I love fall — the warm days, the cool nights. Trips to the cider mill. Apple picking and bonfires. I could go on and on. It’s my favorite time of year, bar none. Best of all, the arrival of autumn means spooky season is officially upon us.
Halloween ranks right at the top of my favorite holidays to celebrate. My inner child who fell in love with Halloween back in elementary school has never left! While I’m a bit too old for trick-or-treating, I still love soaking in the ambiance of the season.
One of my family’s must-visit traditions each fall is The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.
The Henry Ford Museum is a history buff’s dream. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, it draws tens of thousands of visitors from around the world each year, and for good reason. Inside the museum, you’ll find some of America’s most historically significant artifacts: the bus Rosa Parks rode, the presidential limousine in which JFK was assassinated, and even the chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in the night he was shot. It’s a place where history feels alive.
But come October, the village portion just outside the museum undergoes a magical transformation. Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village is unlike anything else; it’s like you’re walking through a living storybook of spooky fun. You can have a little taste of the caramel apple that is Greenfield Village at their video here.
The Henry Ford Museum (@thehenryford on IG) also holds adult-themed events. On Oct. 17, view “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” by Francis Ford Coppola on the big screen. Get tickets for that here: THF.org/giantscreen
What I love most is the way it blends modern touches with the styles and atmosphere of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Guests might run into the Headless Horseman (a crowd favorite), eerie spirits dragging their “baggage chains” from a past life, or even the Grim Reaper himself. Add in hundreds of glowing jack-o’-lanterns, witches, and other roaming creatures, and you’ve got a scene that’s equal parts festive and frightful.
Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of the scary stuff. During the daylight hours, Greenfield Village offers a much tamer version for families with younger children. Think train rides with Halloween flair and character encounters with Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and other childhood favorites. It’s the perfect way for kids to enjoy the holiday without all the creepy side effects.
Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village runs every Thursday through Sunday in October 2025, having begun on Oct. 2 and concluding on the Oct. 26.
For full details and ticket information, click here.
Oh, a word to the wise. If you are planning to attend the Hallowe’en events this season, be sure to arrive early. Things get busy quickly, and you don’t want to miss out on all of the spooky action.
Happy Halloween, everyone!
