Find the Best Fall Fun at these Farms & Cider Mills: Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patches & Donuts Galore!

Your Go-To for Pumpkin Patches & Donut Stops

Family farms in West Michigan are amazing. The folks who run these places work their tails off. They let us hang out and enjoy all the good stuff they grow, play on their land, and generally roll out the welcome mat.

Big shoutout to the farmers for making it all happen – and sharing it with us – especially in the fall, when we’re all dusting off our flannels and jonesing for a hit of donuts and cider at the exact same time!

Reasons to Visit Family Farms in Every Season

Getting to visit the welcoming, picturesque family farms in West Michigan is a seasonal favorite for many local families. And there’s a reason to stop into a farm near you all year long:

FALL Fall activities, including hayrides, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes, are the ticket. Wagon rides, yummy treats, festivals, and unique experiences make family farms easy to say yes to.
WINTER: When winter rolls around, we head to the farm for cut your own Christmas trees.
SUMMER: We brake for all of the u-pick fruit and flowers the farms around here can toss our way.
SPRING: Did someone say baby farm animals?? We are so there.

If you’re like us, the only hard part is deciding which farm near me is the one that will fill up our camera feed in fall or market basket in the summer.

Feature image is Post Family Farm

Anderson-and-Girls-Orchards-farm-goats-VanderWeide — *^{Anderson & Girls Orchards}*

Read on to learn more about our favorite family farms to visit.

Top Voted Farms and Orchards

This year parents voted on their favorite farms and orchards in the annual Best of Grand Rapids awards.

These are the places that west Michigan families love to visit to pick apples, choose pumpkins, go on hayrides, eat donuts and everything else farm-fun-related.

Winner: Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery

Deep Roots Produce

8410 Whitneyville Ave SE, Alto, MI 49302

CALEDONIA – You really can’t go wrong with a visit to Deep Roots Produce Farm for some laid-back fall fun. We love the friendly goats and alpacas in the petting zoo, plus you can toss a game of corn hole or just kick back at the picnic tables. The rustic barn is full of fresh produce, and the photo stations are perfect for snapping a few pics.

With most activities free (other than the corn maze), it’s the perfect down-to-earth spot. Seasonal events like glow maze nights and Halloween fun make this farm a can’t-miss destination!

Anderson & Girls Orchards

2985 N Sheridan Rd, Stanton, MI 48888

STANTON – Anderson & Girls Orchards is a must-visit if you love animals or are looking for fall activities. Their free petting zoo (140+ animals) is way bigger than you’d expect. Where else can you feed parakeets, pet baby goats, watch sloths, and enjoy donuts and cider all in one place?

If that’s not enough, their Sweet Shop, gift shop, and farmers market have fresh treats and fun trinkets. Just an hour north of Grand Rapids, it’s a nice day trip. Be sure to check their website for seasonal events.

Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm

3025 6 Mile Rd, Grand Rapids, MI 49544

GRAND RAPIDS NW – Once a GR sleeper hit, Ed Dunneback Farm is quickly becoming a household name. Just minutes from downtown, this fifth-generation family farm is buzzing with live music, an in-house restaurant, and their own Pink Barrel wine, beer, and hard cider made right on-site.

Every weekend in the fall, you’ll find giant slides and kid-friendly activities, plus apple and pumpkin picking along with a corn maze perfect for the little ones. Their farm market is one of the biggest around, packed with unique merch, produce, and frozen goodies to take home. They also host seasonal festivals and food events; follow them on their socials to stay updated.

Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo

4180 West M-20, New Era, MI 49446

NEW ERA – This one is definitely a day trip! Lewis Farm & Petting Zoo is one unforgettable place with an endless menu of one-of-a-kind activities you won’t find anywhere else. From their full-size corn barn to giant spinning tunnels and a super fun slide, you will need more than a few hours to do everything.

In the fall, don’t miss apple picking, wagon rides, the corn maze, and their pumpkin patch. It’s only an hour drive from Grand Rapids to this 700-acre adventure farm. Open spring, summer & fall, they’ve recently added craft cocktails, beer and cider to their already-robust food menu.

Post Family Farm

5081 Bauer Rd, Hudsonville, MI 49426

HUDSONVILLE – Post Family Farm, locally famous for their donuts, is a true West Michigan institution. Since 1969, this 80-acre, family-owned farm has been the go-to spot for fall fun and is a popular field trip destination for schools. If you’re visiting in the fall, hop on a tractor-driven hayride to the pumpkin patch, where you’ll get a tour of the farm and pass by the corn maze. For just $1 more, you can even stop at the small corn maze for a quick adventure.

Before you leave, grab some homemade donuts, say hi to the chickens or pigs in the barn and take a spin on the playground. The farm also hosts weddings, dances, sleigh rides, Christmas parties, and more. CLOSED SUNDAYS.

Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery

3142 4-Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

GRAND RAPIDS – Robinette’s is the GOAT when it comes to fall fun. You know you’re steps away from delicious donuts as soon as that big red apple comes into view. Horse-drawn hayrides, apple picking, and a corn maze, all topped with fresh donuts and cider, make it a hallmark experience.

Beyond the fall vibes, Robinette’s is open year-round with a winery, bakery, and farm market stocked with fresh pies, apples, and seasonal treats. To avoid crowds, visiting on weekdays is your best bet, but no matter when you come, Robinette’s is a family-friendly destination packed with outdoor fun and fall flavors.

Schwallier’s Country Basket

1185 9 Mile NW, Sparta, MI 49345

SPARTA— the lines are getting longer at Schwallier’s as more people discover this gem, and now that they’ve added coffee and pizza, it’s become even more of a local favorite.

Schwallier’s offers that perfect mix of classic fall fun: climb the giant hay bale mountain, wander through the corn maze, get up close with the friendly farm goats, bunnies, and chickens. Then, fill your apple bag right from the tree, pluck a pumpkin from the vine, and bite into their fresh, sugar-coated donuts.

Bethke Farms

12124 136th Ave, Grand Haven MI 49417

GRAND HAVEN — Bethke Farms only does a few things, but it does them really well! It’s been a go-to spot for families all over West Michigan for years, and once you visit, you’ll get why.

Keeping things simple but fun, with a tractor-pulled hayride through their many fields of pumpkins, a kid-friendly corn maze, and a pirate ship play area is their key to success.

Admission and parking are free, and hayrides and the corn maze are just $5. Pumpkins go for 50 cents per pound.

Olin Farm

10991 Vergennes St, Lowell, MI 49331

LOWELL – This no-frills farm is perfect for families looking for a simpler fall farm experience. Olin Farm has a less commercial, more intimate vibe that laid-back folk will appreciate.

They have a stellar pumpkin patch, a small corn maze and a 35-minute hayride.

A giant hay-bale Raggedy Andy, a covered wagon and an old-timey log cabin are the perfect photo ops. And you’ll definitely need to visit with the Clydesdale horses, Moses and Solomon.

Crane Orchards

6054 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408

FENNVILLE – Crane Orchards is a must-visit southwest Michigan fall farm not far from Saugatuck. And it’s a two-stops-in-one experience with Crane’s Pie Pantry right next door.

At the orchards, u-pick fruit and fall fun is the name of the game. In addition to cherries in the summer, you can also pick apples and peaches here when in season.

There’s also a corn maze, pumpkin patch (and pumpkin barn!), hayride and cow train for the littles.

Grab pie, wine, hard cider and even lunch at the neighboring Crane’s Pie Pantry.

Cranes Orchards fall sign by field facebook

Fruit Ridge Hayrides

11966 Fruit Ridge Ave, Kent City, MI 49330

KENT CITY – They are all about the horses and traditional fall fun at Fruit Ridge Hayrides. With low apple trees, pony rides, farm animals and a play area, this farm is top notch for littles.

Belgian draft horses pull the wheelchair accessible wagons around the farm for a 40 minute scenic hayride (come back in the winter for a sleigh ride!).

Find a giant (or not) pumpkin and then tackle the TWO corn mazes – one challenging 10-acre maze and a family-friendly mini maze.

Grab cider and donuts before you leave.

Heidi’s Farmstand

11999 Cascade Rd, Lowell, MI 49334

LOWELL – Families flock to Heidi’s Farmstand for the apple cider slushies, amazing pumpkin patch and incredible corn maze.

In addition to the slushies, you can also grab fresh produce and donuts in the market and bakery.

Little ones will love the barrel train rides, giant tube slides and twine maze (or junior corn maze).

Red Barn Market

3550 Alden Nash Ave NE, Lowell, MI 49331

LOWELL – Red Barn Market is the rustic farm experience you’ve been looking for and will never want to leave.

“Beyond the Barn” features not only a corn maze, but also a giant tractor tire mountain. And yes, you can totally climb them. There’s also sunflowers and barn animals.

The small-but-mighty corn maze is great for beginners, though even experienced maze-goers will enjoy it.

Grab pizza, donuts, sweet treats and Painted Turtle hard cider before you leave.

Pick your own apples and pumpkins here, too.

More Favorite Family Farms

We have to mention our favorite farms to interact with animals, even though they don’t have any special fall activities (though some may have fall events).

Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park

7850 14 Mile Rd, Cedar Springs, MI 49319

CEDAR SPRINGS – Open spring, summer, and fall, Deer Tracks Junction is the family farm that has Michigan’s only Drive thru Safari! You can also enjoy more animal interactions while strolling through the park-like setting.

As you might guess, there are dozens of deer to pet here, but there are also yak, elk, and goats at this petting farm. They even have baby bears on occasion.

Bonus: the one-of-a-kind giant play structures kids can climb on, over, and under. Oh, and the delicious homemade ice cream in the ice cream shop.

*Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park Drive Thru Safari*

The Critter Barn Farm

2950 80th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464

ZEELAND – Critter Barn, a year-round educational farm, is a staple in the Lakeshore community.

No apples or pumpkins here, but you can hold and pet dozens of adorable animals.

In the fall, Boo at the Barn is a big deal – it’s Halloween on the Farm – with decorations, costumes, candy, and visits with all of Critter Barn’s animals.

Come back at Christmastime for the Live Nativity.

They welcome kids, families, and school groups even when it’s snowing. Volunteers are a crucial part of their operation.

Dairy Discovery

12877 84th St SE, Alto, MI 49302

ALTO – Bottle feed a newborn calf and learn all about dairy cows in the Dairy Discovery Farm tours! Farm tours are available for school classes or groups Mon-Fri, April-October.

Summer and fall day camps are also offered. Kids complete farm chores, bond with their calf, and learn about what it takes to be a dairy farmer, gaining a greater appreciation of how dairy foods go from farm to table.

Dairy-Discovery-summer-shindig — *Dairy Discovery at Swisslane Farms in Alto, MI*

Family Fun Farm Map

Find family farms near me

Family Farm Events

What Farm will You Visit Next?

Well, that wraps our tour of some of the coolest family farms around Grand Rapids.

From apple picking and hayrides to corn mazes and getting up close and personal with farm animals, we think there’s a reason for everyone to find a farm to visit nearby.

And know that visiting these local farms isn’t just a way to have a blast with the family; it’s also a way to support local businesses and hardworking farmers.

Fresh air, open spaces, and homegrown goodness are a winning combo that’ll leave everyone smiling. Get out there, have some fun, and make some memories – and let us know if we’ll see you on the farm!