20 Things To Do In Midland

Midland is a quiet city founded in the 1820s as a fur trading post and is currently the 5th largest city in the state of Michigan. The city contains a wonderful mixture of peaceful, natural escapes and exciting and unique activities. So whether you want to retreat into nature or to a patio with a cold craft beer, you’ll find enough to do in Midland to keep you busy. 

Midland, Michigan

20 Things To Do In Midland

1- Explore Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens

The Whiting Estate was designed by the famous 20th-century architect Adlen B. Dow and its forest opened to the public in 2004.

Here, you can find beautiful, sprawling meadows; a tranquil and shady apple orchard; a gorgeous pond; and the longest canopy walk in the United States.

This canopy walk was opened in 2008 and stretches over an incredible 1,400 feet, including a viewing platform suspended 25 feet (7.6 m) into the air.

The Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens is at 1809 Eastman Avenue, Midland, Michigan 48640.

2- Walk Across The Tridge

The Tridge takes its name from a charming blend of the words “tri” (meaning “three”) and “bridge” as this bridge features a unique shape composed of three different arms that meet in the middle.

The bridge was built in 1981 and, although mostly used as a pedestrian walkway, is also open to cyclists, runners and skateboarders.

Evening concerts are held on the Tridge throughout the summer, and the annual Labor Day Walk is also hosted along the Tridge.

This stunning spot is the perfect place to take that special someone and watch the sunset over the water, no matter the time of the year.

The Tridge is at 111 West Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640.

3- Watch A Match At The Dow Diamond

Whether you are a baseball fanatic or don’t know anything about the spot, the Dow Diamond provides a wonderful experience for all.

The stadium is the home of the Single-A Great Lakes Loons Minor League baseball team and was opened in 2007.

Today, the stadium hosts minor league baseball games and provides an awesome night out for the entire family.

Even if you’re not interested in the game itself, the atmosphere and energy of the crowd, the concessions and drinks available are sure to create an unforgettable experience.

The Dow Diamond is at 825 East Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640.

4- See A Performance At Midland Center for Arts

The Midland Center for Arts is a magnificent building that opened in 1970 and pioneered the idea of combining both the creation of and appreciation for the arts underneath one roof.

Here, you can experience renowned art exhibits and attend an art class both on the same day, at the same place.

The centre also includes pop-up STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) exhibits with hands-on and interactive components to make learning fun and exciting.

The Midland Center for Arts is at 1801 West Street Andrews Road, Midland, Michigan 48640.

5- Visit The Chippewa Nature Center

The Chippewa Nature Center stretches over a whopping 1,348 acres (545 ha) and has been open since 1964.

The centre includes a diverse range of different environments, such as forests, wetlands and riverbeds.

15 miles (24 km) of trails run through the centre and are open year-round from dawn to dusk.

The centre also has its own Nature Center Store, where you can find nature-inspired gifts for the entire family.

The Chippewa Nature Center is at 400 South Badour Road, Midland, Michigan 48640.

6- Admire The Flowers At Dahlia Hill

Dahlia Hill is a lovely garden created by Charles Breed and Bill Fischer.

Charles Breed was an artist whose works focused on using plastic as an art form, and so a museum of his works exists within the garden.

The garden contains over 3,000 dahlias of over 250 varieties, allowing for a spectacular showcase of all colours and sizes.

If you want to take a little piece of Dahlia Hill home with you, the garden sells dahlia tubers during spring, so you can create a garden of your own.

Dahlia Hill is at 1300 West Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640.

7- Drink A Local Brew At Midland Brewing Company

The Midland Brewing Company first opened in 1935 after repurposing an old creamery building in downtown Midland.

Some of its fan-favourite (and widely acclaimed) core beers include the Copper Harbor Ale, the Isle Royale Cream Ale, the Rollway IPA and the Boom Run Stout.

The brewery has a great range of choices, guaranteeing that there will be a brew here that fits everyone’s taste.

The Midland Brewing Company is at 5011 North Saginaw Road, Midland, Michigan 48642.

8- Grab A Bite At The Boulevard Lounge

Another local favourite and cornerstone of the community since 1959 is the Boulevard Lounge.

The restaurant has been nicknamed “The Bully” by locals and is well known for its delicious burgers and pizzas.

The Boulevard Lounge was even voted the #1 Burger in 2021 by the Midland Daily News Reader’s Choice Awards.

So swing by, grab a bite and a cold beer, kick back and relax while you experience the best service in town.

The Boulevard Lounge is at 316 South Saginaw Road, Midland, Michigan 48640.

9- Relax In Emerson Park

Emerson Park is more than just a beautiful natural space for gatherings and picnics; there is also a volleyball court, horseshoe pits and shuffleboard courts.

The hockey rink converts into an ice rink during the winter months.

A walking trail wraps its way leisurely around the trail, and a playground provides a perfect place for the kids to blow off steam while the adults stroll in the sunshine.

Emerson Park is at 1300 West Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640.

10- Admire The Solar System Sculptures

The universe is so expansive that it is often impossible to truly understand how large our solar system and the planets within it are.

