46 Local Fall Activities: West Michigan’s Best Bucket List

By / / West Michigan
Bethke-Farms-barn-and-pumpkins-fall-fun-VanderWeide

Awesome Fall Activities List

Fall in West Michigan might just be my favorite season, and that is saying a lot after coming off of summer in the Mitten State.

But there is something magical about the cool air, changing colors, shorter days, and the oh-so-good food this time of year (fresh cider and homemade donuts, please).

With all these amazing fall activities to try, I’m glad autumn is finally here!

fall activities at Heidi's Farmstand
Heidi’s Farmstand

*feature image is of Bethke Farms in Grand Haven.

Fall Activities to Try

Apple Orchard Activities

Apple picking in Michigan orchards can’t be beat. Take a cool fall walk into the orchard or ride a wagon to your favorite variety.

Many farms have fall activities to pair with apple picking, making orchards the perfect fall adventure. Here are a few apple orchard activities we think are fun:

9 – Shoot Apple Cannons at Schwallier’s Country Basket

1185 9 Mile Rd NW, Sparta, MI 49345

Home of the straw mountain and apple cannons, Schwallier’s Country Basket also has a corn maze, an outdoor play area, and of course, some of the spunkiest goats around.

Farm Fall Activities: Schwallier's Duck Races
Duck Races at Schwallier’s Country Basket

10 – Get Lost in the Sunflower Maze at Rasch Cherry & Apple Market

17647 40th Avenue, Conklin, MI 49403

A beautiful 100-year-old barn welcomes you at Rasch Cherry & Apple Market in Conklin, just 20 minutes northwest of downtown Grand Rapids.

After picking Honey Crisp, Gala, or Golden Supreme apples, stop into the market for baked goods.

Don’t leave without exploring the unique sunflower maze.

rasch cherries barn
Sunflowers by the barn at Rasch Cherry & Apple Market

11 – Get the Hard Cider Flight at Red Barn Market

3550 Alden Nash Ave NE, Lowell, MI 49331

Adults are sure to include a stop at Red Barn Market on their fall bucket list simply for the Hard Cider tasting room and delicious sandwiches.

Also enjoy homemade donuts, pumpkins, ice cream, farm animals & the sunflower maze.

Hard Cider Flights at Red Barn Market
[see more local Apple Orchards]

Fall Farm Activities

Family farms are the mecca of fall activities.

All in one spot you can pick pumpkins, grab fresh cider, take on a corn maze, bounce on a jumping pillow, pet animals, romp through a corn maze and much more.

Add in hayrides, sunflower fields for photo ops, delicious market food, and inflatables, and your kids will beg to try a new fall farm every day. Here are a few things to try:

Family Farms Fall Fun Finder 2023

12 – Jump on the Giant Pumpkin Pillow and Climb the Inflatables at Apple Valley

7737 Fruit Ridge Ave NW, Sparta, MI 49345

There needs to be a reward for apple picking, right?

At Apple Valley Fun Farm, kids will love the fun inflatables, jumping pillow, duck racing and corn maze.

There are also adorable barrel rides for littles and tractor-drawn wagon rides.

Horror fans can come back at night for their famous Abandoned Acres corn maze or haunted hayride.

13 – Take a Zip Line or Play Carnival Games at Gull Meadow Farms

8544 Gull Road, Richland, MI 49083

No matter what kind of fall activities experience you’re looking for, you can likely find it at Gull Meadow Farms.

Gull Meadow Farms

This might be one of the most immersive fall farms in West Michigan. Their list of activities is impressively long, including

  • Corn Maze
  • Hayrides
  • Pumpkin Patch
  • Apple Picking
  • Homemade Donuts
  • Zip Line
  • Carnival Games
  • Photo Ops
  • Farm Animals
  • Farmers Market
  • Sunflowers
  • Multiple Slides
Gull Meadow Farms hayride

Their market and deli is very impressive, making it easy to spend a whole day at Gull Meadow.

14 – Take Your Pic With the Iconic Pink Pickup at Award-Winning Ed Dunneback & Girls

3025 6 Mile Rd, Grand Rapids, MI 49544

Does it even get more adorable than a pink pickup truck?

Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm’s pink pickup is the cutest place for a pic after you’ve gone apple or pumpkin picking.

