• An ornament you might find for sale at Bronner's.Christmas tree branch with blue Christmas ball image by emka from Fotolia.com
  
  Central Michigan includes the cities of Midland, Bay City, Saginaw and Flint as well as smaller towns in between like Frankenmuth. There are lots of things to do and see for families, individuals and couples who like to get out and be active in the community. Whether it is a retail store known world-wide, a zoo or a museum, you can have fun in central Michigan.
  
  

Bronner's in Frankenmuth

• Bronner's is the world's largest Christmas store. This store, located in Frankenmuth, has thousands of square feet of nothing but decorations, trees, nativities and tree trimmings—all for Christmas. Once you walk inside the store, you'll see it isn't like any other store. The ceiling to the floor is also decorated with themed Christmas motifs, antique decorations, movable characters and garland, while Christmas songs play in the background. The store boasts of having over 50,000 different tree trimmings and gifts. Outside, there are Christmas lights and scenes lit up year round along the parking lot. Inside the store is a snack shop and a cafe. Visits to Santa also take place year round.
  
  Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland
  
  25 Christmas Lane
  
  Frankenmuth, MI 48734
  
  989-652-9931
  
  bronners.com
  
  

Children's Zoo in Saginaw

• A horse on a carousel ride.carousel horses image by Debbie Torkelson from Fotolia.com
  
  The Children's Zoo in Saginaw at Celebration Square has recently undergone remodeling and is once again a state of the art facility. The zoo features a penguin exhibit, an underwater viewing of Michigan fish, a room with spiders and other reptiles and amphibians and a place where kids can dig to search for "fossils". A butterfly house holds native butterfly species and you can walk in and watch them up close.
  
  The zoo has a train that drives around its perimeter, a carousel, a snack shop and shows throughout the day. Group and educational tours are available by appointment and at a discounted rate by calling ahead.
  
  Children's Zoo at Celebration Square
  
  1730 South Washington Avenue
  
  Saginaw, MI 48601-2876
  
  989-759-1408
  
  saginawzoo.com/
  
  

Center for the Arts in Midland

• The Center for the Arts in Midland is a facility which houses museum displays, traveling displays and two theater stages. The small stage can be used by schools and traveling performing groups for plays, lectures and special events. The large theater hosts traveling acts, ballets, concerts and magicians.
  
  The museum hosts both permanent displays and traveling displays such as dinosaur bones, artifacts and historical shows that children and adults enjoy. The famed Dow Gardens is outside and next to the Center for the Arts building. The grounds can be used for weddings, parties, tours and portrait settings.
  
  Midland Center for the Arts
  
  1801 W. St. Andrews St.
  
  Midland, MI 48640
  
  989-631-8250
  
  mcfta.org