Fall Activities & Fun Ideas to Celebrate The Season in Lansing 2024

The leaves changing color, brisk mornings with cozy sweaters, and warm apple cider – the transition into fall helps remind us why we love Michigan’s seasons.

Whether you’re up for corn mazes, apple picking, and pumpkin patches or beach trips, hiking, and fall activities, there are so many things to do during fall in Lansing.

Read on to find events and activities for an epic Lansing fall season.

Fall Events & Autumn Festivals Around Lansing

Seasonal Activities & Fun Ideas in Lansing

Visit a Corn Maze

Getting lost in a corn maze is another right of passage for a Michigan fall.

Luckily, the Lansing area has some great corn mazes to choose from including Shawhaven Farms, Uncle John’s Cider Mill, and Bestmaze Corn Maze II.

Go Apple Picking

What’s more fall than picking apples at an orchard?

Walking or riding a wagon out to pick apples and smelling the sweet, ripe fruit just waiting to be picked is a quintessential Michigan fall tradition. Bonus: you’re forced to make lots of delicious goodies with all those apples!

The Greater Lansing area boasts tons of apple orchards from quaint family-owned spots to large operations with extras like watching cider be made, fresh donuts, entertainment, and food.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Picking your own pumpkin straight from a pumpkin patch is an exciting experience. Kids love to pick out just the right size and shape and make sure it’s carvable for jack-o-lanterns.

The greater Lansing area has quite a few pumpkin patches to choose from, whether you want to scoop up a pre-picked one or select from endless fields of orange. Many pumpkin patches give you a whole experience with corn, corn mazes, apples, pony rides, cool gourds, decorative hay to purchase, and more.

Visit a Local Farmers Market

Farmers markets around Lansing aren’t just for summer – some go through the fall and a couple are even open year round.

Seeing who grew your food and picking out exactly what you want is a satisfying experience. Kids might enjoy seeing unique fruits and veggies they don’t always see in the grocery store. And who doesn’t love to support local?

Take the Lansing Area Cider & Donut Trail

Eating donuts that are still warm from the fryer and sipping ice cold or hot cider that you know was made locally is a special autumn experience. Is it even fall if you haven’t treated yourself to some cider and donuts?

Take our fun cider & donut trail around the Greater Lansing area to ensure a great time. Mom-and-pop or large operation, Lansing has you covered in the fall deliciousness department.

Take a Lansing Color Tour

It’s no secret that Lansing boasts tons of trails, hiking destinations, nature centers, and parks. These relaxing destinations are home to a variety of trees which makes for a spectacular fall color show.

Take in the breathtaking reds, oranges, and yellows right here in the capital city. Make a complete family day of it with a walk, hike, bike ride, picnic, and of course a photo shoot!

Celebrate Halloween

The thought of trick-or-treating on a cool October night, doing a local trunk-or-treat with the kids, and participating in festive Halloween events just puts me in a good mood!

Visit a Cider Mill

If you’re looking for endless fall fun, you’ll have to check out one of mid-Michigan’s favorite fall destinations: Uncle John’s Cider Mill in St. Johns.

One of the most popular attractions at Uncle John’s is the jumping pillow, a gigantic, air-filled pillow made for jumping, that was replaced within the last couple of years.

Plan your perfect fall getaway at Uncle John’s and enjoy the cider mill, pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm trail, wagon rides, sunflower patches, a train ride, gemstone mining, bakery, gift shop, tap room, and cider yard with live music, food trucks, bonfires, and yard games.

A favorite Uncle John’s activity is watching cider being pressed (usually on Saturdays, Sundays, and an occasional weekday) and eating warm donuts fresh out of the oven.

NOTE: If you are planning to visit Uncle John’s Cider Mill just to watch cider being made, call first to make sure the press is operating.

Go on a Paddling Adventure

Don’t limit your fall color tours to just your vehicle or a foot path. Take your autumn foliage game to the next level by viewing color changes from a kayak, canoe, or paddle board!

Start planning an adventure now and see trees and wildlife you don’t normally get a chance to see.

Bike a Local Trail

Take advantage of the cool air and beautiful fall foliage by biking around Lansing’s many trails.

With miles and miles of trails spanning Lansing’s north side to south side, and east side to west side, you’re sure to find a trail that’s perfect for your crew.

Play at a Playground or Park

Less heat can make all the difference when it comes to playing outside.

Fall is the perfect time to go outdoors to play on playgrounds, have a picnic in a park, and savor beautiful Michigan weather before winter comes.

Play your heart out at the dozens of diverse parks Lansing offers. You’ll find tons of hidden gems, cool play equipment, and unique options.

Visit Potter Park Zoo

Fall is the perfect time to visit Potter Park Zoo with the cooler weather and gorgeous fall hues.

You won’t want to miss Boo at the Zoo, which is happening weekends during October. Wear your costume, get some candy, and enjoy the animals!

Explore a Nature Center

Nature Centers are the ideal place to visit during the fall because you can get up close and personal with the changing leaves, witness animal behavior in the fall, and take shelter indoor at a visitor center if Mother Nature throws you a curve ball.

Play Disc Golf

Get outside this fall and try your hand at disc golf. Inexpensive or FREE, this sport is fun for the whole family.

Experience Horrocks

IYKYK, right? There’s just no other place like Horrocks!

Take a trip to Horrocks in the fall and get ready to be put into full fall mode: caramel apples, gourmet popcorn, seasonal vegetables, meats, cheeses, and an expansive selection of beer and wine.

Meander your way on over to the Beer Garden and enjoy the refreshing fall breeze while partaking in food from the food truck, delicious beers, live music, and the best ambience.

Explore Downtown, Old Town, & REO Town Lansing

There’s so. much. to. do. in Lansing! These parts of town offer history, charm, scenic routes, great shopping, and great food.

Have yourself a perfect fall adventure and start at the Brenke Fish Ladder and stroll around Old Town. Continue on the Riverfront Trail to downtown Lansing, and then on to REO Town.

Go Tailgating

Nothing says “Midwest Fall” like a great tailgate. And bringing the whole family can be a success if you come prepared.

Pack all the right stuff to avoid kid boredom and hungry bellies, and you’ll be having the best fall tailgate in no time.

Take a Fall Road Trip

Fall is one of the most beautiful times to appreciate Michigan.

Visit a Lake Michigan beach to experience a truly breathtaking sunset.

And there’s no shortage of family fun in Detroit, Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo.

Wherever your Michigan road trip takes you, it will be gorgeous in the fall.

Fall Bucket List

Keep track of fun fall activities with this bucket list!

Click on it to access a copy on Canva with clickable links to our articles with lists of farms, parks, orchards and more to help guide your adventures!

You can get a copy with clickable links here.

Stay Connected This Fall With the LFF Community

For a quick and easy way to stay connected to even more fun fall happenings in the Lansing area, join our Facebook community group, Lansing Family Fun Connection.

Have a great Fall Season, Lansing!

More Lansing Family Fun