23 Fall Date Ideas in Flint & Genesee to Help Plan a Fall Romantic Getaway in Michigan
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Fall can be a very romantic time of year to plan a getaway in Michigan. With vibrant colors all around, Flint and Genesee County offer charming towns with scenic views. Plus, there are plenty of indoor activities for fall romantic getaways in Michigan’s Genesee County.
Use our list of fall date ideas in Flint, Michigan, and the surrounding towns in Genesee County to start planning your romantic getaway…
Thanks to Explore Flint & Genesee for being 2022 #MIAwesomeList Fall Bucket List partners!
Outdoor Fall Date Ideas in Genesee County
Before the cold weather hits this winter, spend some intimate time outdoors with your sweetheart. From waterfall views to drive-in movies to festivals, there’s a little bit of something for every type of couple in Flint.
Take a Walk Downtown
Whether by day or by night, downtown areas can be captivating, cozy places to walk with a loved one. Hand in hand, you can stroll the picturesque sidewalks of boutiques and cafes in several Genesee County downtowns. But Fenton, Flint, and Flushing are our three top picks. Each downtown is full of history and unique in its own way.
Visit Stepping Stone Falls
Where the Flint River meets Mott Lake, you can enjoy a beautiful scene of cascading water down stone steps. While the official purpose of the manmade falls is to hold back the river, Stepping Stone Falls is also a romantic spot away from the hustle and bustle of town.
Even the 1.25-mile walking trail offers gorgeous views of the changing leaves. We recommend snapping a photo of the fall colors behind the falls once you get to the viewing platform. And, if you go at night, you’ll be treated to multi-colored lights that illuminate the cascading water.
Catch a Movie at the US 23 Drive-In Theater
With three screens that feature double first-run films, the US 23 Drive-In Theater has been delighting couples and families alike since 1952. While watching the films from the comfort of your car, you can enjoy popcorn, candy, drinks, and other refreshments from the concession stand.
Typically, the theater stays open until about the end of September, so don’t miss the opportunity before the season ends.
Explore Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad
If you and your significant other are interested in the days of old, Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad isn’t only for family outings. This amusement destination can be exciting no matter your age.
Explore the historic structures and thriving community together, watch a show at the Colwell Opera House, ride on the train, and laugh on the amusement rides. If you go on an October weekend, you can enjoy the fall harvest and Halloween tricks and treats.
Attend the Renaissance Festival
For a date idea that has it all, head to the Renaissance Festival in nearby Holly. The festival creates a 16th-century experience from mid-August through late September.
The magical European Village of Hollygrove is full of entertainment across 17 stages and more than 100 artisans and food vendors. Some of the weekends are themed, but all of them offer fabulous food and endless shopping among memorable characters.
Watch one of the three daily jousting shows, join the Pub Crawl, eat a six-course gourmet meal at the Feast of Fantasy, and drink whiskey steeped in lore and tradition. Attend the King’s Happy Hour, which includes a meal of fried chicken wings, ale, and chips while listening to jokes, toasts, and songs.
You and your sweetheart could even dress in Renaissance attire to compete in the costume contest!
Indoor Fall Date Ideas in Flint
While the changing leaves certainly add some color to fall dates in Flint and Genesee County, spending time together indoors can be just as romantic and fun. Here are a few ideas for couples of various interests.
Go to a Hockey Game
Do you and your partner enjoy watching hockey together? Then, you can’t go wrong with attending a hockey game. One option is to watch the Flint Firebirds. Another option is the University of Michigan-Flint’s Men’s Hockey team.
Compete in Extreme Indoor Kart Racing
There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of competition between loved ones, and Extreme Indoor Kart Racing is a fun place to do it. This thrilling destination has the largest indoor kart track in Michigan. The track is a quarter-mile long, and the karts can reach up to 40 mph.
Kart racing isn’t the only activity here, either. You can also play games in the extensive arcade, test your skills at billiards, and nosh on pizza, candy, and more from the concession stand. If you want to commemorate your date together, grab some logo apparel from the shop.
Enjoy a Show at The Whiting
Featuring some of the best performing artists in the region, country, and world, The Whiting is the place to go for an inspiring show. The theatre hosts comedic, musical, Broadway, dance, and other performances every year.
Play at the Vehicle City Social
Having a medical condition shouldn’t prevent you from doing fun things, and the Vehicle City Social offers a safe space for you and your partner to enjoy yourselves. Despite being a private club, it offers entry for a nominal fee so that you and your partner can check out its awesome facilities.
This cannabis-friendly lounge, restaurant, and event center has an outdoor courtyard for games. There are billiards tables, dart boards, an arcade, and a 13-foot-wide projection screen with reclined seating. Comedy and musical entertainment is scheduled weekly, and free memberships are available on customer appreciation days.
You must have a Michigan Medical Marijuana Program card or a valid medical card from your state to enter.
See the Stars at Longway Planetarium
The Longway Planetarium frequently features shows for all ages, not just for kids! Snuggling together under the stars is a great romantic date idea during fall in Flint.
Under the 60-foot-diameter dome, we recommend going to the Skies Over Michigan or the Dark Side: The Light Show (Pink Floyd music) presentations for a date.
Romantic Restaurants in the Greater Flint Area
Enjoying a romantic meal is one of the most classic fall date ideas in Flint. Thankfully, there are several great restaurants in Flint and Genesee County where you can have an intimate lunch or dinner.
Applewood at Second & Saginaw
Inside the Culinary Arts Institute at Mott Community College, Applewood at Second & Saginaw is an upscale casual restaurant and teaching laboratory. The college students hone their skills and gain real-world experience while preparing excellent cuisine, and you get to enjoy it all in a modern, sleek dining room.
The cuisine ranges from American to international fare, and the exquisitely crafted desserts are absolutely wonderful. And, the menu changes every month so that the students can innovate and get creative in the kitchen.
We recommend calling (810) 762-2550 to make reservations because the restaurant is only open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the fall semester.
Sauce Italian American Kitchen
In the heart of downtown Flint, Sauce Italian American Kitchen is a restaurant born of the experiences around family and friends’ tables. Every dish has traditional Italian culinary roots, so the pasta is made and cut by hand, and the sauces simmer all day.
The entire menu is infused with local ingredients and flavors, too. On top of that, the full bar serves an array of cocktails and wine.
Cork on Saginaw
A bistro-like wine bar and restaurant, Cork on Saginaw has a full food menu of main dishes, salads, cheese platters, unique desserts, and more. But, the focus of your date may be the extensive list of more than 100 international wines.
The automated wine dispensary has a rotation of several wines. Or, you could set up a private wine tasting for just the two of you! And, did we mention the relaxing and cozy ambiance? Check the restaurant’s website for information about live music events.
The Agitated Grape Bar & Bistro
Featuring more than 50 Michigan-made wines, The Agitated Grape Bar & Bistro in historic downtown Davison also serves Michigan-made craft beer, wine cocktails, and whiskey. You can order any of the drinks by the glass, or taste a little bit of everything with a flight.
Additionally, “The Grape” makes gourmet pizza and has some unique charcuterie boards.
If you plan your date ahead of time, visit the bar and bistro when there’s an event. You can check its Facebook page for upcoming karaoke nights, comedy shows, live music, and more.
Breweries & Wineries Across Genesee County
While you can order many local brews and wines at restaurants in Flint, there’s something extra special about getting it directly from the source. Enhance your date this fall season with a visit to one of these breweries and wineries in Genesee County.
Redwood Steakhouse & Brewery
Making award-winning beer since 1996, Redwood Steakhouse & Brewery was the first microbrewery and restaurant to open in the area. Along with tasting its own brews, you can order cocktails and wine. Plus, the restaurant has a full food menu featuring a raw bar, fusion sushi, wild game, a mesquite grill, and wood-fired pizza.
Tenacity Brewing
Making a variety of creative ales, lagers, stouts, and more, Tenacity Brewing also makes hard ciders, kombucha, and root beer. For food, there’s usually a food truck right outside.
Another thing that makes this place special is its seasonal outdoor seating overlooking the Flint River, which offers colorful fall views. And, the brewery hosts special weekly events, such as open mic nights, live music, and trivia nights.
Redline Brewing Company
For a truly laid-back, come-as-you-are experience, head to Redline Brewing Company in Burton. This nanobrewery only has a 2 bbl brewing system, but it has 20 beers on tap. If you go on Wednesdays, you can get 25% off growler fills.