Apples in a pink truck at Ed Dunneback Farm

In addition to traditional fall activities, you have to check out their market. It might be the best market and diner on a farm in the area.

They make their own hard cider and beer, for starters. They also have a delicious food menu and their market is loaded with lots of produce and locally made products.

[see more local Family Farms]

Donuts & Cider

Does it get any better than fresh-baked donuts and farm-pressed cider? Probably not!

We won’t judge if you spend the next two months cider mill hopping. Just save some for us!

Rasch Cherries donuts and cider
Rasch’s Donuts and Cider

15 – Watch the Cider Being Pressed at Heritage Farms Market

1858 S Maple Island Rd, Fremont, MI 49412

The Apple Cider at Heritage Farms Market is 100% natural with no additives or preservatives and it is not pasteurized. Plus you can watch it being pressed!

Take home a gallon or enjoy an apple cider slushie.

The freshly made Old Fashion Spiced Donuts flavors that feature cinnamon sugar.

These donuts are a customer favorite of many at the Market.

16 – Get a Different Taste Every Time at Klein Cider Mill

2151 10 Mile Rd, Sparta, MI 49345

The cider at Klein Cider Mill is made from of a combination of apples depending on what is in season. This allows the taste to change and not be the same with each press – but still guaranteed to be delicious.

Their fresh and unpasteurized Apple Cider comes in half-gallon, gallon, and bulk quantities.

Klein Cider Mill

17 – Grab Fresh-Baked Treats Plus Donuts and Cider at Pierson Orchard

5348 N State Rd, Orleans, MI 48865

This adorable farm market at Pierson Orchard features a from-scratch bakery with some of the tastiest – and biggest – donuts and pastries we’ve ever tasted.

Plus, their bakery item pricing, and rates for their homegrown fruits and vegetables, are some of the best in West Michigan.

The on-site cider mill utilizes homegrown fruits. Just don’t get the cider without some of the donuts and pies (made fresh daily.)

[see more local Donuts and Cider Mills]

Get Lost in a Corn Maze

We can’t believe all the corn mazes in West Michigan!

Thanks to technology, corn mazes have amazing themed designs, specific trail lengths and even GPS tracking to help you with your bearings.

These mazes are huge, and incredibly fun and some even offer haunted maze nights.

Some notable mazes include the following, but you can also check this list of all the corn mazes in West Michigan.

18 – Enjoy 3 Corn Maze Trails at Deep Roots Produce

8570 84th St SE, Alto, MI 49302

Choose from three corn maze lengths at Deep Roots Produce, and enjoy their GPS tracking for maze-goers.

Each trail of the corn maze is a different level of difficulty and distance.

Also, grab some home grown goodies while you’re there and play a few games of cornhole on the lawn before you go home.

kids running into deep roots corn maze caledonia michigan
Corn Maze at Deep Roots Produce in Caledonia, MI

19 – Go Prehistoric at Fruit Ridge Hayrides

 11966 Fruit Ridge Ave, Kent City, MI 49330

Covering 10 acres, Fruit Ridge Hayrides invites all dino lovers to get ready for a covered-wagon adventure in their dinosaur-themed corn maze.

Four interactive games are incorporated into the maze, making it fun, challenging, and educational for all ages.

Don’t forget your phone for the MazeTrackerk, Fruit Ridge Hayrides’ innovative smartphone app. It uses GPS positioning to pinpoint and follow your exact location in the maze so you never get lost again.

fruit ridge hayrides corn maze
Fruit Ridge Hayrides corn maze in Sparta, MI

20 – Bigs and Littles Can Get Lost in the Corn at Heidi’s Farmstand

11999 Cascade Rd SE, Lowell, MI 49331

Heidi’s Farmstand & Bakery has two different corn mazes to navigate: a junior course designed to take 15-20 minutes as well as a longer one that takes 45-60 minutes to complete.

heidi's corn maze
The large corn maze at Heidi’s Farmstand in Lowell, MI
[see more local Corn Mazes]

Head to the Pumpkin Patch

Find a jack-o-lantern or just get some amazing fall decor for your porch at area pumpkin patches.

Kids love hunting for the perfect pumpkin in the festive fields around West Michigan. They also love the other activities you can find at these farms including corn mazes and even… a pumpkin chucker?

