Boat Tours in the Great Lakes Bay
Bay City

Ride off into the sunset aboard the Appledore Tall Ships on a Sunset Sail with BaySail! Experience vibrant hues and billowing white sails while enjoying gorgeous scenery (and snacks & beverages you brought on-deck). Or, book a daytime Great Lakes 101 sail to explore the Saginaw River, with abundant wildlife sightings along the way.

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Bay City

Find yourself floating aboard the Princess Wenonah excursion boat with Bay City Boat Lines! Savor a catered meal on-deck before dancing the night away aboard “Rock the Boat” or “Carefree Cruisin’” themed trips with live bands, or enjoy a Saginaw River Guided Tour for a relaxing afternoon, glorious views, and the chance to see a lighthouse!

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Saginaw

Experience the waterways of Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge on a personally guided boating ecotour with Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips. Discover one of the richest wildlife habitats in Michigan and a one-of-a-kind boating adventure where guests are welcomed to bring picnics, coolers, beverages of choice, and even pets. Adventures are by appointment only, so book early!

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Frankenmuth

What better way to enjoy the water than on a relaxing boat ride that includes five wines expertly paired with five handmade chocolates? Float away on a Wine & Chocolate River Tour with Frankenmuth FunShips to experience it for yourself! Or, book a 30-Minute or 1-Hour River Tour and languidly glide along the scenic Cass River on these ultra-quiet, 12-passenger electric boats.

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Frankenmuth

Board the 150-passenger Bavarian Belle Riverboat, and float beneath the Bavarian Inn Holz Brücke (German for “wooden bridge”). Departing from the waterfalls of Frankenmuth River Place Shops, enjoy a one-hour narrated sightseeing tour from the canopied upper deck (or enclosed lower salon) as you discover fascinating facts about Frankenmuth.

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Bay City Boat Lines
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Unforgettable Guided Boat Tours
Beaches in the Great Lakes Bay
Bay City

Relax along almost a mile of natural, sandy Saginaw Bay shoreline at Bay City State Park! Take a break from swimming to enjoy a picnic at the on-site pavilions. Inside the Park, you’ll also find a splash park and playground for the kids, Saginaw Bay Visitors Center for more nature exploration, and access to Tobico Marsh — a wetland preserve with walking trails and two observation towers!

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Saginaw

Hit the beach and make a day of it at Haithco Recreation Area! This picturesque park offers a 40-acre lake, earthy-themed splash pad, playground, volleyball courts, and horseshoe pits. Roast hot dogs on grills throughout the park, drop in a line from the fishing pier, and even rent paddleboats, rowboats, canoes, or kayaks, right on-site!

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Bay City State Park | @mi_playground
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Places to Sink Your Toes in the Sand
Fishing in the Great Lakes Bay
Saginaw Bay

Summertime is primetime for walleye anglers, because a world-class bite occurs on Saginaw Bay from June to August! Whether you’re fishing from your own boat, a chartered one, the banks of the Saginaw River, or the shores of Saginaw Bay, get in on the walleye action (and discover which trolling tactics dominate these waters).

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Saginaw Bay

With an international reputation for serious walleye fishing, your best fishing tale may come to life aboard any one of a fleet of Saginaw Bay charter fishing boats — piloted by savvy captains who know exactly where to go for the best catch! Hook your fill this summer from waters teeming with walleye and plentiful with pros.

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Saginaw Bay Walleye Fishing Tips + Tactics
Paddling in the Great Lakes Bay
Frankenmuth

Set adrift on the gentle Cass River with Frankenmuth Kayak Adventures. Paddle along calm waters on a self-guided kayak tour, and experience the tranquility of the river as it winds its way through “Little Bavaria.”

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Saginaw River in Bay City | @mi_playground

Enjoy easy access to Saginaw Bay this summer with Nor’East Outdoors' newest location — right inside Bay City State Park! Rent a kayak or paddleboard for the day, or just an hour or two, and bob on the waves to explore the view from offshore.

Book a scenic trip on the Chippewa River with Nor’East Outdoors in Midland. Whether you’re an experienced kayaker or paddleboard aficionado — or you’re just ready to get your feet wet with either — instructional sessions and shuttle service come with each pre-set paddle.

Gain access to custom trips in kayaks with Ike’s Mobile Kayak Rentals. Take a guided tour or an on-your-own adventure in a sit-on or sit-in kayak, or try out a double kayak for fun. Got a group, want a longer reservation, or need special accommodations? Custom requests are always welcomed!

Head North for adventures on Saginaw Bay with Cattail Kayak Rental. With trips beginning at Bay County Pinconning Park, take a single or double kayak out for a summer spin and paddle through calm, blue waters.

Saginaw River in Bay City | @mi_playground
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Top Places to Dip Your Paddles
Waterfront Dining in the Great Lakes Bay
Bay City

Dockside dining will never be the same once you pull up to Drift Shoreside Beer Garden! Step from ship to shore and enjoy a plethora of cold brews, wine, and craft cocktails. Dine with a river view on your pick of street fare from a variety of rotating local food trucks — and enjoy a whole new shoreside eatery experience!

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Real Seafood Company | @themonalisa

Enjoy spectacular views of the Saginaw River from one of two levels, indoors or out, at Real Seafood Company in Uptown Bay City. With premium selections and fresh Great Lakes seafood, dine in an upscale, but relaxed atmosphere with riverside scenery you won’t soon forget!

