Fall is in the air!
In West Michigan that means a trip to the apple orchard or pumpkin patch. It also means good times celebrating Halloween and other fall related activities. There are a whole host of ways you can enjoy all the great things that fall brings aside from pumpkin lattes at the local coffee shop.
For those who like things on the spooky side, The Haunt is the most terrifying attraction in West Michigan to get your scare on. ” A 20,000 square foot compound of fear” has you trekking half a mile through heart pounding hallways. The Haunt was voted the number one haunted attraction in West Michigan. If you prefer to be freaked out in the great outdoors, The Forest of Fear winds you through five acres of haunted woods and swamps, past ghosts, monsters, and other terrifying creatures.
Are you less into scaryJohn Ball Park Zoo, Grand Rapids, MI attractions?
Grand Rapids area has several events to offer. John Ball Zoo presents Washed Ashore, a traveling exhibit of large and colorful animal sculptures that encourage environmental conservation. Each of the 16 sculptures is made entirely of marine debris collected from the Oregon coast, graphically illustrating the tragedy of plastic pollution in our oceans and waterways. You can view the Washed Ashore collection throughout the Zoo, all included in the cost of daily admission. If you’re an adrenaline junkie…This Zoo also has a four story, 600-foot, Zipline!
Romantic carriage ride?
Common Gentry Carriage Company offers carriage rides through downtown Grand Rapids on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Located in front of Kilwins Chocolate’s or Biggby Coffee, be sure to stop by to make your night on the town even more special! Carriage rides downtown include an optional narrated tour of the highlights of Grand Rapids’ history. Broadway Grand Rapids presents TOOTSIE! A laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. Featuring a hilarious Tony®-winning book by Robert Horn and an outrageously clever score by 2018 Tony-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), this New York Times Critic’s Pick is “a joyful delight” (The Washington Post) that’s “so packed with punchlines, it should be called a jokebox musical!” (Bloomberg). “In these turbulent times, when the world seems out of balance, we need a place to let the good times roll,” raves Rolling Stone. “TOOTSIE is it!” Love music? Concerts are back at The Intersection and Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids. For hockey fans, the Griffins season opener is October 14.
Maybe Halloween isn’t your thing?
If fall is more about long walks in the woods, hayrides, apple picking, fresh pumpkin donuts, and hot apple cider. There’s plenty of that sort of fabulous fall fun to be had in and around the Grand Rapids area. Kent Harvest Trails is a compilation of 19 local family farms that offer all sorts of fall activities from apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, face painting, petting zoos, to all sorts of other autumn related activities for the kids. Post Family Farm is a personal favorite simply because their fresh pumpkin donuts can’t be beat, but you can also enjoy a hay ride, their corn maze, or the kids can enjoy the pumpkin train.
Winery & Donuts?
On the north side of town, Robinette’s offers the typical apple orchard activities, but also has a great little winery to check out. (And on the subject of donuts, they offer one glazed in maple with bacon sprinkled on top that I highly recommend). Robinette’s is a great place to visit if you’re of the more active variety. On Sundays they offer free organized trail runs with The Dirty Herd through their orchard. They also offer their trails up for biking for anyone wanting to get out at any day for a bit of exercise through some beautiful land.
Beer or Wine Trail?
There are a lot of great activities to enjoy this fall in WestMichigan, but maybe you’re the type that just wants to do your own thing, you can follow the Grand Rapids aka “Beer City” trail while seeing the beautiful colors, and enjoy the crisp fall air.
Romance & Relaxation?
No matter what activities your fall plans may include, keep in mind that the best way to finish off your day after fun fall festivities is a stay at Prairieside Suites Luxury Bed & Breakfast. A cozy bed, romantic jacuzzi for two and a cup of hot chocolate are the perfect finishing touches to a fun fall day.