We’re coming upon the Fourth of July, where most people have time off work and plan to enjoy some down time. This holiday weekend is expected to be the busiest for airports since the COVID pandemic began, one of the clear signs that people are feeling more comfortable getting out. If you are planning to travel to see family or to a bucket-list destination, be safe and have a great visit!
However, if the cost of inflation or other factors have you staying in town, or you have guests coming into the area, it’s a great time to explore Flint and Genesee County. Let me share a few ideas – starting with our golf courses.
I’ve recently had a chance to play a few rounds of golf on our local courses — in our Flint & Genesee Group’s Golf Classic and in a couple of our partners’ golf outings. It was great to get out in the sun with my fellow golfers for a little friendly competition. If you are an avid golfer and you want to get out and play, our region has many options. There are 20 public, private and signature golf courses in our region. Also, if you enjoy watching the pro’s play, don’t forget about the Ally Challenge presented by McLaren, to be held at the historic Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, coming soon in August.
July 2 is National Hop-A-Park Day when communities are encouraged to explore their local parks and what they offer. What a perfect fit for our community. If you love the outdoors, the Flint area is home to Genesee County Parks, the largest county park system in the state of Michigan with 11,000 acres of woods, water, trails, beaches and much more including the highly popular attractions Crossroads Village, Huckleberry Railroad and the Mounds Off-Road Vehicle Park. In fact, Crossroads and Huckleberry have planned an Independence Day celebration on Monday, July 4. Check the webpage for more information.
If you’re a foodie, Flint & Genesee has you covered with a variety of cuisines, restaurants and dining experiences. There are also many bars, pubs and breweries that are great gathering spots. And there’s the award-winning Flint Farmers Market, the Davison Farmers Market and many other markets offering a variety of produce, products and experiences.
In fact, if you do go to the Flint Famers’ Market, I urge you to set aside some time to explore downtown. Check out the retail shops, restaurants such as Sauce Italian American Kitchen and many others, book shops, and entertainment venues.
Also, around here, art is a big deal. The world-class Flint Cultural Center is home to nationally recognized cultural institutions including the Flint Institute of Arts, which is the second-largest art museum in Michigan and one of the largest art schools in the nation, and the Longway Planetarium, which is the largest in the state, as well as several other magnificent institutions. Sloan Museum of Discovery is scheduled to reopen in mid-July after undergoing a $30 million renovation. All the cultural institutions provide our residents and visitors with an array of cultural, scientific and artistic experiences and aims to promote understanding of the diverse cultures reflected in the Flint & Genesee community. They are always a great choice for families and visitors to the area.
If you are looking for ideas on things to do this upcoming weekend or at other times during the year, you can visit our Explore Flint & Genesee website for a wealth of information.
However you choose to celebrate the Independence Day weekend, I hope you have an enjoyable and safe time.
Tim