Fall/Winter 2009

A warm fall day spent in southwestern Michigan is the setting of Indian summer dreams, when the forests and orchards are painted with a golden palette of yellows, oranges and reds.

Taste the season by stopping at one of the plentiful area orchards for a pick-your-own adventure. Springhope Farm, in Galien, Michigan, is one of the loveliest little farms in the region, where you can set out into the wide orchards and pick a bushel or two of your favorite, in-season apple varieties. Nearby Three Oaks is a small town big on charm. Spend some time visiting the unique galleries and quaint shops — up-and-coming Midwest artists are featured at both Gallery 107 and Blue Gallery, and you can find a gift for the person who has everything at Jenny’s Antiques. Drier’s Meat Market makes sausages the old-fashioned way, and Belle Via market offers fresh-from-the-oven muffins.

In late September, Three Oaks hosts the annual Apple Cider Century Bicycle Tour, a bicycling event that offers apple-arrow- marked routes from 15 to 100 miles long. Children 12 and younger are welcome when accompanied by a registered rider. You’ll travel through the colorful countryside dotted with apple orchards and ride past picturesque streams and farms. Bicycle rentals are available at the Dewey Cannon Trading Company, located inside the old train depot in downtown Three Oaks.

Fuel up with lunch on the patio at very family-friendly Redamak’s in next-door New Buffalo, where juicy burgers and crispy fries have been served to delighted day-trippers since 1975.

- State - Michigan

- Type - Family Vacations

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