Genesee: Nature, River Trails and Culture

The Genesee County Parks system encompasses 11,000 acres of forests, rivers, lakes, trails, beaches and campgrounds. This range shapes the nature-focused part of a stay, from paths through an arboretum to longer routes along the Flint River. For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum offers more than 7 miles of trails. As of 2015, the woody plant collection in the 116-acre arboretum included more than 1,800 specimens from 157 species.

Nature, Trails and Wildlife Viewing

At the For-Mar Garden Exploration Space, the connections between plants, insects and people are brought to life. Nature enthusiasts will find a different perspective here than on the trails: the focus is on how different living things interact. The river routes also vary in length and name. The Flint River Water Trail stretches for 73 miles and has 24 access points. The 17-mile Flint River Trail is part of the Michigan Iron Belle Trail system and runs through downtown Flint north to Richfield County Park. Along some stretches of the Flint River, you may spot bald eagles, ospreys, minks, beavers, deer, cormorants and herons, among other wildlife.

Museums, Railroads and Markets

The Huckleberry Railroad offers a 40-minute historic ride along Mott Lake and over a section of the historic Pere Marquette route. Its clearly defined duration makes it easy to plan as a standalone activity alongside longer park and river outings. The Longway Planetarium features 4K projection and immersive shows. The Flint Children's Museum has more than 40 immersive, colorful exhibits; its Discovery Zone includes topics in kinetic physics, light-based activities and collaborative building challenges. These experiences offer a range of options: projections and shows at the planetarium, and diverse exhibits and collaborative building at the museum.

Gardens and markets also add different dimensions to a stay. Applewood’s Demonstration Garden features herbs and vegetables and is designed to offer visitors ideas and inspiration. Year-round indoor markets include the Flint Farmers’ Market and the Davison Farmers Market. Their offerings include locally grown produce, products from local producers, quick-service restaurants, freshly baked goods, and meat and seafood. This lets you prioritize a garden visit, a look at local products or a museum program according to your interests when planning your trip.

Getting There and Getting Around

For eligible passengers, MTA Your Ride offers curb-to-curb service throughout Genesee County. MTA Flint’s fixed-route main lines run along major corridors and serve areas with large businesses, shopping centers, hospitals, colleges and other regional institutions. Since routes and operating hours can change, check the latest information before traveling.

Flint Bishop International Airport is about half a mile from the I-75/US 23 and I-69 interchange and has on-site car rentals. Airport facilities and access rules may change, so check the latest information on these details before your trip.

Choose a Hotel Location to Match Your Itinerary

When choosing a hotel, it helps to first decide which places you want to visit, then compare the hotel’s location with those destinations. Those planning to visit parks and river routes will have different priorities from those who focus on museums, markets or the historic train ride. This allows you to tailor your search to your specific itinerary.

Explore more destinations: Flint, Grand Blanc, Burton, Clio, Mount Morris, Fenton, Muskegon, Monroe County.

For the broader travel overview: Michigan.