Flint, Michigan is an easy drive from the Rochester area and from most of Oakland County. The area offers many adventures for families and couples. If you’re headed up north for a weekend away, consider starting early and making your first stop in Genesee County.
A very pleasant surprise is the Flint Institute of Art established in 1928 and located in the Flint Cultural Center.
The FIA houses more than 7,000 works of art and is one of the largest art museums in Michigan. They also have many programs, films, events, and special exhibits. Their permanent collection includes works by Auguste Renoir, Peter Paul Rubens, and John 
Singer Sargent – to name just a few. Visitors should be sure not to miss Sargent’s painting, Garden Study of the Vickers Children. Located where I-475 and I-69 cross, the FIA is easy to find from I-75. Peruse their web site, www.flintarts.org, for details, directions, and special events.
Also in the Flint Cultural Center are several other attractions worth visiting, such as the Sloan Museum, the Longway Planetarium and the Buick Gallery.
The Sloan Museum houses historic automobiles, photographs and nostalgic items – more than 600 – from the birth of the automotive industry to the present. If you go with children, or if you’re a big kid, take time to check out the new Wisner’s Whizbang Emporium.
Laser light and star shows continue to entertain at the Longway Planetarium. July offers The Spirit of America Laser Show synced 
to patriotic music for a family-friendly experience. In August the laser light show will feature music from The Beatles.
Car lovers should definitely visit The Buick Gallery. Their exhibit, Chevrolet: Yesterday and Today, explores 100 years of the Chevy and runs through spring of 2012. For information on all the attractions in the Flint Cultural Center, visit their web site, www.sloanlongway.org.
Swing through Flushing for more art, good food, and award-winning bathrooms at Fandangles’.
The Marketplace of Flushing on West Pierson Road is home to a place called Fandangles’: The Gallery for Artistic Palates. This restaurant showcases local artwork from Michigan artists and offers fantastic food and wine choices.
Open for lunch and dinner (reservations are a must for dinner); Fandangles is a unique and refreshing dining experience. They have won numerous awards and the most interesting one is The Best Bathroom Award. The artwork they display makes its way into the restrooms, along with chandeliers, fresh flowers and a more-than-at-home look. Visit them online at www.fandanglesmi.com for directions and the 2011 artist schedule.
So close to home, from Flint to Flushing with surprising art, history, and cuisine, it’s worth a stop on your way north. Or better yet, take a day trip to Genesee County and discover all the area has to offer.
Flint Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
810.232.8900
Flint Institute of Art
810-234-1695
Flint Cultural Center
810-237-3450
Fandangles Restaurant
810-659-2700
By Michael Dwyer
About Michael Dwyer