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.
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!
*feature image is of Bethke Farms in Grand Haven.
West MI Fall Activities Roundup
Featured Fall Activities
Thank you to our fall activity sponsors!
Fall Fun in Grand Rapids - NW
Ed Dunneback & Girls Fruit Farm
Fall Hot Spot #1 - Ed Dunneback & Girls Fruit Farm - Grand Rapids - NW
3025 6 Mile Road NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
We love Fall on the farm!
We are a 4th generation farm run by the girls! Suanne & her daughters, Stephanie & Sarah all live on the farm working to carry on the family tradition.
We are farming the same ground, offering u-pick asparagus, strawberries, sweet & tart cherries, apples, & pumpkins.
The original barn is now home to our fresh produce market, gift shoppe, bakery, kitchen, & tap room.
Come spend the day with us. Bring your family & friends, enjoy delicious eats, treats, and tasty drinks, with a side of live music and sweeping views of the farm.
There is plenty to do and memories to be made. We welcome you to start your own family traditions with the Dunneback Girls!
We are a 4th generation farm run by the girls! Suanne & her daughters, Stephanie & Sarah all live on the farm working to carry on the family tradition.
We are farming the same ground, offering u-pick asparagus, strawberries, sweet & tart cherries, apples, & pumpkins.
The original barn is now home to our fresh produce market, gift shoppe, bakery, kitchen, & tap room.
Come spend the day with us. Bring your family & friends, enjoy delicious eats, treats, and tasty drinks, with a side of live music and sweeping views of the farm.
There is plenty to do and memories to be made. We welcome you to start your own family traditions with the Dunneback Girls!
Fall Fun in Sparta
Fruit Ridge Hayrides
Fall Hot Spot #2 - Fruit Ridge Hayrides - Sparta
11966 Fruit Ridge Ave, Kent City, MI 49330
Join us for Fall fun down on the farm.
We offer horse drawn hayrides through the woods and orchard, pony rides, petting zoo, interactive corn maze, and children's activities.
Plus come out for u-pick apples and pumpkins, homemade donuts and award winning cider.
Fruit Ridge Hayrides has an amazing variety of apples, 10 acres of u-pick pumpkins of every size and shape and the best donuts around.
We offer horse drawn hayrides through the woods and orchard, pony rides, petting zoo, interactive corn maze, and children's activities.
Plus come out for u-pick apples and pumpkins, homemade donuts and award winning cider.
Fall Fun in Sparta
Apple Valley Fun Farm
Fall Hot Spot #3 - Apple Valley Fun Farm - Sparta
7737 Fruit Ridge Ave NW, Sparta, MI 49345
Fly like a bee on our all new Bee Line, Zipline for kids!
Spend all day outside getting lost and found in our 5 acre corn maze. Pedal your way around our new Barnyard 500 Pedal Kart track.
Meet friendly farm animals. Bounce yourself silly on our Giant Pumpkin Jumping Pad.
Ride slide and play all day on our 3 story Spooky Mansion Slide. Climb high on our Giant Straw Bale Pyramid.
All aboard our Barrel Train Ride. Dig and scoop in our Corn Crib Boxes. Scurry across our Spider Web.
We also have apple, pumpkin picking and hayrides.
"This was our first time here and we plan to make this a yearly tradition!" -- Melissa W.
Spend all day outside getting lost and found in our 5 acre corn maze. Pedal your way around our new Barnyard 500 Pedal Kart track.
Meet friendly farm animals. Bounce yourself silly on our Giant Pumpkin Jumping Pad.
Ride slide and play all day on our 3 story Spooky Mansion Slide. Climb high on our Giant Straw Bale Pyramid.
All aboard our Barrel Train Ride. Dig and scoop in our Corn Crib Boxes. Scurry across our Spider Web.
We also have apple, pumpkin picking and hayrides.
Fall Fun in Holland
Downtown Holland
Fall Hot Spot #4 - Downtown Holland - Holland
150 West 8th Street, Holland, MI 49424
This isn't your usual fall festival!
Downtown Holland's Fall Fest (October 6-7) is the only fall festival in West Michigan where you'll find the nation's best professional pumpkin carvers carving the biggest pumpkins you've ever seen!
Check out the farmers market, street performers, pumpkin painting, an artisan market, hay rides and so much more!
Visit www.hollandfallfest.com for the complete schedule of Fall Fest events and event locations!
This two-day event is fun for the entire family.
Downtown Holland's Fall Fest (October 6-7) is the only fall festival in West Michigan where you'll find the nation's best professional pumpkin carvers carving the biggest pumpkins you've ever seen!
Check out the farmers market, street performers, pumpkin painting, an artisan market, hay rides and so much more!
Visit www.hollandfallfest.com for the complete schedule of Fall Fest events and event locations!
This two-day event is fun for the entire family.
Fall Fun in Holland
Downtown Holland
Fall Hot Spot #5 - Downtown Holland - Holland
150 West 8th Street, Holland, MI 49424
This isn't your usual fall festival!
Downtown Holland's Fall Fest (October 6-7) is the only fall festival in West Michigan where you'll find the nation's best professional pumpkin carvers carving the biggest pumpkins you've ever seen!
Check out the farmers market, street performers, pumpkin painting, an artisan market, hay rides and so much more!
Visit www.hollandfallfest.com for the complete schedule of Fall Fest events and event locations!
This two-day event is fun for the entire family.
Downtown Holland's Fall Fest (October 6-7) is the only fall festival in West Michigan where you'll find the nation's best professional pumpkin carvers carving the biggest pumpkins you've ever seen!
Check out the farmers market, street performers, pumpkin painting, an artisan market, hay rides and so much more!
Visit www.hollandfallfest.com for the complete schedule of Fall Fest events and event locations!
This two-day event is fun for the entire family.
Fall Fun in Caledonia
Deep Roots Produce
Fall Hot Spot #6 - Deep Roots Produce - Caledonia
8410 Whitneyville Ave SE, Alto, MI 49302
Fall is our favorite season at Deep Roots!
We have a 10 acre corn maze, 12 acres of pumpkins, a petting zoo, and brand new retail barn!
Our goal is to make you feel at home on our farm.
We love helping our customers create memories and start traditions.
We host several events on the farm including a haunted maze weekend, glow nights, dog day, trunk or treat, and more!
We have a 10 acre corn maze, 12 acres of pumpkins, a petting zoo, and brand new retail barn!
Our goal is to make you feel at home on our farm.
We love helping our customers create memories and start traditions.
We host several events on the farm including a haunted maze weekend, glow nights, dog day, trunk or treat, and more!
Fall Fun in Grand Rapids - NE
Robinette's
Fall Hot Spot #7 - Robinette's - Grand Rapids - NE
3142 Four Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Robinette's is a destination location for families of all ages.
Established in 1911, Robinette’s Orchard has been a West Michigan staple for over 100 years and is open year round.
We offer a corn maze, hayrides, jumping pillow, fresh apple cider, fresh donuts, baked goods, apple picking, a winery and more.
Make Robinette's your family tradition!
Established in 1911, Robinette’s Orchard has been a West Michigan staple for over 100 years and is open year round.
We offer a corn maze, hayrides, jumping pillow, fresh apple cider, fresh donuts, baked goods, apple picking, a winery and more.
Make Robinette's your family tradition!
Fall Fun in Caledonia
Legacy Stables & Karin's Horse Connection
Fall Hot Spot #8 - Legacy Stables & Karin's Horse Connection - Caledonia
8001 Patterson Ave, Caledonia, MI 49316
Enjoy fall colors on horseback!
Don't miss Pumpkin Palooza on October 14 for horses, games, candy, carrots and lots of FUN!
Come enjoy our peaceful, laidback atmosphere with our thirty well-trained and gentle horses and ponies. Any level, age or ability!
RIDING LESSONS for youth and adults feature holistic teaching in small groups.
KINDERPONY PROGRAM is for kids 2-6.
EQUESTRIAN VAULTING is an awesome alternative to traditional horseback riding!
GUIDED TRAIL RIDES create special memories.
HOMESCHOOL CLASSES provide the perfect extracurricular activity.
Weekly or Drop-In Classes available. Open year-round.
Also available: BIRTHDAY PARTIES &THERAPEUTIC RIDING
Don't miss Pumpkin Palooza on October 14 for horses, games, candy, carrots and lots of FUN!
Come enjoy our peaceful, laidback atmosphere with our thirty well-trained and gentle horses and ponies. Any level, age or ability!
RIDING LESSONS for youth and adults feature holistic teaching in small groups.
KINDERPONY PROGRAM is for kids 2-6.
EQUESTRIAN VAULTING is an awesome alternative to traditional horseback riding!
GUIDED TRAIL RIDES create special memories.
HOMESCHOOL CLASSES provide the perfect extracurricular activity.
Weekly or Drop-In Classes available. Open year-round.
Also available: BIRTHDAY PARTIES &THERAPEUTIC RIDING
Fall Fun in Lakeshore
Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo
Fall Hot Spot #9 - Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo - Lakeshore
4180 W M-20, New Era, MI 49446
Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo in New Era, Michigan, is the perfect getaway from everyday life.
From Exotic animals and fresh produce to corn mazes and pumpkin patches, we offer only the best for our guests!
Join us from spring to fall for family-friendly attractions that ensure everyone will have something to enjoy.
Fall is the best time to experience pig races, dog shows, amazing food, and incredible photo opportunities!
From Exotic animals and fresh produce to corn mazes and pumpkin patches, we offer only the best for our guests!
Join us from spring to fall for family-friendly attractions that ensure everyone will have something to enjoy.
Fall is the best time to experience pig races, dog shows, amazing food, and incredible photo opportunities!
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:
Shoot Apple Cannons
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.
Pick Your Apples, then Get Lost in the Sunflower Maze
17647 40th Avenue, Conklin, MI 49403
A beautiful 100-year-old barn welcomes you at Rasch Cherry & Apple Market in Conklin, just 20 minutes from 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.
Get the Hard Cider Flight
3550 Alden Nash Ave NE, Lowell, MI 49331
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.
Fall Farm Activities
Family farms are where the magic of fall activities happens.
All in one spot you can pick pumpkins, grab fresh cider, take on a corn maze, bounce on a jumping pillow, pet farm 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-
Visit the Mother of All Petting Zoos
2985 N. Sheridan Road, Stanton, MI 48888
Take your time visiting with the many animals in the petting zoo at Anderson & Girls, then grab some lunch from the Sweet Shop.
Next, find the perfect pumpkin for your jack-o’-lantern in the pumpkin patch and top it off with a few runs down the giant slides.
Jump on the Giant Pumpkin Pillow
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.
Watch the Pigs Run
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.
- Corn Maze
- Hayrides
- Pumpkin Patch
- Apple Picking
- Homemade Donuts
- Zip Line
- Carnival Games
- Photo Ops
- Farm Animals
- Farmers Market
- Sunflowers
- Multiple Slides
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!
Watch the Cider Being Pressed
3025 6 Mile Rd, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
The Apple Cider at Heritage Farms Market is 100% natural and you can watch it being pressed.
Take home a gallon or enjoy an apple cider slushie and be sure to get a freshly-made Old Fashion Spiced Donuts with cinnamon sugar!
Mini golf, wagon rides, corn maze, jumping pillow & animals, too!
Pick Up a Gallon of Klein’s Amazing Cider
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.
What does that mean? That the taste of the cider changes with each press. But don’t worry – it’s still gonna be delicious!
Their fresh, unpasteurized Apple Cider comes in half-gallon, gallon, and bulk quantities. Freeze it to make your fall fun last even longer!
Try all of the Bakery Treats & Save!
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 prices 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.)
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.
Go for the Glow Corn Maze
8570 84th St SE, Alto, MI 49302
Flashlight Nights, Glow Nights, and Haunted Weekend are just some of the choices you can make for your corn maze experience at Deep Roots Produce.
Have a great time in the daylight or in the dark finding your way through the 10-acre corn maze
Grab home-grown produce and play a few games of cornhole on the lawn before you go home.
Get Scared Out of Your Mind
4516 24th St, Dorr, MI 49323
New Salem Corn Maze is one of the iconic haunted attractions in West Michigan.
This nighttime adventure that takes you on a wild and ride of dead ends, twists & turns, confusion, and mayhem.
Put it on Little Kid Mode
11999 Cascade Rd SE, Lowell, MI 49331
Heidi’s Farmstand & Bakery in Lowell 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.
There is also a free Twine Maze for the smaller kids to play in.
Get Those Pics
Instagram hot spots?
Snap a Pic at the Pumpkin House
4180 M-20, New Era, MI 49446
Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo is full of fall fun — complete with awesome photo ops.
Pick a pumpkin from their patch, then grab a pic at the pumpkin house or on the big rocking chair.
Pose with the Pretty Pink Pickup
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.
And you have to check out their market & diner.
They make their own hard cider and beer, for starters. They also have a delicious food menu and a market loaded with lots of locally made products.
Take Your Family Photos
12570 Grand River Dr SE, Lowell, MI 49331
Riverfront Park’s wooden bridge in Lowell
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?
Wander Among Thousands of Pumpkins
12124 136th Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Bethke Farms in Grand Haven brags thousands of pumpkins to choose from! Spread over several fields, you’ll have a blast finding the perfect one.
Also offered: fall activities like hayrides, fall decor, and a corn maze.
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.
Admire the Iconic Belgian Draft Horses
11966 Fruit Ridge Ave, Kent City, MI 49330
Covering 10 acres, Fruit Ridge Hayrides is where you go for that old-fashioned horse-drawn hayride experience.
All of the hayrides are approximately 40 minutes long, wheelchair accessible, and start out at the barn.
Stick around for fall activities like apple picking, donuts, and the corn maze, too.
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.
Take a Hayride to the Pumpkin Patch
5081 Bauer Rd, Hudsonville, MI 49426
Hop onto a tractor-driven hayride that’ll take you through Post Family Farm and by the corn maze.
Jump off to select some pumpkins, then explore the giant tube slides and eat donuts back at the main building. or find your way through the corn maze.
Jump into Fall Colors
Leaf peeping prettiest places to see fall colors in West Michigan
fall color tour route
Covered Bridges Fall Color Route
Alto – Lowell
and eat
Cheese, Hard Cider & Donuts Fall Color Route
Grand Haven
and eat
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:
Slingshot Apples at AppleFest
Downtown Sparta, MI 49345
Sept 15-16, 2024. 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.
Celebrate All Things Pumpkin
3025 6 Mile Rd, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
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.
Admire Giant Professionally Carved Pumpkins
150 West 8th Street, Holland, MI 49424
October 6-7, 2024. Downtown Holland’s Fall Fest is the only fall festival in West Michigan where you’ll find the nation’s best professional pumpkin carvers carving the biggest pumpkins you’ve ever seen!
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!
Take a Hike – Enjoy the fall colors while hiking a favorite trail.
Visit the Giant Pumpkins at FMG – Scale the giant pumpkins in the Michigan Farm Garden at Meijer Gardens.
Try Pumpkin Bowling – In your driveway, set up empty soda bottles as pins and bowl them down with small pumpkins.
Take the Donut Challenge – Head out and see how many donut spots you can visit in one day.
Get Crafty – Make your own scarecrow, bake apple or pumpkin pies, or build an outdoor bird feeder from old bagels or pine cones.
Food & Friends: Cook up some chili and tailgate with friends, or host a bonfire and make hobo dinners.
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.)
Wander through Art City
Downtown Grand Rapids
Families love this city-wide event that encourages curiosity and imagination.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Find Trunk or Treats Near You
Fill those treat bags with another opportunity to put on costumes at these trunk or treat events around West Michigan.
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!
Jump into a Halloween Parade or Race
Stop by another Halloween-themed event like a race, parade or costume tour.
pictured: Alger Heights Halloween Kids Run
Find 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.
What Did We Miss?
Are there fall activities we missed?
We’d love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below!
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.
Maria V. Zehner Amber Tatro Jason Tatro
Heather Buiter Cori Van Putten
RJ Reedy prepare for the chaos!!