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Fenton, Michigan: Where Fun is Always on the Menu – The Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!

Fenton is a small Michigan town that has kept an actual downtown, which is rarer than it sounds now. There is a community theater, a chorus, an orchestra and a library that hangs exhibitions. The lakes sit on three sides of it. And the whole arrangement works because people here still turn up to things.

Looking for somewhere in Michigan with plenty in it? Fenton is the answer. This charming city runs a spread of activities and attractions for all ages. History, nature, shopping, or simply a good day out, Fenton has a version of each.

One of the strengths of Fenton is its history. The city was founded in 1834 and holds a number of historical sites and monuments worth the walk. But Fenton is not only the past, because there is a working art and culture scene here, with galleries, theaters and music venues showing local work. And for something genuinely different, Fenton runs indoor skydiving and a lavender farm.

Key Takeaways

• Fenton, Michigan offers a wide variety of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.
• From historical monuments to art and culture venues, there is something for everyone in Fenton.
• Unique experiences like indoor skydiving and lavender farm visits make Fenton a must-visit destination.

History of Fenton, MI

So you want the history of Fenton, Michigan? You are in luck, because Fenton has more of it than a town this size usually keeps.

Fenton was founded in 1834 by William M. Fenton, a land speculator from New York. He saw what the area could become and started a settlement here. The town was originally called Dibbleville after a local family, and the name was later changed to Fenton in his honor.

Fenton grew steadily after that. It became a center for the lumber industry in the late 1800s and sawmills went up across the area. And the town became a destination for visitors, who came for the lakes and the forests around it.

Fenton is a working community now with a history the Fenton Historical Society keeps. The society runs the AJ Phillips Fenton Museum, in the historic City Hall building. The museum covers the history of Fenton and Genesee County, with artifacts and photographs to go with it.

To go further into the history of Fenton, the Fenton Historical Society is where to start. They run programs and events across the year that are worth the time. And history readers can volunteer with the society or join it outright.

So that is the short version of the history of Fenton, Michigan. Local or visiting, it is worth knowing where you are standing. And something in it will be new to you.

Fenton’s Delicious Dining

You have worked up an appetite on Fenton, and this town feeds you properly. American classics through to Mexican cuisine, Fenton has the range.

For classic American fare, head over to The Laundry. This European-inspired bistro has been drawing people since 1997 and the reason is obvious. The burgers are properly made and the steak bites are the order. And the potato skins come loaded. The beer is cheap enough that the bill stays sensible.

For something with more heat in it, check out Sagebrush Cantina. The Mexican and Southwestern cuisine there does the job. Take the pulled pork sandwich or the enchiladas. And order a margarita with it.

For BBQ, Bandanas BBQ is the name people give. The smoked chicken is the order and the ribs come off the bone properly. And there are pies if you still have room. Check the address before you drive, because that name trades in more than one town.

Whatever the craving, Fenton has something for it. So go ahead and eat properly while you are here.

A Sip of Fenton’s Vineyards

You might not expect wine in the middle of Michigan, and Fenton has it. Take a break from everything else and try what the region turns out.

Fenton’s wine list covers most tastes. Red, white or a blush, there is a version for you. LaRose Red is the local favorite, bold with a smooth finish. LaRose White is the other, light and crisp and made for a summer afternoon. And Sunset Blush sits between the two.

For something less predictable, try Capriccio, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. A little red, a little white, and better than that description suggests.

But wine is not only what is in the glass. Walk the grounds and take the scenery with it. Learn how the wine is actually made and see the working end of it. And take a bottle or two home.

So wine drinker or simply after a good afternoon, Fenton’s wine side is worth the time. Sit down and try what Michigan turns out.

Retail Therapy in Fenton

In need of some retail therapy? Fenton has it covered. Clothes, jewelry, shoes, bags, home decor or furniture, there are options here.

For unusual and current clothing, Avenue 19 Boutique is the one. They carry a wide selection that will not turn up on everyone else. And the prices are sensible, so the shopping stays guilt-free.

Fenton Village Marketplace is the other option for retail space. It runs a mix of stores covering clothing through to home decor. A whole day disappears into it easily.

