Midwest Fall Family Outings to Add to Your Midwest Fall Bucket List

Having grown up in the midwest with a passion for all things fall, I have quite the list of Midwest fall family outings to share with you today!

I’ve packed this post full of bucket list worthy Midwest family outings for fall that are great for all ages. You’ll find the best apple orchards in the Midwest, what pumpkin patches are must-visits, as well as some ideas for drives and places for your fall family photos.

How to Spend Fall as a Family

I love fall most of all and there are so many ways I love celebrating fall as a family, but as we all know, fall is one of the busiest seasons for families.

Between back to school, sports, extracurriculars, and the never ending push to do it all during the fall season, the “to-do’s” never let up. That’s why I think it is so important to plan family time! Family time during the fall season brings the crew together! What better way to spend the busy fall season than celebrating the changing leaves with some pumpkins and apple cider donuts?

Midwest Fall Family Outing Ideas

As a Midwest native, I’m here to tell you there’s so much you can do in the Midwest this fall season when it comes to fall family outings. Some of the ideas in this list include: apple picking, pumpkin patching, scenic driving, fall festival-ing and so much more!

Let’s dive into my list of midwest fall family outing ideas by state!

Illinois Fall Family Outing Ideas

Illinois turns into a fall wonderland once the leaves begin to change thanks to the states scenic wonders. If you’re looking for all of fall’s beauty in one place, Illinois is going to be it!

1. Black Bart’s Pumpkin Patch

2. Richardson Adventure Farm

3. Scarecrow Festival

4. Curtis Apple Orchard

5. Great Pumpkin Patch

6. Drive the Great River Road Scenic Byway

7. Pumpkin Fest at Didier Farms

8. Chicago Jazz Festival

Indiana Fall Family Outing Ideas

This is our home state, and let me tell you- we do Fall right! Check out these great options for fall fun. Pro tip: snag an apple cider slushy at several Indiana orchards features below!

1. Visit Anderson Orchard

2. Stuckey Farm Sunflower Festival *A personal favorite!

3. Visit the Original City Market

4. Visit Clifty Falls State Park for some awesome fall trees

5. The Haunted Railroad & Fall Festival (link this)

6. Drive through Brown Country for some beautiful fall foliage

7. Check out Apple Works *A personal favorite!

Wisconsin Fall Family Outing Ideas

Fall in Wisconsin has been coined as an absolutely beautiful time. Some even call it magical. Sweater weather arrives mid fall and with that comes the changing leaves. The beginning to mid October are the best times to visit to see the beauty of fall!

1. Visit Little Farmer Pumpkin Patch

2. Check out Climb Holy Hill for some amazing views

3. Drive the Great River Road National Scenic Byway

4. Check out Door Creek for apple picking

5. Visit Warrens Cranberry Festival

6. Hike the Seven Bridges Trail

7. Take in the views at Grandad Bluff

Michigan Fall Family Outing Ideas

1. Check out Michigan Cider Mills and Apple Orchards

2. Hike the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

3. Visit Frankenmuth

4. Explore Sleeping Bear Dunes

5. Go apple picking at Crane Orchards U-Pick and Corn Maze

6. Visit the Getzloff Corn Maze

7. Drive the Tunnel of Trees on M-119

Ohio Fall Family Outing Ideas

Ohio is an exciting time in the fall! Expect crisper temps and beautiful trees in shades of red, orange and yellow! Take a look at these fun stops you’re sure to love!

1. Visit Arrowhead Orchard

2. Check out the Ohio Renaissance Festival

3. Visit Freeman’s Farm

4. Visit Old West Pumpkin Fest at Rockin'-R-Ranch

5. Check out the Glass Pumpkin Festival

6. Visit the Annual Hiram House Camp Pumpkin Festival

7. Check out Stearns Homestead Farm

8. Go big foot hunting at Mohican State Park

9. Visit Brumbaugh Fruit and Fun Farm

Kentucky Fall Family Outing Ideas

Our neighboring Midwest state is just a 2 hour drive from central Indiana. Add a few of these stops to your weekend getaway list!

1. Ride the Big South Fork Scenic Railway

2. Drive the Old Frankfort Pike Historic and Scenic Byway

3. Visit the Sleepy Hollow Farm Pumpkin Patch

4. Attend Jack O’Lantern Spectacular

5. Hike the Cherokee Park Trail

Tennessee Fall Family Outing Ideas

Get ready to explore this mountain state all fall long!

1. Check out Lucky Ladd Farms

2. Check out Adventure Park at Nashville for events

3. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

4. Go for a trail ride at JuRo Stables

5. Visit Smith Perry Pumpkin Patch

6. Drive the Cherohala Skyway & The Tail Of The Dragon

7. Attend Nashville’s Boo at the Zoo

8. Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for breathtaking views!

I hope this collection of midwest fall family outings has given you some ideas for celebrating fall as a family this year!

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @eclectickurves for more updates year round!

Enjoy Today!

-Sierra