Surrounded by Michigan’s notorious beauty, Fenton is a beautiful place to live and raise a family. This growing town is in mid-Michigan nestled between dozens of lakes including Silver Lake and Lake Fenton. In fact, within 10 miles of the town, there are 58 different lakes where people can swim, boat, canoe, fish, and even water ski. The charming town embraces art, filling its streets with unique sculptures and murals. Fenton provides an escape from busier cities but is within an hour’s drive from major Michigan cities including Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Lansing. From its top-notch school districts to stunning outdoor spaces, learn more ahead on why you should live in Fenton.
The Fenton Area School District offers a top-tier education. The district has nearly 3,100 students and is made up of one high school (Fenton High School), one middle school (AGS Middle School), and three elementary schools (North Road, State Road, and Tomek-Eastern Elementary Schools).
For two years in a row, Fenton High School has been recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as having one of the best high schools in the nation. The school has better test scores in math, reading, and science than other schools throughout the state and has a 94% graduation rate. It is also ranked the top school in Genesee County.
The district has a 1:1 Chromebook Initiative, which is a program that ensures all students in 5th grade and older have access to a computer to learn and do their work. The program involves a one-time $25 fee and allows students in 6th grade and older to take the laptop home to help with their studies and homework. The district also has some four-legged staff members. Known as the Tiger Paw Patrol, the group of five therapy dogs spends time throughout the district, helping to relieve anxiety and stress so students can focus more specifically on their studies.
Posted by Fenton Tiger Paw Patrol on Monday, September 26, 2022
The district also provides opportunities for students as young as preschool. The World of Wonder early learning program on Ellen Street is a tuition preschool for kids who are three or four years old. Parents can send their children for one day to as many as five days a week. There are both half-day preschool and full-day preschool options as well as before and after care options.
It was a FANTASTIC day for WoW students at Fenton Area Public Schools to spend some time in our Outdoor Classroom!
#wearefenton #weareworldofwonder
Posted by World of Wonder on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Fenton Area School District has a variety of activities and sports for students to explore in addition to their studies. Fenton Robotics is a robotics program for students as young as first grade to high school. There are both competitive and non-competitive groups that students can be a part of to learn more about STEM.
Fenton has a deep history when it comes to music. The school district has offered music programs since 1928! It offers numerous musical opportunities for students to explore including a marching band (Fenton Marching Tigers), jazz orchestra, and winter drumline that performs at sporting events.
As for sports, the school provides athletic opportunities from football to cross country, gymnastics, swimming, diving, and bowling. It has a particularly unique opportunity to be a part of a boys’ or girls’ ski team! The championship-winning team competes at Mt. Holly Ski and Snowboard Resort about 30 minutes East of the school.
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The Shiawassee River flows straight through Fenton’s downtown, a focal point for people to gaze upon the water from the town’s beautiful wooden gazebo and park. There are varying local restaurants for people to try from a BBQ spot in an old firehouse to a Japanese steakhouse. On top of that, there are distinct local businesses for people to shop at in between tasty meals.
One charming aspect of Fenton is its trolley that goes right through the heart of the downtown. The free trolley, which the Mass Transit Authority began offering in 2022, goes from the Fenton Village Marketplace to stops along Silver Parkway, Shiawassee, and Leroy Street before ending at the Dauner House and starting the journey all over again. The trolley is available during certain hours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Fenton’s downtown has locally owned restaurants serving cuisines from Mediterranean food to Italian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, vegan, and more. One place offers a meal with views of the lake, another is a space where you can enjoy food while also playing arcade games, and there’s even a bar that’s entirely hockey-themed.
Throughout Fenton, there are plenty of spots to enjoy everything from a quick lunch or dinner to a more expensive sit-down meal. Many local restaurants have character, making them stand out not only for their food but often for their fun, eclectic ambiance.
There are plenty of delicious dessert options. In Fenton, there are some spots that solely serve sweet treats including:
Want coffee and ice cream? Try our affogato with any flavor of ice cream!
Posted by The Scoop Ice Cream Parlor on Saturday, July 11, 2020
Fenton has an assortment of locally owned stores with distinctive products. Right in the heart of its downtown on Shiawassee Avenue is an independent bookstore called Fenton’s Open Book. The bookstore features local authors, holds author events, and even hosts a book club. On top of that, it sells made-in-Michigan pasties.
A unique food store to drop by is The Cheese Lady on 1st street. This store is run by a mother and daughter who sells gourmet cheese from all over the world. The store has over one hundred types of artisan cheese available along with crackers and other specialty items such as jams and olives to go with the cheese.
Artistic Interiors is in a strip mall Silver lake Road and sells art, gifts, and products from over three dozen local artists. Many of the products are homemade, one-of-a-kind, and custom work. The store was started by a Michigan woman who decided to pursue her dream after losing her job during the pandemic.
Some other clothing and boutique stores to check out are:
Fenton has a unique variety of art filling the streets. There are bright and beautiful murals turning the dull sides of buildings into spaces for people to admire. The Michigan town also has a unique sculpture walk.
Brrrr! Stay warm out there, Fenton!
