October brings pumpkins, cider and fall fun around Midland

It’s spooky season in Michigan, and pumpkin spice is back on the menu. From hayrides to cider mills, the Midland area is packed with places to celebrate the season. Here’s a look at a few local favorites and others close to home.

Midland
At Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch, 4277 N. Eastman Road, fall fun is in full swing. Open through Halloween, the patch features hayrides, a corn maze, the Kidland Play Yard, and an abundance of pumpkins and donuts. Special events, such as Big Truck Day and the Penny War Car Show, make each visit a little different.

The Midland Farmers Market, located along the Tridge at 111 W. Main Street, runs through late October and offers a diverse selection of items—fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, crafts, and fall favorites like cider and apples. Shoppers can stroll the riverfront, grab a coffee, and support local growers and makers.

Freeland
Bayne’s Apple Valley, 5395 Midland Road, pairs a full-service restaurant and tap house with all the best parts of fall. Visitors can enjoy live music, shop Michigan-made goods, and take home a gallon of fresh cider and a bag of sugar-dusted donuts.

A few miles away, Leaman’s Green Apple Barn, 7475 N. River Road, serves up cider slushies, hot food, and plenty of family fun. Guests can take a wagon ride, wander the corn maze, visit the animals, or let kids burn off energy in the corn kernel pit and playground.

Saginaw
Schomaker Farms, 1103 Leddy Road near Shields, brings a playful twist to pumpkin picking—visitors pay one price and can carry out as many pumpkins as they can hold. The farm also offers hayrides, a vegetable stand, food trucks, and a petting area with goats and mini cows.

At Johnson’s Pumpkin Farm, 4715 N. Portsmouth Road, hay bales and fall displays make for great photos. The 13-acre farm includes pony rides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, and plenty of hot food and donuts. Each weekend brings something new, from train rides to family-friendly events.

Beaverton
The Wild Pumpkin, 5799 Beaverton Road, is a favorite stop for families. Kids can play in the corn kernel box, visit farm animals, and explore the maze before cooling off with an apple cider float and a warm donut. Wagon rides and colorful mums add to the fall feel.

Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm, 4676 M-18, offers a relaxed setting for pumpkin picking and fall photos. It’s open seven days a week and stocked with treats like popcorn, cotton candy, cider, and donuts. There are a few friendly animals on display, making it a simple yet charming stop for families.