14 of our Favorite Fall Michigan Experiences- Updated 2023

Picnic Table beside the Lake in the fall

 Our Favorite Fall Michigan Experiences

At the Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association, we think of a perfect getaway in terms of experiences.  Winding through country roads under a canopy of rustic fall colors, visiting historic towns, and staying in quaint B&Bs with a roaring fire and a glass of wine is just the first step- we like to take it up a notch by recommending local Michigan experiences that will make your Michigan fall getaway a trip of a lifetime. So follow along as we recommend our 14 Favorite Fall Michigan Experiences- from Apple Picking to Spooky Corn Maze tours – we have 16 of our favorites for you to experience.

Abandoned Acres Farm Logo
Photo via Abandoned Acres Farm website

1. Be Spooked at a Corn Maze

Michigan is filled with fall corn mazes and pumpkin patches. With over 50 mazes to choose from, this particular one north of Grand Rapids sounded spooky and fun. First, read about the Spooky Legend of Abandoned Acres Farm and the Blood in the Corn. Then, have a Halloween spooky experience like non-other in the Bloody Butcher Corn Maze, full of Mutant Pumpkins, Witches, Hillbillies, Wandering Corpses, Scarecrows, and other insane farm animals.

After your spooky experience, come back to your comfortable, quality-assured member inn and enjoy homemade sweets and excellent hospitality.

Nearby MBBA member inns: Leonard at Logan House in Grand Rapids, the Parsonage Inn in Grand Rapids, and PrairieSide Suites Bed and Breakfast in Grandville.

Aerial shot of Grey Hare Inn Vineyard

2. Experience Everything Fall while staying at a Vineyard

There is something very romantic about a vineyard. It is even more remarkable when you stay there, and it is the fall season. We have two MBBA member inns that are vineyards- the Grey Hare Inn Vineyard Bed and Breakfast and the Chateau Chantal. Both are located on Old Mission Peninsula in the heart of scenic Northern Michigan wine country. This area is renowned for its Farm-to-Table dining. Head over to Traverse City and enjoy the inspiring fresh food at the Cook’s House.

Michigan sunset
Dramatic sunset over Michigan lake with peak autumn foliage viewed from Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Park.

3. “Fall” in Love with a Michigan Scenic Road Trip

Michigan is filled with amazing backdrops, with scenes from the backroads to views of the coasts and beautiful state parks.  Our friends at My Michigan Beach have compiled a list of their 15 favorites. During your road trip, plan stops along the way at our quality-assured bed and breakfasts. Each innkeeper will provide you with wonderful hospitality and delicious breakfasts. Afterward, stop at a local pub and enjoy a cold brew. A previous blog outlines some of our favorites.

Big Red Lighthouse
Walk by the Big Red Lighthouse in Holland

4. Attend a Fall Festival in Holland

We always love to tease that there is more than just tulips to celebrate in Holland, Michigan. The holiday season brings the fun  Dutch WinterFest to kick off the holiday season, and a twice-weekly farmers market (mid-May to early December) Use this calendar to see what’s happening during your visit.
Remember that a stay in Holland is a perfect time to start your holiday shopping. The downtown area is filled with unique shops.
For your Fall Festival Getaway, check out the lovely lodging at two member inns- the Dutch Colonial Inn and the Inn at Old Orchard Road.
Kalamazoo House Victorian exterior at dusk
The lovely Kalamazoo House in Kalamazoo, Michigan

5. Get a jump on your Holiday Shopping

Kalamazoo makes for a perfect holiday destination, and the famous Kalamazoo outdoor mall is a shopper’s delight! In addition, the downtown area features revitalized Art Deco buildings, specialty shops, chic restaurants, unique coffee shops, and lively brewpubs!

Local member Kalamazoo House is hosting a festive holiday tour on December 13th from 6-8 pm. Visitors will enjoy a beautifully decorated inn, tours of the second floor, live music, reindeer, and a visit from Santa. For more information and to book your ticket, check out this link.

