After a busy week of studying, socializing and squeezing in those volunteer hours, your teen deserves to have a bit of fall fun. Luckily, there are plenty of seasonal activities to enjoy around town right now, from visiting corn mazes and cider mills to zip-lining at night and escaping from zombies. (More on that in a second!)
When they are ready to blow off some steam, here are the 11 best fall activities that they can enjoy with friends or family. Everything’s happening now through the end of October.
Take in all the fall sights, smells, and sounds with your teen at the Autumn Festival hosted by Superior Farm & Garden. This year, you’ll find over 30 local vendors and artisans selling goods like handmade wreaths, soy candles, apparel, etc. You can peruse the stalls and split a seasonal treat from one of the on-site food trucks.
2121 N Prospect Rd, Ypsilanti. 734-219-7223.
Hours: October 14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
If there’s one thing that teens love, it’s getting lost in a corn maze with their friends for a few hours. Drop the whole crew off (or encourage them to drive themselves, if they’re old enough) at Nixon Farms. Their 14-acre Blast Corn Maze is one of the best in Michigan and boasts plenty of twists, turns and spots to take photos. Once the troupe has made it through the maze, they can grab cider slushies and doughnuts from the market, check out the petting farm or take a hayride around the property.
6175 Daly Rd, Dexter.
Hours: Friday, 5–9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
If your teen and their friends are craving a true taste of fall, then point them in the direction of Dexter Cider Mill, the oldest continually operating cider mill in the state of Michigan. Here, they’ll find an extensive menu that includes apple cider, apple cider slushies, apple fritters, apple strudel, apple turnovers and – of course – apple cider doughnuts. Best of all? They can enjoy their treats with scenic views of the Huron River.
3685 Central St, Dexter. 734-426-8531.
Hours: Wed.–Sun, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The only thing better than watching a Halloween movie this time of year is seeing it in theater–and your teen can do exactly that at Emagine Saline. From now through October 28th, Emagine is running special showings of classics like “Beetlejuice,” “Casper,” “The Birds,” and “Hocus Pocus.” Tickets start at just $7.
1335 E. Michigan Ave, Saline. 734-316-5500.
Hours: October 5–28, vary.
Glenlore Trails
Now this is an activity that teens will gladly do with their friends or their family. Invite your child to step right up and make their way to “The Haunted Forest: CarnEvil.” Once the sun goes down, they’ll follow an illuminated path through the woods and encounter “soothsaying sisters,” “creeping clowns,” “putrid pumpkins,” and other spine-tingling surprises. General Admission tickets cost $25.
3860 Newton Rd, Commerce Township.
Hours: Thurs.–Sun, 7–10:15 p.m. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Glow Zip at Howell Nature Center
Is there anything more thrilling than ziplining at night? Give your teen permission to soar after-hours during “Glow Zip” at Howell Nature Center. This special event only occurs in October and includes neon face paint, glow sticks and festival treats aplenty. Participants must sign a waiver and wear closed-toed shows upon arrival. Tickets cost $20 for members and $25 for non-members.
1005 Triangle Lake Rd, Howell. 517-546-0249.
Hours: October 7, 14, 28, 7–9 p.m.
If you’re looking for an activity that younger kids and teens can enjoy together, try Pumpkins Lanterns & Leaves at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Your smaller child will delight in the luminary making craft and shadow puppet show, while your teen will happily stroll the jack-o’-lantern trail and partake in the cider, doughnuts, and scavenger hunt. Tickets are $20 per person.
1800 N. Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor. 734-647-7600.
Hours: Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Costumes, candy and free comic books? Talk about a killer combination. If your teen is an avid reader and eager to get in the Halloween spirit, then make sure they know about Spooky Free Comic Book Day at Vault of Midnight. On the Saturday of Halloween weekend, they can dress up alongside their friends and receive free candy and comic books at the downtown Ann Arbor location. (Note: Shoppers in costume can get up to 10% off any item in store.) Candy and comics are first-come, first-served!
219 S. Main St, Ann Arbor. 734-998-1413.
Hours: Saturday, October 28, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wiard’s Orchard & Country Fair
PSA: The Country Fair is back, and it’s the perfect fall activity for the whole family. Together, you can navigate the corn maze, take an Old West wagon ride, play mini golf, visit the petting farm, pick apples and choose pumpkins to carve at home. And if your teen’s an adrenaline junkie? Consider bringing them back for Night Terrors, a series of five haunted houses on the same property. Tickets start at $17.50 for the Country Fair and $32 for Night Terrors.
5565 Merritt Rd, Ypsilanti. 734-390-9211.
Hours: Wed–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat–Sun, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wonder Walks: Fall Color Change
Teach your teen a thing or two about nature – or simply enjoy fresh air and fall colors together – on a Wonder Walk at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. These guided walks are hosted on select Wednesdays and Sundays, are completely free, and offer an in-depth look at how plants change and prepare for winter. And this is the last one of the year!
1800 N. Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor. 734-647-7600.
Hours: Wednesday, October 18, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Zombie Escape at Howell Nature Center
For the teen who swears they’re not afraid of the walking dead, we highly suggest “Zombie Escape” at Howell Nature Center. During this special, one-day only event, they can test their archery skills, practice building fires and shelters, and ultimately make their escape down a 500-foot zip line. Tickets are $18 for members and $20 for non-members.
1005 Triangle Lake Rd, Howell. 517-546-0249.
Hours: Tuesday, October 10 & 17, 3–6:30 p.m.
