Bay City sits where the Saginaw River meets Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron, about five miles upriver from the bay, and its downtown is compact enough to cover on foot. If you have just one day, this plan mixes the riverfront, local history, good food and a little nightlife. Every place named here is listed in our guide with an address and a link.
Quick facts
• Where: east-central Michigan on the Saginaw River, part of the Great Lakes Bay region with Midland and Saginaw.
• Distances: about 51 miles from Flint, 87 from Lansing, 98 from Ann Arbor and 111 from Detroit (roughly two hours).
• Airport: MBS International Airport, about 15 miles away, has Delta and United flights.
• Best for: first-time visitors who want a mix of waterfront, history, food and an evening out.
Hours change with the season, so confirm opening times with each place before you go.
Getting here and getting around
Most visitors arrive by car on I-75. Once downtown, the core of the day is walkable: the riverfront parks, the shops on Midland Street and Washington Avenue, and many of the restaurants are within a few blocks of each other. You will want a car for Bay City State Park and for shopping along Wilder Road and Euclid Avenue. Bay Metro runs local buses if you would rather not drive. More details are on our Plan a Visit and City Info pages.
8:30 am: coffee and a walk to the river
Start downtown with a coffee. Our food guide lists several local shops, including Harless + Hugh Coffee on Washington Avenue, Excited Goat Coffee Company on N Euclid Avenue, Live Oak Coffeehouse on E Main Street and Beatles and Beans Coffee Emporium on N Water Street. For a sit-down breakfast, Uptown Grill on E Main Street serves breakfast and lunch, and Mandy's Diner on Saginaw Street is another breakfast option.
Then head to the water. Wenonah Park, home of the World Friendship Shell, is the heart of downtown and the stage for concerts and festivals. It is open around the clock. From there the Riverwalk follows the Saginaw River, and Veterans Memorial Park stretches along the shore with open space, the Liberty Harbor Marina and Play City, a fully accessible playground that opened in fall 2020. The city maintains roughly ten miles of Rail Trail and Riverwalk in total, so you can walk as far as you like.
10:30 am: step aboard a Navy destroyer
The Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum keeps the USS Edson, a retired Navy destroyer, on the river and offers tours. It is a fitting stop in a city that once built warships: the Defoe Shipbuilding Company produced destroyer escorts, guided missile destroyers and patrol craft until it closed on December 31, 1975. The Edson arrived in the area on August 7, 2012. If you would rather have a quieter museum, the Bay County Historical Society on Washington Avenue covers local history, and the Trombley House, a Greek Revival home in Veterans Memorial Park, is another historic stop.
12:30 pm: lunch
Downtown has plenty of casual choices. Intermission Deli on 3rd Street is known for sub sandwiches in an art-filled space, and Brooklyn Boyz Pizza and Eudici's Pizza are both on E Midland Street. Pita Way has Mediterranean bowls and gyros, and Zef's Coney Restaurant and Mandy's Diner cover the classic diner side. If you want a Michigan sit-down meal with a view, try a riverfront spot such as H2O's Waterside Grill. See the full list on the Eat page.
2:00 pm: antiques and Midland Street
Bay City is a good place to browse. The Bay City Antiques Center is one of the largest antique retail centers in the state, and more shops line the downtown streets. Wander along Midland Street, a historic commercial district of brick storefronts. Our history page tells the story of the lumber and shipbuilding boom that built downtown, including the city's old lumber barons' mansions that are now registered landmarks.
4:30 pm: the bay at sunset
If you have a car, drive north to Bay City State Park on Saginaw Bay. The sandy beach faces the open water, and the park includes the Tobico Marsh, a coastal wetland with trails that is popular for bird watching, especially in spring and fall. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry. The park also has a spray park and a campground, which makes it an easy add-on for families.
6:30 pm: dinner
For a special meal, Gatsby's Seafood & Steakhouse on Center Avenue sets its steaks and seafood in a 1920s-inspired room, and Old City Hall on Saginaw Street serves in a historic building. Real Seafood Company on Uptown Drive has a waterfront patio, and Gilly's Bistro on N Johnson Street offers a fusion menu. Book ahead on weekends and event nights.
8:30 pm: a show or a pint
Finish the day with a performance. The State Theatre and the Historic Masonic Temple host concerts, films and special events, and Bay City Players is the oldest continuously operating community theatre in Michigan. Check the events calendar for tonight's lineup. If you would rather have a drink, the craft beer guide lists the local breweries and taprooms, and the Nightlife page has the bars and live music venues.
If it rains
Swap the outdoor stops for the ship museum, the Historical Society, a long lunch, antique shopping and an evening show. Most of the day works fine under an umbrella. The Delta College Planetarium lists regular shows on our events calendar if you want an indoor option with the family.
Traveling with kids
- Play City in Veterans Memorial Park is built so children of all abilities can play together.
- Bay City State Park has a beach, a spray park and trails.
- Walking the Riverwalk to watch for ships and bridge openings is free entertainment.
- Ice cream is easy to find: Michigan Cream & Sugar on Uptown Drive and Buddy's Columbus Cone on Columbus Avenue are both on our Eat page.
On a budget
Some of the best parts of the day cost nothing. The riverfront parks, the Riverwalk and Rail Trail, Wenonah Park and window-shopping downtown are all free. You can add a paid tour or two and still keep the day affordable.
Where to stay
Riverfront hotels put you within walking distance of the park and downtown. Our Stay page lists the DoubleTree by Hilton and the Comfort Inn on the river, plus the Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn & Suites and Quality Inn & Suites. Campers can book sites at Bay City State Park through the Michigan DNR.
If you have a second day
- Walk the boardwalk at Ted Putz Nature Area or spend a morning at Tobico Marsh.
- Visit the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum and the Saginaw River Marine Historical Society museum.
- Tour the historic churches, including St. Stanislaus Kostka, which is a registered Michigan Historic Site. Read our Polish heritage story.
- Check the calendar for a festival, concert or play.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Bay City from Detroit?
About 111 miles, roughly a two-hour drive. Flint is about 51 miles away.
Do I need a pass for the state park?
Yes, a Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to state parks. Check the Michigan DNR for current details.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer is best for the beach, festivals and fireworks. Fall brings color at the state park, and winter is quieter downtown with holiday events. See our fall and holiday guide.
Is Bay City safe and walkable?
Downtown and the riverfront are popular for walking. As in any city, use common sense after dark, and keep valuables out of sight in your car.