Overview
Saginaw is a city in Central Michigan; it is the largest of the "Tri-Cities" of the Saginaw Bay area with Bay City and Midland. About 50,000 people (2019) live in this town, which survived an economic downturn when the logging industry ended at the turn of the 20th century. As with many Michigan cities, it is struggling to adapt to the challenges of having an economy based on the automobile industry.
14 sights · 4 things to do · 6 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Saginaw
Saginaw Children's Zoo at Celebration Square
Zoological facility featuring hands-on exhibits where you can let the kid in you out, whether you're 2 or 92. Facility includes: train, playground, Awareness Amphitheater, gift shop, and concessions. Home of Michigan's o…
Theodore Roethke House
1805 Gratiot. Visit the home of famed Pulitzer Prize-Winning Saginaw poet Theodore Roethke and view the historical marker. Educational and cultural tours, slide presentations for organizations, occasional picnics and con…
Castle Museum of Saginaw County History
Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
University Center. Saginaw Valley State University's permanent exhibition of more than 200 works of art, spanning the career of Marshall Fredericks, internationally known sculptor. A fun and educational experience for vi…
Saginaw Art Museum
Ancient and modern art, formal gardens, tours, classes and children's area.
Saginaw Railway Museum
Depot, railroad tower, trackage, diesel locomotive, three historic cabooses, two boxcars and limited hours. Call in advance.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Ann Arbor)
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 — 33 mi away. Directions
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 88 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 75 runs east of the city and links Saginaw to Mackinaw City and the Upper Peninsula to the north, plus Flint, Detroit, and Ann Arbor (the latter via US-23) to the south. Interstate 675 links to I-75 and leads directly to Downtown Saginaw.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Castle Museum of Saginaw County History, Japanese Cultural Center and Tea House, Saginaw Railway Museum
- Lunch Spencer's
- Afternoon Saginaw Valley State University Theatre, Great Lakes Loons
- Dinner Frália's
- Evening Red Eye Coffee House
Day 2
- Morning Saginaw Children's Zoo at Celebration Square, Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, Pit & Balcony Theater
- Lunch Panda House
- Afternoon Temple Theatre, Saginaw Spirit
- Dinner Tonys Original Restaurants
Day 3
- Morning Saginaw Art Museum, Theodore Roethke House, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra
- Lunch Bringer Inn
- Afternoon TheDow Event Center, Crooked Creek
- Dinner Intermission Deli
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
Saginaw's population has declined from a peak of 91,000 in 1970, to fewer than 50,000 in 2019, as its economy has contracted.
Saginaw has built an impressive network of health care facilities - hospitals, specialists, cancer treatment centers - that serves residents from many of the surrounding counties.
Economic development is focused on comparative advantages in innovation, clean energy, and continued manufacturing exports. The city continues to have a higher proportion of manufacturing jobs than the US average.
History
Saginaw was a thriving lumber town in the 19th century and an important industrial city and manufacturing center throughout much of the 20th century. During the late 20th century, its industry and strong manufacturing presence declined, leading to increased unemployment, crime, and a population decline. The populations of neighboring communities, such as Saginaw Charter Township, have grown, and the metro area had almost 200,000 residents in 2019.
Get in
By car
Interstate 75 runs east of the city and links Saginaw to Mackinaw City and the Upper Peninsula to the north, plus Flint, Detroit, and Ann Arbor (the latter via US-23) to the south. Interstate 675 links to I-75 and leads directly to Downtown Saginaw.
By plane
MBS International Airport (MBS) is in nearby Freeland, about midway between Midland, Bay City, and Saginaw. The airport is served by United Express flights from Chicago-O'Hare, plus Delta Connection flights from Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul, plus seasonal flights from Atlanta.
Get around
You'll need a car. Public transportation is limited. The Saginaw Valley has five primary tourist areas: Birch Run, Chesaning, Frankenmuth, Saginaw City and Saginaw Township. These are spread out by as much as 25-30 minutes by car.
See
Culture
See Japanese Cultural Center and Tea House
Educational and cultural programs for guests of all ages. One of only five of its kind in the country.
See Saginaw Children's Zoo at Celebration Square
Zoological facility featuring hands-on exhibits where you can let the kid in you out, whether you're 2 or 92. Facility includes: train, playground, Awareness Amphitheater, gift shop, and concessions. Home of Michigan's only new hand-carved carousel. Seasonal with special weekends in October and December. Handicap accessible.
See Theodore Roethke House
1805 Gratiot. Visit the home of famed Pulitzer Prize-Winning Saginaw poet Theodore Roethke and view the historical marker. Educational and cultural tours, slide presentations for organizations, occasional picnics and concerts. Call to make arrangements and obtain information.
Museums
See Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
University Center. Saginaw Valley State University's permanent exhibition of more than 200 works of art, spanning the career of Marshall Fredericks, internationally known sculptor. A fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Handicap accessible.
Do
- Bowling Alleys
- Golf Courses
- Friday Night Live Morley Plaza (on N. Washington between Citizens Bank and The Temple Theatre). Summer concert series. Food vendors on site, beer tent, children's games. Free admission.
