30 Best Fall Activities around Kalamazoo for Families

Welcoming Fall Activities with Open Arms

Although fall in 2021 may not be starting off as we quite as we expected, I’m still excited to see the little glimmers of our next season making an appearance.

As the 90 degree days and drought-like weather subside, our grass is growing greener and less crunchy. The mornings and evenings are now cool and breezy.

And while COVID-19 has changed so many things in the last 18+ months, it has not changed my love for this season. Autumn in Kalamazoo is one of my favorite times of year.

I’m ready for apples, pumpkins, popping hot cider with warm, gooey donuts and any weather that requires a sweater.

Kickstart some seasonal fun with our roundup of the best fall activities in Kalamazoo.

Important Message: Area businesses are working to implement procedures based on the new safety guidelines. For each of the attractions and events we mention, we include a link to the business website. Please use this link to confirm the details, hours of operation and any requirements guests must follow before visiting. Thank You!

Make it the Most Awesome Autumn + Over 30 Fall Activities with Kids

If you’re like me, you want to take in all that fall has to offer before something other than leaves is covering our lawns (hint: it’s white).

Read on for 30 ideas to maximize your autumn experience in Southwest Michigan.

Art & Museums

1 – Take souvenirs from raking and turn your leaves into art.

2 – Explore a vast collection of artwork at the KIA; kids 12 and under are free! (reserve tickets online).

3 – Experience Art Hop on the first Friday of each month.

4 – Visit Ironman at the Air Zoo’s Alien Worlds and Androids.

5 – Keep little hands busy with a handprint Jack-o-Lantern.

6 – Make a pumpkin spice scented candle at the Kalamazoo Candle Company – Marketplace.

7 – Enjoy FREE admission with the Kalamazoo Valley Museum‘s newly extended hours (reserve tickets online).

8 – Create some fall foliage indoors with a tissue paper tree.

Animals & Nature

9 – Go for a hayride at a local orchard.

10 – See the varied shades of yellow, oranges and reds with a Fall Color Tour.

11 – Head east to the Detroit Zoo and visit the penguins, polar bears and wallabies; they are open year round!

12 – Visit the alpacas and goats at Gull Meadow Farms.

13 – Take some prehistoric selfies at Dinosaur Park on Western Michigan’s Campus.

14 – Take a road trip to Dutch Creek Animal Park in Shipshewana through mid-October.

15 – Slide, climb and play at Ramona Park or another one of our readers’ favorite playgrounds.

16 – Feed the waterfowl at the W.K Kellogg Bird Sanctuary.

17 – Get lost in a local corn maze.

18 – Go for a hike at Fort Custer Recreational Area or another favorite spot.

Food

19 – Make mummy brownies.

20 – Carve your family’s pumpkin and toast the pumpkin seeds.

21 – Take the kids out for waffles, pancakes or crepes at a local breakfast restaurant.

22 – Pick your perfect pumpkin from a local patch.

23 – Try making a pumpkin pie from scratch.

24 – Visit a local farmers market and pick some gorgeous gourds for decorating your front porch.

25 – Turn your freshly picked apples into homemade applesauce.

26 – Try a new restaurant. Known for it’s tasty fare at farmers markets, Cairo’s Kitchen‘s authentic, Egyptian street food now has a permanent home on West Michigan Avenue. Vegan options are also available.

27 – Create the perfect jack-o-lantern with these pumpkin carving skills.

28 – Cider not your thing? Warm-up with some hot cocoa from your favorite local spot.

29 – Score some cider and donuts. Schultz Farms, Gull Meadow Farms, Husted’s Farms, and Harvest Moon Acres are just a few of the many options for delicious, seasonal donut deliciousness.

30 – Go apple picking. Orchards will post their available varieties on Facebook, making it easy to find your favorite Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious.

More to Explore