#fentonmi #fentonmichigan #community
Posted by City of Fenton Michigan – City Hall on Monday, April 17, 2023
One way to enjoy the scenic downtown is through Fenton’s outdoor sculpture walk. One sculpture called “The Game” honors how Fenton received its name. Legend has it, that the town name was chosen during a card game between William M. Fenton and Robert LeRoy. There’s also a sculpture of a Rubik’s cube, hill goats, the sign of love, and a tourist favorite: Heavy Metal. Known as Grateful Fred by tourists, the musical skeleton sculpture was initially rented by the town. However, people loved it so much, Fenton bought it. The town has put together a sculpture walking map for those looking to explore all of the downtown sculptures.
The A.J. Phillips Fenton Museum is in downtown Fenton on Leroy Street. This museum operates as both a museum and a historical society. It has a genealogy room that includes the name of every person to graduate from Fenton since 1869! The museum was donated to the city in 1906 and first operated as a library before becoming what it is today. It has original furniture pieces, clothing, and tools dating back to the 1800s. The museum is open to the public for tours on Sundays. A public parking lot is attached to the property.
The Fenton Community Orchestra is made up of more than 50 musicians. The intergenerational orchestra practices weekly and costs around $100 to participate yearly. It performs throughout Fenton and in nearby communities for festivals and events.
The Fenton Lakes Chorus is a barbershop-style chorus of women. The group performs acapella (without instruments) with harmony. They put on concerts, and during the Christmas season can sometimes be found caroling throughout the region.
Fenton also has its own theater company called the Fenton Village Players Community Theater. The theater company has been putting on shows for over 50 years. Tickets are affordable – just $20 or less. The plays and musicals are put on at the Fenton Village Playhouse off Torrey Road. It shares the space with the Kidz Theatre Kompany which has theater opportunities for children in Kindergarten to 12th grade. The children’s theater company puts on about two shows a year and promises that every child who auditions will get experience on stage.
With 58 lakes surrounding Fenton, there are plenty of spaces to experience the outdoors. Whether you’re boating on the lake or enjoying its beauty from the beach, there are all types of activities to enjoy including a weekly water ski show during the summer months! The town has over a dozen parks and outdoor areas including a nature sanctuary, and, if that’s not enough, just 15 minutes away is the Seven Lakes State Park in Holly.
There are nine prominent parks to explore in Fenton each with its own unique characteristics and activities. The biggest park in Fenton is Silver Lake Park. The park which is on Jennings Road off Silver Parkway is over 35 acres and includes a beach that has lifeguards on patrol between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Throughout the summer, the Silver Lake Ski Club puts on free ski shows. The club has been around for decades and also sometimes offers free ski lessons for the community.
Silver Lake Park also has volleyball courts, badminton courts, and nature trails. Right off the main parking lot is also a nine-hole disc golf course. It does cost money to visit the park during the summer months. Daily passes for cars are $5 and walkers only have to pay $1. The park does offer season passes. Dogs are not allowed and neither is boating. Boating is available on Lake Ponemah and Lake Fenton, each of which have public boat launches. Strom Park also has a small boat launch. Two of Fenton’s parks lie right along the Shiawassee River: Bush Park and Millipond Park. Bush Park on Lincoln Street is one of the biggest parks in town. It has a beautiful wooden gazebo, some play equipment for kids to enjoy, and even a small island. Meanwhile, Millipond Park is right in the heart of downtown Fenton by City Hall. During the summer, the park has weekly outdoor concerts.
Other parks to explore include:
If you’re looking for a dog-friendly space, you can take your pets to the Thompson Road Dog Park. the free dog park opened in 2017. Dogs under four months are not allowed and all dogs need to be current on vaccines before coming to the park.
A charming aspect of Fenton is its yearly traditions. From its classic car festival to food-centric festivals and holiday events, these traditions add to Fenton’s warm and welcoming environment. Popular annual events include:
Freedom Festival: The Freedom Festival is Fenton’s yearly 4th of July bash. The celebration includes a water ski show on Silver Lake, a parade, and even a rubber ducky regatta.
Back to the Bricks Fenton Tune Up Party: Michigan is known for its cars, and the Back to the Bricks Fenton Tune Up Party makes sure to celebrate that history. This festival brings classic cars right into downtown Fenton for car enthusiasts to check out. The event happens every August.
Traveling Taste in Fenton: Another August event is the Traveling Taste in Fenton. This event is all about the food. More than two dozen local restaurants serve up their favorite foods and drinks to the community. This event also includes an art fair.
St. John Parish Applefest: The St. John Parish Applefest is the ideal fall festival. The event, which happens every September, serves and sells over 1,000 apple pies! There’s an apple pie baking contest along with a carnival.
Event So Good It’s Scary: In October, local Fenton businesses open up their doors for the Event So Good It’s Scary. Over 40 businesses invite children in the community to dress up and come trick-or-treating downtown.
Jinglefest: Every December, Fenton hosts a Jinglefest to celebrate the winter season and holidays. Jinglefest includes a light parade and an annual run. It transforms the downtown into a winter wonderland, serving hot chocolate and s’mores to stay enjoy while exploring local businesses, a Christmas market, and ice sculptures.
Fenton, Michigan is the perfect place to embrace everything the state has to offer: stunning nature, tight-knit community, and storied traditions. There is so much to explore during the warm, summer months, and just as much to experience and stay active as the weather cools down. From hiking to boating to skiing, Fenton is a great place to keep you and your family active all throughout the year. You can start building your community here by first building a home for you and your family. As a home builder, we at Lombardo Homes are happy to design the next space for you to put down roots. If you’re interested in making Fenton your hometown, don’t hesitate to reach out.
