Pure Michigan ByWays

Learn the "basics" of the "PURE MICHIGAN BYWAY" program.

Existing Pure Michigan ByWays

Explore the existing
​"PURE MICHIGAN BYWAYS DIRECTORY"

Michigan Living ByWay Route

Look at the road, the cities and towns that the "Michigan Living ByWay Route" will take you to.

      Enjoy:
          *Walking Trails     *Biking, Parks    *Fishing
          *Kayaking             *Canoeing         *Boat ride                  *Skateboarding     *Horse & Carriage Rides
          *Pickleball             *Golfing             *Zip Lines
         *Minor League Hockey    *Minor League Baseball
          *Car Racing           *Go carts          *Roller skating
          *Bowling                *Live Music       *Live Theater
          *Movie Theaters    *Car Shows      *Water Slides
          *and more.

      Explore:
            *Planetariums    *Historical Societies
           *Museums           *Historic buildings
           *Zoos                   *Gardens
           *Murals on Silos  *Nature Preserves
           *Art Centers        *Music Centers
           *Century Farm    *Ethnic Education
          *and more

       Shop: 
         *Outlet Mall           *Largest Christmas Store       
         *Antiques              *Specialty Shops
         *Vintage toys        *Furniture
         *and more

       Food Options: 
        *Quaint diners     *Family Style Chicken Dinners
        *Fudge      *Taffy     * Ice Cream     *Bar-B-Que
       *and more! 

       Annual Events:
             * HAP Crim Festival of Races  (Flint)
             * Back to the Bricks  (Flint)
             * Drop Fest (Flint)
​             * Midwest Invitational Rodeo (Flint)
             * Auto Fest (Frankenmuth)
             * Bavarian Festival (Frankenmuth)
             * Oktoberfest (Frankenmuth)
             * Zehnder's Snowfest (Frankenmuth)
             *Holiday Fest (Birch Run)
             *Wilderness Traill Zoo Holiday Lights Drive
                                   (Birch Run)
             * 5 Heart Earthworm Festival (Birch Run)
             * Clio Summer Kick-Off
             * Clio Candlelite Nite
             *Art Fair  (Saginaw & Flint)
             *Ethnic Festivals (Saginaw)
             *Catch Me If You Can Fishing Fest. (Saginaw)

Overview of Flint-Saginawy ByWay

Why a "byway" from Flint to Saginaw that encapsulates our lifestyle and opportunities?

    "Michigan Living ByWay"  -- purpose and goals
    "Michigan Living ByWay Strategic Plan"  
     Michigan Living ByWay Strategic Plan Document

​     Michigan Living ByWay-- Town Demographics

​     Michigan Living ByWay- Town Descriptions

     Michigan Living ByWay- Road Statistics

Michigan Living ByWay Top Attractions:

SAGINAW COUNTY:
     Saginaw:
          Castle Museum
              500 Federal Ave. 48607
              castlemuseum.org
          Old Town
              oldtownsaginaw.org
          Shiawassee Nature Preserve
              6975 Mower Rd. 48601
              fws.gov/refuge/shiawassee
          Pride & Country Village
              5965 E Holland Rd.  48601
              prideandcountry.com
​              
     Frankenmuth:  (Where do you begin?!!)
              frankenmuth.org

     Bridgeport:
           Bridgeport Historical Society
               6190 Dixie Hwy   48722
               bridgeporthistorical-history.blogspot.com
       & State Street Historic Bridge
              historicbridges.org
     Birch Run:
          Birch Run Speedway & Event Center
              10945 Dixie Hwy    48415
               birchrunracing.com
          Birch Run Premium Outlet
              12240S. Beyer Rd    48415
              premiumoutlets.com
          Wilderness Trails Zoo
              11721 Gera Rd      48415
               wildernesstrailszoo.org

