Bay City has plenty for families: a fully accessible playground, a Saginaw Bay beach with a spray park, a toy and firehouse museum, planetarium shows and no shortage of ice cream. This itinerary strings them together into one easy day, with swaps for rainy weather and tips for different ages.
Good to know
• Hours change by season, so confirm before you go.
• A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to Bay City State Park.
• Many of the best stops are free. See our free things to do guide.
Morning: Play City and the riverfront
Start at Play City in Veterans Memorial Park. It opened in fall 2020 as a universally accessible destination playground, with ramps, steps, big and small slides, swings and plenty to climb, so children of all abilities can play together. After the playground, walk the Riverwalk to watch for boats and the occasional freighter, or stroll the Liberty Harbor Marina, a short walk from the playground.
Lunch
Pizza is the easy answer for kids. Gulino's Pizza & Sons on N Henry Street, Brooklyn Boyz Pizza and Eudici's Pizza on E Midland Street, and D'Angelo's on Columbus Avenue (which also has burgers and vegan options) are all on the Eat page. Diners such as Mandy's Diner and Zef's Coney Restaurant keep it casual, and Pita Way serves build-your-own bowls.
Afternoon: pick a museum
- Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum at 3456 Patterson Road shows vintage fire trucks and toys.
- USS Edson at the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum lets older kids tour a real Navy destroyer.
- Delta College Planetarium offers shows and family nights. Recent listings include family stargazing nights and light-show programs.
- Bay County Historical Society and the Trombley House are quieter options for curious kids.
Late afternoon: the beach
Drive north to Bay City State Park on Saginaw Bay. The park has a sandy beach, a spray park, picnic areas and the Tobico Marsh trails. In summer it is a favorite for a swim. Out of season, it is a great place for a nature walk or birdwatching.
Treat time
Ice cream is easy to find: Michigan Cream & Sugar on Uptown Drive, Buddy's Columbus Cone on Columbus Avenue and the Sweet Treats Ice Cream Shop on N Henry Street. For something different, Parlor Doughnuts on N Euclid Avenue and the Little Pastry Shop on Center Avenue are on our Eat page.
Neighborhood parks for a break
The city has about 25 park areas. Carroll Park has a pavilion and a duck pond, and Bigelow Park has picnic and play areas along the river. Many parks have drinking fountains and some have playgrounds, basketball courts and ball diamonds. Pavilions at some parks can be reserved for birthday parties for $100 to $150 a day through the Parks Department at (989) 894-8314.
Seasonal family events
- Late November: Santa's Arrival and tree lighting in Wenonah Park (Nov 27, 2026), followed by the Nate & Mary Ida Doan Santa House.
- December: free carriage rides downtown on Dec 6, 13 and 20, and free holiday movies at the State Theatre and Court Street Theatre.
- Spring: Finding Nemo Jr., an Encore Youtheatre production, plays at Bay City Players March 12-21, 2027.
- Summer: the Fireworks Festival (July 1-3, 2027) and concerts in Wenonah Park.
See the full events calendar and our holiday guide.
If it rains
Swap the playground and beach for the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum, a planetarium show, a movie at the State Theatre or an indoor lunch. See our rainy-day ideas.
Tips for different ages
- Toddlers: Play City and neighborhood playgrounds, and a short walk by the river.
- School age: the toy and firehouse museum, the destroyer tour and the beach.
- Teens: the planetarium, the Riverwalk and a movie night at the State Theatre.
Where to stay
Our Stay page lists riverfront hotels with pools, and Bay City State Park offers camping through the Michigan DNR.
Sources
Play City details come from the City of Bay City. Park information is from the city's parks page. Businesses and events come from their own listings and calendars.