Fall Things to Do In Grand Rapids
Fall Things to Do In Grand Rapids
Fall is my favorite West Michigan season, hands down. The cider starts flowing, ArtPrize is in full swing, the hiking trails burst with color, and the wind off the lakeshore is crisp and brisk. There are so many things to do in Michigan in the fall and fall activities, in Grand Rapids, are as abundant as the apples falling off the trees! From pumpkin patches to fine wine tasting, Grand Rapids covers the full spectrum of autumn experiences.
Read on for the top fall things to do in Grand Rapids and make it an unforgettable autumn, year after year.
Cover Photo: Farmers Foto’s
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Make a Stop at Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery
Fall is the time to make sure you visit Robinette’s Orchard. For over 100 years, they’ve been growing apples and making cider at this popular historic farm north of Grand Rapids. They also offer tastings and bottles of their wines and ciders made in-house.
Robinette’s cider and donuts are the perfect fall treat. You can watch workers crush the apples at the cider mill and fill up your jug of fresh cider literally in front of you. Pair a cup of hot cider with a warm cinnamon or apple donut from Robinette’s Bakery, and you won’t be disappointed.
Robinette’s has u-pick apples and a corn maze you can get lost in. There’s also wine tasting and a gift shop. Visit Robinette’s activities page for details.
If you do visit, make sure to give yourself some extra time because Robinette’s can get busy at peak times in the fall.
Other Grand Rapids Orchards and Cider Mills to Check Out:
Pick Pumpkins at Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm Market
Located on 6 Mile Road in Grand Rapids, Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm Market has been a staple fall excursion for many Michiganders for generations. They have a huge selection of pumpkins of every size, from small decor gourds to big pumpkins perfect for carving.
Along with the pumpkin patch, you can pick apples, take in some weekly live music, and (perhaps best of all) enjoy a craft beer, hard cider, or wine in the taproom.
For more info, visit the Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm Market website.
Other Grand Rapids Pumpkin Patches:
Get Lost in the Corn Maze at Deep Roots Produce
When it’s fall, you’ve gotta do a corn maze, and the one at Deep Roots Produce is certainly a-maze-ing! (Sorry, I’m not so sorry—haha!)
Located southeast of Grand Rapids in Alto, the Deep Roots Produce farm market has been hosting its corn maze for a couple of years now, but the latest design is, once again, something special.
In 2022, the 10-acre maze paid tribute to no other than Happy Gilmore himself! In this Happy Gilmore-themed corn maze, you’ll try your hand at finding your way through golf clubs, golf balls, and Happy’s head! There’s even a space in the maze to work on your putting game!
The maze offers three trails, all differing in length and difficulty. Some nights they also do a haunted or glow night in the corn maze! Come get lost with your family and friends, and don’t forget to pick up some fresh produce and visit the petting zoo when you’re done.
Visit the Deep Roots Produce website for more details and to purchase tickets.
Other Grand Rapids Corn Mazes:
Take in Everything ArtPrize
Happening in the fall every other year, ArtPrize is an art extravaganza at its biggest and boldest. Since 2009, a quarter of a million people descend on Grand Rapids as the city itself is transformed into an art exhibit for two weeks. Over 150 venues around the area feature works done by amateurs and professionals, while everyone votes on which one will win the $400,000 public and juried prizes and $200,000 in artist grants.
Walking between the venues, in the comfortable fall air, is a great way to see more of the city and visit some places you haven’t been to before.
More About ArtPrize
The best place to start with ArtPrize is downtown. You can take in a lot of pieces just by visiting the Public Museum, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, DeVos Place, The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, and, of course, the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
However, it’s also a great opportunity to check out the smaller venues you haven’t visited before. You may just discover your new favorite restaurant or shop in the city.
ArtPrize 2023 takes place from September 14 to October 1, 2023. You can visit ArtPrize’s venues page now to plan what you want to see and do.
Zoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo
Zoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo (JBZ) is a memorable event for kids and families. Dress up as your favorite monsters or superheroes and walk through decorated paths while kids trick-or-treat through stands and tents set up by community businesses and organizations. It’s a fun way to see lots of costumes, get a taste of the Halloween spirit before the big night, and visit all the animals!
More About John Ball Zoo
Fun things to do at John Ball Zoo include funicular rides to the top of the property (which has great views of downtown Grand Rapids), taking a camel ride, and running through the Sky Trail Ropes Course.
Don’t miss Crawford Tigers of the Realm, a newer habitat that lets you get up close and center with the John Ball Zoo’s tigers. You may see them roaming between the trees or taking a bath in their pool. The red pandas near the tiger exhibit are a must-see, too.
