Autumn offers a chance to peep colorful foliage and explore outdoors before winter beckons us all inside.
Take advantage of crisp sweater weather and the long fall holiday weekends. Whisk your little pumpkins to one of these family-friendly destinations to harvest some good times amongst the falling leaves.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Michigan
Refresh your senses in Silver Lake Sand Dunes where your squad can take a family-friendly natural rollercoaster ride through vast acres of sand dunes lining Lake Michigan with Mac Wood’s Dune Rides. The guides are hysterical and the exuberant experience is sure to leave you all smiling. There’s also a pedestrian area of the dunes that is beautiful for pictures. After your adventure, treat your crew to a huge sundae served on a frisbee at Whippy Dip.
Oh my gourd, you’re going to love Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo. This sprawling, fifth-generation family farm, market and petting zoo features animal encounters and more than 46 activities (including tractor pulls, bouncing pillows, slides and games). Stay at the Dunes Waterfront Resort where you can enjoy spectacular sunsets over Silver Lake and walk to numerous family-friendly attractions. There are also several campgrounds and cabin rentals nearby.
Capture more wows at Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Center with go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats, a whirly coaster and zipline. Silver Lake Chicken Shack is the place to go for juicy chicken wings and live music.
Outdoor fun in South Bend, Indiana
“The Bend” is home to the University of Notre Dame, which is super fun when fall football season is in full swing. Howard Park features an expansive, imaginative children’s playground with climbing structures, huge slides, swings and so many cool features my 10-year-old daughter was running with excitement. Grab a meal and even food for your pup at Howard Park Public House, located right in the park. See multi-color River Lights illuminating the St. Joseph River at night or ice skate in the park in winter.
Dine al fresco in the exquisite gardens of Carriage House where they serve wood-fired pizzas, burgers, salads and fresh seasonal drinks.
Animal lovers will fall for Potawatomi Zoo. Chocolate cherishers won’t be able to resist South Bend Chocolates’ creamy seasonal treats. Pick pears and plums in September and apples in October at Lehman’s Orchard, just over the Michigan border. Visit Thistleberry Farm for pictures of your pumpkins in the patch, a cow train ride and more.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Mishawaka, which is about 15 minutes from downtown South Bend, near the Mishawaka Riverwalk and Strikes & Spares bowling, go karts and ninja course. The hotel is clean, modern and has a pool.
Door County, Wisconsin
In northeast Wisconsin, Door County is gorgeous dressed in autumnal oranges and fiery reds and offers a plethora of outdoor activities and family-friendly attractions. Five state parks with vertical sandstone bluffs and numerous historic lighthouses beckon exploration. Savor the bounty of the harvest with Wisconsin cheeses, cherry jams and pies, and other treats in addition to fall favorites.
Enjoy autumn festivals like the Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch or a Cider Press Party. Bottle feed baby goats and watch chicks hatch at The Farm. Take a hike at Peninsula State Park, where the observation tower offers stunning views across the bay and is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
Kayak the glassy, clear waters of Cave Point County Park. Peninsula Kayak Company will guide you to caves and other geological wonders. Get a lay of the land and hear some local lore on a family-friendly Door County Trolley Tour. Pick a peck of apples and sip wine and cider at Lautenbach’s Orchard. Walk through the water or ride a hay wagon to visit Cana Island Lighthouse. Climb 97 steps up a spiral staircase for a bird’s eye view across the peninsula.
Take in the tradition of a Door County fish boil at White Gull Inn. Watch whitefish and potatoes cook over an open flame, then seal the meal with a slice of tart cherry pie and ice cream. Swedish pancakes with lingonberries and Swedish meatballs are sure to be savored at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik. The kids will get a kick out of the goats grazing on the roof.
Wilson’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor has been a hit since 1906 with its soda fountain, juke box and burgers.
We stayed at Bailey’s Harbor Yacht Club. On the shore of Lake Michigan and only a mile from restaurants and attractions, this secluded condo resort features pools, games and bike rentals.
Cedar Point and Lake Erie Shores & Islands, Ohio
Fall is the perfect time to go to the “Rollercoaster Capital of the World” because it’s typically not too hot or crowded. Cedar Point, located in Sandusky, Ohio, is open through the end of October. There you’ll find all the thrills your family could possibly ask for, with 70 spellbinding rides, including 18 world-class roller coasters.
My daughter and I rode Millennium Force, voted the best steel coaster in the world. It goes crazy high (up 300 feet) immediately upon take off, reaches speeds up to 93 mph and is insane fun. We couldn’t stop grinning. More tame options include Gemini, the racing coaster, and Cedar Downs, the derby carousel. HalloWeekends offers up haunted attractions to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Stay at beachfront Hotel Breakers, next to Cedar Point, and enjoy discount tickets to the park as well as early park entry. Surrounding Lake Erie Shores and Islands is a fun area to explore, especially Put-in-Bay, which you can visit via Miller Ferry. There, rent a golf cart or see the sites on a train tour. Families enjoy classic entertainment like mini golf, a butterfly house, cave tour and merry-go-round. Most Put-in-Bay attractions are open weekends through mid-October.
Galena, Illinois
Galena offers picturesque, panoramic views of three states (Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin). It’s a small town with a rich history (Ulysses S. Grant’s Home is there) and rolling hills that are fun to hike and candy for the eyes on crisp, clear days. Glide down the Alpine Slide weekends through early October. Go horseback riding or spook yourselves on a ghost tour.
Kayaking, fishing and riding electric bikes are other adventurous ways to explore. Nuts Outdoors offers guided tours on electric bikes that make the hill climbs easy, can take you to some favorite fishing holes, or show you the best kayaking and wildlife viewing spots.
Marinette, Wisconsin
Families will love the beautiful scenery on back country roads or in the parks of Wisconsin. Take a look at its interactive guide to see the fall colors in Marinette. Make sure to take a drive to Marinette County’s Waterfall Tour and see 15 falls and cascades.
Take a boat ride on Menominee River to Stephenson Island. Here, you can enjoy seeing monuments, like The Soldier Memorial, going fishing, having a picnic or playing at the playgrounds.
Since Wisconsin is known for its cheese, you have to stop at Seguin’s House of Cheese before you head home. You can shop for fresh cut cheese, curds, strings, spreads, smoked meats, mustard, jams, sweets, moccasins and more.
Shipshewana, Indiana
This trip is just a little over three hours long from Detroit. There is so much for families to experience in the autumn season here. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is a must in October to see the pretty fall colors. You can take a walk or ride your bicycle down the paved path that goes from Shipshewana to Middlebury to Goshen.
Enjoy seeing the fall colors like the Amish on a Buggy Lane Tour. They even have an option for you to enjoy a buggy ride and a home cooked Amish dinner. Families can enjoy feeding the animals up close at Dutch Creek Animal Farm. Also, make sure to head into town for shopping and a pretzel at JoJo’s.
This article was recently updated on July 6, 2025, by Metro Parent writer Sarah Knieff. The update included her fact-checking this list using the latest information. Questions? Please reach out to editor@metroparent.com.
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