Memorial Cup Visitor Guide/Advice

[donjohnson]

I had all of these grand plans of putting together an "unofficial" visitor guide for the Memorial Cup in Saginaw but real life got in the way so I'm going to do it a different way. I will monitor this thread and will be your local concierge for anything you might need to know about Saginaw and the Great Lakes Bay Region which includes Bay City, Midland, Frankenmuth, Birch Run, and Mt. Pleasant.

If you are looking for something specific like "Give me a good Mexican restaurant" or "Is this hotel in a good area" or "Where should I play golf" just ask in the thread and people can use this as a FAQ before coming. I've lived in Saginaw my whole life, so I know where to go and where not to go and am frequently in the rest of the region for food/entertainment so I think I can be of help for any visitors who are either coming for the first time or are returning and looking for something new. We have tons of chains in Saginaw so you know what you're getting with those but I can help you find the hidden gems if you want to eat or drink at local places around the region.

There also hasn't been a ton issued by the team so I don't know what the traffic patterns will be downtown or any road closures or things like that. When that info becomes available, I'll be sure to share it here.

Click to read more...

 

[HockeyPops]

Saturday the 25th. Arriving at noon, need lunch and activities for just myself, and want to have a quick exit after the game (4-7) ends.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Thanks for starting the thread, my crew of four will be in town from the 31st to the 2nd.

Are there suggestions on local water or breweries?

 

[donjohnson]

Saturday the 25th. Arriving at noon, need lunch and activities for just myself, and want to have a quick exit after the game (4-7) ends.

For the day trip like this, I'd recommend coming straight downtown to the arena, hitting up the local food trucks that will be set up, checking out the Hockey HOF displays in the theater and the concert at the event park across the street. That day is actually our sheriff who is the lead of a Bob Seger tribute band and they're actually really good (I've seen them once). As far as parking, I'd stick to a surface lot...I don't know the plans for parking but for an afternoon game, I'd recommend the Michigan Works lot at Franklin and Federal. It's a couple blocks from the arena and there's a nice walking path next to the Delta College downtown campus. Not the warmest walk in January but at the end of May it will be perfect.

If there's something specific you want to eat, let me know and I can recommend a truck that will likely be there. Since you're coming from the North, you could also check out H20's in Bay City...it's my favorite new place on the river and the food is fantastic.

 

[donjohnson]

Thanks for starting the thread, my crew of four will be in town from the 31st to the 2nd.

Are there suggestions on local water or breweries?

Of course...a sneaky good one that's a little more out of the way is The Maple Grille in Hemlock, MI (just west of Saginaw on M-46). It's all farm to table food and they brew their own beers too.

I'll probably miss some but in Saginaw we have Oracle Brewing in Old Town (which is near a lot of other bars), Loggers Brewing (in Shields (west Saginaw)), and a cool place called Old Town Distillery (liquor only) but they recently closed although they may open for Memorial Cup.

In Midland you've got Midland Brewing Company and some cool drinking spots downtown like WhichCraft Taproom.

In Bay City you have Tri-City Brewing and what I've always known to be the most bars per-capita in the state (no idea if that's true but it has to be close). There's Drydock which is a bar in an alley sort of space and you can walk from Bar to Bar either on Midland St or the downtown on the other side of the river.

There's also a cool place in Richville (not too far away) called Innovation Beerwork that has good beers and food.

Frankenmuth has the Frankenmuth Brewery and St. Julian Winery among other things.

And, if you feel like making the short trek to Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, there's a fantastic place called Mountain Town Station that is one of the best spots in the entire region for beer and food. This will be 45-60min away depending on where you're staying.

 

[HockeyPops]

Thanks for the ideas. Much appreciated and looking forward to it!

 

[donjohnson]

Thought I'd add some info to this thread about public transportation. While we are not known for our public transport, they are pulling out all the stops (pun intended) for the Memorial Cup.

If anyone has any questions about parking or this loop, just let me know.

If you are staying in Frankenmuth (where the teams are staying) they have a local shuttle that's going around town. Frankenmuth Memorial Cup Shuttle | Frankenmuth I have not seen anything about a shuttle from Frankenmuth to Saginaw (surprises me a little) but I suppose you can probably get an uber or lyft if you don't want to drive.

If you are staying in Saginaw or driving in, the STARS bus system has added loops so you can hit all of the hotspots. Memorial Cup – STARS – Saginaw Transit Authority and Regional Services

If you are staying in the Tittabawassee Road area hotels, there is a hotel shuttle that will take you to the arena and back. The loop is shown on the STARS map.

If you're looking to hit up bars/restaurants before the game you can hit up the Riverfront Loop and drink/eat in Old Town (Hamilton Street area), leave the car there and jump on the bus loop to the arena. The loop also connects to the Art Museum, Children's Zoo, Children's Museum, Castle Museum (Saginaw History), and more.

