Top Fall Outdoor Attractions in the Great Lakes Bay
Crimson hues & tailgating. Warm cups of tea & hearty bowls of chili. Fall is in the air and there are so many ways to enjoy this scenic time of year in Michigan!
Take picturesque hikes & colorful boat tours, peruse apple orchards & sip on cider, pedal trolleys through leafy streets & ride ziplines through the trees! Pull on your boots, bring a light jacket, and be ready for these must-experience fall excursions when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan!
Dow Gardens Canopy Walk
Midland
Dow Gardens
Journey through fall foliage 40 feet in the air along a canopy walk that’s both handicap accessible and the longest in the nation — and dare to venture onto its glass-floored overlook! Explore the exquisite gardens and 54 acres of lush forest trails & ponds.
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Step aboard a shallow-draft boat with Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips! Not only will you discover the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge with thousands of acres of rich wildlife habitat, but you’ll also experience a Fall Color Trip with one-of-a-kind guide, Johnny Panther!
See Frankenmuth in fall glory on a cozy carriage ride! Climb in with Fantasy Carriage Company or Frankenmuth Carriage Company and enjoy the authentic Bavarian architecture and festive harvest-time decor all throughout town!
Frankenmuth Aerial Park
Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth Aerial Park
Combine thrill & excitement with picturesque beauty! Fly through the air, swing through fall leaves, and challenge yourselves on obstacles that include ropes courses and ziplines.
Chippewa Nature Center | @calvinmarteen
Venture out at Chippewa Nature Center! With more than 19 miles of trails, visit the River Overlook for serene fall views. Check into guided kayaking trips, and the Fall Harvest Festival in October to observe cider-making to woodworking on the Homestead Farm.
Discover lush scenery from two observation towers that overlook Tobico Marsh at Bay City State Park. Look to the Lagoon Trail for wildlife spotting and waterside views along the shores of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay.
Take an enchanted trip into the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. See wildlife and fall scenery galore along the Woodland Trail and Ferguson Bayou Trail — but keep your eyes peeled for special trail closure dates during hunting season!
Frankenmuth FunShips | @pierrenasralla
Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth FunShips
Savor fall hues & fine wines aboard Frankenmuth FunShips! Take in the autumn display while sampling five chocolates with five Michigan wines — and hold onto your souvenir glass!
Bay City State Park | @dee_dorsey
Take a fall color tour on foot or by bike! Discover the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail — totaling almost 100 miles — and spot more than 200 species of beautiful birds along the Saginaw Bay Birding Trail.
Hop on a trailhead to enjoy the view from miles of pathways within Chippewa Nature Center, Midland City Forest, Bay City State Park, or Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, all favorites.
Float languidly down the Cass River as you relax aboard the iconic Bavarian Belle Riverboat. Enjoy Frankenmuth from the water, fall colors on full display, and your narrated tour.
Enjoy fall flavors at social districts in the city streets! Frolic in live turf areas with trees & plants at The Commons Pedestrian Plaza in Downtown Midland, and enjoy adult beverages & a bite to eat at The Commons Refreshment Area.
With cold brews (or warm coffee) in-hand, pedal your way along streets lined with fall splendor! Cruise with your crew on the PedAle Trolley in Frankenmuth, or catch a colorful ride when you book the Sunrise Pedal Trolley in Bay City.
The Tridge | @puremichiganguy
Float through fall on picturesque paddling trips! Dip into a Fall Color Tour with Ike’s Mobile Kayak Rentals or book a custom trip with Nor’East Outdoors. Discover the Saginaw Bay with Cattail Kayak Rental, and take in fall views with Frankenmuth Kayak Adventures.
Visit the working historical Grandpa Tiny’s Heritage Farm, where you can pet & feed farm animals, pick pumpkins, and enjoy a corn maze. Test your wits at Frankenmuth Corn Maze with three mazes in one, plus hayrides to the dairy farm, courtyard games, and more!
Great Lakes Bay
Local Farmers Markets
Discover one of the largest farmers markets in the state, the Midland Area Farmers Market, for food trucks, live music, and vendors galore, or visit the Downtown Saginaw Farmers Market before stepping into on-site SVRC Marketplace for more glorious fall finds!
Great Lakes Bay
Pick a peck of juicy apples at Leaman’s Green Applebarn, then sink your teeth into fresh-baked donuts and delicious cider sundaes! Take pictures by the cider mill at Bayne’s Apple Valley Farm, chill on the patio with what's on tap at Bayne's Hard Cider House, and devour a gigantic gourmet caramel apple!
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Great Lakes Bay
Find front-porch decor (and more) at local pumpkin patches! Wander through a corn maze and pick from a patch with 80+ varieties at Johnson’s Pumpkin Farm! Or, take a hayride after you find your future jack-o-lanterns at Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch.
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Things To Do
Find your favorite view as you explore these one-of-a-kind places to leaf-peep when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan!
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Things To Do
Enjoy a leisurely hayride, get lost in corn fields, find future jack-o-lanterns, and absolutely indulge in the quintessential combo of fall — cider & donuts! Grab a fleece, gather your flock, and enjoy a crisp autumn day when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan!
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Author
Jen W. O'Deay + Go Great Lakes Bay
By: Jen W. O'Deay | Updates: Go Great Lakes Bay | Jen is a Saginaw native and owner of Feel These Words, an independent copywriting studio & home to the free "5 Day Website MiniBoost". Jen specializes in writing that connects, delivered through website copy, branded content articles, and WingWoman writing services. You'll find Jen camping with her family, laughing, and at feelthesewords.com
