The Charming Small Town in Michigan That's Perfect For A Fall Day Trip

Michigan is arguably at its best when the seasons change from summer to autumn. There’s a small town in the southwest part of the state where they take fall seriously. Here’s why Niles is one of the places I think of when planning fall day trips in Michigan.

James Hall/Google Reviews

There are several apple-related reasons to visit Niles in the fall, so let's start with apples in their purest form, right off the tree. Just like picking blueberries and cherries in the summer months, families can head out to the orchard and pick their own fresh apples to use in pies, cakes, or just to enjoy fresh.

Critzer Farms

This Halloween tradition is easy and great for kids. You can find several pumpkin patches around the Niles area. Most of the time you can also find a corn maze at the same location.

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D & S Apple House/Facebook

The same place you can go to pick apples is also where you can get gallons of fresh apple cider. Whether you like it hot or straight out of the fridge, the smell of cider alone is a clear sign of autumn. Head to one of the nearby wineries and find an adult-only version of this classic fall beverage.

Dennis Fitz/Google Reviews

Niles is home to one of the best haunted houses in the state at the Niles Scream Park. You’ll find several spooky attractions here. It’s only open around Halloween time, so don’t miss out on one of Michigan’s greatest thrills.

Four Flags Area Apple Festival/Facebook

Get ready to test all your senses at this fruit-themed festival. There are carnival games, live music, and bags upon bags of apples to take home. You can also find some of the best apple-flavored baked goods around.

Sovereign Photography/Facebook

The St. Joseph River valley's winding terrain gives you several ways to see the beautiful fall horizon in Michigan. The colors of the leaves change from greens to an array of deep red, bright yellow, and stunning orange tones. Michigan’s tourism website even has a map to show you where the fall foliage is found.

Niles represents everything great about Michigan’s fall seasons. It’s located 15 minutes north of South Bend, Indiana. If you’re lucky, you can even toss a Notre Dame football game into your plans. Check out one of these sweet places to stay if you make a trip out to Niles.