For a more traditional shopping center, Fenton has that too. Silver Lake Village Shopping Center runs a range of stores, popular clothing brands like Old Navy and Maurices among them.

Whatever the retail need, Fenton has a version of it. So treat yourself and let the rest of it wait.

Fenton’s Natural Wonders

Nature people do well in Fenton. Lakes through to walking trails, there is plenty of outdoor time here. Here are the best natural places in Fenton:

Lakes

Fenton holds several lakes, Silver Lake and Lake Fenton among them. You spend the day fishing, swimming or out on the water. And for somewhere quieter, head to Dauner Martin Nature Sanctuary and walk around the Dauner Martin Lake.

Walking Trails

Fenton runs walking trails that show you the country properly. Take the woods at Silver Lake Park, or the longer trails at the Seven Lakes State Park. The views are the reason, and the local wildlife turns up if you are quiet.

Silver Lake Park

Silver Lake Park is the popular one for outdoor time. The park holds a large lake, ball fields and picnic areas. Swim, play volleyball, or simply sit in the sun. And bring the camera, because the views repay it.

Nature Trails

For something more immersive, Fenton has nature trails to work. The Shiawassee Basin Preserve is the one to start with, running to over 2,000 acres of protected land. You hike through forest, wetland and grassland, and the air alone is worth it.

Ball Fields

Fenton has ball fields for anyone who wants to play. Baseball or soccer, there is a field for it. Take some friends and give the afternoon to it.

So Fenton’s natural side is the one to make if you like being outdoors. Lakes, walking trails and nature preserves, and the list does not run out. So pack the boots and the camera and go.

Start downtown, because everything walkable is there and it takes about an hour. The AJ Phillips Fenton Museum sits in the old City Hall building a short way along. Silver Lake Park is at the north end and Lake Fenton lies east of the town. Spicer Orchards and the Parshallville Cider Mill are both drives out into the country. And the Fenton Hotel has been standing since 1856 if you want dinner with some history attached.

Fenton’s Recreational Activities

Looking for something active in Fenton? There is plenty here. Thrill-seeker or someone simply after a slow day out, Fenton covers both.

The popular activity in Fenton is boating. With the lakes here, Silver Lake and Lake Fenton included, a day on the water is straightforward. And if you do not have a boat, there are rentals.

If fishing is more the point, you are in luck. Fenton’s lakes fish well. Cast a line and see what comes up. And if fishing is not your thing, the scenery and a picnic by the water will do.

For the snow, snowmobiling is the thing to try in Fenton. The winters here deliver, and the trails are among the better ones in the state. So dress for it and go.

Golfers should check out the Coyote Preserve Golf Club. The course runs 18 holes of proper play with the natural country around it. And it is worth the visit for the setting even if you do not play.

And do not miss the Coyote Preserve itself. The nature preserve runs hiking, bird watching and more. It is where you go for the air and the quiet.

So what are you waiting for. Get out and work through what Fenton has.

Fenton’s Art and Culture

Looking for culture with something behind it? Fenton has more than its size suggests.

First is the Village Players, the Fenton community theater group putting on modern productions with a turn of their own. Musicals or dramas, something in the season will land. And if you are feeling bold, they hold auditions.

If singing is the thing, check out the Fenton Lakes Chorus. This group knows how to harmonize and it shows in the performances. Catch one if the dates line up.

And there is more. The Jack R. Winegarden Library is not only somewhere quiet to read. They host art exhibits and cultural events across the year. So it is worth going in even if you are not after a book.

And then the Fenton Community Orchestra. These musicians play well together and the concerts prove it. So sit down and let them work.

And last there is The Game. Not the board game or the video game, but a local art gallery showing work by artists from the Fenton area. You never know what is hanging, which is the appeal.

So art and culture are alive in Fenton. Go ahead and use them.

Fenton’s Historical Monuments

You may think Fenton is a small town in Michigan, and the historical monuments say otherwise. History reader or simply after something with substance, Fenton has it.

First is Parshallville Cider Mill. It is not a monument, and this historic cider mill has been running since the 1800s and it is the one to make for a taste of Fenton’s past. It is small, it is old, and the cider and donuts are the best around.

