Places to visit in Bay City, MI.
Bay City, Michigan, is where you can enjoy a great variety of land and water-based activities. From nature to art and history, there are plenty of activities to explore. So you can find the perfect activity if you want to stroll along the Riverwalk, watch a movie, or explore the wetlands at the Bay City State Park.
Bay City, Michigan, has a lot to offer visitors, from the state park to the local museums. With the summer season underway, now is the time to plan a trip to Bay City and enjoy all these lovely city offers.
There are lots of reasons to visit Bay City, Michigan. This city is surrounded by Great Lakes and has a unique downtown area. It offers fun things to do for all ages.
Bay City, MI, is located on Saginaw Bay’s shores. It has a population of 32,000. The city was once a lumber town. However, the logging industry ceased in the early 1900s, and shipping and commerce replaced it. Today, it is a vibrant historical community.
The Downtown City Market is the place to go for specialty stores and restaurants. It is also a great place to buy locally-sourced foods and produces. You can find fresh farm-to-table food, coffee, wine, and more.
(closed in 2022)
Bay City State Park
Bay City State Park is a 2,389-acre park located outside of Bay City. It was first opened in 1923 and was later expanded to include the Tobico Marsh. In the 1990s, the park received a makeover, including a new beach. This park features a mile-long beach, an extensive trail system, and several other activities.
The park has a variety of outdoor activities to keep you entertained throughout the summer months. There are hiking and biking trails, nature programs, and a spray by the bay spray park. Another fun thing to do is to play archery in the park. Finally, if you’re feeling energetic, try ice fishing or sit back and enjoy the view.
The park’s newest additions include a new day-use building and a new science lab. Other improvements are in the works, including improved underground water distribution systems.
During the winter, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and ice fishing. The Bay City State Park campground is an excellent choice for those with RVs. Several campsites have 50-amp electricity hookups, while others are asphalt.
Wenonah Park at World Friendship Shell
Wenonah Park at the World Friendship Shell is an event space in Bay City, Michigan. It’s one of the city’s most popular venues and hosts several events, including music festivals. The venue is located on the eastern bank of the Saginaw River, near the historic Wenonah Hotel.
One of the first things you should know about the place is the new band shell. It’s the latest addition to Bay City’s waterfront. The project is expected to cost at least $1.5 million, but the final product will include a larger stage, improved acoustics, and lights.
Another noteworthy event is the Bay City Country Music Festival. This annual festival features musical performances by artists such as Billy Currington and Chase Rice. You can buy tickets for the upcoming Bay City Country Music Festival.
Wenonah Park at the World Friendships Shell is one of the largest and most famous concert venues in Bay City, Michigan. The park is a 6.1-acre downtown park surrounded by a water fountain, boardwalk, and boat slips.
The park was constructed in 1908 and is home to a sizeable oval sculpture, a drinking fountain, and an amphitheater. There is also an extensive boardwalk that extends along the east bank of the Saginaw River.
Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum
The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is a free museum dedicated to the life of the American sculptor Marshall M. Fredericks. It is located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University.
Its mission is to provide a space for art education and to foster an appreciation for artistic expression. A wide variety of objects and artworks are displayed. These include works by many artists.
Visitors can also view the Museum’s temporary exhibition galleries, which display works by national and international artists. Two temporary exhibitions are opened in 2022: Exposure: Native Art and Political Ecology and Rethinking Monuments.
“Rethinking Monuments” links the history of American sculpture with urgent public debates. The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, and Art Bridges support this exhibition.
State Theatre
The State Theatre is a historic movie theater in Bay City, Michigan. It is a jewel box theatre with a Mayan theme. In addition to movies, the theater frequently hosts concerts and stage performances.
The theatre is a part of the Traverse City Film Festival, which Michael Moore founded. There are also several other theatres in the Bay City area.
The State Theatre was first constructed in 1908 as a Bijou theatre. Over the years, the theatre changed hands many times. Eventually, it was purchased by the Bay City Downtown Development Authority in July 2000.
Charles Howard Crane remodeled the theatre in the 1930s. He combined the popular styles of the Art Deco and Mayan Revival. Afterward, the theatre was renovated into a single-screen movie house.
Sage Branch Library
Sage Branch Library in Bay City, Michigan, is a historic landmark that continues to serve the community. The library’s history dates back to the early 1860s. Henry W. Sage, a savvy businessman from Ithaca, New York, came to Bay City and donated a large sum of money to help construct a new library.
He also lent his name to the library. Today, the library is operated by the Bay County Library System. Some of the library’s features include an interactive community room for meetings, computer stations with high-speed internet access, and many books and audiobooks.
There are several reasons the Sage Branch Library holds a special place in the hearts of its patrons. The library’s location, two-and-a-half-storey structure, and the quality of its amenities make it a favorite among local students, educators, and bibliophiles.
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City Market in Bay City closed up several months ago.
Thanks for sharing, Rick! Made the corrections.