Do Lawn Chair Film Festival
Easily one of the coolest things to happen to this post-industrial town in quite some time. Weekly free showings of excellent domestic, independent, and foreign films during the summer months. Shows start at dusk; all that's required is your own lawn chair (hence the name of the festival!)
Theater and concerts
Sports
Learn
Buy
Freeland
- Many large and small antique shops to explore. The Antique Warehouse has more than a hundred stalls featuring uncommon treasures.
Bay Road Corridor
- Home to most of Saginaw's national retail outlets and chains.
Saginaw
Frankenmuth
Shop Frankenmuth River Place
Frankenmuth. Mini European hamlet with 30 shops and attractions including a laser show and the Bavarian Belle paddle wheel boat. Have fun at A-maze-n Mirrors mirror maze, BeeBee's Fun Place, A Magical Town sculpture and hologram village or enjoy time at the Day Spa.
Shop Prime Outlets at Birch Run
The Midwest's largest outlet center, with 170 shops, with discounts of 25-65% off manufacturers' prices. Stop by the Customer Service Center in Fir Run to receive a current listing of discounts available to shoppers. I-75 adjacent.
Eat
Eat Spencer's
Fine dining and spirits. Classy, upscale restaurant. Italian and American food. The service and the food is excellent.
Eat Frália's
Newer sandwich shop located in Old Town Saginaw. Absolutely fantastic sandwiches, utilizing fresh and quality ingredients.
Eat Panda House
Excellent Chinese cuisine. The sesame tofu is absolutely outstanding. Highly recommended. Locally owned and operated.
- Pasongs, 114 N Michigan Ave. Great Asian food. All food is made in a single wok, so wait times can be lengthy. Only open Monday through Friday, 11AM - 7PM.
Eat Tonys Original Restaurants
Legendary steak sandwiches. Breakfasts are also amazing.
Eat Bringer Inn
Looking for a good old diner with home cooked meals - all fresh, not frozen? Bringers is not fancy but there's a reason it's always packed. Good food and low prices. Order the Big Mike (with mayo and green olives). Also have great steak sandwiches (see above). Many homemade pies made daily.
- Spatz's Hot Bread, The ubiquitous bread of Mid-Michigan. Available at almost any grocery store, this bakery product is produced locally and is the great secret of the area. It has a distinctive wax wrap in solid white and red. People as far away as Marin County, California have it shipped to them. The bread is best described as 'Your Grandmother's Bread'. It is heavy, turns rock hard in about three days (great for toasting then), but it is the closest to fresh baked bread you will find. Many locals don't say they're going to get a loaf of bread, instead they say, 'I need to pick up some Spatz's.'
Drink
Hamilton Street in Old Town Saginaw City has a variety of bars and taverns that attract drinkers of all ages.
Drink Red Eye Coffee House
Has placed two years in Torani's National Barista (Coffee Bartender) contest. Serving Manhattan-style bagels, scones, pastry. Entertainment includes poetry readings, and local art. Not a full service restaurant.
Sleep
Check out the Montague Inn, a restored lumber baron's mansion. A very popular place for summer weddings, with beautiful grounds and a lovely honeymoon suite and guest cottage.
Most of the hotels lie outside the city limits. There are many national chains available.
Stay safe
Like many cities in the U.S., Saginaw does have its challenges with crime, most of it related to drug and gang activity. Fortunately for Saginaw, these areas for crime are largely centered in areas not frequented by visitors to the area. Visitors unfamiliar with the area would be wise to avoid residential neighborhoods in the city of Saginaw, especially east of the river and particularly at night. Old Town Saginaw can also get a bit rough, especially late at night when the bars clear out. It is highly advisable to travel in groups and avoid poorly lit or deserted areas as the occasional mugging, while hardly commonplace, is not unheard of. That being said, if you exercise common sense and don't go looking for trouble, you'll be fine.
Go next
- Flint -- The home of the modern labor union movement in the US. Flint has a great art scene for a city of its size and is much less pretentious.
- Bay City -- Less than 20 minutes from downtown Saginaw, downtown Bay City is known for diverse local eateries and shopping. Also visit the scenic Riverwalk and other public parks along the Saginaw River.
Media
- Visitors Bureau
Place Saginaw Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Newspapers
- The Saginaw News / MLive.com
- Radio stations
- 790 AM WSGW - News/Talk Newsradio 790
- 1250 AM WNEM - All News
- 100.5 FM WSGW - News/Talk (not simulcast with AM 790)
Nearby
Frankenmuth
City / town · 15 listings · 12 mi away
Bay City
City / town · 13 listings · 12 mi away
Midland
City / town · 17 listings · 20 mi away
Flint
City / town · 30 listings · 31 mi away
Swartz Creek
City / town · 31 listings · 32 mi away
St. Louis
City / town · 13 listings · 33 mi away
Ithaca
City / town · 22 listings · 34 mi away
Alma
City / town · 22 listings · 36 mi away
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