As yellow school buses line the roads, and the green leaves slowly lose their vibrance, now is the time to reflect on the months of summer and prepare for this new season.
As I walk to work, I can feel the temperature drop and a breeze fill the air. Fall is almost here.
While I am a summer-person through and through, there is something to love about the transition from summer to fall.
Like this picture, it feels like summer is setting, and it will be a while before we see the nice weather, beach weekends, whitecaps games, and grill outs that the summer sun entails.
The summer months mean something to me, and perhaps to you too. Summer is a time of rest and relaxation. It’s a time to soak in the good times, live a little, and slow down. For others, summer is a time to explore, bustling with activity.
Here are a few of my summertime favorites from this past summer:
Watching Baseball. A night at the Whitecaps is always summertime fun, and if you’re an MLB fan, like me, summertime is also watching your favorite professional baseball team, daily. (Go Cubs!)
Playing Pickleball. If you’re like me, you also spent time at a local pickleball court. Luckily, pickleball season isn’t just during summertime. Broad Leaf Brewing in Kentwood has indoor courts, and All In Indoor Pickleball Gym is a great option too.
Spending time at the Lake. Whether it’s boating or kayaking, West Michigan is truly blessed with an abundance of inland lakes, and the big lake, Lake Michigan. Find a list of beaches here.
Watching Movies. While you can watch a movie any season, and go to a movie theater any time, watching a movie outdoors is a lot more fun. There are three more free outdoor showings of movies at Studio Park. Check them out here.
No matter how you spent your summer, it’s exciting to think about how every season has its special activities and atmosphere. In West Michigan, we get to experience four seasons. While summer is ending, there is still so much to look forward to in the fall. Here are a few of my favorites:
Fall Brings Apple Season. You can pick apples, bake apple pies, go on hayrides, wander through a corn maze. The list continues. The Fruit Ridge Markets are open for fall festivities from now until the end of October.
Hike and Explore the Season’s Color. There are countless parks in West Michigan, including over 150 miles of bike trails. Check out the beauty of the season, while being active. Learn more about outdoor recreation here.
Visit Artprize. Artprize is back for another season. Experience the free art festival and explore the city of Grand Rapids.
Other Festivals to Explore, such as the Red Flannel Festival in Cedar Springs, or Oktoberfest in Grand Rapids.
Spooky Season is Almost Here. Visit haunted attractions, like the Haunt or the Zoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo.
Truly the list of fall fun is endless, and while I will miss summer, fall in West Michigan is a time to look forward to.
How else do you all like to spend fall? Let us know in the comments.
