by: Kahlen Duffany
It’s that time of year again; the leaves are turning, the air is chilled, and the infamous orange and black decorations can be seen throughout towns. Fall is the time of year where families come to gather and spend time with one another. Often, football can be seen on TV, hearty meals being cooked, and large sweaters are to be worn. Activities such as pumpkin patches, hayrides, and corn mazes are of the popular norm. Who wouldn’t love wandering into a large field and picking out the finest pumpkin to be carved and displayed on the porch, the thrill of a classic hayride, or outsmarting a corn maze? Western Michigan offers some of the best places to participate in this staple fall fun!
A.W. Overhiser Orchards
6405 109th Ave, South Haven, MI 49090
A.W. Overhiser Orchards has been around since the late 19th century. Henry and Sarah Overhiser moved to Michigan in the 1860s where they started to produce fruit at their farm like other surrounding farms. Their operation took off and has been passed through generations. In the fall, they offer pumpkin picking straight from the patch or from the pre-selected pumpkins that have been already gathered, two corn mazes (one for children and one for adults), and they have a wide variety of fruit they offer at their farm market. If one is looking to find fresh, ripe fruit with an unforgettable experience A.W. Overhiser Orchards is the place to go.
Harvest Moon Acres
18725 M-40, Gobles, MI 49055
Harvest Moon Acres is a corn maze and fun park that is located in Gobles, Michigan. If one is looking for endless opportunities for their family and children this is the place to be! They pride themselves on being a family friendly environment and currently have a large, 5-acre corn maze, petting zoo, fun zone, and hayrides. They also hold weekly events that are great for all ages! During the week, Harvest Moon Acres takes time out for large groups and school field trips to take advantage of the thrilling park that they have to offer. If you are not a part of a large group or field trip, you must make an appointment to visit the park during the weekdays.
New Salem Corn Maze
4516 24th St, Dorr, MI 49323
New Salem Corn Maze is located in Dorr, Michigan. It is a place that holds more than just a haunted corn maze; prepare for endless screams, terror, fun, and thrills. They open for the season with a large festival known as Wurst Festival Ever. The festival is filled with loud music, food, drinks, and scares. Once the festival ends, they are open and ready for those of all ages. How would you like to receive a scare? They have Witch’s Woods where you choose a path to take as horror waits for you in the nook of the forest. They have their haunted corn maze; work your way through it as your worst nightmares pop out from each corner. Not your style? They have a new attraction known as Zombie attack where you ride on a hayride equipped with paintballs to keep zombies from attacking you. For the less brave, there are day time corn mazes.
Dinges Fall Harvest
15219 Mill Rd, Three Oaks, MI 49128
Dinges Fall Harvest is located in Three Oaks, Michigan. It is a farm unlike any other around. They have a variety of you-pick fruits including grapes and pumpkins. They offer wonderful displays of pumpkins where you can choose the perfect one to fit your family or you can take your family and venture out into the blooming pumpkin patch that they have. On top of their great selection of fruits and vegetables, they also offer a variety of festive decorations; they offer refreshments to quench your thirst as you partake in the festivities. Dinges Fall Harvest is a great place to visit for the fall season!
Jollay Orchards Family Fun Farm
1850 Friday Rd, Coloma, MI 49038
Jollay Orchards Family Fun Farm is located in Coloma, Michigan. It provides a unique and eventful experience for those of all ages. The farm prides itself on its produce meanwhile providing daily activities for families to learn and enjoy. They offer more than just produce however. They offer homemade treats, BBQ sauces, jams, jellies, mustards, salsas. Jollay Orchards Family Fun Farm has a designated picnic area for families to sit back and relax and enjoy the fall season. If you are looking for a place for classic family adventure and great food then this is the place for you.
Bosserd Family Farm
14721 Verona Rd, Marshall, MI 49068
Bosserd Family Farm is located in Marshall, Michigan. It is a beautiful and spacious farm that produces flowers year round as well as beef. During the fall, they offer a wide variety of fall decorations, seasonal vegetables, pumpkins, and festivities. Some of these festivities being a petting farm that families from all around Michigan come to enjoy. They are a farm that provides the best food and entertainment year round for their guests. If your family is in need of a nice spot of entertainment and local and seasonal food this is the place to stop in.
