For Downtown, Uptown, and all-around experiences — shows to catch, boats to board, antiques to find, and flavors to never forget — read on to discover our top things to do in Bay City, Michigan, an eclectic and historic waterfront town!
Sail along shimmering waters at sunset (or underneath starry night skies) aboard BaySail's Appledore Tall Ships. On either excursion, enjoy light snacks served and bring your own beverages, too.
Read More +Enjoy a Saturdays on the Saginaw River Tour — or an Entertainment Cruise with dinner and dancing on-deck — when you board with Bay City Boat Lines in Downtown Bay City.
Read More +From The Michigan Experience to Adventure 1 Charters and so many more, experience the world-class walleye fishing our top Saginaw Bay charters have to offer here in Bay City.
Read More +Touring the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum will have you aboard the U.S.S. Edson DD-946, a destroyer ship designated a National Historic Landmark as well as a Michigan Historic Landmark. Don't miss this!
Read More +Traveling with friends? Book Sunrise Pedal Trolley's eight- to 15-passenger Dutch-made bike and enjoy a pint or two as you pedal the streets of Bay City!
Read More +Too few people to book a whole trolley? Rent single or tandem rides from Jack's Bicycle Shop, right Downtown, and explore this waterfront city all on your own!
Read More +Discover boundless options along the Bay City Area Riverwalk/RailTrail with dozens of places to access. View Tobico Marsh and all of Bay City State Park, jump off for lunch in Downtown Bay City, or enjoy a bustling marina by Veterans Memorial Park.
Read More +With more than 400 booths situated inside Michigan's largest antique center, find vintage glory at this historic, corner building that spans an entire block of Bay City.
Read More +Dine Downtown: Enjoy Bay City's only sushi bar at Fusion 1 Café, a casual upscale bistro with an unforgettable wine list at Old City Hall, or a farm-to-table restaurant with dishes rooted in Michigan history at MI Table (plus treats from St. Laurent Brothers or Village Chocolatier for dessert).
Enjoy Uptown Eats: Experience a breakfast, brunch, or lunch of diner classics with upscale twists at Uptown Grill, and take your pick of indoor or outdoor seating overlooking the scenic Saginaw River when you dine on fresh-catch flavors at Real Seafood Company. Or, partake in an authentic churrascaria experience at Costela Brazilian Steak House.
Shop Your Style: Find inspired décor and gifts at Violets Blue and My Secret Garden, stylish outfits and accessories inside Ferne Boutique, and hand-crafted goods and Mitten-inspired gear at Half Mile Handmade, all in Downtown. Or, step into OMONI Boutique in Uptown for on-trend fashions.
Down a pint of memorable craft brew at Tri-City Brewing Company, Lumber Barons Brewery or Tavern 101, and sample artisan craft cocktails with house-made soda at The Public House. Or, sip under the stars at the seasonal, outdoor Drydock Beer Garden in Unity Park!
Read More +See the State Theatre: Home to musical acts and movies (and even serving as the rain-out site for summer events at Wenonah Park), the State Theatre of Bay City was built in 1908 and is a must-experience historic gem, especially for lovers of Art Deco design.
Set Your Sights High: Out of this world, actually, at the Delta College Planetarium and Learning Center. Enjoy visually stunning planetarium shows and events, and explore the outdoor observation deck for a memorable bird's-eye view of Bay City!
Sample This Shoppe: Experience mouthwatering traditional European cheeses and American originals, cured meats, and even authentic gelato inside Artigiano Artisan Cheese Shoppe in Downtown Bay City. (Be sure to check out their tasting and pairing events, too!)
Whether you spend a day, a weekend, or even longer: Enjoy these experiences you'll find iconic to Bay City (and the reasons you'll return time and again)! Learn More
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