After a five-year hiatus, Explore Flint & Genesee is bringing back a local favorite. Be a Tourist in Your Hometown – which started in 2013 to encourage residents to explore the community – is officially scheduled for Aug. 10, 2024.
“As Genesee County’s convention and visitors bureau, our team is responsible for promoting the region to a mostly external audience,” said Amari Steward, executive director of Explore Flint & Genesee, a division of the Flint & Genesee Group. “But it’s equally important that we engage the people who live here. When residents are familiar with the many cultural assets our community has to offer, they become our greatest ambassadors and advocates.”
Here’s how the event works: For $1 a person, participants can purchase a passport that grants them access to more than 20 attractions at no additional cost. During the day, participants can take part in five different tours, including a walking tour, a history tour, a family-friendly tour, an arts and culture tour, and a “what’s new” tour.
Among some of the stops will be Applewood, Buckham Gallery, Comma Bookstore, Flint Children’s Museum, Flint Farmers’ Market, Flint Institute of Arts, Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, Hilton Garden Inn, Mott Park Recreation Area, Mott-Warsh Gallery, Shops on Saginaw, Sloan Museum of Discovery, St. Paul Episcopal Church, Totem Bookers, University of Michigan-Flint Frances Wilson Thompson Library, and Whaley Historic House Museum.
Attendees can drive or walk to these participating locations, a full list of which will be provided closer to the event at ExploreFlintandGenesee.org/BAT. Or, they can hop on one of the buses provided and sponsored by Mass Transportation Authority.
Steward expects to see a large turnout, especially given that 810 Day festivities will be happening concurrently in downtown Flint. The event, which was put on hold in 2020 due to the pandemic, drew in over 1,000 attendees at its peak.
She’s also optimistic that the event – like many of the major events and festivals held downtown during the summer – will provide a boost to businesses seeing extra traffic for the day.
“Several area restaurants plan to offer an ‘810 Day Special’ in conjunction with our Be a Tourist activities,” said Steward. “It’s a great way to experience some of the best the city has to offer.”
That said, residents don’t need to wait for Be a Tourist to explore the community on their own.
“This event shines a spotlight on just a fraction of some of the many amazing things you can do in Flint & Genesee,” she said. “So whether you kayak one of our rivers, explore our farmers’ markets, or check out some live performances at one of our music venues, there are many ways to ‘be a tourist’ in your hometown this summer – and really, all year round.”
Looking for ideas on how to explore the area or plan your own staycation for a day or weekend? Head to ExploreFlintandGenesee.org, which features a robust events calendar, suggested itineraries, and regularly updated blog.