Thumbcoast Articles

6 Reasons to Visit Michigan’s Thumbcoast in October

October is one of my favorite months here in Michigan. The crisp early morning air, changing of the colors and the smell of cinnamon are what make it a special experience. In fact, there’s so much to do here I’m renaming it FUNtober! Here are my top 6 reasons to visit so grab your pumpkin spiced drink and head this way.

#1 The Fall Colors

Follow the red, orange & yellow trail along the scenic M29 – M25 route. There are countless charming shoreline communities worthy of a stop along the way. Use the digital map link below to help you plan and navigate the ultimate fall colors road trip!

#2 Farms & Orchards

#3 Halloween Events

Oct. 7 – 23 | Moreau’s Horrors – Enter Stage Right Theatre, Port Huron

Oct. 8 | Fall Foraging Hike – Columbus County Park

Oct. 8 | Haunted Michigan Presentation with Detroit Paranormal Expeditions, Port Huron

Oct 8, 15 | Haunted Village – Port Sanilac

Oct. 8 – 28 | Creepy Baby Doll Contest – Port Sanilac

October 14 – 15, 21 – 22, 28 – 29 | Haunted House, Marine City

Oct. 15 | 4-H Open House Truck or Treat – Goodells

Oct. 15 | Lakeside Cemetery Tour – Port Huron

Oct. 21 – 22 | Rocky Horror Show LIVE – Port Huron

Oct. 21 – 22 & 28 – 29 | Haunted Corn Maze – Harbor Beach

Oct. 22 | Treats & Trucks – Downtown Port Huron

Oct. 22 | Paranormal Investigation – Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, Port Huron

Oct. 22 | SCCLS Zombie Shamble – Port Huron

Oct. 22 | Pumpkin Palooza – Port Austin

Oct 22, 29 | Nightmare on Lake Street – Port Austin

Oct. 23 | Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses Lecture – Port Sanilac

Oct. 26 | Monster Bash – Yale

Oct. 28 | Bat Hike – Columbus County Park

Oct. 29 | Halloween Stroll – Port Huron, Sanborn Park

Oct. 29 | Paranormal Investigation – Carnegie Center, Port Huron

Oct. 29 | Haunted Maze – Minden City

Oct. 30 | Young Adult Spooky Evening Candle Lit Museum – Port Huron

#4 The Bird Migration

The eastside of Michigan is between two bird migration flyways, the Mississippi and Atlantic. Waterfowl, water birds, shorebirds, songbirds and raptors will pass through Michigan on their way south to their wintering grounds, according to the Michigan DNR. A great source to check the migration forecast and hot zones is at Bird Cast. Locally, there are a few hot spots where I’ll often see professional birders. Lighthouse Beach and the Blue Water River Walk in Port Huron are the two best locations to check out.

#5 The Real Haunts

If you dare, take a chilling tour of the 10 scariest places in the Thumbcoast on our HAUNTED TOUR. Be sure to bring a friend with you so you don’t get too scared, some will claim these are the locations of real haunts! Use #DiscoverTheBlue and share all your ghostly adventures with us!

#6 Fishing

Fishing in the fall is excellent, just ask any of the local charters. Although there are many fish varieties to be caught, walleye is the preferred fall catch for many anglers. Mark Romanack of Woods-N-Water News says “Anglers who target walleye in the fall are winners either way, and the fishing just gets better as the leaves drop and the temperatures get colder.” Some of the noted great spots are where Lake Huron meets the St. Clair River and in the St. Clair River. View the full article from October, 2021 for more details. Get the local fishing report by calling (810) 984-FISH.

Oh My Gourd!

Discover 400 + videos of Michigan’s Thumbcoast in every season on our TikTok page! Seasonal tip, check out War Water Brewery in St. Clair and try their seasonal Oktoberfest Beer on tap or in a can.

_{Article by Katie Stepp, Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau}