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

family farms to visit : Post Family Farm

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!

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Compare each farm’s offerings. (Keep scrolling to see photos & info for each farm.)

Fall Farms West Michigan 2024
deep roots pumpkin display

Deep Roots Produce

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!

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8410 Whitneyville Ave SE, Alto, MI 49302

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deep roots pumpkin display

Anderson & Girls Orchards

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.

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2985 N Sheridan Rd, Stanton, MI 48888

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deep roots pumpkin display

Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm

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.

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3025 6 Mile Rd, Grand Rapids, MI 49544

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deep roots pumpkin display

Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo

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.

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4180 West M-20, New Era, MI 49446

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Post Family Farm

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.

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5081 Bauer Rd, Hudsonville, MI 49426

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deep roots pumpkin display

Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery

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,

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

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Schwallier’s Country Basket

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.

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1185 9 Mile NW, Sparta, MI 49345

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deep roots pumpkin display

Bethke Farms

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.

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12124 136th Ave, Grand Haven MI 49417

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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:

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

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Anderson & Girls Orchards

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

Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park

7850 14 Mile Rd, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
Admission charged for select activities

This is such a unique animal farm.

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.

Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park Drive Thru Safari
Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park Drive Thru Safari

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 Farm feeding the birds
Feeding the birds at Deer Tracks

The Critter Barn Farm

2950 80th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464
Admission charged

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

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

In the springtime, the Running of the Lambs and Sheep Sheering are something everyone looks forward to.

In the summer, Critter Barn Farm summer camps let kids hold baby chicks and kittens, learn how to milk and bathe a goat, and wrangle ducks and chickens. There are even pony rides.

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.

And, when Christmas rolls around, it’s time for the Live Nativity.

Want to have a birthday party at the Critter Barn? That’s a thing!

Critter Barn Farm Pony Ride

Dairy Discovery

12877 84th St SE, Alto, MI 49302
Admission charged for select activities

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.

Seasonal special events, like Spring Break Bash and Christmas at the Farm let the wider community in on the fun.

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Dairy Discovery at Swisslane Farms in Alto, MI

Family Fun Farm Map

Find family farms near me

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.

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!

More Fun on the Farm

Places with u-pick fruit – strawberries, blueberries, cherries, apples & more

Where to see & experience sunflower fields in Michigan

Big list of local spots featuring up-close farm animal experiences

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

  1. Deep Roots is the best place in the Caldonia area. Friendly owners. Lots of fun things for the family to do. Great produce.

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