For something more sober, check out Tyrone Memory Gardens. This cemetery holds many of Fenton’s founding families and it is a quiet place to think about the town’s history. The monuments and gravestones run back to the early 1800s.

But it is not all reflection in Fenton. The town also has its statues and its war items. Look at the Civil War monument in the center of town, with the soldier standing guard over a cannon. Or head to the Fenton Museum for the artifacts from the Spanish-American War.

So Fenton’s historical monuments are the way into the town’s past and a way of marking the people who built it. So take a cider and a donut, walk through Tyrone Memory Gardens, and stop at the soldier standing guard over the cannon.

Fenton’s Unique Experiences

Fenton, Michigan runs a set of experiences you will not get elsewhere. Odd landmarks through to good food, something in it will stay with you. Here are the best of them:

Mystery

If you like a mystery, Fenton’s Sunken Gardens is where the stories are. The garden holds a stone structure whose origin gets argued about locally, and the explanations people offer run from the plausible to the frankly invented. Go and look at it and make up your own mind.

Traveler Favorites

Fenton has plenty that travelers name, and the Fenton Hotel stands out. This historic hotel has been here since 1856 and people keep going back. The room is comfortable, the staff are good and the food holds up. So stop for a meal or a drink while you are in Fenton.

Benches

Believe it or not, Fenton is known for its benches. The city has over 200 of them across the parks and the downtown area. Each one is different and most have a story behind them. So walk the town and see how many you find.

Freshly Squeezed Apple Cider

Fall is the season to be in Fenton, for the apple cider if nothing else. Spicer Orchards is the local name for it. They press on site using the best of the crop. So take a cup and drink it outside.

Good Donuts

No visit to Fenton works without a stop at Crust. This bakery is known for its donuts and the reason is obvious. The flavors run from classic glazed through to maple bacon. Take a dozen home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the deal with downtown Fenton events?

Let us tell you, dear reader. Downtown Fenton events are the reason people come in. Festivals through to art shows and live music, there is usually something on. And the downtown itself is worth the walk. So take a friend and see what the fuss is about.

Can you really have fun in Fenton without going to Holly or Linden?

Yes. Fenton has plenty to do. Outdoor time like hiking and kayaking, or something quieter like a cider mill or a local museum, Fenton covers both. And the traffic is easier here than in Holly or Linden.

Is shopping in Fenton, MI worth the trip?

It is. Fenton runs a good mix of big box stores and locally owned shops. Clothes through to home decor and specialty food, it is all here. And the downtown holds boutiques that are worth going into.

What’s the best restaurant in Fenton, MI?

That is a hard one, because Fenton has the restaurants. The Laundry is the one people name first, whatever you are eating. For sushi, head over to Sagano. And for comfort food, check out The Barn. None of the three will let you down.

Are there any hidden gems for things to do near Fenton?

You know it. For something off the main road, check out the Fenton Winery and Brewery. The drinks are good and there is often live music. Or head over to Spicer Orchards for apple picking and cider donuts. Neither will disappoint.

Frequently asked questions about Fenton, Michigan

What does the AJ Phillips Fenton Museum actually cover?

The town and the county around it, in that order. The collection sits in the old City Hall building, which is part of the point of it, and it runs artifacts and photographs rather than reconstructions. Fenton started life as Dibbleville and became a lumber town before the lakes brought the visitors. That whole sequence is what the exhibits explain. An hour covers the whole of it comfortably.

Is the Fenton Hotel really from 1856?

That is the date it carries, and the building looks every year of it. It went up when Fenton was still a young settlement on the rail line, and it has been serving food and drink through most of what has happened since. The room is the reason to go rather than the menu. Go in the evening rather than at lunchtime. It reads considerably better with the lights down low.

Which Fenton park is worth the walk?

Silver Lake Park, if what you want is the lake and the space around it. There are ball fields, picnic areas and enough shoreline that the place never actually feels full. Dauner Martin Nature Sanctuary is the quieter alternative, with a small lake and a loop through the trees. Seven Lakes State Park is the drive-out option if you want more distance. Pick by how far you are willing to go on the day.

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