Here are some of our favorite pumpkin patches:

21 – Snap a Pic at Lewis Farms

 4180 M-20, New Era, MI 49446

Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo is full of fall fun — complete with awesome photo opps.

Grab one by the pumpkin house or on the big rocking chair.

Pumpkin House at Lewis Adventure Farm, New Era, MI

22 – Choose from Thousands of Pumpkins at Bethke Farm

12124 136th Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417

This farm brags thousands of pumpkins to choose from!

In Grand Haven, check Bethke Farms for fall activities like hayrides, pumpkin picking and a corn maze.

Bethke Farms store entrance pumpkins
Dozens of pumpkins at Bethke Farm, Grand Haven, MI

23 – Find the Best Pumpkin at Anderson & Girls

2985 N. Sheridan Road, Stanton, MI 48888

Find the perfect pumpkin for your jack-o’-lantern or harvest decorations in the pumpkin patch at Anderson & Girls.

Then visit with the animals in the petting zoo and grab some lunch from the Sweet Shop.

anderson and girls pumpkin patch
Anderson & Girls in Stanton, MI
[see more local Pumpkin Patches]

Go on a Hayride

Want a tractor or horse-drawn hayride?

We’ve got both in West Michigan and these farms are running them all fall.

24 – Post Family Farm’s Hayrides Take You to the Pumpkin Patch

 5081 Bauer Rd, Hudsonville, MI 49426

Explore the giant tube slides, select some pumpkins, or find your way through the corn maze at Post Family Farm in Hudsonville.

Post Family Farm hayride
Hayride at Post Family Farm in Hudsonville, MI

25 – Meet the Clydesdales at Olin Farm

10991 Vergennes St SE, Lowell, MI 49331

Sit on the lap of a giant Raggedy Andy made from straw bales, greet the magnificent Clydesdale horses in their pasture and take a relaxing 35-minute tractor-driven hayride at Olin Farm in Lowell.

Olin Farms Clydesdales grazing
Visit the Clydesdales at Olin Farm in Lowell, MI

26 – Enjoy Peaceful Farm Life at Crane’s Orchards

6054 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408

Enjoy a tractor-driven hayride tour around the farm, orchards, and woods at Crane’s Orchards.

It’s both educational and relaxing!

Make sure the forecast is dry as hayrides do not run on rainy days.

[see more local Hayrides]

Fall Festivals

These aren’t your run of the (cider) mill happenings!

Michigan fall festivals keep autumn rolling, with everything from lumberjack events, to apple parades, pumpkin festivals, and more.

Here are a few of our favorite west Michigan fall festivals:

27 – Slingshot Apples at AppleFest in Sparta

Downtown Sparta, MI 49345

For apple-themed fall activities, make your way to the annual AppleFest in Sparta, MI.

Shop artisan booths, order from a food truck, make a craft, shoot an apple slingshot, and more.

Apple Fest apple sling shot
Apple slingshot at AppleFest in Sparta, MI

28 – Celebrate All Things Pumpkin at Pumpkinfest

Downtown Zeeland, MI

This 2-day festival is has been celebrating fall for over 30 years. Zeeland’s Pumpkinfest pulls out all the fall stops with food, music, kids activities, a parade, and more.

A parade is part of the fun of Zeeland Pumpkinfest
[see more local Fall Festivals]

Fall Activities Bucket List

Still looking for something to do on these beautiful, crisp autumn days?

This bucket list of local fall activities might help!

  • 29 – Take a Hike – Enjoy the fall colors while hiking a favorite trail.
  • 30 – Get the Perfect Pic – Update your family photo album with a photo shoot at of one these popular fall pictures places. girl walking along wall at Fallasburg Park for fall pictures.
  • 31 – Visit the Giant Pumpkins at FMG – Scale the giant pumpkins in the Michigan Farm Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525.
    pumpkins frederik meijer gardens in fall
  • 32 – Try Pumpkin Bowling – In your driveway, set up empty soda bottles as pins and bowl them down with small pumpkins.
  • 33 – Color Tour Time – Use the interactive map to plan the best time – and destination – for a Michigan fall colors tour. au sable river michigan fall colors
  • 34 – Take the Donut Challenge – Head out and see how many donut spots you can visit in one day.
  • 35 – Get Crafty – Make your own scarecrow, bake apple or pumpkin pies, or build an outdoor bird feeder from old bagels or pine cones.
  • 36 – Carve a Pumpkin – and roast the seeds.
  • 37 – Food & Friends: Cook up some chili and tailgate with friends, or host a bonfire and make hobo dinners.
  • 38 – Score Some Deals: Swap out out grown clothing and toys when you sell or shop at a fall consignment sale.
pumpkins frederik meijer gardens in fall
Big pumpkins at Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI

ArtPrize

ArtPrize 2023 is in full effect from September 14 – October 1, 2023.