Some of my favorite spots to eat/drink on the Riverfront Loop:

- Old Town Junction (restaurant in an old train car)
- Retro Rocks (used to be more of a dive/college bar and they have a very good upscale menu now...70's80's music videos play)
- Scottish Inn (old school bar and great corned beef...plaid carpet on the walls)
- Woody O' Briens (zillions of beer taps)
- Jake's Old City Grill (upscale dining...good place to get a steak)
- SVRC Marketplace (farmer's market and restaurant incubator...small restaurants looking to build and audience and branch out) This is where they are hosting the "Fan Breakfast"
- Liquid Lounge (bar and they serve all varieties of sliders here)
- Panda House and Pasongs (two of the best Chinese restaurants in town)

 

[Slap Shot Rick]

Saginaw businesses gear up for Memorial Cup crowds

Saginaw businesses gear up for Memorial Cup crowds

Excitement is mounting for the Memorial Cup which is just days away.

www.wnem.com

 

[bearfan]

Hey we haven't been to Saginaw in a while but when we did go we stumbled on a place called Savoy Bar and Grill. I think the Bar is still open but what about it's Restaurant? Is there any pub's close by within walking distance of the Dow and is there better parking close by ( we are a older couple and don't mind a few block walk but not a Hike lol Thank you in advance Or if not quick drive from pub to arena parking spot

 

[bcspragu]

2nd Tri City Brewing in bay city. Love their intergalactic jack ipa.

If anyone wants to make the trek into midland I work at a distillery there called evernorth spirits. We’re open Thursday and Friday 12-7 and first and last Saturday of the month 11-6. We have bourbon, rye and American whiskey. Come in wearing a hockey jersey and first ones on me

 

[Slap Shot Rick]

Hey we haven't been to Saginaw in a while but when we did go we stumbled on a place called Savoy Bar and Grill. I think the Bar is still open but what about it's Restaurant? Is there any pub's close by within walking distance of the Dow and is there better parking close by ( we are a older couple and don't mind a few block walk but not a Hike lol Thank you in advance Or if not quick drive from pub to arena parking spot

Sadly, both the bar and restaurant are closed now.

 

[donjohnson]

Hey we haven't been to Saginaw in a while but when we did go we stumbled on a place called Savoy Bar and Grill. I think the Bar is still open but what about it's Restaurant? Is there any pub's close by within walking distance of the Dow and is there better parking close by ( we are a older couple and don't mind a few block walk but not a Hike lol Thank you in advance Or if not quick drive from pub to arena parking spot

My advice would be to hit up a spot on the Riverfront Bus Loop Memorial Cup – STARS – Saginaw Transit Authority and Regional Services and use stops S9 or S10 to hit up something like Retro Rocks or Liquid Lounge or something in Old Town. Park (for free) in that area and then jump on the STARS bus that will take you to the arena. This is a special bus loop just for the Memorial Cup.

You could also use the Hotel Shuttle at the same link to eat and drink at the Tittabawassee road area but that's pretty much all chains (BWW type of places). I'd recommend Old Town for more of a local feel.

Around the arena there will be food trucks and there should be plenty of parking (there's a ramp right there and plenty of surface lots available but the food trucks will be your only option at the arena since the restaurants that used to be downtown closed during covid.

 

[swoopster]

Last I heard the Savoy was up for sale. Many memories of that place!

 

[rve24]

The link is appreciated even thou Im not traveling down for the Cup, great idea and I know it takes time to post n put together.

 

[donjohnson]

The link is appreciated even thou Im not traveling down for the Cup, great idea and I know it takes time to post n put together.

Absolutely...I'm proud of the town I grew up and live in...Saginaw (and the entire Great Lakes Bay Region) is excited to show off what we have here and put on a great experience for all of the visitors. Cleanup of the downtown area has been going on for weeks and it's awesome even for us locals to really see downtown shine again!

Growing up, downtown Saginaw was a destination for shopping, dining and all sorts of other things but like other rust-belt towns in Michigan, as GM moved away, we steadily lost population, crime increased and downtown became a destination you only go if you have to. 20 years again when the Spirit started, people were still afraid to come downtown and it's amazing what the team has done for the transformation. Covid hurt some of the restaurants but I've never felt unsafe around the arena in a long time.

I encourage all of the visitors to take advantage of these bus loops, speaker series, live music and more...the Spirit want this to be the best Memorial Cup ever and the locals are on board for the next two weeks to make the experience memorable for all of the hockey fans traveling to what I think is a pretty great place to live.

