The air is getting crisp and the leaves have started to change color. Yep, fall is here and we bet you’re wondering how to fill your family’s weekends with merry, sometimes scary, fall and Halloween fun.
If you’re at a loss, look no further than Flint and Genesee County. These communities, located only about an hour from Detroit, offer up tons of can’t-miss fall and Halloween events that you simply must try.
It all kicks off at Flint’s authentic narrow-gauge railroad and amusement area, Crossroads Village. Starting on Oct. 5, 2019, and on select dates through Oct. 31, families can take a 40-minute train ride on the famous Huckleberry Ghost Train.
Take in some of the beautiful fall colors on this ride and don’t forget to swing by the village, which is offering magic shows, cider and doughnuts, a straw maze, an enchanted forest and much more.
It runs noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tickets are just $12 for those over the age of 1.
The fun continues from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Oct. 19 with a Halloween Mini-Market at the Flint Farmers’ Market. Here, families can peruse a variety of Halloween- and fall-themed goodies and stock up on some essential fall items including gourds and pumpkins.
“It’s the quintessential fall experience,” says Alaina Wiens, the director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Marketing for Flint & Genesee.
And Applewood Estate – the former home of Ruth Mott – gets in on the fun with its free Halloween in the Gardens event on Oct. 26-27.
“Halloween in the Gardens at Applewood Estate is a chance to walk the Mott family estate, learn more about the historic family, home and farm, and celebrate Halloween,” Wiens explains.
During this event, kids can dress in costume and visit trick-or-treating stations set up around the historic grounds, create a one-of-a-kind Halloween craft to take home and participate in a costume parade.
You can even stroll the gardens and take in all of the breathtaking fall colors that transform the grounds each fall.
“I love when Halloween and history come together,” Wiens says. “The events at Crossroads and Applewood will be educational and fun with some low-key frights for younger visitors (so) they’re very family friendly.”
But that’s not all. There’s also plenty of Halloween movies showing throughout October, as well.
The Longway Planetarium is playing the Ooky Spooky Light Show during its Halloween Hootenanny event on Oct. 19 and the Capitol Theatre is hosting a Q&A session with Kathy Najimy, the talent behind Mary Sanderson in the beloved Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus, before a screening of the movie on Oct. 30.
“From our orchards to our parks, we’re an amazing fall destination for families,” Wiens adds. “Visitors can make a day of our museums and catch a great fall-themed event throughout the season. Our calendar is packed!”
For more information on the family fall fun happening in Flint and Genesee County, visit flintandgenesee.org.