Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan
Nestled along the Lake Huron coast in breathtaking Pure Michigan, prepare to city-hop your way through six charming small towns when you Go Great Lakes Bay. Comprised of Bay City, Birch Run, Chesaning, Frankenmuth, Midland, and Saginaw — and connected by unspoiled trails and tranquil rivers — chances to explore this nature-rich region are endless.
Discover walkable, riverfront towns where artisan boutiques, antique shops, and eateries dot the blocks, with cozy stays situated right near calm waters. Find neighborhoods brightened by massive murals and alive with abundant public art, and cozy hangouts serving craft beverages to locally roasted specialty coffee. Explore rich architecture and historic theaters, pristine art galleries and polished museums — all in one inviting region you can traverse from end-to-end in under an hour.
Frankenmuth
Known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria by millions who cross its cobblestone paths and covered wooden bridge each year, this idyllic German town is iconic. Anchored by two signature staples, Zehnder’s and Bavarian Inn — both with impressive waterparks and world-famous chicken dinners — traditions here run deep.
Add in streets lined with Bavarian architecture and a picturesque riverfront peppered with shops — plus the chance to tour it all on a horse-drawn carriage, pedal trolley, or river cruise — and you start to experience the warm nostalgia of this inviting city and its European feel.
Must-See & Do’s in Frankenmuth
Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland
Experience the merriment and magic of the world’s largest Christmas store, more than 1½ football fields in size and overflowing with over 50,000 ornaments, trims, and gifts. Be sure to have your future-heirloom ornaments hand-personalized for the perfect souvenir!
Explore the picturesque countryside on the calm waters of the Cass River. Relax on the canopied upper deck or in the enclosed lower salon of this 150-passenger paddlewheel vessel, and learn fascinating facts about Frankenmuth during your narrated historical tour.
Frankenmuth FunShips Tasting & Tours
Indulge in local specialties while gliding along the Cass River aboard a Wine & Chocolate River Tour. Sample wines paired with handmade, gourmet chocolates, and enjoy a full pour of your favorite selection in a keepsake souvenir glass.
Amble along winding cobblestone paths through manicured grounds to more than 40 boutiques and attractions in the European-inspired Frankenmuth River Place Shops. Peruse clothing to souvenirs, and pause to sample hand-paddled fudge or toffee, Michigan-made wines, and small-batch spirits.
Frankenmuth Festivals
Regardless when you plan to visit, you’ll find a calendar filled with traditional festivals worth gathering for in Frankenmuth. From Zehnder’s Snowfest every January to Bavarian Festival each June, spring’s Balloons Over Bavarian Inn and World Expo of Beer, plus Frankenmuth Oktoberfest each fall, prepare to enjoy authentic German fare and beer, traditional dancing, and far beyond!
Tour the only museum of its kind in the country, dedicated solely to sharing the personal stories of Michigan veterans and space heroes. Discover over 900 exhibits and witness the country’s largest collection of Medals of Honor on display!
Saginaw
A city steeped in arts and culture with hidden gems around each historic, mural-covered street corner, Saginaw is full of unexpected surprises. From Riverfront Saginaw’s arts and entertainment district to Old Town’s walkable blocks filled with quirky shops, eateries, and taverns, there’s something electric about every pocket of this city.
Must-See & Do’s in Saginaw
Japanese Cultural Center, Tea House & Gardens of Saginaw
Enter through the bamboo gates into what’s revered as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America and the only authentic tea house in the entire Midwest. Wander three acres of serene gardens framed by weeping cherry blossoms, tour the sukiya (rustic) style tea house, and relish the 500-year-old ritual of a peaceful and restorative traditional tea ceremony.
Step into an art museum inside a 1904 Georgian-Revival mansion and prepare for two award-winning modern wings, a permanent collection spanning 4,500 years, a dynamic exhibition program, and glorious Italianate gardens that nearly steal the whole show.
Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
Be surrounded by more than 200 sculptures spanning the 70-year career of “America’s Public Sculptor,” including an outdoor sculpture garden with beautiful botanicals and tranquil fountains.
