Bay City, Michigan
Bay City is a city of 32,320 people in Bay County, Michigan, founded in 1837.
Why visit Bay City
Townapedia lists 21 museums and landmarks, 31 parks and trails, 100 places to eat, 10 places to stay and 5 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include State Theatre, Wenona Beach Amusement Park, USS Edson and City Hall.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 16°F.
Weather in Bay City
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Bay City
Bay City is a city in Bay County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The population was 32,661 at the 2020 census. The city is located just upriver from the Saginaw Bay on the Saginaw River. It is the principal city of the Bay City metropolitan area, which is coterminous with Bay County as part of the larger Greater Tri-Cities region of Central Michigan.
From the Wikipedia article Bay City, Michigan (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do5
State Theatre
Cinema and theater · 0.7 mi
Movie theater and former theater in Bay City, Michigan, United States
Washington Avenue, Bay City
Wenona Beach Amusement Park
Monument and historic site · 4.3 mi
Defunct amusement park in Bay County, Michigan
Bay City Cinemas
Cinema and theater · 2.6 mi
4101 Wilder Road, Bay City
Su-Th 10:00-20:30, Fr-Sa 10:00-23:00
World Friendship Shell
Cinema and theater · 0.6 mi
The World Friendship Shell is an amphitheatre in Wenonah Park in Bay City, Michigan. It is used primarily for arts performances.
Museums and landmarks21
USS Edson
Museum · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
1958 Forrest Sherman-class destroyer
1680 Martin Street, City of Bay City
Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa,Su 09:00-18:00
City Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Government building located at 301 Washington Street in Bay City, Michigan
301 Washington Avenue, Bay City
Bay City Downtown Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Historic district in Bay City, Michigan, United States
Bay City Masonic Temple
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
Masonic temple in Bay City, Michigan
Bay City Station
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Former railroad depot in Bay City, Michigan
Bay County Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Government building in Bay City, Michigan
Center Avenue Neighborhood Residential District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Historic district in Bay City, Michigan, USA
Elm Lawn Cemetery
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.5 mi
Cemetery in Bay City, Michigan
Fletcher Site
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Archaeological site in Bay City, Michigan
James Clements Municipal Airport
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Airport in Michigan, United States of America
Lafayette Avenue Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
Bridge in Bay City, Michigan, United States of America
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Mercy Hospital and Elizabeth McDowell Bialy Memorial House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Architectural ensemble in Bay City, Michigan
9 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds31
Veterans Memorial Park
Park · 0.6 mi
Public park along the Saginaw River in Bay City, Michigan
Wenonah Park
Park · 0.6 mi
Public park along the Saginaw River in Bay City, Michigan
801 North Water Street, Bay City
Ridge Road Park
Park · 2.5 mi
Located on the north side of Ridge Road just west of Pine Street. This 6 acre parcel is developed with 1 ball diamond, playground...
North Jones Road, Essexville
19 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes100
Costela Brazilian Steak House
Restaurant · Steak House
110 Uptown Drive, Bay City
Tu-Th 17:00-21:00; Fr 17:00-22:00; Sa 16:00-22:00
Old City Hall
Diner · American · 0.6 mi
814 Saginaw Street, Bay City
Mo-Sa 11:30-21:00; Su 12:00-20:00
Real Seafood Company Bay City
Restaurant · Seafood
199 Uptown Drive, Bay City
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 12:00-21:00
Brooklyn Boyz Pizza
Restaurant · 1.0 mi
507 East Midland Street
Tu-Th 12:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-20:00
Live Oak Coffeehouse
Cafe · Coffee Shop
5 East Main Street
Mo-Fr 06:00-20:00; Sa 07:00-20:00; Su 08:00-20:00
Mulligan's Pub
Bar and pub · 0.6 mi
109 Center Avenue
Su 12:00-22:00; Mo 11:00-00:00; Tu-Th 11:00-01:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-14:00
Populace Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 0.6 mi
810 Saginaw Street
Su 10:00-16:00; Mo-Fr 07:00-16:00; Sa 08:00-16:00
88 more on the map.
History
Leon Tromblé is regarded as the first settler within the limits of Bay County, in an area which would become Bay City. In 1831, he built a log cabin on the east bank of the Saginaw river.
Bay City was first established in 1837 and was incorporated as a city in 1865. In 1834 John B. Trudell built a log-cabin near the present corner of Seventeenth and Broadway. Trudell later purchased land that extended from his residence north along the river to what later became the location for the Industrial Brownhoist, making him the first permanent resident of what has become Bay County. Bay City became the largest community in the county and the location of the county seat of government. Most of the county's agencies and associations are located here. The city shares common borders with Essexville and the townships of Bangor, Frankenlust, Hampton, Merritt, Monitor, and Portsmouth.
