Lansing Mom’s 2024 Guide to Fall In + Around Lansing

Fall is just on our doorstep and we are ready! We have everything you could possibly need to make the most out of this fall season. Whether it’s cider and donuts, pumpkin patches, books for the season, recipes, or more, we have got you covered with our Ultimate Guide to Fall In + Around Lansing.

We are so thankful to our partners at Uncle John’s Cider Mill, Experience Grand Rapids, Potter Park Zoo, Eastwood Towne Center, and CATA, for helping us bring this guide to you and we can’t wait to share all the fun they have waiting for you this season!

 

Join Uncle Johnโ€™s this fall in celebrating the best time of the year (in our opinion)! Whether you are looking for donuts/cider, baked goods, hard cider, or gift ideas, we have something for everyone.
We will host many special events this year, including: Jeep Invasion, Kidโ€™s Day, Craft Show, 5K Runs, and Fall Festival weekends! Be sure to check our website: www.ujcidermill.comย and click on the Calendar for specific activities.

Put these Dates on Your Calendar for fun at the Cider Mill |

  • September 14th | Jeep Invasion
  • September 22nd | Craft Show
  • September 28th | Fall Festival Weekend
  • October 11th | Fall Festival Weekend
  • October 19th | Lansing Mom Fall Fest at the Cider Mill
  • October 27th | 5K Run and Walk

On October 19th we hope you’ll join us for a magical morning at Uncle John’s Cider Mill, with keepsake crafts, cider and donuts, 5-10 professional family photos and more, we know this will be a morning of fun for the whole family! Grab Your Tickets Here!

 

Easy to get to and easy on the family budget, Grand Rapids is tailor-made for a fall getaway with the family. ArtPrize, the worldโ€™s most attended art event, will dazzle parents and kids alike with 950 pieces of art situated all over downtown GR from Sept. 13-28. John Ball Zooโ€™s Dino Adventures, through Nov. 10, fills a forest with 20+ life-size replica robotic dinosaurs. You can pick apples at Robinetteโ€™s Apple Haus & Winery and other u-pick orchards, take in the fall colors at Blandford Nature Center and other area trails, and visit family farms for corn mazes, hayrides and other fall harvest fun. See Michiganโ€™s largest display of chrysanthemums at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park from Oct. 1-31 and explore a wide range of family-friendly Halloween activities, including the annual Zoo Goes Boo, Oct. 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27. Visit Experience Grand Rapids on the web and Facebook for details and more ideas!

Embrace the crisp autumn air and vibrant fall foliage at Potter Park Zoo! This season, weโ€™re offering special free days for grandparents and college students, along with exciting events like World Rhino Day and International Red Panda Day. Donโ€™t miss our community favorite, Boo at the Zoo, where you can enjoy hoots, howls, and spooky fun for the whole family. Visit us during our fall hours, from Labor Day through October 31: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Get ready for a fall filled with wildlife wonders and festive delights at Potter Park Zoo.

Be sure to check out these upcoming events at the zoo!

Discover the hidden gems of Lansing this fall with an exciting and affordable adventure, hop aboard a CATA bus to check out local attractions and scenery. Routeย 8 provides access to Potter Park Zoo, where families can enjoy various fall events such as “Boo at the Zoo” and the Annual Wonderland of Lights. Route 1 travels along Grand River Avenue into the heart of Downtown Lansing. This route offers easy access to the vibrant Lansing River Trail Art Path, the scenic Adado Riverfront Park, and many local shops and places to eat in Washington Square. Both routes originate at the Downtown Lansing CATA Transportation Center. One-way fares are $1.25 for adults and 60 cents for students. Young children under 42″ tall ride free when accompanied by an adult. For more information, call a CATA representative at 517-394-1000 or visit cata.orgย to plan your trip across the region.
Be sure to stay updatedย with CATA by visiting their Instagramย and Facebookย pages too!

Theย centerย of attention!ย Eastwood Towne Centerย is Mid-Michiganโ€™s shopping, dining & entertainment destination with big city style and main street charm just minutes away from Michigan State University. Featuring upscale fashion retailers, home furnishing shops and great dining. Their wide array of shops and dining make this spot a one stop shop for Fall Fashion and fun! Grab your fall outfits, head out to dinner and catch a movie, all making the perfect fall day. Eastwood has got everything you need to make your fall super special.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on theirย website,ย Instagramย andย Facebookย pages!

Be sure to check out these Eastwood Events to make your most out of your trip!

  • Banana Republic Friends & Family Event 9/16 โ€“ 9/26
  • Grand Opening of M. Vince Nail Spa! (Coming Soon) Check out their Facebook Page for a chance to win a Spa Pedicure!
  • Happy Hour at BJโ€™s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Monday โ€“ Friday from 3:00pm โ€“ 7:00pm and Sunday โ€“ Thursday from 9:00pm โ€“ Close in the bar and on the patio.
  • Happy Hour at Mitchellโ€™s Fish Market: Sunday – Thursday from 3:30pm โ€“ 6:30pm in the bar.
  • Happy Hour at Bravo! Italian Kitchen: Monday – Friday from 3:00pm โ€“ 7:00pm in the bar and on the patio.
  • $6 Martinis at Bravo! Italian Kitchen every Wednesday
  • $6 Select Glasses of Wine at Bravo! Italian Kitchen every Thursday

Deals and More

Head here for our full list of U-Pick Apple Orchards or read on for more information below.

