Against an Azure sky, fiery red and yellow leaves flutter in a crisp wind, while frothy waves break on a white sand beach in the background. It’s fall in Michigan. Up here we know know how to savor this short, but spectacular season, the year’s last days free of snow and ice. There is no better place to visit if you want to experience all autumn has to offer. Here’s how to make the most of a Michigan fall:
- Head out to one of the many U-pick apple orchards that dot Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and pick a bushel of fresh fruit. You don’t know what crisp and juicy is until you eat an apple plucked fresh from the tree.
- Grab a gallon of apple cider from an orchard or local farm market and a dozen homemade doughnuts to go with it. Doughnuts and cider are a fall tradition in Michigan. Bonus points if you enjoy them around a bonfire.
- Lots of orchards and farms in Michigan welcome the public in the fall. They offer fun activies for the whole family like hay rides, corn mazes and petting zoos. It’s a great way to learn where your food comes from and enjoy a bit of the country life.
- Michigan has plenty of pumpkin patches too. Spend some time browsing the colorful selection of pumpkins and decorative squash, then pick out the perfect one for carving your Jack-o-lantern.
- Head to the beach along one of our four great lakes. The water is too cold for swimming, but autumn winds kick up some pretty big waves. The sounds and sites of huge waves breaking on shore and over lighthouses are amazing. Stick around long enough to see the sunset. The angle of the sun and fall clouds paint unbelievable colors is the sky. Just be safe. When waves are big, stay off breakwaters and out of the water.
- A hike through the woods is a great way to take in the fall colors. Both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas are crisscrossed by hundreds of miles of trail. Listen to the pleasant sound of leaves crunching under your feet. Breath in the crisp, fresh air. You might even see wildlife like deer and turkey.
- A simple drive is another wonderful way to see the fall colors. Just about anywhere in Michigan, from the cities to the countryside, you can find streets and roads lined with colorful hardwoods in autumn.
- Grab a cup of coffee at one of the many cozy cafes. From small towns to big cities, you can find local coffee shops that roast their own coffee and serve delicious soups, sandwiches and pastries.
- We love our college football in Michigan. Head to the Big House at U of M or Spartan Stadium at Michigan State and take in a Big 10 football game.
- Go camping. Cool nights are perfect for sitting around the campfire and snuggling down into a sleeping bag. Many campgrounds even have fall harvest celebrations, complete with costumes and trick-or-treating.