ArtPrize is a city-wide interactive art festival for all ages and is great for families. 

39 – Explore Incredible Creativity at ArtPrize

Downtown Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Families love this city-wide event that encourages curiosity and imagination.

homes artprize 2021
ArtPrize 2021, Grand Rapids, MI

ArtPrize has a different feel between daytime and nighttime. It warrants a trip during both if you’d like to experience all ArtPrize has to offer.

The light-up installations really come to life after the sun sets.

Robot Resurrection artprize 2021
[see more ArtPrize]

Halloween

In many households, the most anticipated of the fall activities is Halloween.

Getting to play dress-up all day AND get candy? It doesn’t get much better.

40 – Dress up for John Ball Zoo Goes Boo

1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Dates: October 13 – 15, 20 – 22 & 27 – 29, 2023

My family’s favorite Halloween tradition is going to John Ball Zoo Goes Boo.

Each year the zoo transforms into the ultimate Halloween destination with decorations, costumes, candy, and, of course, the Zoo’s amazing animals.

Spooky treat stations ready for trick-or-treating are located throughout the Zoo. 

Zoo Goes Boo family in costumes
Don your best costumes for John Ball Zoo Goes Boo

41 – Find the Best Decorated Halloween Houses


Decorating houses isn’t just for Christmas anymore.

Load up the warm cider and donuts and find the spookiest houses near you.

Spooky houses are all over west Michigan like this one on McCabe Ave in Lowell

Some homes invite guests to get out and walk around.

A big favorite for this is The Haunting of Storybook Hollow in Comstock Park. The homeowners are incredible designers who make a lot of their props, including amazing dragons that breathe fire.

42 – Get the Chills at a Haunted House

For thrill-seekers only!

Many local places thrive on taking the fear level up several notches each Halloween at Haunted attractions around Grand Rapids.

Besides the traditional haunted house, you can find creepy corn mazes, spooky sunflower mazes, haunted forests and more.

abandoned-acres-haunted-attraction-michigan
Abandoned Acres in Sparta

43 – Find Trunk or Treats Near You

Fill those treat bags with another opportunity to put on costumes at some trunk or treat events.

Trunk or treat east grand rapids
Many churches and schools have trunk or treat events

This is a popular option for younger kids who may tire quickly on Halloween evening.

And indoor trunk or treats are even better if the weather is cold or rainy!

44 – Participate in a Halloween Event

Stop by another Halloween-themed event like a race, parade or costume tour.

Alger Heights Halloween Kids Run

45 – Attend one of These Indoor Halloween Activities

October’s weather can be fickle.

An Indoor Halloween event in Grand Rapids is a great option to avoid the cold or rain.

halloween indoor game

46 – Note Your Neighborhood’s Trick or Treat Times

Go trick-or-treating!

Find your town’s time on our big list of trick-or-treat times.

trick-or-treat-times-girl-on-spooky-porch
Trick-or-treating is the main event of a child’s Halloween
[see more local Halloween]

Are there fall activities we missed? We’d love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below!

More Fall Fun

About The Author

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Uncovering Grand Rapids, West Michigan, and the Midwest. Travel, Events & Local Info Lead Publisher.

4 thoughts on “46 Local Fall Activities: West Michigan’s Best Bucket List”

  1. Issie

    Hi. Thanks for sharing great idea for the activities.Orchard strikes my eyes and I’m interested in visiting orchard with my kid and family. It seems new generations take most of time with digital world. I think it’s really great idea to leave our children with nature and real world.I’m thinking to take my family visit strawberry orchard to see how to plant, reap, and take good care of strawberry. I bought a new travel camera from here http://www.pirt.org/best-travel-camera/. I want to keep all moment of my kids and my family. I hope it would be a happiness in this orchard trip. Thank you very much for your sharing.

    Reply

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