Fall is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy time with family and friends. Cool-weather, vibrant leaves, and cozy sweaters all create the warm fuzzy feeling that comes along with the season. Below are some budget-friendly ways to have fun this fall.
A Day on the Farm
Put some time aside to visit a pumpkin patch or apple orchard to pick some seasonal fruit. Make a day of it by enjoying a cup of hot apple cider and donuts, going on a hayride through a corn maze, and shopping at the local vendors.
Host a Bonfire
Bonfires are a great way to bring friends and family together. Gather scrap wood from your yard or a friend’s house or buy some firewood stacks at the grocery store to get started. Elevate the event by hosting a fireside potluck, complete with s’mores, hot dogs, and apple cider.
Attend a Fall Festival
Fall festivals are a great way to get involved in your community, not only by supporting local vendors but by volunteering as well. Enjoy strolling the streets and parks full of artisan shops, petting zoos, street food, and music. This year Michigan First has the pleasure of being the presenting sponsor of Columbia Street Fall Fest in The District Detroit, where you can experience an urban pumpkin patch along with food, drinks, and music. If you’re looking for other fun fall events, check out this list of happenings near you.
Nature Hike and Scavenger Hunt
Enjoy the vibrant leaves and crisp air on some local trails. Metroparks and state parks are great places to start. For a small annual fee you can obtain a Recreation Passport to enjoy miles and miles of trails, with endless opportunities for a scavenger hunt. Try to find an acorn, fuzzy squirrels, orange and yellow leaves, and whatever else may sound fun to you. Let the adventure begin!
Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice
Fall welcomes all kinds of delicious treats, like pumpkin spice and apple cinnamon flavored everything. Visit your local farmer’s market for some fresh fruit and start baking. There are endless pies, cookies, cheesecakes, muffins, and crumbles that you can make. Check out a list of easy fall recipes here to get started.
Attend a Football Game
It’s officially football season, which means weekends spent tailgating and cheering on your favorite high school, college or professional NFL team are in full swing. Bundle up in your favorite fall football fashion before heading out. Stores like Rally House, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Campus Den have all the merchandise you’ll need.
Be a Ghost Buster
The fall also welcomes Halloween, which is the perfect time to visit haunted destinations in your town. Whether it’s an old hotel, a restaurant, a lighthouse, or a cemetery, there are plenty of ghost stories to last all month long. Gather some of your bravest friends for a night of thrill and terror by checking out some places on Pure Michigan’s list.
Whether you’re spending this season by the fire, hiking through vibrant forests, or relaxing indoors with a cup of cocoa, there are endless ways to enjoy fall in a free, or budget-friendly way.