The Bay City area offers many fun and affordable activities for all ages!
Antique Toy and Fire Truck Museum
3456 Patterson Road, Bay City | 888.888.1270
Kids from 1 to 101 will enjoy exploring the NASCAR room, the largest collection of Tonka toys and trucks in the world, motorized fire trucks, Coca-Cola collectibles, a hand painted 9/11 memorial, and much more!
Bay City Boatlines
1201 Evergreen Drive, Bay City | 989.893.0251
Provides narrated tours and private charter service aboard the excursion vessels Princess Wenonah and Islander. Free rides are offered weekdays at 10:00 a.m. during the summer season.
Bay City Mall
4101 Wilder Road, Bay City | 989.667.0770
The mall, located just a few miles from the DoubleTree, features national retailers, first run movies at the state-of-the-art theater, and restaurants and a food court.
Bay City State Recreation Area
3582 State Park Drive, Bay City | 989.684.3020
Modern, all-season campground with grassy sites in a stand of mature oaks with adjacent playground. Mini-cabins available for rent. The day use area features almost one mile of natural Saginaw Bay shoreline, picnic areas, volleyball and basketball courts, a maintained public swimming beach, a Splash Park and the Saginaw Bay Visitors Center. The park also provides access to Tobico Marsh, an 1800-acre wetland preserve featuring nearly five miles of trails and two 32-foot observation towers.
Bay County Civic Arena
4231 Shrestha Drive, Bay City | 989.671.1000
Slip on some skates and try out the ice at the Bay County Civic Area, just a short distance from the DoubleTree.
Bay Sportfishing Charters
989.385.1311
Sportfishing charters and guide service on the Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron.
Bay Sail for Appledore Sailing Ships
107 5th Street, Bay City | 989.895.5193
The Appledore Tall Ships provide three-hour public sailing excursions, private charters, and dinner cruises on the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay. All sails depart from the downtown Bay City dock at Wenonah Park. Ticket sales help support BaySail's mission to foster environmental stewardship of the Saginaw Bay Watershed and the Great Lakes ecosystem by providing personal development opportunities for learners of all ages through ship board and land based educational experiences.
Buoy 18
960 E. Midland Street, Bay City | 989.891.0700
Buoy 18 offers miniature golf, ice cream and an arcade.
Card Sound Sailing, Inc.
Bay Marina Harbor, Bay City | 954.655.6366
Half- and full-day charters aboard the custom built 34' Seaward Eagle are available for up to 6 people. Private sunset cruises on the Saginaw Bay are also available.
Delta College Planetarium & Learning Center
100 Center Avenue, Bay City | 989.667.2260
Located in the heart of downtown Bay City, this $8.75 million facility, funded by NASA, houses one of the most technologically-advanced planetariums in the country, as well as a rooftop observation deck, magnificent lobby with a floor that displays the major star constellations, and more. Tickets are just $7 for adults and $5 for children (3-18), military, and seniors (ages 60+).
Dow Bay Area Family Y
225 Washington Avenue, Bay City | 989.895.8596
A number of options are available, including running on the track, swimming, participating in a class. Non-members may use the facility by purchasing a guest pass: $6 per youth (17 years or younger), $12 per adult (18+ years old), or $24 per household (2 adults and dependents). The hours of operation are 5:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays.
Michigan Experience Charters
1102 Joseph Street, Bay City | 989.686.7345
Guided fishing trips on a 27' sportcraft provides lots of space for a group to have fun trolling for walleye.
Painterly Pottery
904 North Water Street | 989.895.1029
Just a few blocks from the hotel, Painterly Pottery offers the region’s largest contemporary “paint your own” pottery studio with over 1,000 unfinished items waiting for your personal touch.
Riverwalk
207 3rd Street | 989.684.1735
The scenic 9.5 mile Riverwalk/Railtrail loop in Bay City is part of a larger 17.5 mile trail network. Access to the trail is free and offers some breathtaking views of the city. Stroll along the waterfront and enjoy some of Bay City’s maritime history, or you can rent a bicycle from Jack’s Bicycle Shop and pedal your way along the walk/trail.
Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum
1680 Martin Street, Bay City | 989.684.3946
This static museum is home of the USS Edson, a destroyer that is a National Historic Landmark and a Michigan Historic Landmark. Open for tours daily, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The cost is just $10 for adults, $8 for children, and there is no cost for children who are 5 and under.
Shopping Downtown
There are wonderful unique shops in the downtown area of Bay City, which is within walking distance of the hotel. If you are a fan of antiques, Bay City is known for its wonderful antique stores, including Michigan's largest indoor antique mall.
Spas
A variety of spas and salons can be found downtown, providing hair services, manicures, pedicures, and massages.
Sunrise Pedal Trolley
401 Washington Avenue, Bay City | 989.891.7700
Offers a new, unique, environmentally-friendly way for groups of 8-16 adults to get some light exercise while touring Bay City's specialty and antique shops, local pubs, and historic homes. Star-gazing tours with the Delta Planetarium are also available.
Third Street Waterfall Park
While the park is open every day, there is live music from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.on Friday nights during the summer. St. Laurent Brothers is located just next door and has been a favorite candy shop for generations; they also serve hand-dipped ice cream and are known for their delicious nut selection.
