City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Bay City, Michigan
Between beaches, boating and fishing for perch and walleye in Lake Huron and the Saginaw River, Bay City makes a terrific destination for nature enthusiasts and travelers of all types. Plus, you won’t have to worry about rinsing saltwater and flushing the boat (the Great Lakes are freshwater).
Photo: Wikimedia
The Pure Michigan (Don’t you just love that tourism ad?) town of Bay City sits on Saginaw Bay on the shore of Lake Huron just north of Ann Arbor. Whether it’s a tall ships festival, an Appeldore Tall Ships cruise on Saginaw Bay or an eco-tour through the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll find lots of water-based activities and attractions in this Great Lakes Bay region. There’s even a wide range of land-based activities for the landlubbers out there.
Let’s go check out what to do in Bay City!
Bay City State Park
Photo: Flickr/CC License/MaiaC
The Bay City State Park covers 2,389-acres on Saginaw Bay. It has the largest freshwater coastal wetlands area on the Great Lakes (Tobico Marsh). Check out wetlands, marsh areas and oak savannah prairie habitats for birds and other native creatures.
U.S.S. Edson – Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum
Photo: U.S.S. Edson (Facebook)
Fans of military and maritime history will want to pay a visit to the U.S.S. Edson – Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum. First launched in 1958, and nicknamed The Destroyer, it was decommissioned in 1988. The vessel served for a while as part of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in NYC. You can take guided and self-guided tours of the various rooms, gear and equipment on board the vessel. Check out the gift shop before heading on to another site or a private boat dock rental.
Wenonah Park
Photo: Bay City Boat Lines (Facebook)
Established in 1908, Wenonah Park is a 6.1 acre along the east bank of the Saginaw River. Along with art installations and sculptures, the amphitheater (the World Friendship Shell) holds concerts, speaking engagements, presentations and other live music and artistic events. The park makes a great spot for a picnic lunch.
Delta College Planetarium
Photo: Delta College Planetarium (Facebook)
Explore space and the night sky from the Delta College Planetarium in downtown Bay City. Dome360 has presentations on topics such as the Northern lights, the moon, planets and more. The unique exterior of the building is designed like a rocket exhaust nozzle and features interior elements relating to the sun, the solar system and deep space.
Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum
Photo: Marshall M Fredericks Museum (Facebook)
The Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum has more than 200 sculptures spanning the 70-year career of Marshall M. Fredericks (known as “America’s Public Sculptor”). There are also rotating exhibits of sculptures from artists around the world as well as paintings and other artistic works. A stroll through the sculpture garden, fountains and galleries is a great way to get your culture fix from a private boat slip rental. Admission is free.
Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum
Photo: Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum (Facebook)
Toys and real-life vehicles come together at the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum. There are more than 60 motorized fire trucks (the largest collection in the world), including horse-drawn vehicles, Model Ts and the world’s largest fire truck, the FDNY Super Pumper. Peruse more than 12,000 antique toy trucks (many of them are fire, police and rescue vehicles) and learn about first responder history through exhibits and displays.
Riverwalk Pier
Photo: Saginaw River (via Wikimedia)
The Riverwalk Pier overlooks the Saginaw River. It’s a popular area for fishing, walking, bicycling, in-line skating and relaxing beneath the gazebo. The walkway extends through Veterans Memorial Park, Kantzler Arboretum and Fitness Park on its path along the river. So, you can visit several Bay City spots as you make your way back to a private boat lift rental, hotel or marina.
We hope you’ve discovered some new and interesting things to do in Bay City. The next time you’re in town for a week or a weekend at a private boat dock for rent, be sure to check them out. Let us know your favorites!
