2023 Scenic Michigan FALL TRAIN RIDES | All Aboard! | 7 Best (Current) Color Tour Trains and Fall Pumpkin Trains Located in Tahquamenon Falls, Southeast (Detroit), Southwest Michigan 

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By Sherry Trautman

People on a train: Michigan Fall Train RidesMichigan Fall Train Rides


2023 Scenic Michigan Fall Train Rides | ALL ABOARD! | 7 Current Color Train Tours

By: Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com | Last updated: August 29, 2023.

Michigan fall train rides is such an iconic, delightfully wholesome way to view the fall colors.  Chris and I absolutely LOVE going leaf peeping by steam train as it feels so adventurous and beyond the ordinary...almost like something Harrison Ford would do but without the peril (or cockroaches!) 

This fall, why not delight your family with a surprise color tour trip?  We've listed several Michigan fall train rides below that will surely delight your whole family!  

  • Plus, many of these fall color train tours in Michigan can be great inspiration for booking fun weekend getaway trips!  

FYI: The Steam Railroading Institute will not be running fall train rides, only their super popular Christmas train, the North Pole Express. We will keep an eye out to see if the Steam Railroading Institute offers them next year.


Fall Color Train Tours in Michigan Map

  • Click on the plus and minus in the left corner to zoom in or out of the map.
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  • In the Header, click on the rectangle in the upper left of the map to see a menu of all of our stops. Click on anything that looks interesting to see where it is on the map. To hide the menu, click the rectangle in the header.
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1. All Aboard the Pumpkin Train - Coopersville and Marne Railway: Super Fun Color Tour Train in Michigan + Pumpkins for the Kids!

Where: 306 Main St, Coopersville, MI 49404 (Southwest Michigan) Located just east of Grand Haven, northeast of Holland and southeast of Muskegon. 

All Aboard the Coopersville and Marne Railway!!!  Grab your family and friends for a lovely experience aboard a historic passenger train! On the Coopersville & Marne Railway, get ready to experience a whimsical and leisurely mode of travel.  Experience the sounds and feel of the steel rails as they make a clacking noise underfoot.  It's a joyous outing that your whole family will enjoy and remember.

There is a large variety of seating options on the Coopersville and Marne Railway including Coach Class, Premium Class, Caboose Class and Cab Ride.

So grab your tickets early for the Coopersville and Marne Railway!

For planning purposes: Restrooms available in the station and on board the Coach and Premium Class trains but not on the Caboose.

  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Ages: All ages
  • Schedule: Runs in October on both Saturday and Sunday

Includes a free pumpkin for the kids!

While You Are There: Visit lovely Grand Haven!  South Haven is a lovely Michigan beach town located just south of There are so many fun things to do nearby!


Steam Trains and People Boarding Michigan Fall Train RidesMichigan Fall Train Rides

2. Board the Tahquamenon Falls Train and Riverboat Tours to See the Fall Colors! | Michigan's Upper Peninsula Fall Excursions | Soo Junction

Waterfall, Colorful Trees: Tahquamenon Upper FallsSee Tahquamenon Falls in the Fall; the Colors are Breathtaking! Taken from the Tahquamen Falls State Park


Where: 7195 Co Rd 381, Newberry, MI 49868 

The Tahquamenon Falls Train and Riverboat operates June 14-October 7, 2023. If l you are in search of a scenic northern Michigan color tour train, this is definitely one to check out!

This fall foliage tour is 6 1/2 hours in duration and begins with a 35 minute narrow gauge train ride.  Passengers will then climb aboard a lovely covered riverboat for a scenic 2 hour narrated cruise that meanders to the lovely rapids above the falls.  Learn about the logging, Native American history, and the Tahquamenon River's plant and animal life. 

The riverboat will then docks for a little over an hour to allow passengers a chance to explore and enjoy the 5/8 mile nature hike to the Tahquamenon Falls Train and Riverboat Tours' private view of the upper Tahquamenon Falls.  What a cool fall experience!

​After enjoying the falls, the riverboat and train will take you back to Soo Junction. The nature hike includes stairs and is not handicap accessible.

What a fun Michigan fall color train to see the vibrant colors!

While you are there: Check out our guides to:


3. Hop Aboard the Huckleberry Ghost Train Express at the Crossroads Village: Experience a Steam Locomotive in Flint!

Steam Train at Crossroads VillageCrossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad


Where: 6140 N Bray Rd, Flint, MI 48505

If you are looking for a short train ride to see fall colors in Michigan, check out the fun Huckleberry Ghost Train Express! Chris and I loved this steam train ride! You will pass creeks, woods and small quaint towns.

As a bonus, you can spend the day at Crossroads Village! Chris and I just love this steam train! 

Halloween Ghosts and Goodies event is taking place: October 7-8, 13-15, 20-22, and 25-31, 2023. 

Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad is a great place to visit at Christmastime too!

While You Are There: Visit Flint! There are so many fun things to do like an incredible nature center, a spot to see glassblowing and incredible art at the Flint Institute of Arts, and a planetarium! 


How long is the Huckleberry Railroad ride? Enjoy a 40-minute ride through the scenic autumn countryside on the famous Huckleberry Ghost Train Express!