You can also order from a continually evolving cocktail and spirit list, so you’re sure to find something that you like. The food menu changes regularly, but you can check the brewery’s Facebook page for updates.
Fenton Winery & Brewery
The award-winning Fenton Winery & Brewery serves the best of both worlds, especially if one of you prefers wine while the other prefers beer. The estate features a taproom in the production building with a view of the winery and brewery systems, and there’s a wine and beer garden.
Although there are five wines on tap, the winery produces more than 20 wines. And, while there are 13 craft brews on tap, the brewery produces more than 40 recipes every year.
In addition, you can order craft cocktails, sangrias, and housemade sodas. The cocktails are made with small-batch spirits, which are also available on the rocks with mixers. For food, the menu changes seasonally, but you can expect amazing baked sandwiches, pizzas, appetizers, and charcuterie boards.
Spicer’s Winery
Open daily throughout the fall, Spicer’s Winery in Fenton is an award-winning part of Spicer Orchards. The winery uses fruits from the orchard to craft fruit wines and hard ciders. It makes more than 20 wines and nine hard ciders.
You can order wine and cider by the glass, or choose four on a flight board. And, the Spicer’s Grill cooks complementary fare for your drinks. The menu includes panini sandwiches, wraps, charcuterie boards, chips and salsa, hot dogs, and more.
Flint Bars for Evening Drinks & Dancing
Are you more interested in finding a place for beer, wine, and cocktails before or after dinner? Maybe you want to do some dancing, too. Here are a handful of great bars in Flint that are perfect for sipping drinks and/or dancing.
Market Tap
You might not expect a cool bar to be at the Flint Farmers’ Market, but that’s exactly where you’ll find the rooftop Market Tap. For draft beer, you have at least a dozen Michigan-made options to choose from. The other beer, cider, seltzer, and wine on the menu are made in Michigan as well.
Also, you can order a range of cocktails, including unique tattoo-inspired drinks. Or, visit on Tiki Tuesday for even more options, such as the tropical flavors of the Princess Consuela Banana Hammock (a potential favorite for “Friends” fans).
Barley & Vine
Focusing on locally sourced, quality drinks, Barley & Vine has become a casual hangout spot in Flint since opening in 2020. Ideal for a chill date night, the bar serves craft beer and wine from local, national, and international vendors. Additionally, unique cocktails are on the menu.
For those who don’t drink alcohol, the bar serves small-batch coffee, whole leaf tea, soda, and more. You can order food here as well — pressed sandwiches and wraps, street tacos, flatbreads, and small plates.
On top of that, the bar hosts regular live music and open mic nights. And, there’s Boozy Bingo every Monday and Trivia Night every Thursday.
Simmer Rooftop Lounge
Another rooftop spot, the Simmer Rooftop Lounge is located at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint. It’s a fantastic option if you want to enjoy a view of the city while you sip and chat.
This seasonal, open-air bar focuses on making craft cocktails and serving Italian small plates and flatbreads. But, you can order from a selection of beer and wine as well.
The Loft
For live band and DJ performances, head to The Loft for drinks and dancing. You can pretty much order anything here — beer, cocktails, wine, and spirits. You might even visit on a special themed night. When you want a break from dancing, have some friendly competition on the billiards tables.
Soggy Bottom Bar
A classic bar in Flint, Soggy Bottom Bar is all about fresh ingredients — from the food to the cocktails. The food menu includes burgers, sandwiches, and desserts (hello, raspberry cheesecake chimi sundae!).
While the cocktail and wine menus offer a decent variety, the beer and whiskey menus are extensive. The long beer list includes drafts, hard ciders, meads, seltzers, and craft imports. The list of whiskey includes bourbon, scotch, rye, Irish, and other whiskey spirits.
If you hang out on a Thursday, you can join the trivia contest. And, the bar often arranges to have live music for entertainment.
A Romantic Place for Couples to Stay in Flint & Genesee County
When you’re planning a fall getaway to Flint and Genesee County with your sweetheart, consider staying at Knob Hill Bed & Breakfast. This 1926 historical home has been restored and offers three lovely suites, with each room reflecting a famous literary theme. Plus, it has a package for lovers!
If staying at a bed and breakfast isn’t your speed, there are about two dozen hotels in the Greater Flint area. Check out all the lodging options for your fall travel dates.