Fall Harvest Festivals & Apple Picking

Crisp Days, Sweet Traditions

Fall resets the rhythm in Northern Michigan. The air sharpens, hillsides flare with color, and weekends revolve around apples, cider, and cinnamon-sugar donuts. Families head north for orchard visits. Friends crowd harvest festivals. And local bakeries double down on seasonal favorites.

Traverse City may be famous for cherries in summer, but autumn brings something else to fame. If you have ever searched for the best cherry pie in Traverse City, chances are you have ended up in a line out the door at a local bakery. September and October bring apple picking, cider pressing, and all the flavors marking this change of seasons.

Family Farms and U-Pick Orchards

Nothing screams fall in Northern Michigan like visiting an orchard. Families pile into wagons for hayrides, kids run between pumpkin patches, and baskets fill quickly with crisp apples pulled straight from the tree. These outings are more than errands, as they are traditions that mostly bring people back year after year.

Many farms around Traverse City welcome visitors during harvest season. U-pick orchards let you choose your own mix of Honeycrisp, Gala, and McIntosh, while cider mills sit right on the property, pressing apples into fresh, cold cider you can sip on the spot. For families, the chance to watch kids climb a ladder to get that perfect apple may become the highlight of the trip.

Fall Harvest Festivals Worth the Trip

Traverse City knows how to celebrate the harvest season. Every weekend brings something new, from apple-themed festivals to community events filled with food vendors, live music, and games for kids. These gatherings capture the spirit of fall in Northern Michigan, where neighbors and visitors come together to share the bounty of the season.

Many of the region’s orchards host their own festivals, adding hayrides, corn mazes, and cider tastings to the mix. Local farmers' markets join in too, featuring baked goods and crafts that showcase the flavors and talents of the area.

For travelers looking to experience a quieter side of the season, September offers a perfect balance. You can read more about why early fall is such a special time in our guide to visiting Traverse City in September.

Cider, Donuts, and Autumn Treats

No fall trip up north feels complete without a stop at a cider mill. The smell of cinnamon sugar fills the air, lines form for fresh-pressed cider, and boxes of warm donuts disappear before you make it back to the car. It is the kind of simple tradition that keeps people coming back year after year.

Traverse City’s bakeries and markets also shine this time of year. Alongside apples and cider, you will find shelves stacked with pies that highlight the region’s fruit harvest. The best cherry pie in Traverse City is still a summer favorite, but in autumn, apple pie and spiced donuts take center stage. Both locals and visitors agree, nothing captures the flavor of the season like these small indulgences shared with family and friends.

Road Trips From Detroit to Traverse City

Part of the fun of fall in Northern Michigan begins before you even arrive. Road trips from Detroit to Traverse City turn into seasonal adventures of their own. The drive winds through rolling farmland and small towns where roadside stands sell apples, pumpkins, and jars of honey. Each stop adds a little flavor to the journey north.

Travelers often plan breaks along the way, whether it is a cider mill outside Grand Rapids or a small café in Cadillac. These pauses make the trip feel less like a long haul and more like a day’s worth of discoveries. By the time you pull into Traverse City, the car smells faintly of cider, and the backseat is filled with market finds. The road itself becomes part of the fall tradition.

Savor the Flavors of Fall at Lakemore Lodge

A day of apple picking, hayrides, and festival fun feels even better when you have a welcoming place to return to. Lakemore Lodge is that kind of place. Set on Arbutus Lake, it offers lake views in the morning, space for families and groups to spread out, and evenings that invite fireside gatherings with cider and donuts in hand.

Fall in Traverse City blends the best of the season, orchards filled with apples, bakeries serving the best cherry pie in Traverse City, and community festivals that bring people together. For many travelers, the trip begins even earlier with scenic road trips from Detroit, where every stop adds to the tradition.

Make Lakemore Lodge part of your autumn getaway and experience the comfort of lakefront living alongside the flavors and colors of Northern Michigan.

  • Several family-run orchards welcome visitors in September and October. You can pick your own apples, sip fresh cider, and enjoy hayrides or pumpkin patches.

  • Yes. Many farms host festivals with music, food, and kid-friendly activities. Farmers' markets also celebrate the harvest season with local treats.

  • Mid-September through October offers the widest variety of apples and the most festival options.

  • Local bakeries and farm markets are known for cherry pies, a year-round favorite that pairs perfectly with other fall desserts.

  • The trip takes about four to five hours, depending on stops, and many travelers make it part of the experience by visiting cider mills or farm stands along the way.