Bay City was originally known as Lower Saginaw, and fell within the boundaries of Saginaw County. On June 4, 1846, the Hapton, or Hampton, Post Office opened to service Lower Saginaw. The community was placed in Bay County, when the county was organized in 1857. It was at this time that the name was changed to Bay City. The Post Office changed its name to Bay City on March 22, 1858.
From the History section of Bay City, Michigan on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay10
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bay City - Riverfront
Motel and hotel · 0.5 mi
1 Wenona Park Place, Bay City
Churches and places of worship25
Shopping20
Bay City Town Center
Shopping center · 2.5 mi
4101 East Wilder Road, Bay City
Gas and EV charging17
Schools, colleges and libraries63
Healthcare4
Map of Bay City
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30°F | 16°F | 1.7 in |
| Feb | 32°F | 17°F | 1.7 in |
| Mar | 42°F | 24°F | 1.9 in |
| Apr | 54°F | 35°F | 3.6 in |
| May | 68°F | 48°F | 3.4 in |
| Jun | 78°F | 58°F | 3.5 in |
| Jul | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9 in |
| Aug | 80°F | 60°F | 3.8 in |
| Sep | 74°F | 52°F | 3.2 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 41°F | 3.0 in |
| Nov | 47°F | 31°F | 2.4 in |
| Dec | 35°F | 23°F | 2.1 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Essexville (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Bay County has had 5 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2020-03-27: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2017-08-02: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2005-09-07: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
- 2001-01-10: Snow (Snowstorm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
MBS International Airport (MBS) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 10 miles away.
- Essexville 3 mi northeast, about 4 min by car
- Zilwaukee 8 mi south, about 12 min by car
- Auburn 9 mi west, about 15 min by car
- Robin Glen-Indiantown 9 mi south, about 15 min by car
- Saginaw 12 mi south, about 20 min by car
- Buena Vista 12 mi south, about 19 min by car
- Freeland 12 mi southwest, about 20 min by car
- Reese 14 mi southeast, about 22 min by car
- Shields 15 mi southwest, about 24 min by car
- Bridgeport 15 mi south, about 24 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Midland St. Bay City, West Side, Smezzy, Public domain
- City Hall in Bay City, Michigan, Jadel, Public domain
- Greetings from Bay City, Michigan - Large Letter Postcard (8046736824), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 2014 Bay City Fireworks Festival crowd (8104), Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bay City Fireworks Festival - fireworks display (8170), Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bay City Fireworks Festival - fireworks display (8229), Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bay City Fireworks Festival - fireworks display (8190), Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bay City Fireworks Festival - fireworks display (8198), Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bay City Fireworks Festival - fireworks display (8248), Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bay City Fireworks Festival - fireworks display (8246), Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bay City Fireworks Festival - fireworks display (8237), Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Wenonah Park Bay City MI, A MINOTAUR, CC BY-SA 4.0
- State Theatre Bay City-1, Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0
- State Theatre Bay City, Chad Johnson, CC BY 2.0
- State Theatre Bay City-4, Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bay City State Theatre, back of building 2, Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0
- State Theatre Bay City-2, Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0
- State Theatre Bay City-3, Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bay City State Theatre, back of building 1, Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Liberty Bridge (Bay City, Michigan) opened for tall ships in 2010, Joanna Poe from Munith, MI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Veterans Memorial Bridge (Bay City, Michigan) opened for freighter, view from river, Joanna Poe from Munith, MI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Bay citywide (31344922536) (cropped), Christian Collins, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Bay citywide (31344922536), Christian Collins, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Bay Citywide, Christian Collins, CC BY-SA 3.0
- USS Edson (DD-946) underway off Long Beach, California (USA), circa in the mid-1960s, U.S. Navy, Public domain
- Bay City MI City Hall, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lafayette Avenue Bridge 1, Sanibel sun ( talk ), Public domain
- James Clements Airport Administration Building Bay City MI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fletcher Site Bay City MI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Elizabeth McDowell Bialy Memorial House Bay City MI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pere Marquette Railroad Depot Bay City MI Station, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Center Avenue Neighborhood Residential District Bay City MI D, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- SaginawRiverLight, Charles W. Bash, CC BY 2.5
- Trombley House Bay City MI A, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Elm Lawn Cemetery Gate Bay City MI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bay County Building Bay City MI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sagelibrary, Asher196 ( talk ) 00:47, 17 July 2008 (UTC). Original uploader was Asher196 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bay City Masonic Temple in 2014, Chad Johnson from Lake Linden, MI, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Odd Fellows Valley Lodge No 189 Building Bay City MI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bay City Downtown Historic District Bay City MI A, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
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