Fall Color Fun for Kids and Adults!

As summer winds down and the flurry of back to school activities kicks in, don’t lament the end of outdoor activities. We found a few fun outdoor activities to do with the kids on the weekend before we have to don our winter coats and hibernate for the winter.

Spicer Orchards Farm Market and Cider Mill
http://www.spicerorchards.com/fall-activities.html
Address: 10411 Clyde Rd, Fenton, MI 48430
Phone: +1 810 632 7692
Hours: 11AM–6PM

Weekend Fun!!
Apple Picking, Wagon Rides, Train Rides, Bounce Houses Kettle Corn, BBQ, Corn Roast, Zip Line, Face Painting and remember to Visit the Animals.

**Please understand that weekends at the farm can be busy. It's best to come early. Please be patient, if there is a line it usually moves quickly.
Also, families have a chance to pick their own apples and stop by the winery for a little additional adult fun! The winery is Open!!
10 am to 7 pm Everyday
Lunch Cafe @ Winery
11 am to 5 pm weekdays

FALL COLOR FUN
Michigan has some of the most beautiful fall colors in the country. Late September until mid-October is the best time to witness the brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges that paint the landscape. Check out mynorth.com for a fall color map that details what dates are best. You don’t have to go Up North to view the fall colors; there is a local color route that is a 150-mile loop from Flint to Bloomfield Hills and back to Brighton. While you are driving, you can look for these stops we found that are worth checking out.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Bloomfield Hills is home to Cranbrook Institute, a National Historic Landmark. They boast 319 acres of gardens and museums, which are home to some of the world’s leading centers in science, art, and education. It houses the Contemporary Art Museum, Natural History Museum, Cranbrook Institute of Science, and Cranbrook House and Gardens. It is set into a lush landscape that will be full of trees bright with fall colors and beautifully landscaped gardens. You can even see Dinosaur skeletons!
Cranbrook is located at
39221 Woodward Ave,
Bloomfield Hills, MI.
or visit them online at Cranbrook.edu.

FLINT
Start your color drive with a stop at For-Mar Nature Preserve and Arboretum. They have over 380 acres of nature preserves and 7 miles of hiking trails to work off some of those after school wiggles.
Call 1-810-736-7100 for more information or go to genesseecountyparks.org.
2142 N. Genesee Road, Burton, MI.

BRIGHTON RECREATION CENTER
The center has 4,947 acres of woodland and offers a horseback color tour for a closer look at the spectacular colors. The horseback color tour is a guided trail ride that runs through the end of November. You will ride through multi-hued tunnels of vibrant trees. Each trail ride lasts from 45 to 90 minutes and is open to people of all riding abilities from eight-years-old and up.

To book a riding tour call 1-810-534-5063 or
brightonrecridingstable.com. 6660 Chilson Road, Howell, MI.
For a full list of stops on the loop, go to
michigan.org/article/flint-brighton-bloomfield-hills.com


PICK YOUR OWN APPLES AND PUMPKINS
Stop by Blake Farms Cider Mill in Armada for fresh fall produce at the u-pick orchard and a host of other fun activities the whole family can enjoy. The showcase features fiber artists selling their original clothing, quilts, blankets, and rugs, and you will see working spinning wheels. Workshops are offered on felting, spinning, rug hooking, and more.
Blake Farms has a Haunted Halloween Run and Monster Dash on September 27, where patrons get to wear their costumes during this 5K run. The race runs through their haunted hayride and zombie paintball scenes with live actors. Sounds exciting!

1-586-784-5343 or blakefarms.com for more information.
Located at 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada, MI.
Check out ciderguide.com for a Michigan cider map and directory.

JUST FOR THE ADULTS
Looking for a quick getaway without the kids? Chateau Grand Traverse Winery sits on the Old Mission Peninsula and is one of Michigan’s oldest wineries. Get the complete northern Michigan wine country experience with wine tasting, winery tours, and lodging with beautiful views of West Grand Traverse Bay. Witness the winemaking process from “vine to bottle.”
With six guest rooms, their Inn has sweeping views of the bay. Enjoy the complimentary bottle of wine in your private room or the main living room with a fireplace made just for cozy fall nights. Breakfast is served in their European style breakfast room.

Call 1-800-283-0247 for information on the winery or go tocgtwines.com. 12239 Center Road, Traverse City, MI.

As seen in Kudos magazine 5.3
Written by Hope Crenshaw