Luckily, the Solar System Sculptures were created in the Pere-Marquette Rail Trail that runs between Sanford and Midland City.

These sculptures are built on a perfect scale (though of course, not to scale with the real planets!).

They display the different sizes of the planets and even the distances between them.

Bike, run or walk along the trail between the sculptures to discover the immense expanse of space and the planets around us.

The experience is a perfect blend of nature, exercise, and education and is fun for all ages!

The Solar System Sculptures begin at the Pere-Marquette Rail Trail of Mid-Michigan, Sanford, Michigan 48657 and continue through Midland City.

11- Have Fun At Plymouth Park

The crown jewel of Plymouth Park has to be its large wooden playground, the Fun Zone.

The Fun Zone was, incredibly, built by volunteers from within the community itself, making this space a beautiful creation by the community for the community.

The park is home to the only outdoor community pool in the city, a baseball field, and multiple picnic areas.

Plymouth Park is at 1508 East Wheeler Street, Midland, Michigan 48642.

12- Admire The Creative 360’s At John Pratt Mosaic House

The late local artist, John Pratt, turned his house into a work of art by adorning the exterior walls with murals made from china, pottery, and tiles.

These murals are said to convey his lifelong struggle with schizophrenia, with both the pains and joys of life captured in the exquisite, emotionally moving designs.

These works of art are truly awe-inspiring and contain such incredible bursts of colour that this house will take your breath away.

Although the art is good enough to be displayed in a museum, the house remains unbothered and tucked away peacefully in the woods and is open for viewing to the public.

The Creative 360’s John Pratt Mosaic House is at 102 East Isabella Road, Midland, Michigan 48640.

13- Discover Valley Lanes Entertainment Center

The Valley Lanes Entertainment Center is a guaranteed night of fun and games for the entire family.

Here, you can play a game of cosmic bowling or a round of billiards, all whilst enjoying refreshing drinks and cocktails.

The entertainment centre also has an 18-hole miniature golf course, an arcade with racing games, a pinball, and a flight simulator.

The Valley Lanes Entertainment Center is at 5021 Bay City Road, Midland, Michigan 48642.

14- Get Your Braincells Working At Code Breakers

Escape games are a major trend currently sweeping across the US and Midland is no exception.

Head down to the Code Breakers Escape and Puzzle Rooms to test your brain and investigative skills in an escape room that follows the story of Merlin the Wizard.

If escape rooms aren’t your thing, you can also participate in axe throwing in 30- or 60-minute sessions.

The Code Breakers Escape and Puzzle Rooms is at 4422 North Saginaw Road, Midland, Michigan 48640.

15- Shop At Midland Area Farmers Market

The Midland Area Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from early May through mid-November.

The market is full of fresh and locally-grown produce, flowers, and plants, among other naturally produced products, gifts, and baked goods.

The market is open 8 am to 12 pm, regardless of weather conditions.

The Midland Area Farmers Market is at 825 East Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640.

16- Enjoy Nature At Midland City Forest Park

The Midland City Forest Park is made up of 520 acres of both hardwood and deciduous trees.

Visit during the fall months to see an incredible array of colours throughout the forest.

In the winter, there is a trail for skiing.

The park contains many different trails, each dedicated to a different activity (hiking, horse riding, biking) and admission to the entire park is always free.

The Midland City Forest Park is at 2840 East Monroe Road, Midland, Michigan 48640.

17- Unleash Your Creativity At Space Studios

Add some creativity to your day by heading over to Space Studios, where you can choose between glazing pre-made pottery or taking a pottery class to create a masterpiece of your own.

Attend a Pick-A-Project event where you can choose between various projects (such as a candle holder, a fairy door, a secret snail, and so much more) and then create, paint and glaze your work of art.

Space Studios is at 16 North Winding Drive, Midland, Michigan 48640.

18- Enjoy Christmas Cheer At Midland Santa House

A unique location in the city, the Midland Santa House was built in 1987 and opens annually during the holiday season to provide a magical and unforgettable Christmas experience to all.

The Northern Star Train takes visitors on a 10 to 15-minute trip around downtown Midland and is free for everyone, as are the visits with Santa.

Step into this winter wonderland and indulge your inner child with this Christmas spectacle.

The Midland County Courthouse and Santa House are at 301 West Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640.

19- Drink Wine At Whine

The Whine Wine Bar provides a hilarious and lively twist on the typical wine bar experience.

Here, you can choose a wine that fits your mood.

A trendy location, Whine is a top spot to spend an evening relaxing and trying different kinds of wine.

The bar also offers live music, an incredible cocktail selection, and top-notch service from friendly bartenders.

Whine is at 337 East Wackerly Street, Midland, Michigan 48642.

20- Grape Beginnings Winery

Following the wine theme, the Grape Beginnings Winery is another fantastic spot for trying new varieties of wine to find your lifelong favourite match.

All of the wines offered at the winery are made on-site and the winery has everything from dry whites to sweet roses and fruity reds, ensuring that there’s a wine here for everyone.

Grape Beginnings Winery is at 244 East Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640.