Fall in Love with Michigan’s Thumbcoast
As summer warmth fades into crisp autumn breezes, the 140-mile Thumbcoast transforms into a breathtaking mix of seasonal colors against the brilliant blue water. The small towns along the coast feel especially inviting this time of year, with their cozy décor at the shops, local flavors, and welcoming streetscapes. While most people think fall begins immediately after Labor Day, I don’t see it as “summer is over.” September is actually one of my favorite times for a midday swim because the lake has been warming up all summer. It’s a perfect Michigan mix of sunny middays at the beach and bonfire sweater weather nights. I love wandering the trails, checking out the orchards, and taking scenic drives where every turn feels like a postcard. Fall here has a way of capturing your heart, so grab your pumpkin-spiced drink and come along.
Featured photo, M25 Road Trip by Andrew Jowett
Fall Colors
Follow the red, orange, and golden-yellow trail along the scenic M29–M25 route, where autumn lights up the shoreline communities in a breathtaking palette. There are many charming spots to pull over and sip coffee, snap photos, take a walk or cycle and soak it all in. As you ride, the fiery leaves perfectly frame the super-blue waters of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River; it’s a combo that will make your jaw drop.
If you’re up for a little adventure, there’s a short off-trail detour 15 miles northwest of Port Huron that leads to an overlook that isn’t marked on any map; it’s worth the extra drive for an elevated fall colors perspective. Here’s a Google Pin to the exact spot. The lookout is easily accessible, but the trail is on uneven ground at a steep elevation, so use caution and don’t let the kiddos or pets run ahead of you. Take your time, watch your step, and enjoy the incredible views safely!
Farms & Orchards
- Corn Maze Adventure & Pumpkin Patch – Casco
- Opening Day: Sept. 13, 2025
- Sunflower Festival, Mid September
- The Property Farms & McCallum’s Orchard – Jeddo
- Open Year-Round
- O’Hair Farms – Croswell
- Opening Day: Sept. 6, 2025
- Pankiewicz Cider Mill & Farm Market – Casco
- Open the 3rd weekend in August through the 3rd weekend in September
- Yoga at the Orchard: 8/23, 9/6, 9/20, 10/4
- Autumn Acres Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch – Harbor Beach
- Open: Sept. 20- Oct. 25, 2025 (Saturday & Sunday only)
- Szymanski’s Creekside Acres – Port Austin
- Open year-round for seasonal events
- Meet & greet with mini highland cows
McCallum’s Orchard Photo by Siobhan Bergman
Fall & Halloween Events
- Sept. 13, Harvest Festival & Chili Cook-off, Harbor Beach
- Sept. 19-20, Flannel Festival, Port Sanilac
- Sept. 20, Pumpkin Fest, Caseville
- Sept. 27, Lakeside Cemetery History Tour, Port Huron
- Sept. 27, Cabana Boo Halloween Tent Party, Clay Twp.
- Sept. 27, Harvest Market, Port Austin
- Sept. 29, Creepy Cult Classics: Nosferatu, Thomas Edison Depot Museum, Port Huron
- Oct. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17 The Weir, Live Theatre, Marine City
- Oct. 3, Hopstoberfest, Port Huron
- Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Live Theatre, Port Huron
- Oct. 4, Family Tradition Tree Farm Fall Show, Kimball
- Oct. 4-5, St. Clair County HarvestFest, Marysville
- Oct. 5, Hocus Pocus Pickins’, Goodells
- Oct. 5, Fall Craft & Vendor Show, Harsens Island
- Oct. 8 Beach Glass Witches, Port Huron
- Oct. 10, Adult Halloween Party, Port Sanilac
- Oct. 10-11, Desmond District Demons Horror Film Festival, Port Huron
- Oct. 11-12, Fall Fest, Tipper Farms, China Twp.
