Ultimate Winter Break Activity Guide for Lansing Families
Staying home for winter break? Try these activity ideas to keep you busy.
One of the best times of year to get outdoors as a family is fall. This magical season brings cooler air, cozier nights, new flavors, and a family favorite: fresh apples!
In our neck of the woods, fall time is synonymous with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and picking apples.

Who doesn’t love to taste the sweetness of a fresh apple or to sip on apple cider while you eat donuts? And let’s not forget about all the goodies you’ll have to make once you bring the apples home – apple pie, apple strudel, apple fritters, applesauce.
Read on to find out where you can get your apple fix. Some orchards are u-pick while others sell apples that have already been picked for you. Many of Lansing’s best spots offer cider, donuts, wagon rides, fun games, and activities.
Whether you’re looking for a full day of fun or a quaint orchard off the beaten path, our list of apple orchards in Lansing is sure to get you in the fall mood.
If you go later in the season, make sure to check each orchard’s website or social media to ensure they still have apples.
No matter where you live in the Greater Lansing area, there is an apple orchard right around the corner.

Clearview Orchards
1051 Barry Rd
Haslett, MI 48840
Family-owned and operated orchard offering both u-pick and pre-picked apples in 13 different varieties that ripen between September and October.
Season: September – October
More To Do Here: In addition to apples, Clearview Orchards offers seasonal peaches, pumpkins, squash, and honey.
Official Opening Date: September 2, 2025

Cottage Creek Orchard
2300 Harper Rd
Mason, MI 48854
Family-owned orchard located in Mason offering pre-picked apples.
Season: September – November
More To Do Here: Onsite store features cider slushies, cider, apples, candied apples, mums, pumpkins, fresh-made salsa, jams, apple butter, and dips plus other handmade goods.
Official Opening Date: September 11, 2025

Hanulcik Farm Market & Orchard
1425 N State Rd (M-66)
Ionia, MI 48846
Fresh-picked apples, pumpkins, and squash at the market.
Pick your own apples on select dates. Pick-your own patch and fruit orchards’ address is 47 Dildine Road (corner of Dildine and North State Road/M-66) in Ionia.
Season: September through late October
More To Do Here: Shop the market on State Rd for freshly baked goods, honey, and milk to Farm Country Cheese House cheese curds and meat sticks, Jones Farm meat and SoZo ground coffee.
Official Opening Date: August 30, 2025

Markillie Orchard
5200 N Latson Rd
Howell, MI 48855
Fresh-picked apples, delicious donuts, homemade cider (enjoy hot, cold, or in slush form) available daily.
Season: September – October (open weekends only, 10 AM – 5 PM).
More To Do Here: Market offers more than just fall favorites. Choose from homemade jams and jellies, salsa, soft-serve ice cream, and more. Bonus – there is an outdoor play area for kids!
Official Opening Date: August 30, 2025

Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm
11025 S Jackson Rd
Cement City, MI 49233
Offering u-pick apples and pumpkins.
Season: September – October
More To Do Here: Fall fun includes live music, food trucks, vendors, a corn maze, wagon rides, bounce house, tractor touch, animal exhibits, and adult and children games.
For the 21+ crowd, there is an on-site brewery, cidery, and cellar.
Official Opening Date: September 13, 2025, with the Fall Fest Kick-off

Phillips Orchard & Cider Mill
1995 E Gratiot County Line Rd
St. Johns, MI 48879
U-pick apples include the SnowSweet, Ida Red, and Jonagold varieties.
Season: Mid-September – October
More To Do Here: Enjoy cider on the patio, have a picnic in the fields, and watch the traditional cider-making process with and old-fashioned rack and cloth press.
Horse-drawn wagon rides available on select weekends.
Can’t make it to St. Johns? Check out Phillips’ Cider Bar & Market located at 3000 Vine St, Lansing, 48912.
Official Opening Date: September 6, 2025

Uncle John’s Cider Mill
8614 N US-127
St. Johns, MI 48879
Open 7 days a week! Pre-picked apples with 9 different varieties to chose from.
Season: September – October
More To Do Here: Live music, cider-making, pumpkin patch, jumping pillow, outdoor toys, corn maze, trails, tractor-wagon rides, food trucks, a gift shop, baked goods, and much, much more.
For those 21+, head to the Taproom for a variety of hard ciders, wines, and spirits.
Official Opening Date: 7 days a week starting September 2, 2025. Apple orchards open September 13.

Young’s Orchard
2600 E Territorial Rd
Rivers Junction, MI 49277
Family-owned since operation began in 1900!
Offering all types of autumn traditions including apples, apple cider, cider slushies, baked goods, and fresh produce.
Season: September – October
More To Do Here: Specialty-products include non-GMO heirloom popcorn, Northern Spy apples, honey, pears, and horse/feed apples.
Official Opening Date: September 3, 2025
Is there an apple orchard you and your family adore in the Greater Lansing area that’s not on our list? Comment below and we’ll add it to our list.
Happy apple hunting, Lansing!

Staying home for winter break? Try these activity ideas to keep you busy.
Enjoy the cold season with these winter activity ideas that’ll keep you busy and bonding all winter long!
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