The Saginaw River allowed early European settlers to trade with native Americans, transport logs to the lumber mills, ship lumber to other Great Lakes locations, and export farm products grown in rich Saginaw valley soil. The river made it possible to bring in raw materials and ship manufactured products.

Thanks to Army Corp of Engineers' dredging, the Saginaw River is navigable by large ships. In combination, Saginaw and downstream Buena Vista, Zilwaukee, Bay City and Essexville constitute one of the busiest Great Lakes ports.

The Montague mansion, see the Montague Inn Lodging & Dining website, is a symbol of the river/farming/industrial legacy. It's located on the Saginaw River and was built by a maufacturer who used locally grown sugar beets to make hand creams and soaps. 

Automotive related manufacturing remains a major source of employment in the area.

There are several parks on the river and several of the city's attractions are located on or near the river.

The river bisects the city and several drawbridges connect the east and west sides of Saginaw.

The Andersen Enrichment Center and Lucille E. Andersen Memorial Rose Garden near downtown and the Ojibway Island Park has a circular fountain pool and a Marshll M. Frederick sculpture. The Center hosts art exhibits and can be rented for receptions and parties.

The Japanese Cultural Center and Tea House is one of only a few such facilities in the United States. It's jointly owned by Saginaw and it's sister Japanese city, Tokushima. Learn about Japanese tea ceremonies, gardens and culture.

The Saginaw Children's Zoo at Celebration Square is located near the Ojibway Island Park.

The Saginaw Art Museum is near downtown.

There are many other fun and educational places to visit in Saginaw. WikiTravel provides a more complete list.

The Dow Event Center contains several venues. The 7,600 seat Arena hosts many popular events and the OHL Saginaw Spirit hockey team. The smaller Hall is used for receptions, and fashion shows and many other events. The 2,276 seat Theater is used for plays and other live stage performances. The Dow Event Center venues include a Garden Room, Atrium and Conference Room for events, conferences, trade shows, wedding and other receptions. Concessions and catering are offered.

The re-stored Temple Theatre is a popular local performance venue.

The Imerman Memorial Park on the Tittabawassee River offers fishing, canoeing, a boat launch, sand volleyball, horseshoes, ball fields, shuffleboard, basketball, tennis, playground, pavilions, a hiking trail and a dog park.

The William H. Haithco Recreation Area has a 40 acre lake, supervised swimming, sand volleyball, paddleboat, rowboat, canoe and kayak rentals, horseshoes, playground, fishing and five pavilions.

The 9 mile paved Saginaw Country Rail Trail crosses several rivers and creeks, the Shiawassee State Game Area and several wetlands.  The trail is designed for hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and nature study.

The secluded 186 acre Price Nature Center offers a three mile hiking trail, pavilion, playground and group campground.

The 160 acre Ringwood Forest park has old growth trees, a three mile trail, Bad River fishing and canoe launch, a picnic area, pavilion and playground. 

Veterans Memorial Park on the Saginaw River has picnicking areas, fishing and a boat launch.

The City of Saginaw has 48 parks.