bay city free boat tours

This website uses cookies to enhance user experience. Read More +

Navigation Options

• Frankenmuth
• Arts, History + Museums
• Farmers Markets
• Spas + Salons
• Self-Guided Tours
• Annual Festivals
• This Week's Events
• Submit an Event
• 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow
• Restaurants
• Outdoor Dining
• Waterfront Dining
• Breweries + Taprooms
• Wineries + Wine Bars
• Distilleries + Cocktails
• Coffee + Tea
• Hotels + Resorts
• Bed + Breakfasts
• Campgrounds
• Featured Trip Ideas
• Travel Newsletter
• How to Get Here
• Visitor Centers
• Social Media
• Partner Portal
• Meet Our Team
• Live + Work Here
• Local Newsletter
• Go Great Ambassadors
• Photo Gallery

Bay City Boat Lines

• 1201 Evergreen Drive Bay City, Michigan 48708 Phone: (989) 891-2628 Fax: (989) 893-1424

The Princess Wenonah and Islander offer a unique perspective of the Bay City area. Explore the area’s abundant natural beauty from our decks and breathe in relaxation. We offer public tours and cruises as well as private charter service for all types of events on the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay. Group pricing is also available on evening and weekend events! See our website at www.baycityboatlines.com for current schedule of events.

801 North Water Street Bay City, Michigan 48708

Wenonah Park Dock - Downtown Bay City

There are future dates for this event.

Wenonah Park dock

Wenonah Park Dock

Get trip ideas, exclusive deals, and other insider perks with our Go Great Travel Newsletter.

While unsalted freshwaters and unspoiled trails knit this nature-rich region together — each city adds its own splash...

Find yourself in a place that knows how to throw a big party (and some pretty stellar smaller ones, too).

If you’re looking for places where comfort food finds its companion in ice-cold pints — or ones where the bites pair...

Bay City Boat Lines, LLC

Charters & Tours Entertainment

• Wenonah Park Bay City MI 48708
• (989) 891-2628
• (855) 891-2628
• Visit Website

May to October

Bay City Boat Lines operates the excursion passenger vessels Princess Wenonah and Islander from Downtown Bay City, Michigan. They travel on the Saginaw River and to Saginaw Bay with tour groups, corporate parties, fundraisers, weddings, reunions and more. Operating seasonally from May to October.

• Public Tours and Excursions
• Private Charters
• Subscribe to Event Notifications

Tell a Friend

People. partnerships. progress..

Bay City Boat Lines

Cruising the saginaw river in bay city, mi.

Event Alert: History Tours are Back!

Now in its 25th season, the Free History Tours are brought to you by local sponsors and highlight the History of our community along the Saginaw River. 

This unique program is a fan favorite and has been a gift to the community every year we since we started offering it back in 1998. 

Reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance. Tours will be offered for 5 weeks this season, beginning June 27 and ending on July 28, Monday through Thursday mornings at 10:00 am only.

Due to limited availability, households may request up to four tickets just once per season, please.

Special thanks to our awesome sponsors for making these tours FREE to you!

• June 27 – 30 – Courtesy of  Bay City Fireworks Festival Committee
• July 4 – 7  – Courtesy of  Bay County Realtor Association
• July 11 – 14 – Courtesy of  Krzysiak House Restaurant
• July 18 – 21 – Courtesy of  Ieuter Insurance Group
• July 25 – July 28 – Courtesy of  1st State Bank

Reservations open for the first week of tours on June 13 at  baycityboatlines.com/public-events/history-tours/

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Discover more from Bay City Boat Lines

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Sunset Cruise

As daylight fades join us aboard the Emita II and set sail from Michigan City into the sunset. Live entertainment will be offered nightly on the top deck. Our newly remodeled main deck with open air windows will allow you to capture the incredible sunsets on the lake. We offer a full bar serving all of your favorite beverages.

Sunset Cruises are offered:  7  Days a Week.

7 pm -9 pm (central standard time)

We are open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day! Please note that hours are subject to change due to weather and water conditions. Call us to confirm early or late season: 269-231-5867.

ALL SEATING IS GENERAL Many tours sell out so it is recommended to arrive early.

Boarding starts 30 Minutes prior to departure

Tickets are non-refundable, but are transferrable to other tours, times, or dates. All tours are weather permitting and schedule may change daily.

Ticket sales close 5 minutes prior to departure.

