Overview
Swartz Creek is a city of 5,500 people (2019) in Central Michigan. The town is a suburb of Flint.
8 sights · 10 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Swartz Creek
Swartz Creek Art Gallery
Staffed by volunteers so call ahead. The Guild also holds drop-in art classes at the gallery.
Swartz Creek Historical Mini-Museum
Run by the Swartz Creek Area Historical Society with limited hours. Has various documents and displays about the Crapo Farms
Cha-Wa-Use-Skah-Keaug Chippewa Burial Ground
Swartz Creek City Parks
Bicentennial Park
A small park with a single first-come, first-served pavilion.
Elms Road Park
the city's premiere park with a playscape, play ground, 5 pavilions, a baseball diamond, football field, volleyball, tennis and basketball courts. During the winter, the hill is available for sledding and there is an ice…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Ann Arbor)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FNT Bishop International Airport, Flint — 4 mi away. Directions
- LAN Capital Region International Airport, Lansing — 41 mi away. Directions
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 57 mi away (major hub). Directions
I-69 has two Swartz Creek exits on Miller Road and Morrish Road with two others in the area: on Bristol Road, Flint Township near the airport and on Sheridan Road (M-13), Clayton Township. Swartz Creek lies west of Flint and east of Durand on the expressway.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $75–$75 a night (typical $82), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$240.
Options are grouped as Gateway area, Mundy Township in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Swartz Creek Art Gallery, Swartz Creek City Parks, Winshall Park
- Lunch Country Carriage Restaurant
- Afternoon Genesee Valley Meadows Golf Course, Hometown Days
- Dinner Pesto's
- Evening Jan's Bar
Day 2
- Morning Swartz Creek Historical Mini-Museum, Bicentennial Park, Swartz Creek Area Veteran's Memorial
- Afternoon Swartz Creek Area Historical Society, Art in the Park
- Evening S&K Hometown Pub
Day 3
- Morning Cha-Wa-Use-Skah-Keaug Chippewa Burial Ground, Elms Road Park, Cage Fieldhouse
- Afternoon Swartz Creek Performing Arts Center, The Fred and Phyllis Pajtas Theater
- Evening Scooter's Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Although there's not much to do around Swartz Creek, many people are happy where they live and crime is minimal. However, the city is next to Flint Township, which is considered a part of the Swartz Creek area and is the consumer commercial (including bars, restaurants and other activities) hub of the county.
Get in
I-69 has two Swartz Creek exits on Miller Road and Morrish Road with two others in the area: on Bristol Road, Flint Township near the airport and on Sheridan Road (M-13), Clayton Township. Swartz Creek lies west of Flint and east of Durand on the expressway.
Get around
Although Swartz Creek may not be very big, you will still need a car or a good bike to get around. As there is a good sidewalk system, but it is limited by the Expressway (I-69). The city's main streets: 2/3 of Miller Road, Seymour and Elms, all have bike lanes. The state operates a public parking lot on Miller Road east of I-69 on the south side of the road.
- Genesee County's Mass Transportation Authority's Swartz Creek location offers Your Ride, a public location to location scheduled service. Rides must be schedule 24 hours in advance.
See
See Swartz Creek Historical Mini-Museum
Run by the Swartz Creek Area Historical Society with limited hours. Has various documents and displays about the Crapo Farms
See Cha-Wa-Use-Skah-Keaug Chippewa Burial Ground (Three Pines Indian burial ground)
See Elms Road Park
the city's premiere park with a playscape, play ground, 5 pavilions, a baseball diamond, football field, volleyball, tennis and basketball courts. During the winter, the hill is available for sledding and there is an ice pond for skating.
See Winshall Park
This park has a tot lot play area, multi station fitness trail, play ground, pavilions, basketball court, baseball fields.
See Swartz Creek Area Veteran's Memorial
Completed on Flag Day 2013 with the placement of the military service animal representative, a service dog. This location should have events on Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Veterans Day.
Do
Do Genesee Valley Meadows Golf Course
Golf season is April 1st to December 12th. The Meadow is an 18-hole, 6867-yard golf course with a slope rating of 133 and a 73.2 USGA rating.
Festivals and events
Do Family Movie Nights
They are held every other week on Friday night June to August. A free bounce house opens at 7:30PM and the movie begins at dusk. Bring your own seats or blankets.
Do Summer Concerts (Swartz Creek Fine Arts Association)
A free outdoor concert running from mid-June to early August at an outdoor amphitheater. Concession and hot dog stands on site. Free prize drawings. Bob Smeets Coney Night on the last regularly scheduled night. Two make-up nights on Tuesday follow the regular schedule.
Do Assenmacher 100
This event is sponsored by Genesee Wanderers Bicycle Club and is non-competitive bicycle ride that starts in the city downtown with five different routes from the 20 miles flat to the Century route (100 miles flat to moderate hills). Started in 1980, the ride is held the third Sunday in August and is endorsed by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. Parking available at Swartz Creek Community School including Mary Crapo at 8197 Miller Road.
Buy
Eat
Eat Country Carriage Restaurant
American general restaurant
- VFW-Amvets
Drink
Sleep
Gateway area, Mundy Township
These hotels are in the Gateway area, six miles from Swartz Creek center and three miles from the airport terminal.
- Residence Inn by Marriott Flint
Nearby
Flint
City / town · 30 listings · 8 mi away
Fenton
City / town · 8 listings · 13 mi away
Frankenmuth
City / town · 15 listings · 26 mi away
Clarkston
City / town · 41 listings · 26 mi away
Brighton
City / town · 7 listings · 30 mi away
Saginaw
City / town · 34 listings · 32 mi away
Pontiac
City / town · 7 listings · 35 mi away
West Bloomfield
City / town · 6 listings · 35 mi away
My experience
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