If you’re looking for a Grand Rapids aquarium, JBZ’s Van Andel Living Shores Aquarium allows you to see Magellanic penguins flying through the water as the waves quickly go in and out of the tide pool.
Enjoy the Changing Seasons at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (Meijer Gardens) is a great place to be when the colors of the trees are changing, and the crisp air is perfect for a walk around the sculptures and horticulture. The autumn foliage is really a sight to see! Mums take over the outdoor gardens with deep reds, purples, and oranges, and the Michigan Farm Garden is in full harvest mode with heirloom vegetables and gigantic pumpkins large enough to sit on.
Check out the Meijer Gardens calendar to see what special events are happening this autumn.
More About Meijer Gardens
Meijer Gardens boasts eight different garden displays, including the Earl and Donnalee Holton Arid Garden, the Earl and Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor, and the Kenneth E. Nelson Carnivorous Plant House.
The hot and humid Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory is a five-story greenhouse filled with tropical plants and birds. In the spring, it holds the largest tropical butterfly exhibit in the US, with 60 plus different species flittering freely around the conservatory.
Built in 2015, The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden is something straight out of Kyoto. Plants, sculptures, and an authentic Japanese Teahouse surround a tranquil lake. There’s also a bonsai garden and Cherry Tree Promenade to enjoy.
The Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse changes display throughout the year and, in the winter months, features a model train chugging through charming models of the Grand Rapids buildings and landmarks.
The outdoor sculpture park has dozens of art pieces for you to enjoy. A must-see for everyone is The American Horse, a 24-foot-tall cast based on a piece by Leonardo da Vinci. It’s the perfect photo opportunity and is surrounded by grassy hills where you can get a better view of the park and relax.
If you bring kids to Meijer Gardens, you can’t go wrong with the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. A water table replica of the Great Lakes, an entire sensory garden, and a fantastic wooden playhouse are just some of the things that will thrill (and tire out) your kiddos.
I could go on and on about what to see at Meijer Gardens, but I’ll leave some surprises for you to discover on your next trip there. Visit the Meijer Gardens website to start planning.
Treat Your Palate to the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival
Taking place this fall in November, the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival is an established tasting event in West Michigan. More than 1,500 bottles of wines, beer, cider, and more are yours for the tasting, along with unique and signature foods from local Grand Rapids restaurants.
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur of the finest wines and gourmet food, or someone completely new looking for a way to learn more and break into the world of exceptional food and drink—this festival will surely introduce you to some new favorites.
Click here to learn more and pick up your tickets to attend.
Embrace Everything Bavarian at Oktoberfest Grand Rapids
Grab a stein and a wurst and answer the call of the alphorns at Grand Rapids’ Oktoberfest!
Oktoberfest brings German-style beir and wein to Riverside Park for one weekend in the fall. Live music and bands play throughout the event, usually featuring polka bands and traditional alphorns. There are also games and competitions like the keg throw and stein-holding competitions (don’t know what that is? Neither did I—check the rules out here). The cutest event by far is the Dachshund Dash, which has the little wiener dogs galloping through a course.
Admission to Oktoberfest is free. For details, visit the Octoberfest Facebook.
Other Grand Rapids Fall Festivals:
Drive the Kent County Fall Color Tour
There are scenic drives all over West Michigan, but they’re never as beautiful as they are when at peak color during the fall season.
When the reds, oranges, and yellows really start to pop, hit the road with these maps from the Kent County Road Commission. You’ll see some great views and spectacular colors that show off what this area offers. The maps also mark some of the best parks to stop at along the route.
- Eastern Kent County
- Northern Kent County
- Western Kent County
- Southwestern Kent County
- Southeastern Kent County
Hike the Trails at the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve
Slow down and really take in the fall splendor with a walk through the Calvin University Ecosystem Preserve. Located just outside downtown Grand Rapids, the ecosystem preserve is a system of wooded trails through 100+ acres of forest.
Crunch through the leaves as you spot squirrels burying nuts for winter and, if you’re lucky, a doe and her fawn moving through the trees. There’s a pond overlooking that’s idyllic in the fall, with the colorful leaves reflecting off the water.
It’s free to access the Calvin University Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens. To start planning your visit, click here.
For more parks to visit around Grand Rapids, head on over to our Parks in Grand Rapids article!
Other Great Fall Hikes in West Michigan:
- Cascade Peace Park – Cascade/Ada
- Provin Trails – North Grand Rapids
- Blandford Nature Center – West Grand Rapids
- Wittenbach Wege Nature Center – Lowell
- Millennium Park – Grandville
- Prairie Wolf Park – Gaines Township
What are your favorite West Michigan fall activities or events? Please let us know in the comments!
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