Families in search of autumn adventures don’t have to look far to be amazed – local corn mazes, pumpkin patches and orchards offer great places to spend a fall afternoon. Along with the chance to jump on a hayride, tromp through a life-sized puzzle of​​ corn stalks, pick pumpkins and pet barnyard animals there’s lots to enjoy. Here’s a list of sites worth checking out with the kids.

Almar Orchards & Cidery

1431 Duffield Road

Flushing, MI 48433

810-620-8114

This 500-acre, family-owned farm sells more than​​ 30 varieties of organic apples. Kids

love the orchard’s farm animals, playground and picnic area. Ask and the staff will

point out the orchards’ bee hives and give visitors an insider’s look at how honey is

made. Enjoy a cup of the orchard’s famous cider before you head home.

Orchard Store hours: Mondays – Saturdays​​ 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m.

Apples are for sale only; no U-Pick apples or pumpkins.

Learn more: Facebook.com/AlmarOrchardsOrganic

Bonadeo Farms
1215 White Lake Road

Highland Charter Twp, MI 48356
(248) 787-4553
Everyone can enjoy Bonadeo Farms pumpkin patch, corn maze and wagon​​ ride. There’s even a free playground for the kids. ​​ 

Corn Maze:​​ Ages 5-8 , $5; 9 and older, $8

Haunted Corn Maze:​​ $15 each. Opens at dusk. See ghosts, zombies and all sorts of creepy creatures along the farm’s crooked paths.  Bring a flashlight. Not suitable for young children.

Pumpkin Cost:​​ Market rate

Other:​​ Cider, apples and donuts

Hours:​​ Mondays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Fridays 6 p.m.—11 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.—11 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.​​ 

Learn more:​​ Visit​​ bonadeofarms.com​​ or the​​ Bonadeo Farms Facebook page

Farmer J’s Corn Maze

16405 Pherdun Road

Dundee, MI 48131

 (734) 717-2376

Enjoy Farmer J’s Corn Maze​​ and corn cannons.

Directions:​​ Located a few miles off Exit 17 of US-23. Head west on M-50 and look for the Corn Maze signs near Wilcox Road

Corn Maze Cost:​​ Ages 4 and younger, free; ages 5-11, $5; 12 and older, $8. Group discounts are available.

Corn Cannon Cost:​​ 2 ears for $1, 12 ears for $5, or 30 ears for $10

Hours:​​ Fridays, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Learn more:​​ Visit​​ Cornmazefun.net​​ or​​ Farmer J’s Facebook page​​ 

Diehl's Orchard & Cider Mill

1479 Ranch Road

Holly, MI 48442

(248) 634-8981

There’s plenty of fall fun at Diehl’s Orchard. The free playground, petting farm, and kiddie maze are favorites of the under 5 crowd. And everyone can hike its orchards or make a stop at Diehl’s pond and bird coop. If you’re up for an adventure try the family-friendly corn maze or take a 15-minute hayride (weekends only) to the pumpkin patch and pick your own jack-o-lantern.​​ 

Corn Maze Cost:​​ Children younger than 5 free; all others, $5

Hayrides (weekends only):​​ Children younger than 3 free; all others, $3

Combo Hayride/Corn Maze Cost:​​ $7 each

Pumpkin Cost:​​ $10 each

Other: Cider, donuts, apples (No U-Pick)

Hours: ​​​​ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.​​ daily

Learn more:​​ Visit​​ diehlsorchard.com​​ or the​​ Diehl’s Orchard Facebook page

Koan’s Orchard
12183 Beecher Road

Flushing, MI 48433
(810) 659-8720

The​​ orchard is open and there are plenty of fresh-picked apples, cider and pumpkins for purchase through mid-October.

Hours:​​ Mondays – Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Learn more:​​ Call 810-659-8720

Montrose Orchards

12475 Seymour Road

Montrose, MI​​ 48457

(810) 639-6971

Montrose Orchards’ adorable farm animals, orchards, pumpkin patches and cider press are popular in the community. Take a hayride through the decorated trail that’s meant to “delight not fright” the kids, all the way to the​​ Orchard’s pumpkin patch. If the cider press is operating during your visit, don’t miss the opportunity to step inside.​​ 

Hayride (with complimentary cider and donuts):​​ Children younger than 2, free; all others, $6

Pumpkin Cost:​​ $3 each

Other:​​ Cider​​ press, apple cider and donuts. Debbie’s Kitchen store also sells baked goods, from pies and muffins to caramel apples.

Hours:​​ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily

Learn more:​​ montroseorchards.com

Mueller's Orchard

6036 Lobdell Road

Fenton Township, MI 48451

(810) 735-7676

Wagon ride (includes pumpkin):​​ $5

Other: Apples, donuts, cider and baked goods. The donut shop lets visitors watch donuts being made.

Hours:​​ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily

Learn more:​​ Visit​​ muellersorchardandcidermill.com

Porter’s Orchard
12060 Hegel Road

Goodrich, MI 48438

(810) 636-7156

There’s something for everyone at Porter’s Orchard. The kids will love the petting farm’s goats, sheep, chickens and a​​ peacock named “Houdini.” Families can also explore the orchard’s corn maze. Stop at the farm store to purchase cider, caramel apples, fresh-made donuts, seasonal fruit or farm-harvested honey.

Picking:​​ U-Pick Orchard, Pumpkins (at market Rate); call ahead​​ to ask about picking conditions

Hayrides to pumpkin patch:​​ $1​​ 

Corn Maze: $6​​ 

Pumpkins:​​ Market rate price

Other:​​ Pony rides and inflatable bounce house ($ cost items)​​ 
Hours:​​ Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday noon – 6 p.m.​​ 

Orchard Store hours:​​ Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday noon – 6 p.m.

Learn more:​​ Visit​​ portersorchard.com​​ or Porter’s Orchard Facebook page

Spicer Orchards & Cider Mill

10411 Clyde Road

Fenton, MI 48430

810-632-7692

Get out​​ for a day and enjoy an eight-acre corn maze, complimentary cider and donuts. There are also hayrides, apple- and pumpkin-picking. Don’t forget to stop by the farm’s bee hives and watch nature’s pollinators in action.

Corn Maze:​​ $7 (includes complimentary​​ cider and donuts)

Wagon rides:​​ Children younger than 2, free; $1 per person for ages 3 and older (includes fruit sample) on Saturday and Sunday only, from​​ 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.​​ 

Other:​​ Cider mill and beehive. pony and train rides ($ cost item)

Hours: U-Pick​​ is available daily 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Call ahead to ask about picking conditions.

Farm Market hours: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily

Picking season: Apples through October; pumpkins, October through early November

Learn more: Visit​​ spicerorchards.com​​ or​​ Spicer Orchards Facebook page