Cider mills, pumpkin patches, barn quilts bring in autumn

Autumn in the middle of Michigan’s “Mitten” is something special.

Football. Apple cider. Spectacular outdoor colors.

Take it all in: fall foliage, world-class shows, fun, gambling and games.

Festive fall

Apple Barrel Cider Mill — An autumn tradition for many in mid-Michigan is a trip to the Apple Barrel Cider Miller in Ithaca. Stop in for apples and cider, honey, doughnuts, crafts, pies, jams, jellies and more. September and October hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 1418 E. Center, Ithaca. 989-875-2775. applebarrelcidermill.com

Papa’s Pumpkin Patch and Country Farm Market — They call it five acres of “corn-fusion,” with a corn maze, a straw maze and a pumpkin maze. There’s also a sandbox, pedal tractors, train rides and a toy store. And, of course, there’s fresh apple cider, doughnuts and more. 3909 South Summerton Road, Mt. Pleasant. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 10 am. to 6 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. Closing Oct. 31. 989-773-4345.

Fire Up, Chips! What’s better than college football in autumn? The Central Michigan University Chippewas are home for three games in October and November at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Share the spirit on-campus and throughout Mount Pleasant. Here’s the lineup:

• Saturday, Oct. 12: Ohio University. Homecoming. Ohio won last year, 34-21.

• Tuesday, Nov. 5: Bowling Green University. Military appreciation night. Bowling Green won in 2022, 34-18.

• Tuesday, Nov.19: Western Michigan University. Senior night. Western won last year, 38-28.

Go Scots! Alma College will host three football games in October and November. Alma in 2023 won a second consecutive MIAA regular season championship and went undefeated in the regular season.

• Saturday, Oct. 19: Albion College, 1 p.m.

• Saturday, Oct. 26: University of Olivet, 1 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 2: Trine University (Indiana), 1 p.m.

Fred Meijer Heartland Trail — Here’s a 42-mile, year-round outdoor experience where motorized vehicles are not permitted. The recreational getaway stretches from Alma to

Greenville (in Montcalm County) to provide — in the words of the late Greenville-born business billionaire Fred Meijer — “a safe haven for families, away from traffic.” Open from sunrise to sunset, the route is popular with bicyclists, joggers, inline skaters, walkers, hikers, cross-country skiers and nature lovers. For a map, visit fredmeijerheartlandtrail.org.

Go Park It — Take a hike, ride a bike or sit a spell along eight miles of trails — including some on the Chippewa River — at the 591-acre Deerfield Nature Park in Mt. Pleasant. Play disc golf, cross swinging bridges or go camping. Toss a disc, cross swinging bridges or go camping. There is a $6 daily entrance fee and no charge to disabled veterans with Disabled Veteran ID card. 2425 W. Remus Road, Mt. Pleasant. 989-772-2879.

Living the (wild) life — Open spaces and protected wildlife are hallmarks of more than 20 nature preserves in Isabella County, including nine on the Chippewa River. It’s all part of a commitment to “passive outdoors recreation” by the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. Paddle the river water trail to capture autumn’s captivating colors, through farms, woodlands and neighborhoods. Contact the conservancy for details at 989-772-5777. cwc@cwc-mi.org

Gratiot County Quilt Trail — More than 70 quilt blocks adorn barns, farms and buildings along the Gratiot County Quilt Trail, giving passersby a unique view of art and quilting. Each quilt has special meaning and its own history, honoring and celebrating the interests and passions of local residents, merchants, educators and families. For more, contact the Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce, 989-463-5525 gratiotcountyquilttrail.com

Kids’ stuff, cool stuff

Hello, deer — Mingle with the reindeer, cows, alpacas and other fuzzy friends at Rooftop Landing Reindeer farm in Clare. With the promise of “celebration, education and inspiration,” the farm offers a children’s playground, handmade crafts and specialty Michigan-made products — and plenty of photo opportunities. The farm’s holiday season is Oct. 26 through Dec. 23, with Santa arriving Nov. 9. Admission is $12, and free for ages 1 and under. 2706 E. Stevenson Lake Road, Clare. 517-749-4866. info@rooftopreindeeer.com

Soaring Eagle Casino — Hold ‘em, fold ‘em, take a gamble. Take your pick as you work your way through 2,100 square feet of betting options, from poker to roulette and slot machine to Bingo — and more. Feed your appetite in an array of restaurants and nourish your soul in the spa and salon. The autumn show schedule is chock-full of big names: Little River Band with Atlanta Rhythm Section, 8 p.m. Oct. 5; The Temptations and The Spinners, 8 p.m. Oct. 11; Tom Segura, 7 p.m. Oct. 20; Nelly, 8 p.m. Oct. 25; Brett Young, 8 p.m. Nov. 1; Barenaked Ladies and Toad The Wet Sprocket, 8 p.m. Nov. 8; Collective Soul and Hinder, 8 p.m. Nov. 15; Girls Night Out, 8 p.m. Nov. 16; The Oak Ridge Boys, 8 p.m. Nov. 23. Isabella Indian Reservation, 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd., Mt. Pleasant. 888-732-4537. soaringeaglecasino.com

Kids Quest at Soaring Eagle — There’s supervised fun and games a’plenty for 30 months through 12 years old. A sampling: an interactive train table, arcade games, karaoke, video games, construction quarry and sports zone with a half-court for basketball. 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd. 989-775-5295. kidsquest.com

Explore, Create, Learn, Grow — There’s plenty of interaction, especially for children ages 0-12 at the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum. Climb aboard Blast Off, a three-level space travel exhibit, or encourage the youngest visitors to experience life on the farm in the Baby Carrots exhibit where they will gather eggs, go fishing or plant a garden. $10 daily admission, covering museum and daily programming. 5093 Remus Road, Mt. Pleasant. 989-317-3221. mpdiscoverymuseum.org

Ziibiwing Center — Here’s the informative and painstakingly presented story of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, its history, culture and enduring influence of Mid-Michigan. Spend quality time with 15 areas of exhibits and collections of art and artifacts in an ever-changing gallery. Exhibits and the gift shop open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 6650 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant. 989-775-4750.

Jay’s & Webber Wildlife & Education Center — Established as a lasting legacy honoring two avid outdoorsmen committed to conservation, the center features exhibits, special progams and interactive experiences to promote environmental stewardship and hunting’s outdoor tradition. 3891 E. Surrey Road, Clare. 989-418-4731. jwwildlifecenter.org

The Jump Station — If you’re looking to burn energy, here’s the place. The Jump Station offers a trampoline park, dodgeball and bounce houses. Check out the special hours for toddlers and programs for groups. 2422 East Broomfield Road, Mt. Pleasant, 989-317-0589. thejmumpstationmtp.com