Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Midland (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: The Tridge, Dow Diamond, and Alden Dow House and Studio. Also, be sure to include Dow Gardens in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Midland (Michigan).
Table of Contents
The Tridge
Arch bridge in Midland, Michigan. The Tridge is the formal name of a three-way wooden footbridge spanning the confluence of the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers in Chippewassee Park near downtown Midland, Michigan, in the Tri-Cities region. Named as a portmanteau of "tri" and "bridge", the structure opened in 1981. It consists of one 31-foot tall central pillar supporting three spokes. Each spoke is 180 feet long by 8 feet wide.[1]
Address: Ashman Street, near the Farmers' Market, Midland
Dow Diamond
Stadium in Midland, Michigan. Dow Diamond is a Minor League baseball stadium located in Midland, Michigan. It is the home of the Great Lakes Loons of the High-A Central. The Loons are affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The stadium is located near Buttles, Ellsworth and State streets in Midland. The Dow Chemical Company, whose world headquarters are in Midland, donated the land for the stadium and also purchased the naming rights to the facility in 2006. The stadium name is a reference to both Dow's logo (a red diamond) and that "diamond" is a slang term for a baseball field.[2]
Address: 825 E Main St, 48640-5398 Midland
Alden Dow House and Studio
Architect in Midland, Michigan. Alden B. Dow Home and Studio, also known as Alden B. Dow Home & Studio, in Midland, Michigan, was the home and studio that were the residence and acknowledged masterpiece of 20th century architect Alden B. Dow. The quality and originality of his work, as well as his association with Frank Lloyd Wright, have earned him lasting national recognition.
Construction for the first studio began in 1934, while the majority of the United States was struggling through the Great Depression. With the Dow Chemical Company located in Midland Michigan, the community had not been hit as hard as the rest of the country. Being that Alden was a child of the Dow Chemical founder, Herbert H. Dow, he had many opportunities within Midland to practice architecture. The first studio was completed in 1935 and construction for the second studio began in 1936. The second studio was completed in 1937. The studio was created as a workplace for Alden's architectural firm. As well as the two drafting rooms, there was also an entry and reception area and the sunken conference room, which sits below water level. The pond was created by diverting the stream that ran through the property. The studio portion also had a woodshop, an office and Alden's office which was the buffer between the studio and home. The woodshop has been turned into a museum with a gift shop.
Dow built his home and studio between 1937 and 1940. Throughout the home there are visible construction materials including the building blocks that were patented in 1935, "Unit Blocks". Alden Dow's exploration of block construction began after graduating from the Columbia School of Architecture in 1931 and an eight-month apprenticeship at Taliesin in 1933. Alden Dow, along with Robert Goodall, one of Frank Lloyd Wright's draftsman, created a rhomboid block, mostly with a square face in 16 different sizes. This became known as Alden B. Dow's Unit Block building system. Dow used them to form walls and terraces, as well as decoration elements such as the stepping stones in the surrounding pond on the property. In addition to the unique shape and structural integrity of the building blocks, the other identifying characteristic of the Unit Blocks was that they were made of the cinder that he saw piling up outside The Dow Chemical Company furnaces. His father, Herbert Dow, had utilized this same cinder waste to construct “clinker” bridges in their family gardens (now, Dow Gardens).
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
It was awarded the Paris Prize for Residential Architecture in 1937.
The house is open to the public for tours and abuts the Dow Gardens.
Traditional Home magazine listed the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio on a 2014 list of "The 25 Best Historic Homes in America", Great Estates: A new look at historic house museums[3]
Address: 315 Post St, 48640-6615 Midland
Dow Gardens
Garden in Midland, Michigan. Dow Gardens is a 110-acre botanical garden located at 1809 Eastman Avenue, Midland, Michigan, United States. Visitors are invited to leave the pathway and explore the uniquely-designed landscape, take a tour of the historic Pines Home, participate in one of many hands-on educational programs, stroll the nation’s longest canopy walk, and discover beautiful art and music in a relaxed setting.
Dow Gardens began as a home for entrepreneur Herbert Dow, his wife Grace A. Dow, and their seven children. The 1899 Pines of Dow Gardens is located at the southwest corner of the campus. As a National Historic Landmark, The Pines welcomes visitors for guided tours and special events. The home, which is still filled with the Dow family’s furnishings, provides an intimate look into their life. Upon Herbert's passing, Grace A. Dow established The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, which has charter goals to improve the educational, religious, economic, and cultural lives of the people of the City of Midland and the State of Michigan. Dow Gardens is a signature gift of The Foundation as the family shares the estate with the community and its visitors.[4]
Address: 1809 Eastman Ave, 48640 Midland
Bradley House
The Bradley House is a restored single-family home, now used as a museum, located at 3200 Cook Road in Midland, Michigan, on the grounds of the Midland County Historical Society Heritage Park. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[5]
Address: 3200 Cook Rd, Midland
Dahlia Hill
Garden in Midland, Michigan. Dahlia Hill is both a protected garden area in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, encompassing 1.41 acres of terraced gardens, and the a 501 non-profit educational organization that runs the garden. Located in the city of Midland, Michigan, they annually grow more than 3,000 dahlia plants.[6]
Address: 2809 Orchard Dr, 48640-2616 Midland
Midland County Courthouse
The Midland County Courthouse is a government building located at 301 West Main Street in Midland, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It is the only Tudor Revival style courthouse in the state.[7]
Address: 301 West Main Street, Midland
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
Public library in Midland, Michigan. The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library is the public library of the City of Midland and serves residents of Midland and of the contracting Midland County townships: Edenville, Greendale, Homer, Hope, Ingersoll, Jerome, Larkin, Lee, Lincoln, Midland, Mills, and Mt. Haley.[8]
Address: 1710 W Saint Andrews Rd, 48640 Midland
Midland City Forest
Hiking trail, Bike trail, Relax in park, Park, Outdoor activities, Trail, Ski area
Address: South Loop, 48642 Midland
Joseph A. Cavanagh House
The Joseph A. Cavanagh House is a single-family home located at 415 West Main Street in Midland, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The house is architecturally significant because it demonstrates the beginnings of architect Alden B. Dow's interpretation of the Prairie Style.[9]
F.W. Lewis House
The F. W. Lewis House is a single-family home located at 2913 Manor Street in Midland, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.[10]