10 ways to celebrate fall in metro Detroit
By Danielle Alexander
Halloween may be over, but there is still time to enjoy all that fall has to offer right near home. Whether you’re a fan of cider and donuts, fall-themed events or already in the mood for Christmas cheer, below are 10 options for you and your family to not only spend time together but also celebrate this beautiful yet– what always feels like– short-lived season:
Orchards and Cider Mills
1. Franklin Cider Mill presses and bottles its own cider using high-quality, clean apples, a process that families can observe in-person from the main visitor area. The donuts, which are from an old German spice recipe, are made fresh each day and served warm. Franklin Cider Mill is open weekdays 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
2. Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill (Armada)
One of the Blake’s youth attractions, Blake’s Funland, is open until November 3 and has an animal petting farm, jumping pillows, a straw mountain, a tricycle track and more. For those 21 and over, Blake’s Hard Cider Tasting Room is open seven days a week: Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Tasting Room serves new ciders on tap that are not available in stores, as well as food and a variety of their own wines. With the weather getting cooler, don’t forget that Blake’s does sell U-Pick Christmas trees beginning this month. Visit blakefarms.com for Cider Mill and U-Pick hours, as well as information about its other two locations.
3. Yates Cider Mill (Rochester Hills)
Open until Dec. 22 this year, Yates Cider Mill sits right beside the rapidly-flowing waters of the Clinton River. With cider and donuts, as well as live animals, Yates is kid-friendly.
Fall Activities/Events
4. Maybury Farm Corn Maze (Maybury Farm in Northville)
Up until November 3, families have the opportunity to participate in a 10-acre maze or a one-acre kid maze, being dropped off and picked up by a tractor-drawn wagon. The nine-dollar admission does include Maybury Farm’s barn, farm animals and educational farm garden.
5. America’s Thanksgiving Parade (Detroit)
On Thursday Nov. 28, bundle up and take the family downtown to watch the Thanksgiving parade. The three-mile long route begins at Kirby Street and Woodward, adjacent to the Detroit Institute of Arts, and ends at Congress Street, just south of Campus Martius Park. There will be celebrities, new float designs, larger-than-life balloons, marching bands and countless specialty groups.
Holiday Cheer
6. Wild Lights (Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak)
Experience more than five million LED lights illuminating trees, buildings and 280 sculptures all at once at the Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo. This event is known for its holiday entertainment and special activities. Beginning on November 16, hours include 5:30 to 9 p.m. on select weeknights and Sundays at 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, visit detroitzoo.org.
7. Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony (Campus Martius Park in Detroit)
On Friday, November 22, Detroit’s Tree Lighting Show and Rink Season Grand Opening Party will be taking place at Campus Martius Park. There will be musical performances by local and national performers, a holiday market, figure skating performances, hot cocoa, coffee and holiday light displays all over downtown; Beacon Park will also have holiday entertainment that evening. At the end of the night, Santa will flip the switch to light up Campus Martius’ giant tree. Check out downtowndetroitparks.com for more information.
8. Light the Village (The Village of Rochester Hills in Rochester HIlls)
Light the Village will take place on November 22 between 6 and 9 p.m. There will be music and entertainment, a festive light display and, of course…Santa! Details on the event can be found at villageofrochesterhills.com.
9. Holiday Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting (Town Square in Northville)
Northville’s community kick-off celebration of the holiday season will take place on Friday, Novomber 22 at 6:30 p.m. It begins with a parade, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree. Families can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, sip hot cocoa, participate in a community sing-a-long and enjoy several other special events that are planned. Visit northville.org for more information.
10. Santa’s Arrival (Kellogg Park in Plymouth)
On Friday, November 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., children (and parents!) have the opportunity to visit “Santa’s House,” located in Kellogg Park in Downtown Plymouth, and meet Santa. For more information, visit plymouthmich.org.
Danielle Alexander is the managing editor of Detroit Mom and editorial coordinator for West Bloomfield Lifestyle and Birmingham Life magazines. Fall is her favorite season and loves all of the options that metro Detroit offers, especially the kid-friendly ones.