Fall is here. As I add an extra layer of clothing to my outfit, walk to a local coffee shop for a pumpkin spice latte, and spend a portion of my weekend watching football with friends, I am reminded of how cozy this season feels. Now is the time to embrace this cozy feeling and spend a perfect day enjoying the fall-vibes.
Read about how to spend the perfect fall day in West Michigan.
Sip on a Warm Beverage
With the cooler weather, there’s nothing better than a hot beverage to warm you up. The perfect fall day would start with a stop at a local coffee shop. For me, fall features the best seasonal drinks flavor combinations. I recommend the pumpkin spice latte from Field & Fire. Find more coffee recommendations .
Find the Perfect Cozy Sweater
Before heading out for your day, make sure you’re dressed in a cozy sweater. Thrifting a gently used or vintage sweater is eco-friendly, and shopping for it is half the fun! I recommend shopping at Warehouse One Antiques & Collectibles in Grand Rapids to find one-of-kind items and accessories. You can also explore the several vintage shops located on South Division in Grand Rapids, such as Rewind, Decaydence Vintage, Second Vibess, and Otono. All of these shops are situated within walking distance of each other.
Bake Something Seasonal
When I think of autumn, I think of my mom baking her famous pumpkin bread, or the time I attempted to bake an apple pie from scratch. Depending on your expertise level (or ambition), the perfect fall day could include making a seasonal favorite, such as a pumpkin pie, apple pie, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, or pumpkin chai snickerdoodles.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch or an Apple Orchard
Did you know Michigan is the second largest apple producer in the country? And Kent County is the largest producer in the state. They call the area in north Kent County “Fruit Ridge” for a reason. A perfect fall day would not be complete without a visit to a pumpkin patch or an apple orchard. What other things are as iconic to fall as pumpkins and apples? In my opinion, nothing else is! For a recommendations, try Bethke Farms in Grand Haven, Fruit Ridge Hayrides in Kent City, Ed Dunneback and Girls in Grand Rapids, or Farmhaus Farms in Grand Rapids.
Take a Hike
I love exploring West Michigan parks and trails. With the crisp air to cool you down, this time of the year is fabulous for hiking. My favorite park to explore is Aman Park on the northwest side of Grand Rapids. It’s secluded, has several wooden bridges, and several miles of trails through the woods. With our unreasonably warm September, peak colors are still to come in October. To witness the colors, I recommend Grand Ravines in Jenison, Van Raalte Farm Park in Holland, and Rogue River Nature Trail in Rockford. Or, you’re up for more adventure, head to the Dragon Trail at Hardy Dam to traverse the 45 miles of trail, which had its grand opening in September. It’s great for mountain biking. Pro-West Michigan tip: Head to a Lake Michigan beach park for a walk and stunning views. Check out our blog post about Lake Michigan beaches to find the spot for you.
Celebrate Spooky Season
Fall also brings Halloween, so to end you’re perfect day, do something to celebrate spooky season. If you’re not faint of heart, celebrate spooky season by braving Abandoned Acres Farm or the Haunt. For an indoor option, The Wealthy Theatre is showing specialty movies for Halloween. Alternatively, cozy up at home to watch a classic horror movie.
How many of these activities did you check off your list? If you managed to do a few activities on this list, you had the perfect fall day. Hopefully, you experienced something new or explored a new part of West Michigan along the way.