Schedule subject to change without notice.

All tours subject to availability.

About the Emita II

Two decks for your viewing pleasure.

The Emita II has an expansive upper deck which offers spectacular views of the Shoreline and Lake Michigan. The Emita II also features an indoor lounge on the bottom deck with speakers to hear the tour guide’s narration. The lounge area offers windows on both sides of the vessel to still be able to see the sights during your tour.

Restrooms, Food, and Drinks

General cruise information.

Boarding for each tour will begin 30 minutes before the tour time . There is no reserved seating, as seating is first come first served. All tickets are non-refundable, however, in the event you are unable to make your scheduled tour date or miss the boat, all tickets are transferrable to another time, date, or tour. Tours depart rain or shine. However, in cases of severe weather, if the Captain deems it unsafe and cancels the tour, all guests will be refunded. Information about wheelchair accessibility to our docks/vessels can be found on our ADA & Accessibility page. There is no storage area on our dock, but guests may bring their luggage aboard keeping in mind it may be subject to search.

Michelle A.

Roseville, CA

Lesly Bailey

Michigan city, in, cassandra faye dunn, michigan city, mi, cmas_chicago, chicago, il.

• Water Sports
• Luxury Coach
• Cocktail Cruiser

THE BEST Bay City Boat Tours

Boat tours in bay city.

• Golf Courses
• Boat Rentals
• Biking Trails
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Bay City Boat Lines

2. Bay Sail

THE BEST Bay City Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in bay city.

• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Bay City Boat Lines

2. Bay Sail

3. Bay City Boat Rental

Cruises & Boat Tours in SF Bay Area

Experience SF Bay Area from a new perspective with cruises and boat tours. Take in iconic landmarks and breathtaking views of the city as you travel across serene waters. SF Bay Area cruises and boat tours will take you on an adventure like no other.

• This weekend

San Francisco Champagne Brunch Cruise

San francisco dinner cruise, san francisco twilight cruise, san francisco lunch cruise: coffee & munch around the bay, catamaran cruise on san francisco bay, 2hr - interactive sailing experience on san francisco bay, san francisco dinner dance cruise, san francisco bay cruise, escape from the rock: bay cruise, sunset catamaran cruise in san francisco bay, san francisco to sausalito: roundtrip ferry, bridge 2 bridge cruise: golden gate bridge and the bay bridge.

Sorry, JavaScript must be enabled to use this web app

• Grand Rapids/Muskegon
• Saginaw/Bay City
• All Michigan

Bay City’s free summer concert series kicks off June 19. Here’s the lineup.

• Published: Jun. 04, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

A view of Wenonah Park during the Bay City Fireworks Festival on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in downtown Bay City. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com) Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

• Sarah Spohn | [email protected]

BAY CITY, MI — It’s slated to be a summer full of live music as Downtown Bay City’s Wednesdays in the Park concert series kicks off this month.

Running June 19 through Aug. 14, musical groups will perform from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays at Wenonah Park, downtown along the Saginaw riverfront. There will not be a concert on Wednesday, July 3, due to the Fourth of July festivities in the park.

“There’s really not a better way to spend your Wednesday night than sitting in a lawn chair next to the river listening to music,” said Downtown Bay City Marketing Director Kellie Rupp.

These outdoor concerts are free to attend. Here’s the full lineup:

June 19 - Bay Concert Band

June 26 - Shout (Beatles tribute)

July 10 – Captain Fantastic (Elton John tribute)

July 17 – Detroit Rock City (KISS tribute)

July 24 – Fleatwood Mac (Fleetwood Mac tribute)

July 31 – Serious Moonlight (David Bowie tribute)

Aug. 7 – The Classic Women of Country

Aug. 14 – Material Girls (Madonna, Cher, Blondie, Heart, Adele, Lady Gaga tributes)

Rupp plans and executes many events throughout the year, including Feet on the Street, Santa’s Arrival, and the Wine Walk. This is her first year helping to organize Wednesdays in the Park, but she said she’s in good hands with many other people providing help in their areas of expertise.

“The music series was actually started by the Bay Arts Council who put it on, and then The State Theatre took it over,” Rupp said.

“We worked closely with The State Theatre Board in the late winter/early spring and talked about how they went about it and got the list of sponsors for the concerts. We’re also working with Excellency Presents, a local presenter, who’s going to be helping us with stage management and booking of the bands.”