- Oct. 11, 18, Haunted Village, Port Sanilac
- Oct. 17, History Lecture: Cryptids Decoded, Port Sanilac
- Oct. 18, Carnegie Museum, Paranormal Investigation, Port Huron
- Oct. 18, Kids Halloween Party, Port Huron
- Oct. 18, Halloween in the ‘Nac, Algonac
- Oct. 18, Halloween Party, Harsens Island
- Oct. 18, Truck & Treats, Port HuronOct. 18, Monster Mash Halloween Market, Port Huron
- Oct. 18, Halloween Patio Party 21+, Port Huron
- Oct. 18, 25, Even More Murder & Mayhem Trolley Tour, Port Huron
- Oct. 18, 25, Haunted Corn Maze, Harbor Beach
- Oct. 18, 25, Nightmare on Lake Street, Port Austin
- Oct. 22, Halloween Party for Tots, St. Clair
- Oct. 24, Halloween Party, The Ballroom, Port Huron
- Oct. 24, The Docks Halloween Party, Marine City
- Oct. 24-25, Hocus Pocus Dinner & Show, Port Huron
- Oct. 24-25, Rocky Horror Show Live, Port Huron
- Oct. 25, Fort Gratiot Light Paranormal Investigation, Port Huron
- Oct. 25, Halloween Stroll, Port Huron
- Oct. 25, Paranormal Investigations with DPX, Port Sanilac
- Oct. 25, Witches Walk, Caseville
- Oct. 25-26, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 7-9, 14-26, A Nice Family Gathering, Live Theatre, Marine City
- Oct. 25, 30, Murder Mayhem Trolley Tour, Port Huron
- Oct. 25, More Murder, More Mayhem Trolley Tour, Port Huron
- Oct. 25, Moonshiners Masquerade, St. Clair
- Oct. 27, Creepy Cult Classic: House on Haunted Hill, Thomas Edison Depot Museum, Port Huron
- Nov. 29, Holiday Craft Show, Blue Water Convention Center, Port Huron
If a Fall and Halloween event I listed caught your eye, click the button below to see all the details. There are hundreds of other events listed throughout the year.
Real Haunts
If you dare, take a chilling tour of the 12 scariest places in the Thumbcoast on our Haunted Trail. This year, we’ve added two new spine-tingling stops to the list. These are the real haunts that many have experienced firsthand, including strange voices, unexplained shadows, and ghostly encounters. Experience them for yourself, or with a friend, and decide if they are haunted. Just remember, there’s always room for a 13th location. If you know of another spot, summon me here.
Seasonal Sips Trail
Fall is a “toasty” time to gather with friends and sip seasonal beers, wines, and spirits! The Wet Your Whistle Challenge is a self-guided tour across 23 local stops. There’s still time to complete it before the end of the year, and it’s easy for everyone to join; designated drivers or those who don’t drink can participate too by making any purchase at the locations.
Here’s how it works:
1. Purchase something at 12 of the 23 locations
2. Fill out the form and mail it in with your receipts
3. Receive a certificate for a free hotel stay in Port Huron
Photo, MoonCurser’s Speakeasy by Heather Bearden
Fishing
Fishing in the fall is excellent; ask any of the local charter operators. While there are many fish varieties here, walleye is a favorite for many anglers. Fall fishing gets even better as the leaves drop and the temperatures cool. Some of the top spots are where Lake Huron meets the St. Clair River and throughout the St. Clair River.
See firsthand how outstanding the fishing is in this video from Great Lakes Fisherman’s Digest below.
We also recently hosted a major event in our region, Major League Fishing; the kickoff of the Fishing Clash Team Series took place August 24-29, 2025. Twenty-four Bass Pro Tour pros faced off at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup in the Port Huron area. The event was live-streamed, and episodes will air on:
- Major League Fishing (MLF)
- The MLF mobile app (Download from the App Store/Google Play)
- MyOutdoorTV
- The MLF channel on Rumble
- Plex & Samsung Smart TVs via Samsung Plus Game & Fish Magazine TV
Take the guesswork out of your next fishing trip. Call Anderson Pro Bait in Port Huron at (810) 984-FISH to hear the weekly fishing report and get the latest tips straight from the experts.
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.
Discover more than a thousand videos of Michigan’s Thumbcoast on our TikTok page, giving you a real look at life along the coast in every season!
Stay the Night
As daylight hours shorten, you may find yourself wanting more time to explore the Thumbcoast. Since this is a quieter time of year, you are likely to find a last-minute room available to extend your stay, or you can choose to book one in advance. For a variety of options, including waterfront, boutique, budget-friendly, and pet-friendly accommodations, visit bluewater.org
Article by Katie Stepp, Director of Marketing and Editing by Janice Winn at Discover Michigan’s Thumbcoast
