Fall in Love with Muskegon
Busy summer months along the Lake Michigan coastline give way to a peaceful and colorful autumn. The Muskegon area has much to offer in the way of fall activities and charm. Whether you’re in the mood for excitement or a quiet experience, there are many attractions to visit that are bound to make you fall in love with Muskegon County!
Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used, which means if you purchase via my link I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products I use and love!
Festivals
Festivals celebrating the season abound throughout the region- whether a small-town celebrating the harvest and unique character of the place, or a larger event in the city of Muskegon, there’s always a reason to get out and enjoy! A concise and updated list of events can be found at VisitMuskegon’s website– everything from haunted places to gorgeous views of the autumn foliage can be found here!
Autumn Colors
The colors of Autumn are breathtaking, and it doesn’t matter how you see them- from the warmth of your vehicle to being able to jump in a pile of leaves on a hike, you can enjoy any way you desire.
- Enjoy a trail! Muskegon State Park and PJ Hoffmaster State Park have numerous trails to hike and bike, and they also provide picnic areas and recreation opportunities. Other county parks, like Muskegon Lakeshore Trail and Musketawa Trail in Fruitport Township, offer miles of beautiful scenery.
- Wanting a horseback ride? Check out Double JJ Ranch’s fall horseback color tours.
- Riding a train through the countryside is another memorable experience- The Coopersville and Marne Railway, located just outside the eastern boundary of Muskegon County, runs their pumpkin train throughout the fall months. They encourage the kids (and parents) to wear their Halloween costumes for some extra fun.
- Depot to Depot Tour– Enjoy a self-guided color tour, stretching from the Muskegon South Pierhead Light to the White River Light Station. Wind your way along Lake Michigan by car or bicycle along the historic West Michigan Pike Byway. Enter the photo contest to win a prize package from the Muskegon Convention and Visitors Bureau!
- See the colors from Zipline over a canopy of trees on a 1400 ft. dual zip line at Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park! Their Fall Outdoor Adventure Weekends include:
- Luge (without ice!) on a one-of-a-kind wheel luge track
- Climb a 3-sided, 38 ft. outdoor rock climbing wall
- Archery on a live shooting range
- Trail Quest – a game combining scavenger hunts & problem-solving on miles of trails.
Get Outdoors
Of course, outdoors lovers look forward to fall hunting season and hauling in a big fish- here are ideas to get at it!
- Fishing: Fall fishing in Michigan offers beauty in the abundant colors, but the fish are biting too! Since fish like cooler water temperatures, many start to spawn in the fall, using the shallower, more exposed parts of lakes and rivers (like the Muskegon River) to lay their eggs. Take full advantage of this season with Pure Michigan’s fall fishing guide, which is filled with tips and tricks for reeling in the best catch!
- Hunting: Even though various hunting seasons happen throughout the year, fall is the most popular season to bring home some game. The southern boundaries of the Manistee National Forest are in Muskegon County, and are open to the public. An array of wildlife suitable for hunting may be found on national forests and grasslands. Hunting is a seasonal activity, and the rules are simple: Follow the state laws and regulations pertaining to hunting, including seasons, dates and licensing. Forests and grasslands may place some areas as off limits to hunting. So check in with your local Forest Service ranger to be sure you are following all the rules and visit the Michigan DNR website for further information.
- It’s not too late to go camping, if you have a cozy camper or even a nice heavy sleeping bag! The campgrounds throughout the area are not as congested in the fall, and there are always campfires burning to warm up your toes and make smores! Check out the county park website for more information.
Traditions
If you ask anyone who has grown up in this beautiful part of the world what their favorite fall memories are, they’re bound to mention the traditions that they experienced. Here are some places to bring traditions to life:
- Apple Orchards and Pumpkin Patches promise a fun time with a reward at the end of the day- yummy apples and pumpkins to carve for your Halloween porch decorations! Kooistra Orchards, 11694 S. Maple Island Rd, Twin Lake, has apples and pumpkins ready to pick or already picked for your family to enjoy.
- Corn Mazes and haunted houses put the thrill in the season, and Muskegon has them- Weesies Farms in Montague offers a playground and barrel train for tots, the Pumpkin Express that takes visitors to the pumpkin patch and corn maze, and Timber Trail for a great hiking experience.
Food
We can’t forget the marvelous food offered this time of year at local restaurants and bakeries.
- Enjoy sophisticated cuisine prepared by world-class chefs-in-the-making at Courses, a teaching restaurant within the Culinary Institute of Michigan, or great food and craft brew pairing options at many beach and lake-view dining places. Local, farm-fresh goodness abounds at a variety of locally-sourced, farm-to-fork restaurants. Follow the link to find what you have a hankering for!
Indoor attractions
When the weather is just too much to bear, there are plenty of indoor things to do!
- Museums, like the Muskegon Museum of Art, are a great way to get out of the weather and into some culture. Featured in the newly-renovated complex is the 94th Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition, with works of local artists presenting a look at the issues, themes, and materials inspiring them.
- A popular new craze- getting locked in a room with only clues to your way out- has come to the Muskegon area! The Colby Escape Room (102 West Colby Street, Whitehall) is one of the best in the area. Located in the hundred-year old Masonic Temple the escape rooms were expertly designed to give the most thrilling and authentic experience. The ultimate challenge lies in escaping before the clock runs out.
- Theaters, including the famous Frauenthal Theater in downtown Muskegon, offer lots of different types of entertainment, from plays by the Muskegon Civic Theatre, to concerts by noted artists and the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra.
- Indoor amusement places, like DEFY Muskegon/Planet 3, are great places to burn off some pent-up energy! Extreme dodgeball, basketball, and a ninja course are just a few of the fun attractions waiting to be explored.
- History awaits at historic sites throughout Muskegon, from the Hackley and Hume Historic Site, the Fire Barn Museum, and the Scolnik House – which are free to Muskegon County Residents during the month of October. Also open are Muskegon Museum of History & Science (430 W. Clay Ave., Muskegon) and the Muskegon Heritage Museum.
So, if you’re looking for something to fit your tastes and abilities, take a trip to the Muskegon region and have a spectacular time!
Make it a Staycation
Check out our other fall fun articles- HERE!
Carmelitta Tiffany
“Carmelitta Tiffany is a semi-retired journalist living a quiet life in rural West Michigan. She’s an avid gardener, voracious reader, and enjoys spending lots of time with her dog, MissDottie, and her grandson Henry. She serves those needing “wordy” advice through her business, West MI Editorial Services.