GENESEE COUNTY:
      Vienna Twp / Clio:
           Auto City SpeedWay
               10205 N Saginaw Rd  48420
​                autocityspeedway.com
           Vienna / Clio Park & Cultural Corridor
                (Trails, Live Entertainment, Parks, More)
                3370 W. Vienna Road  to 1497 Hurd Rd.
               viennatwpgc.gov
               clio.govoffice.com

      Flint:
            Genesee Co. Park System (including
                 Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad)
                   geneseecountyparks.org                 
            Flint Children's Museum
                  1602 University Ave.  48504
                   flintchildrensmuseum.org
            Flint Cultural Center (Museum, Planetarium,
                  Art Museum, Music Venue & More!)
​                 1310 E Kearsley St    48503
                  flintcultural.org


Michigan Living Route History:

  Once an Indian Trail that connected Toledo to Mackinac Straits, this route became a strategic byway for settlers and was key to Mid-Michigan Stagecoach routes. Frankenmuth was settled by German immigrants and expanded further north into Saginaw County.   The trail connecting Flint and Saginaw  was converted into a "plank road" and became one of the first state highways.

"Michigan Living"- Basis of Name

   This route encapsulates multiple aspects of a "Michiganian's Life":   Occupations, Housing, Leisure, Entertainment, Shopping Options, History of various people groups, and more.
   OCCUPATIONS:   Industrial, Commercial, Professional, Farming, etc.
   LEISURE:  Adventures,  Historic Cars, Racing, Actively involved, spectator options and more.
    ENTERTAINMENT:  Sports, Art, Music, Drama/Theater, Movies, and more.
    SHOPPING:  Antiques, crafts/trades, Outlet/Discount, Christmas, Specialty Stores and more.
   HISTORY/ SOCIOLOGY:  Native Americans, Germans, Japanese are among the cultures you can learn about.

Native American Connection--

Southern part of the route was a native American trail that started in Toledo, Ohio and went to the straits of Mackinac.  Flint and Saginaw derived their names from Native American descriptions (Flinty River {Flint], "Place of the Outlet" [Saginaw-  an Ojibwe word meaning: "Opening"}, along with descriptive names for other communities:  Pine Run and Birch Run.

Come Check it out!

SAGINAW:  A city steeped in arts & culture with hidden gems around each historic, mural-covered street corner — Saginaw is full of unexpected surprises.

From Riverfront Saginaw’s arts & entertainment hub to Old Town’s walkable blocks filled with antique shops, eateries, and taverns — there’s something special about every pocket of this city. And if you’ll stay at the center near its buzzing city market or venture out to explore the natural beauty of its National Wildlife Refuge — enjoy every unanticipated treasure that’s here  (GGLBM)
FRANKENMUTH:
 Michigan’s Little Bavaria. Come prepared for a jam-packed day or weekend of fun. With more than 30 attractions, there is something to do for the young and the young at heart. Family-friendly activities include The Adventure Park, Bavarian Belle Riverboat, Bavarian Inn Castle ​Shops, Bronner’s Christmas  Wonderland, and Frankenmuth  Historical Museum, just to name a few. In addition to lots of fun, there are numerous options for dining and lodging.   (PMB)
FLINT:  Located in the heart of Michigan, at the intersections of I-75, U.S. 23, and I-69, Flint & Genesee County is home to world-renowned museums, four professional sports teams, Michigan's largest county park system, a diverse variety of entertainment venues, and a rich cultural history on display year-round. From the vibrant streets of Flint to the peaceful charm of its neighboring towns, Flint & Genesee offer a dynamic mix of history, culture, and creativity where each corner holds a new adventure and every experience is an invitation to make a memory.  (DS-EF&G)​
ENDORSEMENT LETTERS:
           Senator Kevin Daley
           Representative O'Neal
           Representative Bierlein
           Saginaw County Board of Commissioners
           City of Clio
           Clio Chamber of Commerce
           Vienna Charter Township
           Vienna Township BDA