Fall is gorgeous in Southwest Michigan from September through October. These five traditions will help you celebrate the season every year:

1. Bring home apples, pumpkins, decorations and more.

Dozens of local families welcome you to their farms, stands and community farmers markets. Pick apples right off the branches or pumpkins in the fields. Fill bags with soup vegetables and autumn decorations. Devour fresh donuts with hot or cold cider. Several local farms offer hayrides, corn mazes and weekend festivals, too.

2. Ride the spook-tacularly fun Halloween Train.

This not-so-spooky, small-scale train takes you through the decorated Eden Springs Park in Benton Harbor. 

3. Sip fall colors on the Makers Trail.

The trees aren’t the only ones displaying their pale golds, reds, deep browns and purples. Visit craft wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries. Download the Makers Trail Passport App and collect a stamp at each stop. The more stamps you get, the more prizes you can earn.

Southwest Michigan

4. Hike, bike or paddle beneath a canopy of sun-dappled leaves.

For an ultimate fall sensory experience, go out on our water or nature trails. See the fiery shades of the leaves, listen to the paddles plying the river, and breathe in the rich scent of grapes ripening in nearby vineyards.  

Read Also: Anderson County Museum

5. Scare the yell out of your gang at the Niles Scream Park.

This annual haunted park in Niles is more than scary — it was the #1 haunted attraction in the country in 2021! It offers 44 acres of blood-curdling fear on weekends from early September to early November. 

Create more fall traditions in Southwest Michigan

These five traditions are only the beginning of the memories you can make year after year. Rake up more information and ideas at swmichigan.org!