Michigan Fall Bucket List

Guys. September is already almost over. SAY WHAT? How the heck did this month completely fly by?? You only have two more months until it’s time to deck the halls and sing carols. Why not make the most of them?

That’s right. Your girl has got you covered with ANOTHER bucket list… but this time, it’s all about the things I love to do in the fall. If you ask me, there is no better place in this world to celebrate this amazing season than Michigan. It’s the perfect place to pick apples, enjoy the crisp air, see leaves changing colors, and watch some serious football. Here’s a list of my favorite fall activities in the Mitten State!

Lets start with apples… shall we?

1. Head to an apple orchard. There are literally HUNDREDS of choices in my great state. (But if I had to pick… I’d tell you to go to Robinettes in Grand Rapids.) Does anything go together better than apples and Fall? (No. Because apple is better than pumpkin. Don’t you dare try to argue all you PSL lovers!)

2. While you’re at it, you might as well stop by a cider mill too! Some places have their orchards and mills in the same spot, which makes it a perfect day trip! Just another reason why I love Robinettes! You can easily pick apples, wander through a corn maze, drink cider, and eat donuts all in one place! However, if you’re just looking to grab some cider quick, head to Yates in Rochester Hills. Their cider is out of this world!

3. Use those apples to make a family recipe. One of my FAVORITE things in the world is baking as soon as the cooler weather rolls around. My family is huge on anything apple. Then, I met Trev and I found out his family just might be bigger apple lovers than mine! One weekend each year their entire family gets together to make apple butter. It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen!

Low quality photo… high quality memory.

4. Take a color tour. Michigan Fall Foliage is absolutely breathtaking. My favorite place to see the fall leaves is the Leelanau Peninsula. But, you can find out more information from color tours across the state here!

5. Plan a weekend away “Up North”. To me, fall is synonymous with cozy. And nothing is cozier than renting a cabin Up North, lighting a fire in the fire place, and snuggling up with those you love most after a day of adventures.

6. Get Spooked! With Halloween right around the corner, you have to check out a haunted house. The scariest I’ve ever been to is The Haunt in Grand Rapids. However, people love Erebus in Pontiac. If you go, let me know how it is. I hate being scared. So I’ll just stay home and watch Halloweetown.

7. See a game at The Big House. Sorry Sparty! But NOTHING beats a game in Ann Arbor. The Big House has a capacity of 100,000+, and there isn’t a bad seat in the place. It’s something you have to see at least once in your life!

Probably my least favorite photo of us at The Big House but the only one where you can see our maize and blue! It’s usually cold and we’re bundled up! 

8. Cheer on your Lions. I know… they probably will just disappoint you. BUT YOU CAN’T GIVE UP ON YOUR TEAM.

9. Visit a pumpkin patch.You can’t celebrate Halloween without a pumpkin! There are so many fun pumpkin patches around our state. Some you can even pick your pumpkin right off the vine.

10. Take a hike. Michigan has some seriously stunning hikes, and they just get even prettier in the fall! I love any hike in the Sleeping Bear Dunes areas, BUT if you’re looking for the best fall colors, head way up north to the Porcupine Mountains.

11. ArtPrize. ‘Nuff said. Check out my post on ArtPrize here. Just be sure you get there soon! It ends October October 9th.

12. Check out a fall festival. Turns out, Michigander’s will use any excuse they can to have a festival. Every fall you will find Oktober Fest Celebrations to Scarecrow Festivals, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.

13. Visit the Zoo. I love heading to the Detroit Zoo every fall. It’s still warm out, but it’s not a zillion degrees like it tends to be each summer. We find that the animals are much more active in the slightly cooler temps, and there is way less people. It’s a win-win all around!

This is like my all time favorite picture I took at the zoo. I know it’s not super clear or anything, BUT the memory of it makes me so happy! We were the only ones visiting the polar bears and he kept swimming up to look at me and covering his eyes when I tried to take his picture! 

14. Visit Frankenmuth. Again, an incredible place to visit anytime of year, but Fall is my favorite! It’s a little bit less crowded than in the summer, but there are so many festivities going on every weekend! While you’re there, eat at Frankenmuth Brewery… their pizza is to die for. And so is their beer!

15. And while you’re there, check out Bronner’s, the world’s largest Christmas store. I know, it’s weird telling you to get in the Christmas spirit before December. But this place sees millions of visitors each year. And it gets super busy at Christmas time. So we plan ahead, and head there each fall to pick up our Christmas things!

We always pick up a new ornament when we’re at Bronner’s! Last years ornament was my favorite to date! 

16. Learn to Play Euchre. I promise, the winter is long and cold. You’re going to need something to do inside to help pass the time. Might as well learn Michigan’s unofficial pastime.

17. Visit Eastern Market. It’s great any time of year, but my favorite time to visit is in the fall. Grab a cup of local coffee, and join thousands of your closest friends in finding fruits, veggies, baked goods, flowers, plants and yummy treats to take home with you.

These mums tho… 

18. Celebrate Opening Day… of rifle season. Guys, where I’m from, you get the day off of school because everyone goes out hunting. Nope. I’m not joking. While I’m not a hunter, (I can’t stand the thought of shooting a deer!), most of my family is. So I like to celebrate by making my Grandpas a pie. They like to have it in their deer blinds, and well, I like to bake. So it all works out!

19. Fall Bonfires are the best bonfires. My family and I are HUGE believers in sitting around the fire on fall evenings, and you should be too.

20. Celebrate! Fall brings TWO fantastic holidays… Talk like a Pirate Day and CD Player day. Wait… you mean those aren’t your favorite fall holidays? HAHA JK MINE EITHER. You know I’m talking about Halloween and Thanksgiving! Ugh… just typing this has me longing for my Grandpa’s homemade stuffing.

This picture has me feeling warm and cozy and full and so dang happy. Is it Thanksgiving yet? 

And a bonus… WATCH GILMORE GIRLS ‘cuz guys. We’re officially only two months away from getting back to Stars Hallow!!!!!!

Now I’m ready to head out and fill my day’s with fun fall activities! Too bad I’ve been stuck in bed the last few days. I’m sick… and just want to get better stat. We’ve got a big weekend ahead of us. So I’m going to rest up, eat a lot of Kylie Jenner Ramen (so good if you haven’t tried it) and watch some Dancing with the Stars!

Hope you have a wonderful week!

Xx.

Savannah

PS… This shirt is EVERYTHING you need in a fall staple. It’s big and cozy and soft and perfect. Check it out here! A little tip… it runs really big. I would seriously consider sizing down. I’m wearing it in an extra small for reference, and it’s still really big.