🍂 Fall in Southwest Michigan: The Best Things to Do in Harbor Country
Fall in Southwest Michigan is pretty close to perfection. 🍁 From quiet walks along Lake Michigan and colorful hikes through the woods to Oktoberfests, vineyard harvests, apple orchards, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, live music and plenty of local events, Harbor Country is one of our favorite places to be in the fall.
If you're planning a fall getaway to Southwest Michigan, October is an especially beautiful time to visit. The trees put on a spectacular show, the vineyards are buzzing with harvest activity, and there is no shortage of things to do around the area.
So grab a sweater, book a cozy room at Garden Grove Inn, and come enjoy fall in Harbor Country. 🍎🍷🎃
🍁 Where to See Fall Colors in Southwest Michigan
One of the best things about fall in Southwest Michigan is that you don't have to go far to find beautiful fall foliage.
Our favorite way to leaf peep in Harbor Country is on foot. Wander through the woods at Warren Woods State Park, explore Galien River County Park, or hike one of the preserves protected by Chikaming Open Lands.
For bigger views, head to Warren Dunes State Park or Indiana Dunes National Park. Climb the dunes and you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of colorful forests stretching toward Lake Michigan.
Prefer your fall foliage with a glass of wine? 🍷 Spend an afternoon on the patio at Dablon Vineyards or Filkins Vineyards, where you can sip local wine while enjoying views of vineyards framed by autumn color.
Don't miss: Dablon Vineyards Harvest Party on October 3
Our favorite fall foliage spots near Harbor Country:
Peak fall color in Southwest Michigan typically arrives in mid-October, making this one of the best times of year for a fall getaway.
🍎 Go Apple Picking in Southwest Michigan
Fall wouldn't be fall without a trip to the orchard!
Twin Maple Orchards in Galien is a great stop for a classic fall afternoon, with apple picking, a corn maze and plenty of seasonal fun.
📍 15352 Cleveland Ave, Galien, MI 49113
For another you-pick experience, head to Lemon Creek Winery in Berrien Springs. Depending on the season, you can pick your own apples and grapes before enjoying a tasting of the wines produced at the winery.
📍 533 E Lemon Creek Rd, Berrien Springs, MI 49103
🎃 Find Pumpkins and Fall Fun
Looking for the perfect pumpkin? Dinges Fall Harvest in Three Oaks is the place to browse pumpkins and gourds in just about every shape, size and color.
📍 15219 Mill Rd, Three Oaks, MI 49128
It's an easy addition to a fall day exploring Three Oaks and the surrounding Harbor Country area.
🍇 Experience Grape Harvest Season
Fall is harvest season in Michigan wine country, making October a particularly fun time to visit Southwest Michigan's wineries and vineyards.
Look for harvest celebrations, grape stomps, wine tastings, live music and special events throughout the region.
One local tradition to put on your calendar is the Grape Stomp at Baroda Founder's Wine Cellar, scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at 4 p.m.
🍷 Tip: If wine is part of your fall getaway, give yourself plenty of time to explore the wineries between Union Pier, Baroda and Berrien Springs.
🍻 Attend An Oktoberfest
Southwest Michigan has numerous breweries making the freshest beer in the coolest pubs. Many throw an annual Oktoberfest where you'll get to experience some solid beer culture!
Three Oaks OAKtoberfest features beer from Fulcra, Mangata & Ghost Isle, along with live music, sausages, pretzels, and other snacks & games: Downtown Three Oaks - September 18-20
Round Barn's Kölschfest celebrates this brewery's flagship beer and a crowd favorite. Enjoy German-style food and live music: Round Barn Public House in Baroda September 19
Head up to Stevensville for the Watermark Brewing Co. Oktoberfest Celebration with Polka, other live music, beer releases, pretzels and brats! September 19 11 am - 11 pm
Burn ‘Em Oktoberfest will feature The German Band, Inc, great bier, and German food specials all day long. 11 am - 8 pm CT in Michigan City on September 20
If you missed your first chance, or had so much fun, you're ready for more, head back to Burn ‘Em Brewing for Polkatoberfest from 6-8 pm on September 22
Seedz Brewery which is located walking distance from Garden Grove Inn in Union Pier is hosting their 6th Annual Oktoberfest on October 3 and it's an event NOT to be missed. Your ticket gets you beer, a stein, great beer, food, and live music, plus games & all-day fun. Good thing you can get home on two feet at the end of the day!
And, possibly your last and best chance to celelbrate this beer holiday, don't miss The Shoreline Brewery Oktoberfest and Bocce Tournament on October 17. There will be an all day bocce tournament wiht cash prize, Oktoberfest beer, Stein Holding Contest, Bavarian Style Menu, and live German Music.
👻 Get Spooked
Visit the Hesston Ghost Train at the Hesston Steam Museum on Weekends in October, or take it up a notch with a visit after dark to Niles Scream Park (screams guaranteed!).
🎉 More Fall Events in Southwest Michigan & Harbor Country
If hiking, apple picking, vineyards, pumpkin patches, Oktoberfests and getting scared aren't enough to convince you to visit in the fall, there's plenty more happening around Harbor Country and Southwest Michigan in October.
We've rounded up some of our favorite fall events near New Buffalo, Union Pier, Three Oaks, Michigan City and the surrounding area.