 

[donjohnson]

Also, I just checked in on the lovely Spirit Nation facebook group and the admin of that page recommended the following "amazing" restaurants: Applebees, Buffalo Wild Wings, Texas Roadhouse, Chili's.

Please tell people to check this thread if they have questions...there's no reason to travel to Saginaw to have BWW or Chilis...I'll help you find a good local spot for whatever you are craving.

 

[ohloutsider]

Also, I just checked in on the lovely Spirit Nation facebook group and the admin of that page recommended the following "amazing" restaurants: Applebees, Buffalo Wild Wings, Texas Roadhouse, Chili's.

Please tell people to check this thread if they have questions...there's no reason to travel to Saginaw to have BWW or Chilis...I'll help you find a good local spot for whatever you are craving.

As soon as you get in the area go to Tony's in Birch run for breakfast. If you eat there you won't have to worry about eating anywhere else for the rest of your stay, lol.

 

[rve24]

As soon as you get in the area go to Tony's in Birch run for breakfast. If you eat there you won't have to worry about eating anywhere else for the rest of your stay, lol.

A pound of bacon, and an omelete big enough for 4 will do that lol. Never been but everyone who has says breaky is a meal for 4 lol.

 

[Otto]

As soon as you get in the area go to Tony's in Birch run for breakfast. If you eat there you won't have to worry about eating anywhere else for the rest of your stay, lol.

Still the only place where I've had to get a take home box for breakfast because I couldn't finish it.

Is there still one at Fashion Square Mall?

 

[ohloutsider]

Still the only place where I've had to get a take home box for breakfast because I couldn't finish it.

Is there still one at Fashion Square Mall?

The only one I've ever been to is beside birch run outlet mall. Have not been since 2019 so not sure of the status of them now?

 

[Slap Shot Rick]

Still the only place where I've had to get a take home box for breakfast because I couldn't finish it.

Is there still one at Fashion Square Mall?

There is one behind the mall. but I'm not sure they serve breakfast in those portion sizes at that location. All of the "Tony's" restaurants are owned by different cousins as I understand it.

 

[OHLTG]

Please tell people to check this thread if they have questions...there's no reason to travel to Saginaw to have BWW or Chilis...I'll help you find a good local spot for whatever you are craving.

The last time I went, our hotel had an Uno's Chicago Grill inside and you can't find that in Ontario. It was a nice change of pace and really, really good! That said, I'm a big supporter of the "support local" if the chance presents itself!

 

[donjohnson]

On Tony's...if you want the massive piles of bacon, Birch Run is your spot. All of the other Tony's are independently owned (some/most are familial) and they are all good. Some have some different spins on things but you can get a Steak Sandwich (get it grilled with pizza cheese...add mushrooms if you like them) at any of them.

Uno's is still there at the Crowne Plaza...I didn't mean to bash on chains...Saginaw is the king of chain restaurants and when Cabelas came to town, it seems like it grew even more. There are times when I feel like a chain but I also like pumping up the local spots because in Saginaw they're few and far between. It's always been tough in Saginaw for the local restaurant but that's what's great about having Bay City and Midland nearby...Bay City has TONS of local great restaurants.

 

[OHLTG]

Uno's is still there at the Crowne Plaza...I didn't mean to bash on chains...Saginaw is the king of chain restaurants and when Cabelas came to town, it seems like it grew even more. There are times when I feel like a chain but I also like pumping up the local spots because in Saginaw they're few and far between. It's always been tough in Saginaw for the local restaurant but that's what's great about having Bay City and Midland nearby...Bay City has TONS of local great restaurants.

Nothing wrong with chains, especially if you haven't been to one in a while. Over the last handful of years, I've been excited for Uno, Olive Garden, Chili's, Denny's, Craft Beer Market (Toronto), Wahlburgers (Toronto), etc. Windsor doesn't have any of those so they're kind of neat when the chance arises. That said, I'll always support local, too, and, when fans come to Windsor, I recommend as many local spots as possible.

Unos was fun in Saginaw; we went three times in two days. Never had a bad experience and even closed the place out after the game one night. The fact that you were stumbling distance from your room was a bonus haha

 

[twinsdad]

Nothing wrong with chains, especially if you haven't been to one in a while. Over the last handful of years, I've been excited for Uno, Olive Garden, Chili's, Denny's, Craft Beer Market (Toronto), Wahlburgers (Toronto), etc. Windsor doesn't have any of those so they're kind of neat when the chance arises. That said, I'll always support local, too, and, when fans come to Windsor, I recommend as many local spots as possible.

My kids and I would frequent two Canadian chains when visiting Canada, Wacky Wings (Maple Bar-b-q) and East Side Mario's. But I was disappointed that East Side Mario's in Brantford no longer had Alexanders Keiths on tap earlier this year.