Sri’s guidebook
Outdoor Activity
Saginaw Children's Zoo
Bay City State Park is a nice and quiet park for fishing, hiking, and swimming. This park is very scenic.
25 locals recommend
Bay City State Park
3582 State Park DrBay City State Park is a nice and quiet park for fishing, hiking, and swimming. This park is very scenic.
Haithco Park is definitely a favorite among Saginaw residents. You can swim, hike and rent a kayak or paddle boat here. Haithco Park is free to Saginaw County residents, but there is a $5 fee per car for non residents to enter.
There is a clean restroom facility and a concession stand. And there are plenty of picnic benches throughout the park. Haithco Park is located only 5 miles from Audrey's Cottage.
Haithco Park
2121 Schust RdHaithco Park is definitely a favorite among Saginaw residents. You can swim, hike and rent a kayak or paddle boat here. Haithco Park is free to Saginaw County residents, but there is a $5 fee per car for non residents to enter.
There is a clean restroom facility and a concession stand. And there are plenty of picnic benches throughout the park. Haithco Park is located only 5 miles from Audrey's Cottage.
Saginaw Valley Rail Train Swan Creek Bridge connects the former coal-mining town of St. Charles and the manufacturing center of Saginaw, Michigan. The trail is paved; but you can still find many native flora in this area. Take a photo on the bridge, or under the bridge, as you enjoy the scenic views. Facilities include restroom, picnic table, water fountain and a soda machine in Swan Creek.
Saginaw Valley Rail Trail Swan Creek Bridge
Saginaw Valley Rail-TrailSaginaw Valley Rail Train Swan Creek Bridge connects the former coal-mining town of St. Charles and the manufacturing center of Saginaw, Michigan. The trail is paved; but you can still find many native flora in this area. Take a photo on the bridge, or under the bridge, as you enjoy the scenic views. Facilities include restroom, picnic table, water fountain and a soda machine in Swan Creek.
If you really love hiking, this nature preserve is located a mere 30 minutes from the cottage. Chippewa Nature Center has short-, medium- and long-length trails, which take you through a wide variety of Central Michigan flora and fauna. Start your trek by perusing detailed maps for all trails in the park's nature center.
8 locals recommend
Chippewa Nature Center
400 S Badour RdIf you really love hiking, this nature preserve is located a mere 30 minutes from the cottage. Chippewa Nature Center has short-, medium- and long-length trails, which take you through a wide variety of Central Michigan flora and fauna. Start your trek by perusing detailed maps for all trails in the park's nature center.
Address: 1543-1701 Bay City Rd, Saginaw, MI 48604
Veterans Park is a one and a half-mile parkway on the Saginaw River, located off M-13 and north of Zilwaukee. It features picnic areas, fishing and boat launch access.
This quaint and scenic park is located 15-minutes away from the cottage.
Veterans Memorial Parkway
Veterans Memorial ParkwayAddress: 1543-1701 Bay City Rd, Saginaw, MI 48604
Veterans Park is a one and a half-mile parkway on the Saginaw River, located off M-13 and north of Zilwaukee. It features picnic areas, fishing and boat launch access.
This quaint and scenic park is located 15-minutes away from the cottage.
Take your children to visit Saginaw Children's Zoo, a zoo with over 150 individual animals l(not counting the insects) on display. The zoo's 10 acres of tree-filled park land is also home to colorful gardens, a miniature train, and the region’s only hand-carved carousel.
13 locals recommend
Saginaw Children's Zoo
1730 S Washington AveTake your children to visit Saginaw Children's Zoo, a zoo with over 150 individual animals l(not counting the insects) on display. The zoo's 10 acres of tree-filled park land is also home to colorful gardens, a miniature train, and the region’s only hand-carved carousel.
Food scene
Nori's is a classic Great Lakes breakfast and lunch restaurant located about 10 minutes away from the cottage. Our favorite meals are the veggie omelette and fish and chips.
Nori's Ham & Corned Beef Restaurant Saginaw
5055 State StreetNori's is a classic Great Lakes breakfast and lunch restaurant located about 10 minutes away from the cottage. Our favorite meals are the veggie omelette and fish and chips.
Liquid Lounge is a popular gastrobar that serves great food and drinks. Liquid Lounge is most famous for its sliders, as well as its wide variety of beverage choice.
Liquid Lounge
118 N Michigan AveLiquid Lounge is a popular gastrobar that serves great food and drinks. Liquid Lounge is most famous for its sliders, as well as its wide variety of beverage choice.
Grand Central is a friendly neighborhood bar located only 5 to 10 minutes away from the cottage. Although the food and beverage selection is limited, it's pretty decent; plus, it helps that they have friendly prices on their menu. My favorite food here is their taco salad with grilled chicken.