Biking on a windy road in the fall
Magical bike riding in the fall

6. View the beautiful colors on two wheels

The cooler weather makes for a great time to hop on your bike and explore a new trail. Plus, it’s a great way to see the fall colors! Check out this past blog for our favorite bike trails for some of the best trails.

Crowded area at Little Caesars in Detroit

7. Watch a game, event, or concert at Little Caesar’s Arena

Little Caesars Arena in The District Detroit is the home of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons, and countless other sports, entertainment, and community events. Check out all the events and book your tickets here.

During your stay in Detroit, check out the lovely lodging at the Frederick K Stearns House and the Cochrane House Luxury Historic Inn. 

Bonfire on the beach
Enjoy a S’more on the beach at the House on the Hill

8. Experience a Bonfire on the Beach with S’mores

Our friends at the House on the Hill in Northern Michigan have created the perfect package for you to enjoy yummy s’mores while being warmed by a bonfire and enjoying lake views.

Halloween Parade in Douglas
Halloween Parade in Douglas

9. Watch an Adult Halloween Parade like no other

Everyone in Douglas and Saugatuck looks forward to the Annual Adults Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 29th, beginning at 9:30 PM. Filled with lots of fun and craziness and is recommended for adults only.

Saugatuck and Douglas are popular lakeside communities with great dining, pubs, shopping, and galleries. Check out the lovely accommodations at member inns- Rosemont Inn in Douglas and Hotel Saugatuck,  Judson Heath Colonial Inn, and Wickwood Inn, all in Saugatuck.

Corner of living room at Glen Arbor B&B
Cozy fireplace at Glen Arbor Bed and Breakfast

10. Toast the Season Wine Tour and Dinners

Before the hustle and bustle of the holidays, before the frosty weather settles in…start your winter festivities off with a celebratory toast during the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail’s annual Toast the Season wine event for the first two weekends in November. The Glen Arbor Bed and Breakfast and Cottages is a wonderful place to stay during the festivities.

11. Enjoy a Thanksgiving Parade

Each Thanksgiving morning since 1924, Detroiters have welcomed the holiday season with giant, helium-filled balloons, marching bands, and some 2,000 clowns. You can check out all the details here.

During your stay in Detroit, check out the lovely lodging at the Frederick K Stearns House and the Cochrane House Luxury Historic Inn. 

12. Seek out the Culture in Detroit & Grand Rapids

Fall marks the beginning of the cultural season, when Michigan’s top theatres, symphonies, and ballet companies open their season. In Detroit, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra ranks as one of the nation’s oldest orchestras, performing from their home at Detroit’s Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Center, and the Michigan Opera Theatre, the state’s premier opera company, performs at the Detroit Opera House.  if you would like to be more central in Michigan, check out The Grand Rapids Symphony that performs from fall through spring at Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall while the Grand Rapids Ballet Company, Michigan’s only professional ballet company, performs in the Peter Martin Wege Theatre.

While in Detroit, check out the lovely lodging at the Frederick K Stearns House and the Cochrane House Luxury Historic Inn. 

If you are in Grand Rapids, check out the comfortable lodging at Leonard at Logan  House in Grand Rapids, the Parsonage Inn in Grand Rapids, and PrairieSide Suites Bed and Breakfast in Grandville.

Woman in a plaid shirt apple picking
Apple picking in Michigan

13. Experience the flavors of a freshly picked apple

Have you ever experienced the flavors of a freshly picked apple? Or having a cup of fresh mulled cider with a warm old fashion donut. Michigan is filled with apple farms, and many are set up to have you pick your own. Check out this recent blog for apple orchards and inns close by.

 

 

Vow renewal at the Greenleaf Mansion
Where dreams are made at the Greenleaf Mansion in Onsted

14. Plan a romantic small wedding or vow renewal

Our friends at Greenleaf Mansion in Onsted have created a fairy tale-type setting on their grounds for small weddings or vow renewals. Innkeeper/owners, Steve Newell is an officiant, and his wife Diane is a fabulous chef,  and they have a beautiful inn-  a perfect combination for making memories of a lifetime.

This and many more reasons to enjoy a Michigan Fall Experience and to book a stay at a Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association member inn. Book your stay today!

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