Castle Museum of Saginaw County History
Discover a museum inside a French chateau-style castle in the middle of the city! Explore stunning architecture, captivating exhibits, and extensive collections that tell the story of Saginaw.
Be guided through ornate architectural beauty on a tour of the historic 1927 Temple Theatre. Delight in a silent film-viewing experience, with accompaniment by the world’s only remaining and functional Barton Butterfield Special pipe organ in existence, followed by a catered lunch, served on-stage.
Peruse “Michigan’s Largest Village of Unique Shops,” each housed in a historic building. From the 1899 Schoolhouse to the 1904 Farmhouse, discover one-of-a-kind clothing, gifts, home furnishings, and décor.
Bay City
With its easy access to Lake Huron and a sparkling riverfront that stretches Uptown to Downtown, there’s something effortlessly cool and refreshing about this nautical city.
On one end, Downtown’s historic buildings hold all from artisanal coffee to antique shops, eateries and brewpubs. On the other, Uptown boasts its own small fleet of restaurants and boutiques that rival the Riverwalk views. In any corner of this eclectic spot — scouring for vintage finds or sipping local craft — enjoy a laid-back city vibe and loads of historic charm.
Must-See & Do’s in Bay City
Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum
Board a National Historic Landmark destroyer naval ship, the U.S.S. Edson, permanently moored on the Saginaw River in Bay City. Wander through the ship’s storied passageways as you explore this exquisite military and maritime museum.
Bay City Antiques Center/Bay Antique Center
Spanning an entire block of Downtown Bay City, spend some time getting lost inside Michigan’s largest antique center, with more than 400 booths across three levels of antiquing opportunity! Uncover local and regional antiques alongside European imports and find primitives and miniatures to architectural salvage.
Relax while cruising along the Saginaw River, and listen to a live, local guide highlighting wildlife and points of interest along the way. Or, board for an unforgettable evening with a catered meal, live music, and dancing on deck!
Enjoy crafting and creating in an inviting setting at the region’s largest paint-your-own pottery studio. Choose from over 1,000 unfinished ceramic items and 80 glazes at the color bar!
Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum
Witness the largest collection of motorized fire trucks in the world, with more than 60 on display! Browse carefully curated shelves stocked with over 12,000 antique and collectible toys, many of them fire, police, and rescue vehicles.
Midland
It’s hard to decide what’s most captivating about Midland: its thriving art scene, abundant natural beauty, or the mid-century modern architecture you’ll find dotting every city street. And with 400 architectural gems, plus an app to help you track them all down, it starts unfolding from the moment you hit town.
Must-See & Do’s in Midland
Immerse yourself in a dazzling 110-acre display of beautiful botanicals, punctuated by architectural bridges, towering pines, and tranquil water features. Witness more than 22,000 flowering bulbs and 35,000 annuals in spring and summer months, and explore the nation’s longest canopy walk as it stretches up to four stories high through Whiting Forest. Take in sweeping vistas of forest, ponds, and orchards, especially from a glass-floored overlook 40 feet above the ground!
Woven into the surrounding landscape and encompassing pond, discover an imaginative oasis of organic mid-century modern architecture, noted as one of “The 25 Best Historic Homes in America.” See soaring roof lines, brilliant color, abundant natural light, and geometric patterns inside (and outside) this National Historic Landmark that blurs the lines between built and natural environments.
Situated along the Pine and Chippewa Rivers, find fresh air and unforgettable views along 19 miles of scenic nature trails. Discover an Arboretum with over 100 species of Michigan-native trees and shrubs, tour the Log Schoolhouse and 1870s Homestead Farm, and even experience a working Sugarhouse where Michigan maple syrup is made each spring!
Cozy up at The Glaze Bar and choose from an assortment of handcrafted stoneware pottery to paint! Your “bartender” will serve up colorful glazes, along with helpful tips and painting techniques, as you create your own memorable souvenirs.
See rows upon rows of bursting blooms across eight separate landscaped hillside terraces, and discover more than 300 dahlia varieties across 3,000 plants! View gorgeous sculptures on display among the vibrant florals and visit artist Charles Breed’s on-premise art museum.
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