What city is Huckleberry Railroad in? The Huckleberry Railroad is located in Flint, Michigan.


Night Views of the Huckleberry RailroadCrossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad

If You Love Color Tours....Grab Our 3 Michigan Fall Color Tours!

We created THREE special Michigan leaf peeping guides with our favorite spots to see the fall color:

There's an interactive map in each guide to help you find your locations as you drive. We also included lots of photos for inspiration and plenty of locations across Michigan. 


4. Little River Railroad's Fall Pumpkin Trains: Fun Fall Foliage Steam Train Rides in Coldwater Michigan | South Michigan

Where: Address: 29 W Park Ave, Coldwater, MI 49036

All aboard the famous Pumpkin Train!  Enjoy a ride behind incredible steam locomotives to the town of Quincy and back.  Upon arrival in Quincy, you can purchase pumpkins to decorate your home!  Cash only.

Fall Pumpkin Trains dates: October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023.  Train leaves at 1:00 pm. 

Be sure to book the early October dates if you wish to see Michigan fall colors. 

Super fun Michigan fall foliage train rides! And they are affordable too!


Pumpkins and Cider Mill - Fun Michigan Fall ActivitiesBIG LIST of Michigan Fall Activities

If you love fall, grab our BIG LIST of Michigan Fall Activities, fun for the whole family or with you friends!


5. Michigan Transit Museum's Summer Train Rides: Fun Fall Color Train Tours in Michigan

Where: 24201 Henry B Joy Blvd, Clinton Twp, MI 48036

The Michigan Transit Museum's Summer Trains run May 28 - October 15, 2023 (Sunday's only) which is perfect to see the peek fall colors in Michigan!

  • Operates rain or shine to be prepared for Michigan weather!
  • Round Trip is 45 minutes.

Grab your Michigan Transit Museum train tickets early! Awesome fall color train rides in Michigan 2023!


6. Greenfield Village's Ghost Train Rides: Fun Way to See Fall Color

Halloween Greenfield Village


Where: Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI 48124

  • Halloween in Greenfield Village is: October 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, & 26-29, 2023.  Times are: 4:00 - 9:30 p.m. 
  • If you go early in the month, you can enjoy the fall colors by train which are exquisite at Greenfield Village in October. 

My friend Jenny and I had a BLAST on Greenfield Village's Ghost Train Ride.  You will see lots of colorful trees while spotting spooky ghosts and Halloween creatures along the way. It's such great family-friendly fun!

Incredible Michigan fall colors train tour while exploring Greenfield Village!

While You Are There: Check out our Halloween in Greenfield Village guide!


People in costumes in Halloween Greenfield VillageHalloween in Greenfield Village is soooo spooky!!


Halloween in Greenfield Village is soooo spooky!! Are you brave enough?


7. Southern Michigan Railroad - Ride the Train During the Clinton Fall Festival and Appleumpkin Festival | 2023 Fall Color Tours | Clinton-Tecumseh in Southern Michigan

Where: 301 Bartlett St, Clinton, MI 49236, near Tecumseh. 

Michigan Fall color tour train dates: Released soon.

If you are looking for a Tecumseh fall train ride, check out the Southern Michigan Railroad!  

  • Enjoy a train ride during the Clinton Fall Festival: September 22, 23, and 24, 2023! Climb aboard for a train ride to the Red Millpond bridge and back. This way you can enjoy a train ride and the festivals. Trips are about 45-minutes.
  • 2023 Fall Color Tours: Hop aboard the Southern Michigan Railroad for two hours of serene, fall-color viewing beginning in downtown Tecumseh. The locomotive will flank the Raisin River valley to Clinton, Michigan. There will be a stop where you can explore the Southern Michigan Railroad museum in Clinton and the photo-worthy views of the Red Mill Pond. Great spot to get fall color photos during the peak fall color season. 


Michigan Leaf Peeping Guides

We created THREE special Michigan leaf peeping guides with our favorite spots to see the fall color:

There's an interactive map in each guide to help you find your locations as you drive. We also included lots of photos for inspiration and plenty of locations across Michigan. 




Sherry Trautman Bio Picture

About the Lead Author | Sherry Trautman

Thanks for stopping by!

Our Words of Wisdom: “Never follow anyone else’s path. Unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path, then by all means follow that path.”

"Sherry & Chris"

We're Sherry and Chris the founders of one of Michigan's most comprehensive and Top Travel Blogs!

    Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander, Sherry's journey began in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan led her to St. Joseph during her formative years, and further to Kalamazoo for her higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and Fine Art from Western Michigan University. Her career initially blossomed in Battle Creek, where she contributed significantly to aviation, marketing, and the art industry.

    In 2018, Sherry, alongside her husband Chris, embarked on a passionate endeavor with the inception of Travel-MI.com. This venture was not just a business but a full-time commitment to exploring and celebrating the diverse landscapes and communities of Michigan. Together, they tirelessly traverse the state, curating unique experiences, capturing stunning visuals, and weaving engaging narratives that showcase Michigan's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty. From her early experiences in different Michigander locales to her extensive professional background, Sherry's life and work epitomize a deep-rooted expertise in Michigan travel, making her an authoritative voice in this niche.

Sherry & Chris are at the Inn at Bay Harbor and looking out at the lake.
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