Michigan Bucket List: The Great Lakes Bay Region

Grace Trelease

| 3 min read

Community
Things To Do
Michigan Outdoors
If you plan on traveling to Michigan and are looking for a fun-filled trip, the Great Lakes Bay Region might be the place for you. The Great Lakes Bay Region consists of Saginaw, Midland and Bay City. These three cities, located about 20 to 30 minutes away from each other by car, are located near Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron and have an abundance of activities.
There is plenty to do, ranging from activities on the water and on land. If you’re interested in a trip to the beautiful Great Lakes Bay region, here are recommendations on what to do in the area.

Things to do in Midland

Festivals and community events

Midland has many festivals year-round, including the Summer Art Fair, the Art Seen Festival, the River Days and Balloon Festival and more happening this summer. Midland hosts festivals year-round, so if you can’t make it in the summer, don’t fret. If you’re looking for a fun-filled community event, try checking out some festivals in downtown Midland.

Dow Gardens and Dahlia Hill

If you are more interested in looking at beautiful scenery and taking a relaxing walk, Dow Gardens and Dahlia Hill are the places to go. These gardens are beautiful and filled with blooming flora and fauna. Dow Gardens has a variety of different trees, flowers and water features while Dahlia Hill specializes in dahlia flowers, having more than 340 varieties of dahlias displayed. The best time to go is in spring, summer and fall when flowers are in bloom. 

Things to do in Bay City

Boating

Bay City on the Saginaw River and a few miles from the Saginaw Bayon Lake Huron. The access to water means Bay City is a great place to go boating. There are several boat rental shops throughout the city and neighboring towns, so this might be the perfect opportunity to have fun and relax. If you’re not one to rent and drive your own boat, Bay City Boat Lines is a terrific opportunity to get out on the water and receive a guided boat tour of the Saginaw River and the Saginaw Bay. Bay City Boat Lines offers a variety of tours such as the Carefree Cruisin’ Dinner Cruise, the VIP Fireworks Experience and more.

Parks

If you are planning to take a family trip to Bay City, there are a number of parks for children to play in. Carroll Park on east side of town has a playground, walking paths, ponds and other features that are sure to keep you and the family having fun. Its beauty and scenic appeal draw in many visitors, both local and from out of town.

Things to do in Saginaw

Live events

A great activity that will add fun to your visit to Saginaw is going to live events. Saginaw is home to the Dow Event Center and the Jolt Credit Union Event Park, which host a number of different events ranging from concerts, comedy shows, plays and sporting events. Check out the Dow Event Center and the Jolt Credit Union Event Park websites to see a list of upcoming shows.

Museums

Saginaw is home to many family-friendly museums including the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History, the Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum and the Saginaw Art Museum. Check out the website for each museum for hours and tickets.

Plan your trip

  • Check for event dates: Make sure to look at a schedule ahead of time to find events that could interest you on your trip.
  • Check the weather: Make sure to check the weather prior to traveling so you aren’t stuck without the proper equipment such as a rain jacket or umbrella.

When to visit

The Great Lakes Bay Region is most popular during the summer months, but the area offers plenty to do year-round.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Related:

Related Articles

Community

10 Things to Do in Grand Rapids

Community

Things to Do in Port Austin

Community

Fourth of July Fireworks in Michigan: 10 Displays to Check Out in 2025

Looking for the best fireworks in Michigan in 2022? There are destination fireworks displays and festivals all over the state between June 24 and July 4.
Food and Recipes

9 Iconic Michigan Ice Cream Parlors to Visit 

There are more than a few iconic ice cream spots that Michigan families flock to each summer. These shops have enjoyed sustained success for their quality and service. How many of these eight have you visited, and how many more would you like to check out?  
About
Privacy
Contact

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
No Personal Healthcare Advice or Other Advice
This Web site provides general educational information on health-related issues and provides access to health-related resources for the convenience of our users. This site and its health-related information and resources are not a substitute for professional medical advice or for the care that patients receive from their physicians or other health care providers.
This site and its health-related information resources are not meant to be the practice of medicine, the practice of nursing, or to carry out any professional health care advice or service in the state where you live. Nothing in this Web site is to be used for medical or nursing diagnosis or professional treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding a health condition. You should not disregard medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice, because of something you read in this site.