Of course you can buy a bag of apples at the store, but where is the fun in that? If you’re looking for the best apple orchards for picking your own juicy apples within an hour of the Lansing area then our guide is for you. Just click the link above for a full list of u-pick for this fall.

For Cider and Donut Spots In + Around Lansing headย here or read on below for more information.

There is no shortage of cider and donut spots in the Lansing area so we’ve rounded up all our favorites, including a few spots that don’t require a trip to the cider mill. Click the link above for more information.

For corn mazes in the Lansing Area head hereย for more information read on below.

What says fall fun more than a corn maze?! We absolutely love this fall activity and we’re sure you’ll fall in love too. If you’re looking for a fun date idea or a place to let the kids run wild, this is it. Head above for our full list.

Want to see a full list of Pumpkin Patches head here or read on below for a little more information.

Ah pumpkin season. You’re either with it, or very against it. However chances are that if you are reading this, you are very with it! So we’ve rounded up the best spots to grab a pumpkin, whether you need a quick stop or want a full experience we’ve got you covered.

There is no shortage of fun at Lansing Mom in September!

Check out what’s going on right here!

Playdate Meet-Ups

  • September 20th Partriarche Park with Michelle Be sure to enter in as part of our playdate group so you can stay up to date on playdates and meet ups!

Lansing Mom Community Meet-Ups

  • September 17th, Taste Coffee Co. located in Okemos 9:30-11:30, with Co-Owner Erica. Kids welcome! Join us for a coffee and connection!

October holds so much spooky and silly fun at Lansing Mom and we’re sharing it with you!

Fall Fest at Uncle John’s Cider Mill October 19th 10 am – 12 pm

  • Professional Photos of your family by The Jonesy Company (5-10 images ๐Ÿ“ธ Delivered within two weeks of the event to your email that you used to purchase tickets!
  • Goodie Bags ๐ŸŽƒ
  • Cider and Donuts ๐Ÿฉ
  • Craft for the kids ๐ŸŽจ
  • Autumn Set-Up Specifically for our Lansing Mom Community ๐Ÿ
  • Event will be held in the Cider Yard, please allow time to get to this part of teh Cider Mill.
  • After you have purchased a ticket you will receive an email from Lansing Mom within 24 hours to sign up for your time slot. If you do not recieve an email please email [email protected] ๐Ÿ“
  • Tickets Here

Community Meet-Ups

  • Coffee Meet-UP at Blue Owl, REO Town Location, 9:30-11:30 am, October 15th. Kids Welcome, join us for coffee and conversation.

Community Events

  • Stay Tuned for our November Lansing Mom Connect!
  • Join us for a Coffee Meet-Up at Strange Matter Coffee Co., Michigan Ave Location, November 19th, 9:30-11:30 am. Kiddos welcome, join us for a coffee and connection.

Haven’t had enough of fall yet and need more? Look no further, we’ve got more fall fun rounded up for everyone! Just head to the links below for everything you need to make this the best fall ever.

Recipes

Super Easy Fall Apple Treats

Fall Favorite Dinners

Cozy Fall Cooking

Activities

Fall Photo Spots

4 Hikes to Take in Lansing this Fall

Weekend Fall Activities

Fall Family Fun Events

5 Family Friendly Outdoor Activities

Raking Leaves from Chore to Family Fun Activity

Crafts

3 Easy Fall Crafts for Kids

Halloween, our favorite time of year! If you love Halloween like us then you’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up events, resources and fun right here!

Halloween Activities

Halloween Events- Stay Tuned our Lansing Friends are getting all their ghosts together for these events

9 Halloween Activities for a Fun Filled Safe Halloween

Make a Kids Boo Basket to Kick of Halloween

Last Minute Halloween Costumes

Pumpkin Activities

Going Beyond the Jack-O-Lantern

Easy Pumpkin Carving and Decorating with Your Toddlers

National Pumpkin Day

Halloween Books

Halloween Kids Book Reading List

Ah Thanksgiving the best time of year to remember all the things we are truly thankful for. We’ve got your guide to Thanksgiving here for all the things to make this holiday special.

Being Thankful

Teaching Children about Being Thankful

Three Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude

Involve Kids in Giving Back

Thanksgiving Food

Where to Buy Pie Around Lansing

Gluten and Dairy Free Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving to Go

Easy Holiday Hosting

Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving Books

Thanksgiving Books for Every Age

Thanksgiving Crafts

Easy Thanksgiving Crafts

Lansing Mom strives to provide up-to-date information for our community. If you have more resources please email [email protected]

Looking for more resources?

Check out Quick and Easy Tips for Back to School This Year.

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