Bay City Sights and Landmarks Guide, Michigan

Bay City, Michigan, is indeed an interesting destination to be in, if you are thinking of a short-trip or stop-over. Lake Huron is undoubtedly the biggest draw of Bay City but there is much more to see in the city – if the Bay City planetarium is frequented by grown-ups, the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum that houses motorized fire-trucks and other toys is a hit with the children. Here we brief you about the different Bay City sights so that you can travel around the city on your own.

Bay City Sights – Explore the Natural Attractions

Lake Huron, the second largest of the Great Lakes is certainly the biggest natural attraction of Bay City. The third largest freshwater lake on Earth, Lake Huron is known for its abundant flora and fauna.

This American city has many parks – the Bay City State Park, Bigelow Park, Birney Park, Caroll Park, Defoe Park, Infinity Skate Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Wenonah Park and a host of others.

Of these, the Bay City State Park is a huge crowd-puller. Also known as the Bay City Recreation Area, it is a great birding destination. Standing just beside the Saginaw Bay, the Bay City State Park encompasses the Tobico Marsh (freshwater coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes) which acts as a sanctuary for the migratory birds. In addition to bird-watching, other attractions of the park, include fishing, swimming, wild-life viewing, etc.

Bay City Sights – Explore the Historic Attractions

As such, the Midland Street is called the ‘Historic District’ of Bay City and you ought to travel to this part for a glimpse of the city’s past. Besides, there is the Bay County Historical Museum - the most authoritative source for collecting information about local history. The one thing that you cannot miss out in this museum is the Kantzler Maritime Gallery, which throws light on the city’s evolvement as an internationally important port.

Bay City Sights – Explore the Cultural Attractions

Bay City has been an important cultural influence since its beginings. And if you want to get a taste of it, you must make it a point to visit the Studio 23 Art Center. Established in 1959, this visual arts’ studio exhibits various artworks – paintings, sculptures and even photographs of local and national-level artists. Classes/tutorials are also organized in this studio.

Then there is the State Theater; the once-upon-a-time burlesque hall is today a very modern movie theater with a digital projection system. The imposing structure originally built in 1908 has been renovated repeatedly and the present façade hints at its Mayan connect.

The Van Buren Street Theatre has been a recent addition to the list of Bay City sights. Established in 2005, the Van Buren Street Theatre has been a talk of the town for quite a long time as much for its Greek-revival construction, as for its fine woodwork and stained glass windows.