Grand Central
3504 State StreetGrand Central is a friendly neighborhood bar located only 5 to 10 minutes away from the cottage. Although the food and beverage selection is limited, it's pretty decent; plus, it helps that they have friendly prices on their menu. My favorite food here is their taco salad with grilled chicken.
One unique place for cold treats in Michigan is our favorite ice cream parlor: The Great Lakes Ice Cream Company. It's just minutes away on Gratiot Road in Saginaw. Among the Michigan-themed flavors available, we suggest you try one called Pictured Rocks ice cream. This famous ice cream has brownie chunks, chocolate chip cookie dough with swirls of hot fudge.
Great Lakes Ice Cream Company
7647 Gratiot RdOne unique place for cold treats in Michigan is our favorite ice cream parlor: The Great Lakes Ice Cream Company. It's just minutes away on Gratiot Road in Saginaw. Among the Michigan-themed flavors available, we suggest you try one called Pictured Rocks ice cream. This famous ice cream has brownie chunks, chocolate chip cookie dough with swirls of hot fudge.
Riverside Family Restaurant is well-known for its home-made pies, as well as fruit jams. My favorite is their strawberry rhubarb jam, which is perfect paired with some toasts for breakfast.
Riverside Family Restaurant
8295 Midland RoadRiverside Family Restaurant is well-known for its home-made pies, as well as fruit jams. My favorite is their strawberry rhubarb jam, which is perfect paired with some toasts for breakfast.
City/town information
Frankenmuth is a Bavaria-themed town in Central Michigan. It is full of houses and buildings designed in traditional German architecture. Located approximately 15 to 20 minutes from the cottage, Frankenmuth is an ideal site for picture-taking for your vacation.
61 locals recommend
Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth is a Bavaria-themed town in Central Michigan. It is full of houses and buildings designed in traditional German architecture. Located approximately 15 to 20 minutes from the cottage, Frankenmuth is an ideal site for picture-taking for your vacation.
Mount Pleasant, the home of Central Michigan University, is essentially a college town. The city is also home to various historical buildings with interesting architecture. Be sure to explore the historic district of Mount Pleasant and get some photos taken to memorize your vacation in the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan.
11 locals recommend
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, the home of Central Michigan University, is essentially a college town. The city is also home to various historical buildings with interesting architecture. Be sure to explore the historic district of Mount Pleasant and get some photos taken to memorize your vacation in the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan.
Entertainment
Music concerts, theatrical performance, sport events... you name it! The Dow Event Center has it all; and it is located only 10-15 minutes from the cottage.
11 locals recommend
Dow Event Center
303 Johnson StMusic concerts, theatrical performance, sport events... you name it! The Dow Event Center has it all; and it is located only 10-15 minutes from the cottage.
A favorite Saginaw attraction, the Japanese Cultural Center offers tea ceremony demonstrations, as well as cultural dances. It also has a garden that many visitors travel miles to admire.
6 locals recommend
Japanese Cultural Center
527 Ezra Rust DrA favorite Saginaw attraction, the Japanese Cultural Center offers tea ceremony demonstrations, as well as cultural dances. It also has a garden that many visitors travel miles to admire.
Many local tourists visit Central Michigan to play at our casinos. Soaring Eagle Casino offers a variety of entertainment, including music concerts.
50 locals recommend
Kids Quest at Soaring Eagle Casino Resort
6800 Soaring Eagle BoulevardMany local tourists visit Central Michigan to play at our casinos. Soaring Eagle Casino offers a variety of entertainment, including music concerts.
Sightseeing
This educational museum houses many dioramas and artifacts of Saginaw County's history; with special exhibits about the Native Chippewas. By visiting this museum, you see and learn about how Saginaw, and its people, have progressed through both industrial and agricultural eras.
8 locals recommend
Castle Museum of Saginaw County History
500 Federal AveThis educational museum houses many dioramas and artifacts of Saginaw County's history; with special exhibits about the Native Chippewas. By visiting this museum, you see and learn about how Saginaw, and its people, have progressed through both industrial and agricultural eras.
Gifts and Souvenirs
The truly "world-famous" Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland is only closed four days out of each year. This is the place to buy some very meaningful gifts and souvenirs to take home after your trip to the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan. Helpful Tip: Christmas ornaments and other gifts can be personalized at the shop.
29 locals recommend
Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland
25 Christmas LnThe truly "world-famous" Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland is only closed four days out of each year. This is the place to buy some very meaningful gifts and souvenirs to take home after your trip to the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan. Helpful Tip: Christmas ornaments and other gifts can be personalized at the shop.
Bank
Huntington Bank
3061 Bay RoadATM