Fortis Fall favorites: Our Favorite Fall Activities
Do you know why fall is my favorite time of year? If you guessed that it’s because the weather is no longer 95° and humid outside then you would be 50% correct. The other part of it is that I love all of the different things that there is to do in Michigan during the fall.
From hiking Mount Pisgah, to downtown Hollands fall fest, to picking apples at Crane‘s apple Orchard, there is no end to the crazy fun activities, one can find to do in West Michigan.
Walking food tours
One of the best ways to experience West Michigan is through the walking food tours that Linda Kaiser at Holland Tasting Tours hosts. Linda is an experienced tour guide who loves the culture, history and food that you can find in Holland and loves to share about the rich culture and history Holland and the foods.
Hiking Mount Pisgah
Mount Pisgah, is a very well-known hiking trail and mountain to enjoy in the Holland area. With its crazy amount of stairs (239 to be exact), and the breathtaking views once you get to the top, the quick workout you get when climbing it is 100% worth it.
Downtown Holland Fall Fest
Holland Fall Fest is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful fall in Michigan. The Fall Fest is from October 2nd - 3rd. It starts with Community Tulip Planting, Makers Market, Proost Tasting Tours, & a Fire Truck Parade! On the 3rd there is the Farmers Market, Touch a Truck event, Hay Rides, Pumpkin Painting and Children’s activities, Street Performers and Professional Pumpkin Carving. To view the full schedule check out the Fall Fest website.
Farmers market
The Holland Farmers Market is open year around, but does have specific seasonal times. Regular Season hours are May 13 – October 31, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. The Holland Farmers Market is a great spot to collect locally grown produce and market goods. It’s a great place to get fresh produce and support local small businesses.
Cranes Apple Orchard & U-Pick Farm
Cranes is a huge staple in the West Michigan area. Family owned and operated since 2000, Cranes is a fantastic place to bring your family or friends for an afternoon of apple picking, pumpkin picking, or peach picking. And let’s not forget about the Cranes Pie Pantry located just up the hill from the Apple Orchard. The pie pantry and restaurant has fantastic eats and drinks for the entire family to enjoy. From alcoholic cider and wines to delicious sandwiches, jams, jellies, and donuts, Cranes has all of the baked goodies anyone could possibly ask for. It’s personally one of my favorite places to frequent every fall.
Labor Day truck parade
The Labor Day truck parade is a great way to get your kids out of the house. The Holland/Zeeland Labor Day Truck Parade was started in 2006 as a way to support the local workforce in West Michigan. “. . . the foundation has partnered with local technical schools to provide annual scholarships to deserving students. This initiative helps students further their education, pursue meaningful career paths, and confidently enter the labor force.” The Parade (September 7th) begins at 9:15 am and the trucks depart from MillerKnoll in Zeeland. The parade ends the the Holland Civic Center Approximately 9:45am. And after the parade there is a Free Ice Cream social hosted and provided for by Hudsonville Ice Cream.
Visit a winery
If you want to hit up as many wineries as possible in a short period of time, then you need to come down to Fennville, Michigan. Fennville offers a multitude of amazing and beautiful wineries set in the countryside with great views and lots of amazing options for anyone who enjoys a good cup of wine. Among my personal favorites are Cranes Pie Pantry and Restaurant (mentioned previously), Modales Wines (it has my favorite Muscat Wine), Michigan Wine Company, and Cogdale Vineyards.
Go and fish Michigan
Michigan is well known for its enormous lakes and plethora of small ponds no matter where you go. Fall is a wonderful time to sit back and go fishing with your kids and family. Bring a picnic basket full of your favorite goodies from local eateries to complete the adventure. “In Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles from a natural water source or body of water, and no more than 85 miles from a Great Lake.”
Go to a hockey game
If you’ve lived in Michigan long enough, you know that one of the best ways to spend a Friday or Saturday night is enjoy a Grand Rapids Griffin’s or Detroit Red Wings hockey game. They are fun, family friendly events to attend. View the Detroit Red Wings Schedule and Tickets for the 2026-27 season here. View the Grand Rapids Griffin’s schedule and tickets for the 2026-27 season here.
The Zoo
In my personal opinion, I’d prefer to visit a zoo when it’s not 90° out and I’m swimming in my own sweat. What sounds better is to go during the fall when it’s 60° with a light breeze and it’s easier to enjoy a hot beverage, while strolling around and learning about the beautiful creatures that God put on this earth with us. The John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids is open from March 20th - November 22nd, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.
Comment Below what your favorite fall activity in Michigan?
Fall is one of the best times to explore West Michigan, with cooler weather, beautiful scenery, seasonal events, local food, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. From hiking Mount Pisgah and picking apples at Crane’s to exploring Holland Fall Fest, visiting local wineries, attending a hockey game, or spending an afternoon at the zoo, there are countless ways to enjoy autumn in Michigan.
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