14 Splendid Spring Things to Do in East Michigan This Year
Have you ever opened the curtains on a beautiful spring day in Michigan and thought, “What do I want to do today?” The answer is easy because there are tons of spring things to do in East Michigan!
The only limit to the fun you can have in East Michigan is your imagination. You can have even more exciting experiences if you love adventure and travel.
Experience Spring Things to Do in Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth is known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria because it’s like stepping into a German town in the Mitten State. It’s a popular destination for Michiganders in the winter, but the spring is a great time to visit without being overwhelmed by crowds.
Bavarian Inn Restaurant
Stop into the Bavarian Inn Restaurant for its world-famous chicken dinners, and visit the shops in the restaurant’s downstairs area for some delicious baked goods to take home.
River Place
Once you’ve eaten, explore some of the local shops at Frankenmuth’s River Place. Yankee Candle, Zak & Mac’s Chocolate Haus, Popcorn Wagon, and The Stadium (a trading card shop) are just a few of the offerings here, and you can find some unique gifts.
Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland
If you love all things Christmas, no trip to Frankenmuth is complete without visiting Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland. You’ll find wall-to-wall decorations, ornaments, snowglobes, trees, and anything else you need.
Bronner’s is one of Frankenmuth’s busiest spots during the holidays, so going during spring will give you more time (and space) to really experience all the store has to offer.
Plan a Spring Kayak Trip to Turnip Rock
For outdoor enthusiasts in Michigan, kayaking is one of the best spring things to do in East Michigan. And, no spring is complete without a trip to Turnip Rock. This turnip-shaped rock (with a broad top and narrow bottom) is located near Port Austin just a few miles into Lake Huron.
If you’re in good physical shape and have the stamina, put your kayak in the water and make the 7-mile there-and-back journey. Because the rock is on private property, you can’t get out and climb on it once you get there. But, you can take plenty of Instagram-ready pictures of this Michigan marvel.
Visit a Farmer’s Market for Spring Produce
Michigan is well-known for its farmer’s markets, of which the state has more than 300! At these spots, you can buy fresh, locally-grown flowers, produce, and so much more.
Flint Farmers’ Market
If you’re on the east side of the state, check out the Flint Farmers’ Market. It’s open all year on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with more than 50 vendors.
During your visit, you can stock up on freshly baked bread and baked goods, meats, and produce. The market also has an art gallery, a cafe, and Mexican and Middle-Eastern groceries.
Downtown Saginaw Farmers’ Market
The Downtown Saginaw Farmers’ Market had more than a dozen vendors last year, offering a wide variety of produce, greenhouse plants, and fall sweets in September and October. The market opens in May on specific days and runs through October. Starting in July, it’s open three days a week.
Be sure to check out the Downtown Bay City Farmer’s Market as well.
Enjoy Spring Fishing on the Flint River
The Mitten State is home to lots of fish species, including bass, walleye, perch, and trout. Fishing season opens in spring for many of these species (check regulations and daily catch limits).
You can charter a trip in the Saginaw Bay area, board your own boat in Bay City, or put a canoe into the Flint River. No matter your preference, fishing is one of the best spring things to do in East Michigan.
Visit a Flint or Saginaw Museum
You don’t have to travel very far to find great museums in Michigan. They’re awesome places to learn more about Michigan’s history and to let kids burn off some energy. In East Michigan, there’s no shortage of options.
Art Museums
If you like art, check out the Flint Institute of Arts, which boasts a wide range of paintings and a great atmosphere. The Saginaw Art Museum is also worth stopping into and features several exhibits that highlight African art and Black contributions to American life.
Other Museums
The Flint Children’s Museum offers kids (and adults) a fun-filled learning experience. If you would like to learn about the history of a city, Saginaw’s Castle Museum is worth visiting to learn all kinds of interesting stories highlighting the history of Saginaw County.
Attend a Spring Sporting Event in Saginaw
Michigan is home to four pro sports franchises, and you can always make the drive to Detroit to watch any of them. But if you’re looking for sports in East Michigan, there’s a 21-field soccer complex in Saginaw and some minor league sports to enjoy.
Saginaw County is well known for hosting youth sporting events during the year, but it’s also home to the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. In the spring, it’s home to the Great Lakes Loons, a Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, too.
Play Spring Golf in the Great Lakes Bay Region
Like museums, you don’t have to travel far in Michigan to find some great golfing opportunities. The state’s coastal courses deservedly get a lot of attention, but the Great Lakes Bay Region is home to some great courses as well — more than 20, in fact.
If you’re in East Michigan, there are three golf courses you absolutely need to play — the Sawmill in Saginaw, Apple Mountain in Freeland, and Fortress Golf Course in Frankenmuth. Any avid golfer will tell you that playing these courses is one of the best spring things to do in East Michigan.
Attend a Spring Festival in Freeland & Saginaw
No matter the time of year, there’s nothing better than attending a festival, and some great ones attract people from all over the state. The Great Lakes Bay Region is home to a couple of fun Michigan spring festivals.
Walleye Festival
In springtime, travel to Freeland in April for the annual Walleye Festival. While this festival celebrates the golden beauties that are plenty in Saginaw Bay, there’s a lot of fun for everyone. Past events have featured community-wide garage sales, poker tournaments, cornhole, bingo, a parade, a car show, and much more.
Art and Garden Festival
In early June, Saginaw hosts the annual Art and Garden Festival. This all-day affair draws visitors for a one-of-a-kind gardening event with more than 30 vendors selling anything and everything you need to make your garden spring to life.
Other events at the festival include a garden raffle, a silent auction, and food for sale from local vendors.
Visit a Bay City Flea Market During Spring
If you love antiques and scoring deals, you might agree that going to a flea market is one of the best spring things to do in East Michigan.
In the Great Lakes Bay Region, one of the best flea markets can be found in Bay City — the Bay Area Indoor Flea Market & Specialty Shops. It’s open year-round, and you can find everything from clothes to vehicles to books to electronics.
If you like shopping around different antique malls and flea markets, you’re in luck because Americana Company Antique Mall and Bay Antique Center are also close by.
Enjoy All the Spring Things to Do in East Michigan This Year
East Michigan is home to lots of fun springtime activities, whether you’re itching to get out on the water or go to a golf course or museum. For residents and visitors alike, it really is the best of both worlds.
Many cities and towns in the region are close enough to the water to offer kayaking and fishing opportunities while offering chances to golf, nosh on delicious food, explore, and above all, have fun. So if you’re wondering, “What do I want to do today?” the answer is simple — head to East Michigan.