Saginaw Children's Zoo, where admission is just $8 (free for infants under 1 and zoo members, and only $6 for military & veterans with valid I.D.). Meeting over 150 animals will make this experience a memorable one, and rides on the hand-carved carousel and miniature train offer add-on fun that's just $2 per person, per ride!
Read More +With chances to journey to the farthest reaches of our galaxy and travel to the cutting-edge of cosmic exploration, it's hard to believe that admission to Delta College Planetarium is only $7 and just $5 for kids under 18, senior citizens, and military. Set your sights high for an out-of-this-world experience!
Read More +Discover rural heritage on the oldest farm in Frankenmuth! For just $7.50 per person (kids 2 & under are free), give your family a day of fun on the farm without breaking the piggy bank. Meet, pet, and even help feed adorable animals at the Petting Barn & Coop, watch vintage tractors & plows at work, and explore the corncrib & cornbox play area!
Read More +With daily admission of only $8 per child (under 12 months, over 13 years, and parents all enter for free), let the kiddos burn off energy at The Playground! This indoor play palace features a two-story play structure with multiple slides, a zipline, and other fun obstacles — and a coffee bar with perfectly poured lattes, parents!
Read More +With the chance to see the world's largest collection of motorized fire trucks — including the world's most powerful fire truck, the FDNY Super Pumper — a visit to the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum is a must! And with admission of just $10 for adults ($7 for seniors & students, and free for kids under 4), create bright eyes & big smiles on a budget!
Read More +With three unique locations to try, each offering pint-sized play at $8 or less per person, putt-putt your way to a day of family fun! Discover Dutch Village Adventure Park or Buoy 18 in Bay City, or choose between two courses at Alpine Mountain in Birch Run.
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Grab your roll of quarters and stretch 10 bucks into tons of fun at Crazy Quarters Arcade! Enjoy a classic arcade experience (no prizes, tokens, or swipe cards, just quarters) and sample from 150+ games, including dozens of pinball machines.
Read More +Bring your spare change into Brinstar to try your luck on a mix of vintage to newer video arcade games & pinball machines — and score big fun without spending a bunch!
Read More +Free. What's the catch, right? Here's the deal: there isn't one! In fact, there are more ways than we can mention to have memorable experiences that'll cost you zero dollars when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Michigan.
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All kinds of fun & free as can be, these outdoor summer concert series are your no-cost ticket to experience live music and unique entertainment nearly every night of the week!
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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
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