Saginaw MI has dozens of things to do. You can, for example, visit the Castle Museum. This stunning historical structure houses a sports, archeology, and lumber era hall of fame, as well as an automotive museum.
You can also visit the Saginaw Art Museum. It has a collection of sculptures and watercolor artwork by European and American artists. The museum is located in a Georgian Revival mansion with Italianate gardens.
The Great Mural Project
The Great Mural project is located in downtown Saginaw and is an association of local artists who paint murals all over the town. These pieces honor a variety of historical figures and cultural events as well as local history.
In 2017, the project was launched to bring more public art into the city. Along with Alayna Wesener, a Communications Specialist at McLaren Bay Region and owner of Sushi Remix, Cassi Miller, a Business Development Specialist at Saginaw Future Inc, and Dawn Goodrow, the owner of Dawn of a New Day coffee house, they’ve painted several murals.
The largest mural, which stands at the Commerce Center in downtown Saginaw, honors civil rights activist Jim Letherer. The mural shows him walking with crutches on one leg. It’s a symbol of his larger than life legacy. A mural will be painted on an entire STARS Bus to honor Theodore Roethke. Creating such massive paintings is no easy feat, and the group takes pride in their work.
The Great Lakes Bay Trail
This unique area, located along Saginaw Bay offers many ways to experience its natural beauty. In spring, explore secluded trails to find warblers. In the fall, hike the 1400-foot Whiting Forest canopy walkway (the largest in the United States). And in winter, snowshoe over fresh powdery peaks.
There are also a number parks in the region that have walking trails. Wenonah Park offers scenic bridge views and lush foliage during summer while Bay City State Park’s beach, Tobico Marsh and Anderson Nature Trail offer a variety of options.
During our recent visit we took advantage of the 3.3 mile Bay City Tobico Marsh Trail which offers a variety of scenic wetlands and 2 observation towers to climb up. We also had the opportunity to explore the 2.5 mile Bay City Anderson Nature Trail as well as the 1.35 mile Tobico Lagoon Trail. These trails are all part of the broader Greater Lakes Bay Regional Trail System which, when fully constructed, will connect Midland and Bay counties with their existing path systems.
Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra
Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra was created in 1935 by the Parks Department of the City. Since then, it has been holding annual concerts. It was founded in 1953 as a nonprofit corporation, and one of 50 charter members of American Symphony Orchestra League. Today, it is a fully-professional ensemble which gives classical, chamber, ballet, historical and modern dance, opera and pops concerts throughout the year.
In this performance, world famous pianist Alessio Bax, winner of the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition and featured in NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, joins your SBSO, conducted by Maestro Fouad Fakhouri, in a tribute to the masterpieces of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Journey through the cosmos from the historic Temple Theatre as Maestro Fouad Fakhouri leads your Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra in a space-themed concert that includes John Williams’ Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Nielsen’s Helios Overture, Rouse’s Phaethon and Holst’s beloved The Planets, complete with synchronized overhead projection including footage from NASA.
Ojibway Island
Ojibway Island is Saginaw’s own island park, located in the heart of downtown. It offers relaxing picnics, riverside walks, and leisure bike rides. Locals also flock here to view the 4th of Jul fireworks and ice fish in winter.
Every year, the park hosts a wide range of concerts, from rock to country music and jazz. To keep track of upcoming performances, check out Songkick.
It is a beautiful and tranquil oasis right in the heart of Saginaw. It is also conveniently located near other popular local attractions such as Japanese Tea Gardens, Anderson Enrichment Center, and Hoyt Park. Old Town and Downtown Saginaw are home to a variety of locally owned restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines. You can find some of the best food and drink in the area at the SVRC Marketplace, located in downtown Saginaw. The SVRC Marketplace features a diverse selection of locally-owned business, including small restaurants and boutiques.