Hometown Hotspots! Owosso + Corunna

I’ve lived in Grand Blanc for over a decade now, but I grew up in Shiawassee County where the farm fields are plentiful and so is the small town charm! It’s admittedly not something I always appreciated about the area growing up, but spending time there now as an adult is a treat with so many new {and old} gems to discover. My family is still firmly planted in the community so I will lean on their insight to help round out my own experiences as we focus in on Owosso and Corunna for our “Hometown Hotspots” series.  It’s two cities I know, but let’s be real… it all blends together anyway, so we’ll set cross-town rivalries aside and go with it. I hope this list inspires you to plan a visit and explore! 

Parks & Outdoor Activities

• McCurdy Park: I love all of the mature trees. There is a giant wooden playscape for the kids, a cute gazebo perfect for picnics along the Shiawassee River, a community center, an in-line skate rink and more. My childhood home is close by, so we practically lived there as kids. The park flows into the Corunna Historical Village. Rich with local history, it’s a hot spot for weddings and school tours. 
• James S. Miner River Trail: Hop on your bike and ride from McCurdy Park to downtown Owosso or take it even further to Harmon-Partridge Park. It follows the twists and turns of the river. I have a fond memory of stopping to watch for planes as the trail passes by the Owosso Community Airport.
• Curwood Castle: Yes, there’s a REAL castle. It overlooks the Shiawassee River, it’s bright yellow and it’s just as charming as you’d expect! It is the former home of James Oliver Curwood, a local published author. Have you ever seen the movie “The Bear“? That’s his doing. You can take tours inside or just appreciate it from the outside. It’s a rocks throw away from a beautiful suspension cable foot bridge {try it, it sways} and the lovely Shiawassee County Arts Center. 
• DeVries Nature Conservancy: My first visit here was to take maternity photos through the lens of a hometown friend in 2013. I had been missing out! There are over four miles of trails through 136 acres of farmland, forest, restored prairie along the Shiawassee River. They keep kids in mind too offering home-school programs and nature playgroups.

Shopping

• Blossom Boutique: A must if you’re looking for trendy kids clothes with memorable sayings and fashion-forward designs. The hometown owner purposefully stocks a limited number of items to ensure everyone around town won’t be wearing the same outfit. 
• Mommas you’ll want to make time to do some boutique shopping for yourself too! Birch and Elm for stylish clothes and other goodies & Aviator Jane for home decor and lifestyle finds.
• Looking for a new bike or a teacher’s gift? Check out the House of Wheels and Apple Tree Lane. Both are locally owned and really take pride in offering top notch products and big variety.

Good Eats/Drinks & Treats

• Foster Coffee Co.: This coffee shop really believes in community showcasing that commitment in all they do. They hold fun events for all ages including well-planned story times!  It’s all on display in their stunning Instagram feed. They have a second location in downtown Flint.
• Abiding in the Vine: Presentation is everything at this unique spot. The quaint tea room is sure to leave an impression. It has brick walls, chandeliers, fancy table settings and a delicious breakfast/lunch menu. Children and adults alike love the delightful experience reminiscent of playing dress-up at grandmas. It was voted top 100 in the country by Tea Map.
• Cone Zone in Owosso and Super Cone in Corunna never disappoint and are a right of passage to the Spring season for the locals. Stop by to enjoy a sweet treat and outdoor seating. 
• Lula’s Louisiana Cookhouse: Craving Southern hospitality? Lula’s gives you a taste of true Creole cuisine in the middle of farm-country. The downtown Owosso restaurant has become a destination after receiving huge accolades for Fried Chicken that is hailed as the best in Michigan.
• Lance’s Bakery: A small, family owned bakery that pumps out big flavor after years of perfecting recipes in the kitchen at home. It’s all made fresh and it goes fast! 
• Johnny V’s Smokehouse: Tuesday is Family Night at this BBQ joint in Corunna! It’s rib stickin’ good, so bring your appetite and don’t forget the wet wipes. 

Seasonal Attractions

• North Pole Express: You’ve seen the Polar Express right? Owosso is home to the steam engine used by movie producers to create the train’s true-to-life sound in the film. Each year the Pere Marquette 1225 runs a series of trips from the Steam Railroad Institute to the “North Pole”{Ashley, MI}. The experience includes Santa and it sells out fast, so get your tickets early!
• Owosso Farmers’ Market: The last Saturday of every month is “free kids day” with bounce houses, face painting, crafts and a nutrition station. There is also a separate Farmer’s Market Festival on Thursday nights and an annual, super-charged “Moonlight Market” giving vendors a chance to set up in the shadow of the Curwood Castle. Both events are family-friendly with children’s arts and crafts, live music and more.
• The annual Curwood Festival draws big crowds to Owosso in early June. There is a kids parade in addition to a large traditional parade, plus carnival rides, an arts and craft show, a river race, a fishing derby and a beer tent if you can snag a babysitter.
• Corunna hosts a nice 4th of July Celebration each year capped off with a fireworks show from McCurdy Park. There are lots of activities for all ages getting a nod as one of the best county attractions.
• You’ll also want to mark the calendar to visit for Halloween and Christmas. Businesses in downtown Owosso really go all out, creating a fun “trick-or-treat” experience for the kids. Come December they also do the same, kicking off the holiday season with a Glow Parade. For families, it’s definitely worth letting the kids stay up past their bedtime!
• Shiawassee County Fair: The area’s rich agricultural history and major 4H following is showcased at the fair grounds each year. Visit the farm animals, catch a rodeo, listen to live entertainment or hit up the carnival rides.

Indoor Fun

• Lebowsky Center: The little threatre that could. Badly damaged by a massive fire in 2007, it has since been restored to its original historic charm and it remains a community landmark. The Owosso Community Players do a great job putting on top-notch productions. I took my daughter to see Beauty and the Beast recently and it was fantastic! 
• Kazoo’s: Billed as an indoor playground, let the kiddos burn some energy in this cool bounce park featuring lots of inflatable bounce structures fit for all ages. You won’t have to worry about the weather and fare warning, you might lose track of time!
• Elite VR: This business is fairly new and getting rave reviews. Put on a pair of Virtual Reality goggles on and you’ll have a front-row seat to an adventure of your choosing, including some options that are sure to get your heart-racing! Have you tried it yet?

Other Notables

• Hit up the library in both Owosso and Corunna for story times, maker kits, even painting!
• The Owosso Skate Park is hoping to get big upgrades: Check out the crowdfunding effort here.
• Cool off in the summer at the Bentley Park splash pad.
• Tour the historic homes sprinkled throughout the community, they’re truly incredible.
• Take a picture in the old-time phone booth recently installed near Main Street Plaza. 

It’s impossible to include every wonderful Hometown Hotspot throughout Owosso and Corunna, but this is a pretty awesome start… so I hope it’s enough to inspire you to venture into town for a visit yourself. If you do, be sure to let me know!