Overview
Midland is a city in Central Michigan northwest of Saginaw.
4 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Midland
Midland Center For The Arts
Contains the three-level Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art as well as a performing arts theatre. Includes exhibits on media (record your own TV weather and news reports) and local politicians, as well as a kids ma…
The Tridge
A three spoked footbridge over the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers
Dow Gardens
landscaped botanical garden. Includes the longest canopy walk in North America, opened in 2018.
Alden Dow House and Studio
One of many buildings in the town designed by the architect Alden B. Dow.
Chippewa Nature Center
A large visitors' center featuring (all indoors) a lookout over the river, exhibits, and hands-on nature-related toys. Outside there is a naturalistic play area for the kids and 19 miles of trails ranging from paved to r…
Currie Municipal Golf Course
This course is intermittently unavailable while they perform maintenance.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Apr and May. (climate data from nearby Grand Rapids)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MBS MBS International Airport, Freeland — 10 mi away. Directions
- FNT Bishop International Airport, Flint — 51 mi away. Directions
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 82 mi away (major hub). Directions
Off US Highway 10 west of I-75.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Midland Center For The Arts, Dow Gardens, Alden Dow House and Studio
- Lunch Cafe Zinc
- Afternoon Currie Municipal Golf Course, The Tridge
- Dinner Pis Chinese Restaurant
- Evening WhichCraft Taproom
Day 2
- Morning Chippewa Nature Center
- Lunch Villa D'Alessandro
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The Dow Chemical Company was founded in Midland in 1897. Its world headquarters are still here. Many residents of Midland are employees of Dow, although it is not necessarily a company town.
Get in
By plane
By car
Off US Highway 10 west of I-75.
By foot
Get around
The downtown and the area near the Dow headquarters are quite walkable, as are the two universities if you're not in a hurry. It's also possible to use the trial system to get to nature center. There are taxis and a few ride-hailing services (Uber, etc.) available, which are needed to get to the airport. Car rentals are available at the airport.
Go Chippewa Trail
Seven-mile trail that connects the Chippewa Nature Center to downtown Midland at the "Tridge", where it joins the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail.
See
Do
Do Chippewa Nature Center
A large visitors' center featuring (all indoors) a lookout over the river, exhibits, and hands-on nature-related toys. Outside there is a naturalistic play area for the kids and 19 miles of trails ranging from paved to rustic, and several restored historic buildings on site as well. Guided snowshoe hikes and maple syrup tapping in the winter.
Buy
Eat
Eat Pis Chinese Restaurant
Nice local restaurant.
Eat Villa D'Alessandro (Tuscany Banquet Hall)
Villa D'Alessandro is a very nice Italian fine dining restaurant with amazing food. In the summer, sit outside near the fountain surrounded by vine wrapped walls.
Drink
Drink WhichCraft Taproom
Forty taps of exclusively Michigan-made beers and ciders, plus dozens of options in bottles, including locally-distilled whiskies. Small food menu.
Sleep
Go next
See the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinaabe Culture and Lifeways (and the Soaring Eagle Casino) in Mount Pleasant.
Nearby
Bay City
City / town · 13 listings · 18 mi away
Saginaw
City / town · 34 listings · 20 mi away
St. Louis
City / town · 13 listings · 23 mi away
Mount Pleasant
City / town · 25 listings · 26 mi away
Alma
City / town · 22 listings · 26 mi away
Ithaca
City / town · 22 listings · 29 mi away
Frankenmuth
City / town · 15 listings · 32 mi away
Swartz Creek
City / town · 31 listings · 50 mi away
My experience
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