A Cool Architectural Find

A surprising find in Bay City Michigan - 

the City Hall! 

This building is like a castle and was built in 1894. 

The crazy thing is, 

you can just walk in and start taking pictures. 

Try that in Philly and you'll get arrested! 

I felt uncomfortable doing that 

so I looked for someone to ask. 

There was no one around...no reception...no security. 

 

I finally found a payment office and asked, 

"Sure, take all the photos you want." 

Wow. 

The clock tower is free to tour on your own as well.  

From there you can get a bird's eye view of the 'city.'  

Which is hardly a city. 

If you like architecture, 

definitely tour this place. 

301 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI 48708

More of my images from Bay City are here. 

A Glimpse of Saginaw Bay

It was a bit chilly, 

but the touches of blue sky 

would occasionally allow the sun to warm me.  

I ventured out of the rental car and walked along the water's edge. 

 

The ground was squishy with water from the recent rains.  

I managed to keep my feet dry despite the puddles. 

 

Walking the path to the bay, 

I was glad I traveled out of my way - 

north from Bay City, Michigan. 

I do love being by the water, 

even on a chilly day. 

And I love capturing it all with my camera 

so I can review the images later while sitting by a fire in the warmth of my home. 

Most of the bay front in this area is privately owned. 

Thankfully, this recreation area provides others with an opportunity to enjoy the bay as well. 

Bay City Recreation Area 

3582 State Park Dr, Bay City, MI 48706

More of my images of Bay City Recreation Area are here. 

What People Do In Bay City, A First Visit to Bay County, MI

Well, I don't really know what they do.  

But from the looks of things...

I can make a guess. 

I was checking out Bay City, MI  

because in my 48 hour visit 

I ran out of things to do in Midland, MI. 

(Really, I did.) 

I stopped and parked immediately 

when I saw this old architecture on a Midland Street
passing through Bay City in search of the bay.

(There seem to be endless Midland Streets in the area, 

Why?  I have no idea. 

The only thing in Midland is Dow Chemical Co.) 

Anyway, 

I started clicking, 

and then it dawned on me...

almost all these old buildings were drinking establishments! 

So what do YOU think people do in Bay City, MI? 

;)

Let's have drink! 

Bay City is on Lake Huron and the city is divided by the Saginaw River.  I didn't know this on my first visit.  I thought I had seen it all in the 'Bar District.'  On my second visit I discovered the other side of the river! So yes, there is more to do here than I discovered on this visit.

I recommend the City Hall Tour.  You are free to tour on your own! I also visited the City Market, nice but small.  The Center Ave Historic District lined with old homes. The River Walk Pier because who doesn't like being near the water. The Bay City State Rec Area, fees in season.

Finding the Bay in Bay City, Michigan

Silly me...

why would I think Bay City would have a bay? 

Riverwalk Pier, Saginaw River, Bay City, MI

They don't have bay, 

they have a river - the Saginaw River. 

Yes, it's true the river feeds into the bay, 

but that happens north of Bay City. 

So I went north 

and found the bay...

kind of. 

Heading north for as long as I had time for 

- I had a 1pm flight -

 most of the bay front area was privately owned. 

I  could only see the bay from 

Bay City State Recreation Area. 

Tobico Marsh, 

And then I left my husband with a muddy rental car 

after driving around the lagoon. 

It's good he loves me. 

Next time I go looking for a bay 

I'll be sure to check out if there really is a bay there first. 

It's cold in Michigan.

More images from Michigan are here. 

Bay City is in Michigan