Michigan’s Best Travel Deals: Fort Fright tickets, a new kind of inland lake cruise

As we turn the corner to Halloween, I love that we’re getting some spooky but still family-friendly events into the mix for fall travel season. And, of course, our continued warm temps mean it is a great season to be outside enjoying our favorite daytrips and activities.

Here are a few of the deals we’re seeing this week:

#1 Fort Fright tickets at Colonial Michilimackinac.

Everyone’s favorite mainland fort is set to take a scary turn on the evenings of Oct. 4 and 5 when were-wolves, lutins and other folklore characters might brush past you on the lantern-lit paths at this Mackinaw City destination.

For more details and ticket prices, see the website here.

“From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (last admission at 8:30 p.m.) on Friday and Saturday, eighteenth-century French-Canadian folklore comes to life,” fort staff said. “Visitors must tread lightly on the path along the shoreline, because as the sun sets on the horizon, all manner of monsters take over the fort and eagerly await your arrival inside.”

Visitors can expect campfires outside the fort, where a voyageur may be telling eerie tales. Inside the fort, there will be more tales told, along with traditional music of the 1700s. But there might be some unexpected guests howling and prowling along the palisade.

For the brave, there’s the Demon Walk and the Werewolf Walk.

“The majority of the activities at Fort Fright will be suitable for the entire family,” said Steve Brisson, Mackinac State Historic Parks director. “But we’ll also have a number of interesting and scary activities designed to appeal to older children and adults.”

#2 Deer Lake Boat Cruises

Inland lakes are perfect for fall boating + color tours. One new spot getting attention this fall is Boyne Mountain’s boat on Deer Lake.

The four-season resort is inviting visitors to step aboard its all-electric Miss Donna for daily captain-led boat cruises. This looks pretty cool. Tickets are $35 for a one-hour cruise and the boat size keeps the trips capped at no more than seven passengers.

“Explore Deer Lake’s pristine waters with a captain-chartered Boat Cruise,” resort staff said. “Step aboard the luxurious electric boat and embark on a journey of relaxation and discovery. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and stunning landscapes.”

The daily cruises run through Oct. 27. You can find more information on the resort’s website here.