Staycation

Explore Bay City Michigan with me!

Fourth of July in my hometown is something I look forward to every year. It’s a celebration of the birth of our country, myself, and my grandmother all in the same week! This is easily one of my favorite holidays.

The best fireworks show in the state takes place over the Saginaw River near Winona Park. The city holds a Polish festival the week before, where polka dancing and carnival games hosted by the local church, St. Stanislaus Kostka, invite hundreds of local and non local residents to partake in the Polish culture. Bay City also hosts many events downtown during the week of the fourth, like line dancing and free concerts in the park. Something I haven’t tried, but is on the list, is the local bar-hopping pedal trolley.

Breweries and bars are the big move downtown as well as throughout the north end of the city. With plenty of new construction and small business growth, it is encouraged to check out the local watering holes. Jakes Corner Lounge often hosts line dancing, bands, and karaoke. Tri-City Brewing is very dog friendly and has some interesting beer flavors. Visit Mulligans for your typical Irish pub experience, or any of the upscale cocktail and wine bars seen throughout downtown.

For more of the “downtown” life, consider going thrift shopping at one of the largest antique stores I’ve ever come across. The Bay Antique Center is nearly a block long and located just across the street from St. Laurent Brothers candy store. With locations in both Bay City and Saginaw since 1904, this shop is a must-see if you’re into nostalgic treats. Just a short walk down the road is Beatles & Beans Coffee Emporium, a floor-to-ceiling tribute to the Beatles.

To escape the crowds (though there are rarely large ones), try ducking into the Historical Museum of Bay County to learn about the history of the area, visiting the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum, or taking a stroll through Veterans Memorial Park across the river. The USS Edson Navy ship is also a neat artifact to tour closer to the mouth of the river.

Whether playing tourist or tossing Polish horseshoes with all of my family, gathered in preparation for fireworks, Bay City will always hold a special place in my heart. Small towns have more fun and are definitely worth experiencing.

Follow along on my Instagram @dancinggibby or subscribe to this blog to get alerts when a new post drops. Enjoy the holidays and exclaim “dzięki!” as you celebrate over beer and kielbasa!