🍂OCTOBER EVENTS
Friday October 2
🌕 Harvest Moon Celebration at Friendship Botanic Gardens | Michigan City | 7–10 pm CT [Tickets]
🎶 Lindsay Lou at The Acorn | Three Oaks | 8 pm [Tickets]
🎶 Michael and Amber at Union Pier Social | Union Pier | 7 pm [Free]
🎤 Karaoke at SideYard | Sawyer | 7–9 pm [Free]
Saturday October 3
🍩 Donut Fest at Round Barn Estate | Baroda | Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–6 pm [Saturday Cover Charge]
🛍️ Blue Moon Barn Boutique Market | Westville | Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–5 pm CT [Free]
🍺 Kölschfest at Round Barn Brewery | Baroda | 12–10 pm [Free]
🍻 Seedz 6th Annual Oktoberfest | Union Pier | 1–10 pm [Tickets]
🍇 Dablon Vineyards & Winery Harvest Party | Baroda | 11 am–6 pm [Free]
🐢 Sweetgrass Turtle Workshop at Sandpiper | Bridgman | 1–4 pm [Tickets]
🎶 Champagne Duo Live Music at Gravity Winery | Baroda | 12–3 pm [Free]
🎸 Stealin’ The Farm Live at Shoreline Brewery | Michigan City | 8 pm [Tickets]
🎶 Billy Elton at The Acorn | Three Oaks | 8 pm [Tickets]
🎶 Marco Villareal at Union Pier Social | Union Pier | 7 pm [Free]
Sunday October 4
💿 South Bend Record Show at Gillespie Conference Center | South Bend | 9 am–4 pm [Cover Charge]
🧀 Dig the Dunes Mac & Cheese Fest at Zorn Brew Works | Michigan City | 1–4 pm CT [Tickets]
⛳ World’s Best Putter Competition at Welter’s Folly – Journeyman Distillery | Three Oaks | 11 am–3 pm [Entry Fee]
🎶 Live Music at Gravity Winery | Baroda | 2 pm
🎶 Live Music at Round Barn Estate | Baroda | 2 pm
🎶 Live Music at Shoreline Brewery | Michigan City | 3 pm CT
🎶 Live Music at The Acorn | Three Oaks | 8 pm
Tuesday October 6
Paws for Humanity Bingo at Union Pier Social | Union Pier | 6:30 pm [Cover Charge for Card]
A Special Evening with Professional Basketball & Baseball Player Ron Reed at The Vickers Theatre | Three Oaks | 6 pm [Free]
Wednesday October 7
🧶 Spooky Strings Macramé Workshop at Peat’s Cider Social | Stevensville | 6–8 pm [Tickets]
Friday October 9
🎤 The Temptations & The Four Tops at Four Winds Casino | New Buffalo | 8 pm [Tickets]
🎶 Live Music at Union Pier Social | Union Pier | 7 pm
Saturday October 10
🍻 Beachglass Brewfest | Downtown New Buffalo | 12–7 pm [Free]
🎨 Chicago Art Girls Fall Pop-Up at Commune + Market | Three Oaks | Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Sunday 10 am–4 pm [Free]
🍺 9th Annual Barrel-Aged Brewfest at Journeyman Distillery | Three Oaks | 12–5 pm [Tickets]
🌶️ Granor Farm Not-Chili Cook-Off | Three Oaks | 12–3 pm [Free]
🧘 Soundbath at Skybird Yoga | Sawyer [Tickets]
🍻 Sonny D’s Oktoberfest | New Buffalo | 6 pm [Free]
🎶 Live Music at Round Barn Estate | Baroda | 12 pm
🎶 Live Music at Gravity Winery | Baroda | 12 pm
🎶 Live Music at Union Pier Social | Union Pier | 7 pm
Sunday October 11
🎨 Intro to Risograph Printing! at Handmade Studio | Sawyer | 1–4 pm [Pre-register]
🎧 Dead Inside DJ Set at Out There | Sawyer | 3–7 pm [Free]
🎶 Live Music at Burn ’Em Brewing | Michigan City | 12 pm CT
🎶 Live Music at Gravity Winery | Baroda | 2 pm
Thursday October 15
🎨 Printmaking Workshop at Handmade Studio | Sawyer | 5:30–7:30 pm [Pre-register]
Saturday October 17
🧙 Barker Hall Witches Ball | Three Oaks | [Tickets]
🍺 Shoreline Oktoberfest & Bocce Tournament | Michigan City | [Tickets]
⛳ Journeyman Matchplay Tournament | Three Oaks | [Registration Required]
🍂 Harvest Festival at Stover Farm Market | Berrien Springs [Free]
🎶 Venus, Darling at The Vickers Theatre | Three Oaks | [Tickets]
🍎 Round Barn Estate Apple Fest | Baroda | [Tickets]
🎨 New Buffalo Service League Arts & Crafts Show | New Buffalo | [Free]
🦇 Boo at the Washington Park Zoo | Michigan City | [Tickets]
🎃 Halloween Maker’s Market at Peat’s Cider Social | Stevensville | [Free]
Friday October 23
👻 Boo Ball at The Acorn | Three Oaks | [Tickets]
Friday October 30
🎶 Debutants w/Nolan Strupeck & Humbletown! at Burn ’Em Brewing | Michigan City | 6:30–10 pm [Tickets]
Saturday October 31
🍄 Chikaming Open Lands Mushroom Hike | Merrit & Younger Family Preserves [Pre-register]
🎃 Burn ’Em Halloween! at Burn ’Em Brewing | Michigan City | 7:30–10 pm [Tickets]
🍁 Planning a Fall Getaway to Southwest Michigan?
Whether your perfect fall weekend means hiking through colorful woods, walking along Lake Michigan, picking apples, visiting a pumpkin patch, tasting Michigan wine, attending an Oktoberfest or filling your calendar with local events, Harbor Country has something for you.
And that's exactly why we love fall at Garden Grove Inn in Union Pier.
You can spend the day exploring Southwest Michigan and come back to a cozy room, a relaxing evening and a homemade breakfast the next morning. Then head out for another day of fall adventures.
🍂 Come for the fall colors. Stay for the wine, food, festivals and small-town charm.