Halloween Displays that Offer Spook, Without the Scare
Before the red and green twinkle lights start for Christmas, many families kick off the festive decorating season with Halloween.
Whether you prefer scary skeletons or cute, inflatable cartoon characters, nearly anything goes with Halloween. We’ve rounded up some favorite local spots to find Halloween decorations.
Businesses and residents are excited to share their displays with local families and invite photographs. However, they ask that visitors are respectful of their properties and do not touch the displays.
All of this fun decor may inspire you to up your Halloween game; we’ve also included some easy decorations to make with kids.
Take a drive (we recommend seeing them at night) and let us know of any spots we’ve missed! If you would like your house included, email our editor.
HALLOWEEN DISPLAYS
Local Businesses
Metro Toyota SkeleTour Downtown Kalamazoo
Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo Mall, Rose St & Portage St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Some bony visitors have taken up residence in Downtown Kalamazoo; take a stroll downtown in this beautiful October weather to see them up close and personal.
A little spooky, and a whole lot of silly, these skeletons are posed in hilarious ways that beg for Skelfies. All of them reflect businesses and organizations unique to Kalamazoo.
Photo: Downtown Kalamazoo
Downtown Plainwell Scarecrow Contest
Main St, Plainwell, MI 49080
Plainwell area businesses are showing off their creativity with scarecrows this year, including this Edward Scissorhands-inspired one from Prevalent Boutique Salon on South Main Street.
Visit all of their fun submissions and vote for your favorites on the city’s Facebook page.
Photo: Prevalent Boutique Salon
Residential Displays
Holiday House 5777
5777 Clover Meadows Ave, Scotts, MI 49088
Known for their massive inflatable holiday displays at Christmas, HolidayHouse5777 does not disappoint for Halloween. Get out of the car and take a stroll through nearly 100 Halloween inflatables. The display runs daily from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM starting on October 15 but is heavily dependent on weather conditions (follow their Facebook page for updates).
The Holiday House is also planning to hand out candy on Halloween this year for trick or treating. Candy will be dispensed using a candy chute, to support social distancing.
Photo: Holiday House 5777
Morton Manor
Iowa Ave, Portage, MI 49024
Morton Manor is worth the stop in Portage; this mausoleum-inspired house is decked out with homemade spooky decor. These talented homeowners clearly have fun with Halloween and invite photographs; however, they ask that visitors do not touch their displays. More info on their masterpiece here.
You’ll find this spooky gem on Iowa Avenue, between Milham and Idaho.
Romence Rd, Portage, MI 49024
Drive west on Romence towards Oakland Drive and you’ll find this spooky house across from Marfield Street. Giant spiderwebs and creepy statues adorn this Portage lawn.
Woodland Ave, Portage, MI 49002
Head down Woodland Avenue near the elementary school, and you’ll find two homes capturing some Halloween spirit:
Woodcrest Ave, Portage, MI 49002
Stay in the Woodland neighborhood and you’ll find this front yard cemetery on Woodcrest; some of its residents are peeking out in front of the tombstones!
Marigold Ave, Portage, MI 49002
This house near Portage Central pays homage to some famous scary movie villains.
Lauralwood Ave, Portage, MI 49002
Skeletons are celebrating at this house in Portage with a tiki bar and sunbathing (can skeletons get a tan?)
Bobwhite Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
A 25-foot scarecrow looms over this house in Colony Woods in Texas Township. Take a peek at night to see the black lights and fog machines.
Worth the Drive
Greenfield Village, Dearborn – Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124
More than 50 costumed characters, over 1,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns, hot brews, live music, and a new Hallowe’en Express Train make Greenfield Village a favorite Halloween spot on the east side of the mitten. Tickets are required (reserve online).
Terror on Tillson Street
Tillson Street, Romeo, MI 48065
Over 30 historical homes put on this annual event that is known throughout Metro Detroit (they even sell t-shirts!). Visitors are welcome to walk the street to see all of the spooky and fun decorations.
More Options in the Mitten:
Michigan Road Trip to Spooky Attractions »
Grand Rapids Halloween Displays »
HALLOWEEN DECORATING HACKS
Sure, pumpkin carving is a family must-do. Add in the following simple ideas to spice up the front yard with these kid-friendly decorating hacks.
Dress-up Skeletons
Plastic skeletons are easy to find at this time of year, and kids will love dressing their skeleton up in an old costume or old clothes and posing it in the yard.
Tombstones
Floral styrofoam sheets or a pack of make-your-own tombstones from the store are perfect for designing your own graveyard. Let kids create their own funny names, such as B. Write Bak. More ideas here.
Tennis Ball and Milk Jug Ghosts
Tennis ball ghosts require only four materials: tennis ball, white sheet, rubber band and a marker. Hang the sheet over the tennis ball, secure with the rubber band, and draw a spooky face. Hang those adorable ghosts from the tree where they can blow around in the wind.
If you have extra milk jugs lying around, use a Sharpie to draw eyes and a mouth on one side, throw a glow stick or fairy lights in, and you have a fun way to light the way to your porch for Halloween night.
No-Carve Spooky Pumpkin Fun
Knives are optional for decorating pumpkins. As a fun alternative, use spray paint, googly eyes, glitter or sharpies to BOO-tify your pumpkin this year. For some no-carve examples, check here.
