Ten Ways to Celebrate Fall in Michigan

Brilliant gold and red leaves wave in the crisp breeze against a dark blue sky. The lakes are choppy with waves, sometimes big enough to break over the pier. Farm stands overflow with colorful fruits and vegetables from the harvest. It’s autumn in Michigan, and up here we know how to savor fall. There is no better place to experience all the season has to offer. Here are a few ways to celebrate autumn like a Michigander:

1. Visit one of our many orchards and pick a bushel of apples. There’s nothing like biting into a crisp, juicy apple fresh picked from the tree.
2. Grab a  gallon of apple cider at the local farmer’s market and a dozen homemade doughnuts to go with it. Every Michigander knows you can’t drink cider without doughnuts in the fall.
3. Many farms in Michigan open their doors to the public for tours and feature activities that include everything from corn mazes to hay rides to pedal karts. Visit one and spend the day embracing country life and learning where your food comes from.
4. Visit a pumpkin patch and pick out the perfect Jack-O-Lantern to bring home and carve for Halloween.
5. The water may be too cold for swimming, but the Great Lakes are still spectacular in the Autumn. Visit the beach and watch the big waves roll in. Stick around until evening to catch an amazing sunset.
6. Take a hike through the woods on some of our hundreds of miles of trail. There’s nothing quite like the crunch of leaves under your feet. Keep an eye out for wildlife like deer and wild turkey.
7. Take a drive in the countryside to see the fall colors in all their glory. Just about anywhere you go in Michigan this time of year you’ll find amazing color.
8. Almost every town has at least one cozy cafe serving Michigan-roasted coffee. On a chilly fall day, grab a warm cup of java. Look for specialty coffees that feature local flavors like cherry, blueberry and maple.
9. Mild fall days are always a good time to take a boat out and do a little fishing on one of our many smaller inland lakes before they’re frozen.
10. Finally, if you really want to live like a Michigander in the fall, stock up on sidewalk salt, put the snow tires on the car, tune up the snowmobile, dig the shovels out of the garage and make sure the hall closet is stocked with coats, boots and gloves for everyone. Once those leaves are off the trees, the snow isn’t far behind!
11. Visit one of our many orchards and pick a bushel of apples. There’s nothing like biting into a crisp, juicy apple fresh picked from the tree.
12. Grab a  gallon of apple cider at the local farmer’s market and a dozen homemade doughnuts to go with it. Every Michigander knows you can’t drink cider without doughnuts in the fall.
13. Many farms in Michigan open their doors to the public for tours and feature activities that include everything from corn mazes to hay rides to pedal karts. Visit one and spend the day embracing country life and learning where your food comes from.
14. Visit a pumpkin patch and pick out the perfect Jack-O-Lantern to bring home and carve for Halloween.
15. The water may be too cold for swimming, but the Great Lakes are still spectacular in the Autumn. Visit the beach and watch the big waves roll in. Stick around until evening to catch an amazing sunset.
16. Take a hike through the woods on some of our hundreds of miles of trail. There’s nothing quite like the crunch of leaves under your feet. Keep an eye out for wildlife like deer and wild turkey.
17. Take a drive in the countryside to see the fall colors in all their glory. Just about anywhere you go in Michigan this time of year, you’ll find amazing color.
18. Almost every town has at least one cozy cafe serving Michigan-roasted coffee. On a chilly fall day, grab a warm cup of java. Look for specialty coffees that feature local flavors like cherry, blueberry and maple.
19. Mild fall days are always a good time to take a boat out and do a little fishing on one of our many smaller inland lakes before they’re frozen.
20. Finally, if you really want to live like a Michigander in the fall, stock up on sidewalk salt, put the snow tires on the car, tune up the snowmobile, dig the shovels out of the garage and make sure the hall closet is stocked with coats, boots and gloves for everyone. Once those leaves are off the trees, the snow isn’t far behind!