Michigan residents and fall color enthusiasts have many ways to take in the rich fall tapestry across Michigan, among them several steam trains excursions that provide a leisurely trip cross country to view the leaves.
The color change is moving south, with Upper Peninsula color near to past peak at this point, according to the Smoky Mountains fall color map.
Explore Fall’s color map also says the UP is mostly at or past peak color while in the Lower Peninsula, “high color” is appearing across the northern portion of the mitten. South of Saginaw Bay, colors remain less than peak.
Some of Michigan’s steam train excursions include the Little River Railroad, based in Coldwater; the Steam Railroading Institute, based in Owosso; the Michigan Transit Museum, based in Mount Clemens; and Crossroad Village and Huckleberry Railroad, in Genesee County.
Here’s where you can catch fall views via train in Michigan:
Little River Railroad offers pumpkin and fall colors trips
Located in southern Michigan town of Coldwater, 29 W. Park Avenue, Little River Railroad is about halfway between Detroit and Chicago, just 13 miles north of the Indiana border.
In the fall it offers a Pumpkin Train every Sunday from Oct. 5-26. In addition to seeing the changing colors, passengers will receive a Halloween pumpkin. Tickets start at $15.
The historic railroad also includes a fall color train on Nov. 2. “The leaves are about done changing but the trains are still steaming along. Ride to Quincy on this round trip train ride,” the railroad said.
Michigan Transit Museum travels across Macomb County
The museum, 200 Grand Ave. in Mount Clemens, located inside of a depot that was built for the Chicago, Detroit and Canada Grand Trunk Junction Railway in 1859, was used by railroads until 1980 when the city of Mount Clements bought the station and leased it to the Michigan Transit Museum.
Train rides are offered every Sunday at Joy Park in Clinton Township. The train boards at Joy Park on 24001 Joy Boulevard and provides a scenic ride through Macomb County.
Steam Railroading Institute travels to Santa’s village
Located in the former Ann Arbor Railway backshop, 405 S. Washington St. in Owosso, the Steam Railroading Institute teaches the public the history of steam-era railroading in Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
One of the institute’s biggest events is its annual North Pole Express weekend trips. The Pere Marquette 1225 was featured in the popular Christmas movie, “The Polar Express.”
Passengers enjoy a two-hour train ride each way to and from Ashley featuring a vintage-themed Christmas party featuring live music, photo opportunities and Santa himself.
Train rides run Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 21-Dec. 21, according to the railroad’s website, although tickets are currently listed as sold out. If tickets become available they will be posted online, according to the group’s website.
Crossroads Villageincludes Halloween fun, train rides
Genesee County Parks, 6140 Bray Road in Flint, offers its own spooky fall experience, Halloween Ghosts & Goodies. Huckleberry Railroad passengers enjoy an evening trip that lasts 40 minutes through the countryside. Rides start at $17. The first day of rides is Oct. 4.
Crossroads Village, open noon to 9 p.m., features streets filled with decorations, treats for kids, shows, carnival rides and more.
Crossroads Village is home to 34 historic structures, offering visitors an authentic last century Great Lakes town experience with live entertainment.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: See fall color in Michigan. Where to enjoy a steam train excursion
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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