5 Things to do Before Summer Ends

There is a month and a half left of summer which is still plenty of time to make the most of the warm weather. Schools are slowly going back in session; however, locals and visitors can still spend a weekend soaking up all that Flint & Genesee has to offer in the summer.

From wading on the water to hiking through the wood; experiencing amazing public art or catching a late-season festival. There are many ways to ring in the summer season in Flint & Genesee.

Here are five things you should check out before fall take over:

Catch a Movie at the Drive-In

The US-23 Digital Drive-In Theater is one of only 11 drive-in movie theaters left in the state. Located in Flint Township off Fenton Road, the Drive-In features three screens with double features playing each night throughout the summer. The first flick starts at sunset; however, gates open at 7:30 p.m. which leaves plenty of time to get a great spot.

Explore Flint & Genesee’s Waterways

Flint & Genesee is home to two major rivers: the Flint River and the Shiawassee River. Both are great waterways for kayak and canoe lovers to explore. The Flint River has multiple launch points and runs from Mott Lake to Montrose, MI. Need to rent a kayak or canoe? Kayak Flint has you covered located at Tenacity Brewing in downtown Flint. The Shiawassee River runs through a portion of Genesee County including Fenton and Linden. In downtown Linden, enthusiasts can rent a kayak or canoe from Sunshine Kayak Rental located by the Linden Millpond.

Tour Downtown Flint Murals

Since 2019, downtown Flint has gained 100s of murals painted by local, national and international artists. A local non-profit, the Flint Public Art Project, is responsible for helping facilitate public art which has beautified the city and became a favorite attraction to locals and visitors. Those who want to tour the murals can do so on their own using the Pixel Stix app which maps out all the murals through Flint. 

Visit Flint & Genesee’s Parks

Genesee County is home to Michigan’s largest county parks system with over 11,000 acres of county park space. There are plenty of places to hike, bike or just simply explore all throughout the county. In Burton, For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum boasts miles of trails, butterfly gardens, a visitor’s center with hands-on experiences and barrier-free treehouse. To the west of Flint, Flushing County Park is a great place for the whole family featuring biking and hiking trails, ball diamonds, tennis courts, pavilions, fitness sections and even an off-leash dog area. Finally, for a unique and memorable experience, Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad is a great place to spend a summer day. The historic rebuilt town is home to 34 historic structures, old-fashioned rides and a beautiful locomotive.

Experience a Late Summer Festival

August is festival season in Flint & Genesee with big names like the Crim Festival of Races and Back to the Bricks. However, there are a variety of other festivals great for couples, families or individuals to attend. Drop Fest is Flint’s own electronic music festival taking place in Buckham and Brush Alleys; Flint's Second Friday ArtWalk happens throughout the year on the second Friday of each month; Grand Blanc Food Truck Festival happens monthly with the last festival on August 5; 80s in the Hole is back at Kettering University’s Historic Atwood Stadium in downtown Flint; And the Genesee County Fair is happening at the end of August.