Saginaw

In the mid-1800s Saginaw was a booming logging town, but today it looks and feels like the boom days are over. As the largest city in the Tri-Cities area (including Bay City and Frankenmuth), Saginaw's population (55,000) has been in decline, largely a result of recent economic woes and job loss. Despite the lack of upscale shopping, lodging and dining options, Saginaw does offer a burgeoning arts scene, an in-progress revitalization of its Old Town area and a commitment to preserving its history. Opportunities to sample Saginaw's devotion to the arts include the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, the Saginaw Choral Society and the Saginaw Art Museum. Dedication to its colorful past is evident at the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History, the St. Charles Historical Museum and the Saginaw Railway Museum. The Japanese Cultural Center and Tea House is serenely situated on 3 acres of lakeside gardens, and the Children's Zoo offers family fun. The Saginaw Spirit hockey team draws crowds to the downtown Dow Event Center, and popular festivals include the Shiver on the River walleye ice fishing tournament, the summer Lawn Chair Film Festival in Old Town and the Holidays in the Heart of the City, which kicks off the holiday season just before Thanksgiving each year.