Michigan is every fall lover’s dream. Not only is the autumn foliage stunning but the crisp breeze off the lakes, fall festivals, vibrant stars & smoky bonfires are everything you’d imagine and more. To make sure you make the most out of your fall season, I’ve compiled a list of 56 family-friendly things to do in Michigan this fall.
Fall Activities in Michigan
Here’s a list of some of the best fall activities/events to do in Michigan this fall.
Did you know the fall season in Michigan starts September 23 and ends December 21? That gives you plenty of time to enjoy these Michigan fall activities.
Greenfield Village
You can find various fall events a Greenfield Village, including Fall Flavors Weekends and Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village.
Drive-in Movie
Yes, they still exist in Michigan and they are a perfect way to spend an evening with family and friends. So, what are you waiting for, grab your coziest blankets and watch a movie under the stars.
Oswald’s Bear Ranch
Surrounded by the forest, Oswald’s Bear Ranch is bound to be a fall delight. Watching the bears move around in the orange and red hues of the leaves should leave you speechless.
Bonfire
There’s nothing that says fall like a good ol’ bonfire. So cozy up and grab all your favorite s’more-making essentials.
IllumiZoo
Walk a 1 mile-illuminated trail through John Ball Zoo.
Keep your eyes peeled for cloudy bubbles. When you pop them, smoke appears. It’s like magic.
Any Michigan Zoo
Visiting the zoo when temperatures start to drop is my favorite. The animals are wildly active in cooler temperatures which makes them more fun to watch. Just be sure to get to the zoo before they start sending animals to their warm-weathered homes.
Fish for Salmon
High School Football Game
Cheer on your local high school football team.
Dark Sky Park
Enjoy a quiet fall night with a grand view of the stars.
Wine Tasting
Art Prize
Gather family and friends and walk the streets of Grand Rapids to check out the amazing art displays.
*Art Prize no longer runs every year. Check their website for dates.
Visit the Great Lakes
Fall is an incredible time to visit Michigan’s Great Lakes. There are no crowds, sunsets are stunning, and while it might be too cold to swim, you can build sandcastles, fly kites and so much more.
Go Hunting
Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth
Oktoberfest is a large German Festival with a lot of various activities.
Detroit Lions
Have fun watching the Detroit Lions live.
Anderson Girls
Anderson Girls offers a unique variety of animals in their petting zoo. Admission is FREE. Be sure to check out their events page because they offer many events throughout the year.
Jump in the leaves
Take advantage of the falling leaves by jumping in them. There is nothing more fun than to jump in massively large piles of crisp leaves. Trust me- your kids will love it.
Carve Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins is the ultimate fall activity. They are a lot of work but so much fun. Nothing says Halloween is almost here like a carved or decorated pumpkin.
Camping
Fall camping is the best because- FEWER BUGS, including mosquitoes (happy dance!)
Belle Isle
Belle Isle is a beautiful place to explore in the fall. Enjoy the crisp, cool breeze on the beach, climb to the top of the tall slide and take in the beautiful fall colors. Around Halloween, they offer Boo at the Nature Center. It’s a fun trick-or-treating event for kids.
Cider Mills
Visit a few Cider Mills. Our kids always loved watching the cider being made at Uncle John’s Cider Mill. If you choose Uncle John’s, you may want to go at an off time. Weekends are packed!
Petting Farm
Petting farms are so much fun during the fall season. Many often have fall festivals. Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo is a blast. You can even shoot apple cannons!
Parades
Fall is home to Thanksgiving & Christmas parades. Two parades that come to mind are America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit & Fantasy of Lights Parade in Howell.
Apple Picking
Here is a great list of where to pick apples in Michigan.
Corn Maze
Michigan has so many corn mazes to choose from. There’s bound to be one that excites your family.
Hayrides
Most farms offer hayrides but they are not all the same. Some hayrides are around the farm, some go through the woods, & some are haunted.
Scarefest Scream Park
This is the ultimate place to go to get your scream on this Halloween season. They offer a wide variety of events from family-friendly to not-so-family-friendly. Some events they offer are a haunted hayride, a haunted maze, a haunted forest, and a haunted house.
Catch a Festival
Michigan offers a variety of Fairs and Festivals. Check some out. There are bound to be a few that interest you.
Fall Color Tours
Michigan offers a wide variety of ways to take in beautiful fall colors.
Kayak or Canoe a Michigan River
Best Fall Hikes
Did you know Michigan has thousands of miles of hiking trails? So pick one and take a walk with nature. I believe hiking is the best way to truly take in all that fall has to offer. Go at your own pace and enjoy the crisp air, fall colors, and lively animals.
I can’t list all of Michigan’s hiking trails (that would take forever), but here are a few that I think you would appreciate.
Affordable Fall Weekend Getaway Ideas in Michigan (Family Friendly)
Mackinac Island
Staying on the island can be quite costly during peak season. Heading to Mackinac Island during the fall can get you cheaper rooms, fewer crowds, and beautiful fall foliage. Keep in mind that temperatures can be chilly and the island does start shutting down. Depending on when you go, you may not get to do everything on your Mackinac Island bucket list, but you can still have a great time with fewer crowds.
*For cheaper lodging options, you may want to look into Mackinaw City and camping.
Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain offers many family-friendly, fall-related activities. From archery to alpine slides, and haunted trails, they have it all.
*They can be costly even with their fall specials. So you may want to look into other nearby lodging options and then purchase day passes.
Newberry Campground
There’s no better way to explore the fall colors than by camping in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Stay in your RV, tent, or one of their cabins. This campground is surrounded by trees, so it is nearly impossible to miss the beautiful colors of the fall leaves. I chose this campground because it’s close to Oswald’s Bear Ranch, Kitch-iti-kippi, and Tahquamenon Falls. All of which would be beautiful to see in the fall.
Helpful Resources We Can’t Live Without
Accommodations- We love and swear by HiltonHonors, but when we want to stay someplace different, we use Hotels.com. You can search for deals on hotels, cabins, houses & more.
Getting There- Roadtripping with our car is how we prefer to travel. That being said, Skyscanner has great deals on flights and RVShare has deals on RV rentals.
Other Favorites-
Save money on gas- Upside
Find pit stops on your route- RoadTrippers
Deals on local food & attractions- Living Social
Explore top city attractions at a fraction of the price- CityPASS
Looking for gear? See the best deals on clothing & gear here, & best travel essentials here.
Looking for road trip food ideas? Check out food for road trips you’ll love.
Learn how to travel on a budget.
See the best hiking apps
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