What to Do in the Bay Area

For a complete list of community events and activities, please visit:
Bay City Convention & Visitors Bureau l Downtown Bay City l Chamber Events

For additional information about the Bay Area, please visit:
About Bay County l Bay County Events & Activities l Schools l Churches l City of Bay City l Downtown Bay City l Accommodations l Bay Area Restaurants l Bay Area Attractions l Bay Area Development Directory | PDF Government and School Information

The Best of Both Worlds
Bay County is located 100 miles north of Detroit, at the south end of Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron and is an integral part of the Mid-Michigan area of the lower peninsula of Michigan close to the city, the country, the woods and the lakes. Two hours north are world-class skiing and resort spots while two hours south you can see "The Birdcage" at the Fisher Theater or yell for the Detroit Pistons who inhabit the Palace. An excellent choice either direction.

From raising children to running your business, to retirement, Bay County beckons with a relaxed, water-oriented lifestyle where a little business travelin’ music goes a long, long way.

Let’s move north where the great eastern broadleaf forests of Michigan seem only minutes away, especially when the autumn leaves are dancing with color. Bay County boasts 3,200 acres of natural terrain, including Tobico Marsh refuge on the Great Midwestern Migratory Flyway. Tobico is the largest natural wetlands on the western shore of the Saginaw Bay and annually attracts thousands of visitors to walk the nature trails and visit the Marsh Museum.

Looking for action? Cross-country ski wooded trails, cut your own Christmas tree, canoe, fish, camp, hike, hunt, bird watch, star gaze ... you get the idea. But how about this: cast for walleye or rainbow trout as a great Blue Heron flaps by.

Bay County is "Play County"
Year-round recreation in Bay County focuses first on the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay. Marinas up and down the river serve all kinds of pleasure boaters from sailors seeking the wind to powerboaters out for a cruise. Only Florida has more pleasure boats than Michigan. Bay City’s Skipper Bud’s, Michigan’s largest marina and yacht sales firm, is a watercraft leader in this industry. For the adventurous, Bay City offers the Appledore Schooners, owned and operated by the non-profit organization BaySail. These tall ships offer public sails, private charters and group tours.

Fishermen thrive here, trolling the river and bay for walleye, bass, salmon, perch and the great northern pike or local rivers and streams for trout. Thirty miles of various shorelines don’t harm an angler’s chances for a good catch.

Landbound enthusiasts find themselves up to their argyles in golf courses. Among the 10 in the county is the PGA course at the Bay Valley Resort Hotel designed by Jack Nicklaus and featuring a mind-boggling heather hole. It’s long, challenging, and a short drive from Bay County. The Bay City Country Club has an excellent course and facility.

Visitors and residents alike enjoy camping and hunting through all of Michigan’s famous bow, rifle and black powder game seasons. From deer to grouse to rabbits to ducks to bear ... you’ll find the action in the marshes, the woods and on the water.

Winter sports really pick up that action with snowmobiling, ice fishing, skating, ice carving... and much, much more!




Go Out On the Town
Can there ever be too many choices? Probably not if you’re curious and energetic, a frugal shopper or believe nighttime is the right time. Your day planner could include a trip to the mall, the Farmer’s Market and our special antique district with even more downtown shopping at our stores and boutiques. Then it’s the special of the day at our restaurant network, offering everything from
deli delights to sit-down eateries, gourmet dining and world class buffets for the discriminating palate.

Great eating is the big adventure in Downtown Bay City. Restaurants view the waterfront, serving fresh specialties, while others are tucked away in Old World places with wooden floors and 19th cen-
tury brick walls. Restaurants, pubs, coffee houses, all of them near shopping and entertainment, make an unbeatable combination.

As the sun sets, it’s time for dance fever and the famous pubs of Midland Street where no fewer than 10 establishments are ready to let the good times rock and roll, or the country music steal your soul.

Left to Right: The Bijou Orchestra performs in the park; The Marshall Fredericks Gallery at Saginaw Valley State University; The Delta College Planetarium.

Or...Do That Culture Thing!
Your cultural literacy gets a major boost year ‘round with Bay County’s alliances of fine and performing arts organizations including the Bay Arts Council, Studio 23 The Arts Center, Marshall Fredericks Gallery at Saginaw Valley State University, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, the Bijou Orchestra, Bay Chorale and the Bay Concert Band. Many performances are scheduled in the
Wenonah Park Amphitheater, a key site for festivals and water-related entertainment and the newly renovated State Theatre.

Founded in 1917, the Bay City Players give sold-out performances and lay claim to being the second oldest community theater group in the country. Their acting is first-rate as are the play selections and
direction. Keep calling for your tickets, you might just get lucky.

Perhaps you could stroll along the Riverwalk and watch boats and yachts of all sizes on parade. Stop by the newly constructed Waterfall Park, part of the "Cool City" initiative on the waterfront. Pick up some homegrown trinkets at the annual art fair. Join 200,000 visitors who have a blast at the 4th of July Fireworks Display, one of the state’s largest...or feel the thunder of the River Roar when professional powerboat racers hurtle around the Saginaw River Course in downtown Bay City.

Nearby you will find the $8-million Delta College Planetarium and Learning Center, 33,000 square feet of celestial excitement, modern meeting facilities and science classrooms keyed to a 50-foot dome theater with interactive seating so you can help roll back the heavens. Its Digistar II projector is one of only 20 worldwide. The Bay County Historical Museum is located adjacent to Bay City’s historic City Hall and is the starting point for tours of historic Center Avenue and other districts.

From Bay County, take a short trip to the famous Dow Gardens, world famous Frankenmuth and the five-million visitor a year outlet mall at Birch Run, as well as Midland’s Historic District, Saginaw’s Celebration Square, Dow Event Center, Art Museum and Children’s Zoo.

For a complete list of community events and activities, please visit:
Bay City Convention & Visitors Bureau l Downtown Bay City l Chamber Events

For additional information about the Bay Area, please visit:
About Bay County l Bay County Events & Activities l Schools l Churches l City of Bay City l Downtown Bay City l Accommodations l Bay Area Restaurants l Bay Area Attractions l
Bay Area Development Directory (PDF) Government, Economic & School info