From Haunted Trains to the Scarousel: Unique Halloween Fun in Southwest Michigan

St. Joseph Blog

October brings a playful mix of tricks, treats and autumn traditions to Southwest Michigan’s lakeshore communities, including St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Stevensville, and the surrounding area. Beyond pumpkin patches and apple orchards, visitors can ride a haunted train, admire handcrafted glass pumpkins, explore a transformed carousel or test their courage at one of the country’s largest haunted attractions.

Whether your perfect Halloween is charming, creative or genuinely chilling, add these distinctive experiences to your fall getaway.

Ride a Haunted Train Through History

All aboard for a family-friendly Halloween adventure at Eden Springs Park in Benton Harbor. Once part of the historic House of David amusement park, Eden Springs welcomes visitors aboard its miniature trains for special haunted rides on Saturdays and Sundays throughout October.

Spooky decorations transform the park for the season without making the experience too frightening for younger passengers. Rides are offered from 5 to 8 p.m. for $5 per person, with cash required.

Find a Pumpkin That Lasts Beyond the Season

At Water Street Glassworks in the Benton Harbor’s Arts District, pumpkins receive a colorful and creative makeover. Local artists craft one-of-a-kind blown-glass pumpkins in different colors, patterns, shapes and sizes, creating seasonal decorations that can return year after year.

Want to create your own? Water Street Glassworks also offers opportunities to make a blown-glass pumpkin, acorn or pumpkin paperweight. Purchases and class participation help support the nonprofit arts organization and its programming.

Take a Spin on the Haunted Scarousel

The beloved Silver Beach Carousel in St. Joseph reveals its spooky side during October. Halloween decorations fill the carousel house as the attraction becomes the Haunted Scarousel—complete with a headless horseman watching over the festivities.

Visitors who arrive in costume throughout October can receive a complimentary carousel ride, making this an easy Halloween stop for families exploring downtown St. Joseph and the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Celebrate at Downtown Spooktacular

Halloween fun takes over downtown St. Joseph during Downtown Spooktacular on October 17. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., families can decorate pumpkins, browse a Halloween artisan market, watch pumpkin-carving demonstrations and catch free magic shows.

A costume parade, downtown hayrides and a hunt for hidden witches add to the day’s activities. Visitors can even venture toward the lake for free Spooky Lighthouse Tours inside the decorated St. Joseph Lighthouse.

Face Your Fears at Niles Scream Park

For those who prefer Halloween with considerably more screaming, Niles Scream Park delivers 44 acres of terrifying entertainment. The immersive, PG-13 attraction uses live actors, jump scares, elaborate sets and moderate gore to place visitors directly inside its frightening scenes.

Open on select dates from early September into early November, the park has repeatedly appeared on Haunted Attraction Magazine’s list of the country’s “Top 31 Must-See Haunted Attractions.” A portion of its admission proceeds also benefits local charities.

Discover More Halloween Experiences

These attractions are only a sampling of the Halloween fun waiting throughout Southwest Michigan. The season also brings nature-inspired celebrations, vineyard festivities, spooky trails, decorated storefronts and community trick-or-treating.

Find more ideas, event details and seasonal surprises in Visit Southwest Michigan’s complete guide to unique Halloween activities.

Event schedules, admission requirements and availability can change, so confirm the latest information with each attraction before your visit. Then, book a place near the lakeshore and turn your Halloween adventure into a spirited Southwest Michigan getaway.

Savor Fall in Muskegon County

Muskegon Blog
Autumn leaves climb a mossy tree beside a weathered lakeside boardwalk, with railings and calm blue water under a cloudy sky.

There’s a sweet spot in Michigan when you can feel fall waiting just around the corner.

It’s that time in Muskegon County.

The busiest beach days of summer have eased, the evenings are beginning to cool, and there’s still plenty of time to get outside, get on the water, enjoy a meal on a patio or take one more walk along Lake Michigan. At the same time, flowers are still blooming, farmers markets are full of seasonal produce, and the first hints of fall are beginning to show along the trails.

If you’re looking for a reason to savor early fall, here are a few ways to do it in Muskegon County.

Take a Walk Along Lake Michigan

Pere Marquette Beach is an easy place to start. Parking is free after September 15th, and you can spend as much or as little time as you like along the shoreline.

Take a stroll along the channel, walk the pier and check out the Muskegon South Breakwater Light. Tours of the Muskegon South Pierhead Light have also been extended through September, giving you a little more time to see the historic lighthouse from the inside.

Get Out on the Water

The Aquastar continues cruises through late September, offering a chance to see Muskegon from the water and experience the shoreline from a different perspective.

For another dose of maritime history, head north to Whitehall and the White River Light Station. Tours continue through October, so you can explore the historic lighthouse and then spend some time along the White Lake waterfront.

September is also a great time for a simple waterfront stroll. You don’t need a boat to enjoy the lakes. Sometimes all you need is a little time along the shore and a sunset.

Find a New Trail to Explore

Muskegon County has no shortage of places to get outside. There are three state parks, eight county parks and five nature preserves, along with miles of trails to explore.

One newer place to put on your list is Dune Harbor County Park. The park includes two inland lakes and a stretch of Lake Michigan beach, giving you several different landscapes to explore in one stop.

At P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, stop at the remodeled Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center, open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Then head out onto the trails. You can hike toward a quieter Lake Michigan beach or take the stair dune climb for elevated views of the shoreline.

It’s also a great time of year to simply choose a trail and wander. September offers that nice transition between summer and fall, with warm afternoons, cooler mornings and changing scenery beginning to appear along the way.

Make an Outdoor Evening of It

As the evenings cool down, patios and fire pits become even more appealing.

In downtown Muskegon, The Backyard at Walker’s at the Delta by Marriott offers an outdoor place to gather with friends, complete with comfortable seating and fire pits. Grab a drink, settle in and enjoy an evening downtown.

The Brewer’s Lounge at Pigeon Hill is another option for an outdoor hangout. Grab a local beer and relax on the patio along the Lakeshore Bike Trail, with views toward Muskegon Lake.

In Whitehall, grab a drink from the social district and make your way to the fire pit at North Mears Plaza behind Fetch Brewing Company. The plaza overlooks White Lake, making it a particularly nice place to settle in as the evenings start to feel a little more like fall.

For dinner with a sunset, make your way to Old Channel Inn near Montague. The White Lake tradition dates back to 1930, and the menu includes lake perch, walleye, salmon and other dinner favorites. Afterward, take the short walk back to Lloyd’s Landing behind the restaurant to watch the sun set over Lake Michigan.

A fire, a meal, a drink and a view of the water makes for the perfect early fall evening.

Keep Summer Nights Going at the Drive-In

The Getty Drive-In is still showing double features on four screens through October 31, weather permitting. It’s an easy way to stretch those evenings a little longer, whether you’re making it a family night or just want a classic drive-in movie experience.

Visit a Garden While It’s Still Blooming

The Monet Garden of Muskegon is another reminder that the colors of summer aren’t finished quite yet.

The garden is still full of color through September, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone who wants to enjoy flowers and the outdoors without spending the day at the beach.

It’s also a nice change of pace from the typical lakeshore itinerary. You can pair a visit with a downtown outing, lunch or another stop

Spend a Saturday Morning at the Farmers Market

The Muskegon Farmers Market is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through November, making fall a good time to pick up seasonal produce, flowers, baked goods and locally made products. Grab something for a picnic, browse the artisan vendors, then keep exploring downtown Muskegon.