There are eight concerts in total as part of the free music series. The Aug. 7 concert is sponsored and put on by Brian’s House, a caring home for the terminally ill.

“They reached out to us and basically asked to be able to put on a concert, book the band, and raise funds for their organization,” Rupp said.

“During Wednesdays on the Park, we are continuing the passing of the buckets, so if people want to give a donation at the concert, we’ll have volunteers with buckets going around and collecting those. But on Aug. 7, all of the proceeds will go towards Brian’s House.”

The concert series is free to the public, and all ages are welcome. Donations go toward the event’s operating costs. Rupp said each show typically costs about $5,000 to put on, which includes park rental, booking, trash removal and other required utilities.

“The Bay City Downtown Management Board sees these concerts as something that’s really important to our community. We are happy to continue them,” Rupp said. “The fact that they’re free is really important. That was one of our main goals was to keep them free. With the increasing cost of everything, it’s nice to be able to offer something of this scale for free.”

The outdoor shows go on rain or shine. In the case of lightning or thunder, the shows will be moved indoors to Central High School on the day of.

Guests are allowed to bring their own chairs, blankets and coolers. At Wenonah Park, there will also be local food vendors and concessions, including popcorn and fresh-squeezed lemonade available for purchase. Limited parking is available in front of the park and on the street. Parking is free in the city-owned downtown lots and on the street after 5 p.m.

Rupp is grateful for the community’s support and sponsorship to allow for the series to continue again this year. The fate of the concert series was somewhat in limbo after The State Theatre closed .

“We couldn’t have done these shows without them,” Rupp said. “It just goes to show how supportive people are in continuing these free concerts for everyone. We’re really proud of our community for stepping up.”

To follow along with updates on the summer concert series, visit the Downtown Bay City Facebook page .

Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free “3@3″ daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw.

More michigan destinations

• Your guide to the 2024 Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival
• The sky is the limit when you explore 755 acres of outdoor fun in Michigan’s Irish Hills
• The last of the drive-ins: Catch a movie at Michigan’s 9 remaining outdoor theaters

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Donald Trump visits San Francisco for campaign fundraiser

By pete suratos • published june 6, 2024 • updated on june 7, 2024 at 12:57 am.

Former president Donald Trump was in San Francisco Thursday night for a major fundraiser hosted by tech leaders in the city’s well-known Pacific Heights neighborhood. He left San Francisco later on Thursday night.

But Trump’s visit turned into an all-day event for his supporters as well as counterprotesters of the former president. This comes just one week after he became the first president in U.S. history to ever be convicted.

Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7

There were cheers from supporters as Trump’s motorcade arrived Thursday evening for a fundraiser at the home of venture capitalist David Sacks, with guests paying anywhere from $50,000 to $300,000 for tickets.

Trump’s supporters were waiting for hours to a glimpse of the former president. Many of them did not have tickets to the event. But they were hoping to show their support from afar.

“It’s all over the state, it’s not just San Francisco and it's not just LA, it's the state of California,” said Trump supporter Jen Kelly.

Trump supporters rally in San Francisco ahead of his visit

Trump heads to tech fundraiser in San Francisco, with some guests paying $300,000

Trump’s arrival leading to eventful day of rallies and protests across the city with many of his supporters driving into the city Thursday afternoon for a rally near Fort Mason. They were met with counter-protestors, who see Trump in a much different light.

The same group headed to Pacific Heights, where tensions picked up between Trump supporters and protesters, one of whom lived in the neighborhood.

The resident told NBC Bay Area that he was not a fan of the former president and questioned his supporters, after Trump was convicted of 34 felonies last week.

“He’s a criminal! And they’re sucking up to the biggest criminal on earth,” he said.

Get a weekly recap of the latest San Francisco Bay Area housing news. Sign up for NBC Bay Area’s Housing Deconstructed newsletter.

Harmeet Dhillon, an attorney & Republican Party official posted photos of the event on social media site “X.” In the post, she said that the Trump campaign raised $12 million during Thursday’s fundraiser. Trump will raise more money at fundraisers in Southern California on Friday.

$12M raised tonight! Incredible support for @realDonaldTrump . Not an empty seat in the gorgeous home of @DavidSacks and Jacqueline. Thrilled to see the tech leaders stepping up! pic.twitter.com/r4LIbrh4nA — Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) June 7, 2024

This article tagged under: