Falling in Love with Michigan Fall

Ahhhh, don’t you love it when the first signs of Autumn begin to shine and everything turns to pumpkin spice? When you need a sweater for the mornings but end up in shorts by 1pm? To me, it’s magic.

Fall is such a beautiful time of year and there are so many activities in Michigan to take advantage, especially ones that are fun for the whole family. Whether you are looking for a little relief from postpartum “cabin fever”, or You have a toddler chomping at the bit to get out and explore, Fall has a little something to offer everyone.

What would a Michigan Fall be without apple picking. It truly is such a fun and rewarding activity! Going out in the apple orchards, smelling the fresh fruit in the air and picking off those juicy apples from the branch is a tradition that your family can enjoy for years to come. There is something so special about knowing that the apples in your fruit bowl were picked fresh with your own hands. Not to mention the fresh apples are great for making baby applesauce or apple crisp!

Apple farms can be found in many suburbs of the Detroit area and don’t require too much car time to get there. Check out Long’s Orchard, they offer u-pick apples as well as a cider mill, corn maze fun and live animals. Families of all ages will be able to find an activity to engage in. If you have a large age range, your older kids may find the pumpkin and apple cannons to be the best thing they do all season! Another farm that has fun for the whole family is Waird’s Orchards and Country Fair. Fun abounds for everyone with a corn maze, bounce houses and even a combine playground. 

If apples aren’t quite your cup of tea Ann Arbor has a pumpkin farm that has been family owned and operated since 1978. Wells Pumpkin Farm offers pumpkins of different varieties and has even held the record for the largest State Field Pumpkin. If you want a little more activity with your pumpkin picking you can head out DeBuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin patch.  Open on Saturdays and Sundays, you can take the whole family or call and friend and meet up for a day of picking pumpkins. They offer a wide variety of colors and sizes and you get to go out in the field and pick your own. Stay to enjoy sweet treats and play in the family fun area. 

Sightseeing and taking in all the colors of the Fall foliage is such a privilege. Whether it’s the fiery reds and oranges of the oak and maple trees or the yellows of ginkgo trees, Fall in Michigan is not one to disappoint. If you would like to take a scenic walk on the weekend some of the trails at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor offer beauty that can’t be beat. Matthaei offers a variety of views, like the Willow Pond, and the fall blooming crocus. The colors and contrasts you find here are sure to delight and make for a beautiful day out. The “Arb” is open after Labor only on weekends and closes by November so be sure to head out sooner than later. 

Tenhave Woods in Royal Oak is a hidden gem that is perfect for a short outing! This 0.7 mile loop trail features beautiful wild flowers in the Summer and stunning Fall colors in Autumn. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Keep in mind when going to Tenhave that they don’t allow dogs and the entrance is through a turn-style, so you likely won’t be able to get a stroller through.

What is your favorite family-friendly Fall activity in Michigan?