Outdoors + Nature

Be surrounded by thousands of colorful blooms at Dow Gardens — and experience the nation’s longest canopy walk that soars four stories high into the treetops!

Conquer ziplines & rope bridges at Frankenmuth Aerial Park, and look for dazzling Glow Nights this summer!

Explore 19 miles of trails at Chippewa Nature Center, and venture out for a guided bike ride or an evening kayak trip with a naturalist.

Bring your binoculars to the Saginaw Bay Birding Trail, a natural habitat for 200+ species of birds.

With waterfront scenery & wildflowers, hop onto the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail — and stop by Ray's Bike Shop or Nor'East Outdoors to rent your rides!

Catch a Great Lakes Loons Minor League Baseball game! Watch from stadium seats, or bring a blanket to cheer from the lawns.

Golf two of Michigan’s must-play public courses, The Fortress and Apple Mountain, or discover over a dozen others.

Discover the enchanting gardens of the Great Lakes Bay along our curated, self-guided gardens tour.

Join Flavors of Frankenmuth Food Tours to explore Little Bavaria’s iconic eateries — and hidden gems — alongside local food experts!

Stroll through Bay City along the Center Avenue Historic District Walking Tour to view buildings & homes built prior to cars!

Launch your scenic summer paddling trip with Nor’East Outdoors or Frankenmuth Kayak Adventures.

Drop your line into water that’s earned an international reputation for walleye fishing — Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay! Set out solo, or charter a guided excursion.

Shopping

Explore 40+ stores at Frankenmuth River Place Shops, and find clothing boutiques to fudge kitchens — even a bead shop with in-store wine tasting!

Peruse “Michigan’s Largest Village of Unique Shops” at Pride and Country Village, each one housed in a historic farm building.

Shop 100+ designer & name-brand stores at prices of up to 65% off at Birch Run Premium Outlets.

Stroll through seven unique shops inside a cobblestone-lined castle at the Bavarian Inn Castle Shops.

Peruse the SVRC Marketplace, sampling from unique & ethnic eateries while shopping yarn & beads to beauty & apothecary products.

Experience the magic of Christmas — even in the midst of summer – at the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland.

With gifts to fashionable clothing, apothecary & plants, uncover unique treasures at My Secret Garden and Botanica Modern Market.

Find your fill of home decor, gifts, and garden items inside inviting shops including Violets Blue, Little House, and Warmbier Farms.

Antiquing

Get lost within Michigan’s largest antique mall, Bay City Antiques Center/Bay Antique Center, and shop multiple floors and 400+ booths.

Peruse 70+ antique vendors & six specialty shops inside the Antique Warehouse, then grab a bite to eat at the cafe.

Stroll through 90+ booth spaces stocked with antiques & vintage goods at the Freeland Antique Mall.

Get your fill of nostalgia at Americana Company Antiques, with unique antiquities, vintage items, and local memorabilia.

Be inspired by reimagined pieces of mid-century modern furniture at Retro Attics Studio, open Saturdays only.

Shop old & new at The Iron Gate Emporium, a marketplace of Michigan-made, vintage, shabby chic, antique, industrial, and mid-century modern.

With vintage kitchenware to collectibles, discover The Little House Antiques that's been delighting shoppers for 40+ years!

Get your hands on interesting garden décor & vintage galore from 60+ vendors at Around the Farm Antiques.

Travel to Thrifty Treasures Antiques & More to shop from 20+ dealers offering jewelry, glassware, furniture, and primitives.

Beer, Wine + Spirits

Grab a picnic table outside The Maple Grille Restaurant & Microbrewery, where the locally sourced food & craft brews are both wood-fired!

Bask in the beautiful backyard beer garden of Midland Brewing Company — at a picnic table, or by the fire pit!

Taste 150 years of brewing tradition while soaking up Cass River views at Frankenmuth Brewery, Michigan’s oldest microbrewery!

Linger in a laid-back space at Oracle Brewing Company and sample inventive sours to IPAs.

Sip on suds that pay homage to the area at Tri-City Brewing Company, best enjoyed with flavors from rotating food trucks!

Kick back with street eats & cold pints on the patio at Loggers Brewing Company and try the Section 37 Red IPA.

Wash down your hand-tossed, wood-fired pizza with a pint of Bay City Sunset Wheat at W.H. Ales Brewpub.

Sip your brew (beer or coffee) while snacking on baked goods & listening to live music at MI Element Grains & Grounds.

Live Entertainment + Nightlife

Catch a comedy show, concert, or other performance inside Midland Center for the Arts, The Temple Theatre, The Dow Event Center, State Theatre of Bay City — or on the lawns of Jolt Credit Union Event Park!

Head into Stardust to bowl for strikes, but stay for axe-throwing, escape rooms, and The Taproom with 41 craft beer handles.

Bounce back into retro gaming fun at Crazy Quarters Arcade — and test your skills on classic arcade games & dozens of pinball machines!

Step into an immersive experience at 906 Lapeer, with escape rooms, indoor GellyBall, axe-throwing, and a professional haunted house!

Feel the nostalgia at Brinstar while playing pinball & arcade games — and sample creative burgers, with 12 beer options on tap.

Escape the heat (and the room) at Great Lakes Escape Game or Code Breakers Escape & Puzzle Rooms. Unravel cryptic clues & get out before your time is up!

History + Museums

Explore the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum aboard the U.S.S. Edson, a permanently moored National Historic Landmark.

Venture through the Michigan Heroes Museum, featuring displays that honor Michigan veterans.

Discover a three-story gem of fascinating history inside a French chateau-style castle, the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History.

Schedule a personal tour of the Xavier DeGroat Autism History Museum to discover the history of autism in a space that celebrates neurodiversity.