The Train Ride Through The Michigan Countryside That Shows Off Fall Foliage
By Jack Springgate|Published October 04, 2023
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Jack Springgate
Author
I'm proud to be from the great state of Michigan. I've lived in the Mitten several different times throughout my life spending time in all corners of it. My journeys took me up and down the Lake Michigan coast, out east to explore Detroit and Ann Arbor, and to the dense forests of the UP.
Before writing with Only In Your State, I worked as a local TV news reporter and anchor, most recently in South Bend. Many of the stories I covered took place in Southwest Michigan. My roots are even deeper in the Wolverine State as I often head to Kalamazoo to visit family.
When I'm not out exploring nature, I'm avidly watching sports. I specifically have a deep love for the Michigan Wolverines (my alma mater), and I get to write about them and several other Big Ten teams as and editor for Athlon Sports. I also love to enjoy the great outdoors with my wife and our dog, Piper.
I'm excited to share all my favorite Michigan destinations with you. Keep exploring.
Michigan has some of the most breathtaking fall colors you can imagine. One of the best ways to take it all in at once is by booking a ticket on the Amtrak Pere Marquette Line. This trip will take you along Lake Michigan between Chicago and St. Joseph, before heading inland toward Grand Rapids. You’ll be able to keep your hands off the wheel and your eyes on the beautiful foliage the whole time.
It’s best to start this trip in Michigan since it will be dark most of the way if you leave from Chicago due to its 6:00 p.m. departure time. You can head to the Amtrak website for more schedule details, but if you leave from Grand Rapids early in the morning you won’t miss any of the beautiful scenery.
A one-way trip to Chicago will cost between $35-$58 if you start in Grand Rapids, but you can confirm on Amtrak’s website when you book your trip.
The early morning train from Grand Rapids will take you from the Michigan countryside straight to the big lake. You’ll be able to see some beautiful fall colors on the way to the lakeshore.
Once you get to Holland the route starts to head south through more West Michigan farmland. The journey passes through several nature areas with lakes and wooded areas.
Your next stop brings you to St. Joseph and the shores of Lake Michigan. This charming beach town gets a lot quieter in the fall season. It makes this drive along the lakeshore that much more enjoyable.
On your way out of Southwest Michigan, you’ll pass through numerous county parks and dune landscapes along the coast. This brings us to our next stop, and one of my favorite lake towns in Michigan, New Buffalo.
As you start to get toward the end of the journey, you might be able to see Chicago in the distance as you cross the border into the Hoosier State. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore offers stunning scenery on the way to the Windy City.
If you took the early train out of Grand Rapids, you’ll be in Chicago before noon. You even save an hour because of the time change at the Indiana border. Enjoy the rest of the day with some unique excursions you can only find in Chi-town. After taking in breathtaking views of Lake Michigan all morning, why not enjoy it with one of these great excursions on the water?
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