Choose your picnic table down by the river — or a prime spot on the sprawling deck — at H2O's Waterside Grill, right next to a bustling marina. Bite into one of O's Famous Burgers or the ever-popular Hawaiian Coconut Cod, and consider sharing a tropical fishbowl drink!

Step into Tavern 101, a beer-forward restaurant in Downtown Bay City with views of waterfront Wenonah Park and the glistening Saginaw River in the distance! Select from 54 rotating taps pouring an ever-changing selection of craft beers — and a menu designed to complement beer, too!

Frankenmuth

Take in beautiful vistas over the Cass River from one of two levels of outdoor seating at Frankenmuth Brewery, Michigan's oldest microbrewery. With heated decks and an enclosed patio featuring ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the river, you’re sure to discover memorable bites, brews, and views!

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Riverfront Grille & Lounge

Featuring seasonal outdoor seating, enjoy a shoreside meal at Riverfront Grille & Lounge at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Bay City - Riverfront. Dine at an umbrellaed table, complete with the tranquility of the Saginaw River, and sink into cozy lounge seating by the fire bar with a cocktail!

Spend time on the Kawkawlin River with good friends and fabulous food at Castaways! Whether fishing, floating, paddling, or just looking for fun, guests can dock & dine at this waterside eatery. Feast on specialty pizzas, burgers, and catch of the day, and wash it down with cold brews and live entertainment on weekends!

Saginaw River in Bay City | @mi_playground
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Spots to Dine on Sparkling Waters
Waterfront Hotels in the Great Lakes Bay
Bay City

See Great Lakes freighters heading upstream and watch anglers catch walleye right from your room at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Bay City - Riverfront. This full-service hotel on the banks of the Saginaw River is within walking distance to Downtown Bay City’s specialty shops, restaurants, antiques, and exciting nightlife — including Feet on the Street social zones where you can dine, drink, and dance in Downtown streets!

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Kayaking the Cass River | @krista_b_fitness

Witness views of the beautiful Cass River right from your room at the boutique Marv Herzog Hotel in Downtown Frankenmuth. Put your feet up and relax by the river, and stroll to nearby shops & eateries from this central location in charming “Little Bavaria.”

Enjoy the water — indoors and out — at Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth! Nestled on the banks of the Cass River, this indoor waterpark hotel has four indoor pools, nightly entertainment in the Lorelei Lounge, and the perfect setting for moonlit walks along the water.

Find yourself nestled in a stylish space along the Saginaw River, and sink into a plush bed with crisp linens & fluffy pillows at the Courtyard by Marriott Bay City. Indulge at nearby waterside eateries (like Real Seafood Company, steps away) and enjoy exploring all of Uptown, especially the picturesque fountain.

ONe Eighteen | @oneeighteenmidland

With the confluence of two rivers just outside your window at The H Hotel in Downtown Midland, relax and let yourself be pampered in a setting of modern elegance. Enjoy walkable paths along the water — or over the water, on Midland’s unique, three-legged bridge, the Tridge — and explore shopping and dining options right outside your Downtown door.

Linger along the banks of Lake Linton and step back in time at Montague Inn, a spacious mansion turned B&B in Saginaw. Experience the ambiance of a roaring 20s mansion and relish a needed getaway amidst serenity, stunning gardens, and gorgeous waterfront views.

The view from your room at Comfort Inn Bay City - Riverfront is just a glimpse of what awaits. Enjoy spectacular sunset views and take a stroll along the river to visit any number of nearby boutiques, shops, and waterfront restaurants.

Waterfront Camping in the Great Lakes Bay
Bay City

Roast hot dogs over the fire and marshmallows, too, after a day spent swimming the waters of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay at Bay City State Park. A modern, all-season campground nestled in a stand of mature oaks, cabins and pop-up campers are available to rent and wonderful waterfront memories are sure to be made!

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Bay City State Park | @mi_playground

No boat? No problem. Pull in your camper or pop up your tent on one of 135 sites at Linwood Beach Marina & Campground — then charter a fishing excursion with the pros that launch from Linwood! This modern campground has all the amenities and access to some of the best walleye & perch fishing around, with a fish-cleaning station available on-site.

A sandy beach is one of many highlights at the popular, year-round campground in Bay County Pinconning Park. Set deep in a 206-acre hardwood forest nature preserve with 62 modern and semi-modern sites, bring your boat or rent a kayak to spend time on the water while enjoying your prime camping location along Saginaw Bay.

Bay City State Park | @baycitymilove
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Top Places to Go Camping
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Things To Do

Will you sail off slowly into the sunset, or drift dreamily under starry skies? Paddle a kayak, or sip wine and savor decadent chocolates aboard an electric craft? Read on to meet the fleet of boats and find adventures you can enjoy on the water when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan!

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Things To Do

Refreshing & cool, salt-free & scenic: the Great Lakes Bay is hands-down and all-in the place to be for an affordable waterfront vacation in Michigan!

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Author
Jen W. O'Deay + Go Great Lakes Bay

By: Jen W. O'Deay | Updates: Go Great Lakes Bay | Jen is a Saginaw native and owner of Feel These Words, an independent copywriting studio & home to the free "5 Day Website MiniBoost". Jen specializes in writing that connects, delivered through website copy, branded content articles, and WingWoman writing services. You'll find Jen camping with her family, laughing, and at feelthesewords.com