7 Michigan Amusement Parks Locals Miss More Than Anything

Michigan summers once meant wooden coasters by the lake, family-owned parks, and quirky roadside attractions. Many of those places have since closed, but locals still share memories of the rides, food, and long days they spent there. Here are some of the amusement parks that people in Michigan say they miss the most.

1. Boblo Island Amusement Park (near Detroit)

Every time I hear about Boblo Island, someone brings up the ferries. They were part of the magic, giant old boats packed with families, chugging up the Detroit River toward a day of adventure. Before you even set foot on the island, you’d feel the excitement building.

Boblo, just across the border in Ontario, felt close enough to be a Michigan tradition. Year after year, locals lined up for The Screamer or braved the eerie darkness of the Nightmare coaster. There was also the Space Needle ride, spinning above trees and water, offering a view you couldn’t find anywhere else.

The park opened way back in 1898 and kept going until 1993. Its dance hall and water rides saw decades of summer crowds. Even now, people in Michigan talk about Boblo as if it’s just waiting for them across the water, full of sunlight and laughter.

2. Edgewater Park (Detroit)

Edgewater Park always struck a balance between excitement and affordability. As a kid, I remember saving up pocket change for the day my family would visit. The anticipation built up as we got closer, passing through neighborhoods on Detroit’s west side until the rides finally came into view.

The Wild Mouse coaster was the park’s crown jewel, a wooden coaster that made your stomach drop in the best way. Around the park, the 110-foot Ferris wheel stood tall, and there was a huge public pool that seemed to stretch on forever. Food stands tempted with popcorn and snow cones, while music from the dance pavilion spilled into the night air.

Edgewater’s gates closed for good in 1981, but stories from its heyday still pop up in local conversations. If you grew up in Detroit, odds are you’ve heard someone mention peeling sunburns or sticky hands from taffy after a day at Edgewater. It’s a piece of Michigan’s fun-loving past.

3. Deer Forest Fun Park (Coloma)

There’s something unforgettable about feeding a deer from your palm. Deer Forest Fun Park in Coloma offered that thrill alongside a collection of gentle rides and quirky themed paths. This unique mix of petting zoo and amusement park gave families in southwest Michigan a destination you couldn’t find anywhere else.

Kids could board a tiny train for a ride through the woods or hop on classic rides scaled down for the younger set. The deer themselves were the real stars, often wandering up to visitors with curious noses twitching for treats.

The park stayed open for decades before closing in 2014, but its memory lingers. For many, Deer Forest stands out as one of Michigan’s most unusual and beloved attractions. A visit meant pockets full of feed pellets, laughter echoing through shady groves, and a photo or two with new four-legged friends.

4. Lake Lansing Amusement Park (Haslett)

Lake Lansing Amusement Park was a summer staple for families in central Michigan. I’ve heard stories from grandparents about boarding the Cyclone, the park’s 65-foot wooden coaster, or dancing the night away at the lakefront pavilion. Back in the 1940s and 50s, the place buzzed with activity from morning until after dark.

The funhouse always drew a crowd, with its spinning barrels and quirky mirrors. Kids shrieked their way through the midway, hoping to win a prize or two. The carousel, once part of the park, was so loved, it eventually found a new home at Cedar Point after the Lansing park closed.

When the rides disappeared in the 1970s, it marked the end of an era. Today, Lake Lansing Park still draws picnickers, but older folks remember when it was the heart of summer fun in Michigan. The laughter and music linger in local memory, even as the coasters fade into history.

5. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Amusement Park (Waterford)

Hidden within the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, families once found a collection of classic rides nestled between the woods and the beach. In the 1950s and 60s, a trip here felt less like a big commercial park and more like a secret locals’ spot.

The carousel was the centerpiece, painted ponies spinning under twinkling lights, accompanied by the sound of laughter and calliope music. The beach drew sunbathers and swimmers, while midway games tempted visitors to win a trinket or two. It made for a day that mixed lakeside relaxation with bursts of amusement park energy.

By the 1970s, the rides had vanished, but the area’s spirit of fun remains. Pontiac Lake is now known for its natural beauty and outdoor adventures, but longtime Michigan residents still talk about summers spent hopping from carousel to shoreline. It’s a chapter of local history that sticks with you.

6. Walled Lake Amusement Park (Walled Lake)

Walled Lake Amusement Park had a reputation for being the go-to spot for a full day out near Detroit. The roller coaster soared above the shoreline, while a sprawling midway kept visitors busy with games and snacks. I’ve talked to people who spent entire weekends here, never running out of new corners to explore.

The dance hall became the stage for countless local bands, and couples would gather to swing and sway as the sun set over the lake. Between music, rides, and lakeside picnics, you could pack a week’s worth of fun into a single afternoon.

After the 1960s, rising costs and changing trends spelled the end of the park. Today, it’s hard to picture such a vibrant scene along Walled Lake, but for many in Michigan, stories of this place still spark a smile. The energy of those summer nights lingers in local lore.

7. Autoworld (Flint)

Autoworld was a bold experiment. Opened in 1984, it promised Flint something no other Michigan city had, a massive, climate-controlled park that celebrated the auto industry. The IMAX theater and towering car-themed animatronics set it apart from the old-fashioned amusement parks folks grew up with.

Inside, you’d find kids gawking at robots and futuristic displays, while parents thought back to the heyday of Michigan’s auto boom. Its glass dome, neon lights, and unique rides offered a vision of what the future could be. Some locals still have souvenirs tucked away from that brief but memorable era.

Autoworld closed after just two years, but its story remains a favorite topic among Flint residents. Even if it didn’t last, it gave people a glimpse of something new, a bit of wonder in the heart of the city. That spark of imagination is what many remember most.