Harvey’s Farm
2651 15 Mile Rd, Tekonsha, MI 49092
Harvey’s farm is located in Tekonsha, Michigan. It was first established in 1984 by Ron and Rose Harvey. They pride themselves in being a farm that allows its visitors to come and hand-pick their produce that they take time to nourish and grow. They offer you-picking for blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. In the fall, they grow pumpkins and chestnuts for the season. If one is looking for a family-run farm with the unforgettable experience of being able to hand-pick their own produce then Harvey’s Farm is the best destination.
Gull Meadow Farms
8544 Gull Rd, Richland, MI 49083
Gull Meadow Farms is located in Richland, Michigan. It was first opened in the year 1949 by Julius Wendzel. Over the years, the farm has been expanding by adding acres, a green house, and even a large market that houses all the fruit and vegetables that they produce through out the year. The farm continues to be family run and has been passed down from generation to generation. In 2001, Gull Meadow Farms decided to add fall activities such as a large corn maze to entertain the families and children who came to visit them during the season. Families and tradition are the main focus at Gull Meadow.
Husted’s Farm Market and Cider Mill
9191 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Husted’s Farm Market and Cider Mill is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They have been family run and operated since 1945 by Glen and Scott Husted. This Farm Market and Cider Mill offers the freshest seasonal produce and cider mill that is made in house. They even create delicious treats with the produce that they grow such as fresh jams and jellies. Who doesn’t love locally sourced jam? If you love Cider Mill, Husted’s Farm Market and Cider Mill is your place to be at during the fall. Starting September 15, Glen and Scott Husted produce gallons of regular and hard cider.
Orchard Hill Farm
2934 68th St SE, Caledonia, MI 49316
Orchard Hill Farm has been family owned and operated in Caledonia, Michigan for over 100 years. They Offer a variety of you-pick fruits and vegetables as well as many opportunities for family to have some fun. They offer a large petting zoo that houses animals such as miniature horses, deer, goats, sheep, lambs, rabbits, and other farm animals. On top of that, they offer a hiking nature trail where guests can wander through the woods and watch the beauty of nature at work. Hay-rides are also a commodity that the farm offers.
Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery
3142 4 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It has been a prime part of Western Michigan since it was opened in 1911. Robinette’s Apple Haus and Bakery is known for its bakery, diner, cider mill, and seasonal fruits. It’s a perfect spot to bring family and friends because they offer hay-rides pulled by horses, hiking and biking trails, a large you-pick pumpkin patch, and corn maze. If you are looking for an all-encompassing place that offers infamous food, treats, and experience this is the perfect destination.
Heritage Farms Market
1888 S Maple Island Rd, Fremont, MI 49412
Heritage Farms Market is located in Fremont, Michigan. They offer a wide variety of produce year round, but they offer world-class apple cider during the fall. They recently added apple cider slushies to their menu, so be sure to stop in and get one! Not only do they have killer cider, but they offer many fall attractions such as hayrides and a free petting zoo. If you are looking for a place to host a birthday party, wedding, or large event they also offer rooms throughout their building. Be sure to build memories here.
Bethke Farms
12124 136th Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Bethke Farms is located in Grand Haven, Michigan. They are a farm that prides themselves in their pumpkins; they offer a variety of sizes that you can pick straight from the vine in their pumpkin patch. They also offer a pirate ship play area for the little ones to be creative and imaginative. Have furry friends at home too? They are a unique farm who is pet-friendly. That’s right, they allow pets to be brought to experience fall festivities too. If you want a pet-friendly and wonderful fall experience plan a trip to Bethke Farms; it won’t disappoint.
Moelker Orchards Farm Market
9265 Kenowa Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Moelker Orchards Farm Market is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They are known for their you-pick selection of fruits. They are an Orchard and Farm that pride themselves in delivering the freshest of produce and products to its customers. During the fall, they become one of the prime venues to be at for fall festivities. They offer horse-drawn wagon rides, you-pick selections of seasonal fruit, traditional bakery treats, and much more. If you are looking for scrumptious treats with the taste of fall then this is the place for you, your family, and friends to come visit.
Stokes Homestead Farm Market
13988 Co Rd 215, Grand Junction, MI 49056
Stokes Homestead Farm Market is located in Grand Junction, Michigan. It was first opened in 1978 by Kim and Roger Stokes. They opened their farm while they had two full-time jobs, but with their large dedication to the production of their berries their small business turned into a large one. Now, in the fall, they offer many fun activities for locals and out-of-town guests to enjoy; these being a haunted hiking trail, a spooky dinner event, pumpkin picking, field trips, wagon rides, and even a café where they serve delicious and fresh meals.
Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides, and Corn Mazes in Western Michigan
