Things to Do in the South Shore During the Fall

There's nothing quite like the feeling of fall when you step outside on a cool, crisp morning and spot the first hints of orange and yellow leaves scattered among the green trees. Despite the chilly weather on the horizon, we can't help but love every aspect of autumn and everything it brings.

We're ready for fresh apples and pumpkins, apple-cinnamon donuts, corn mazes, Oktoberfests, pumpkin beer, colorful trails, wildlife viewing, and more!

Here are some places and events to visit to make it your best fall yet.

Apple, Pumpkin, and Sunflower Picking

Fair Oaks Farms' Harvest Season features a 40-acre apple orchard and is open until late October! Their orchard has eight varieties of apples to pick and many of the trees are low to the ground so even the littlest apple-picker can reach. There is also a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, donuts, apple cider slushies and all the attractions that come with a visit to Fair Oaks Farms. For a special treat, visit during one of their special events this fall like their Applefest, Oktoberfest, Pumpkinfest, and their Halloween Trail!

At Harvest Tyme Family Farm you can enjoy all your favorite fall activities. This family-friendly farm transforms throughout the seasons to accommodate some amazing events. Harvest Tyme in the fall is the perfect place for beautiful photo opportunities in the fields, picking your own sunflowers or pumpkins, tasting your favorite fall goodies like apple cinnamon donuts, or having fun on the rides and in the corn maze!

Johnson’s Farm Produce turns into a fall fun zone from September through October! Head out to the farm for their Fall Fun Farm Weekends to pick the perfect pumpkin to take home. This farm also has many different rides and games for all ages, a farm market and other treats to enjoy during your visit.

One of the most well-known names in the region when it comes to apples is County Line Orchard! This beautifully rustic orchard has everything from fresh-made donuts, many varieties of apples for picking, sunflowers, corn mazes, live music, a kids' farm with animals to feed, and of course pumpkins! Look out for special events they are holding this year, too.

Outdoor Adventures

In the fall, the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area is riddled with Sandhill Cranes during their migration season. In past years, there were almost 30,000 of these three to four-foot-tall birds at the wildlife area at once! You can view these flocks on a raised viewing deck, but make sure to bring your binoculars to get a closer look.

You can explore more than 7,000 acres of beautiful fall scenery when you visit the bison at Kankakee Sands Nature Conservancy. During the fall season, the bison are moved into a smaller pasture that makes it easier to view them. Even more of a reason to visit the bison in the fall – the calves are born during this time, too!

If you want to stroll through trails to see all the different trees changing colors, Friendship Botanic Gardens and Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest are perfect options! Both beautiful places have areas great for children and are dog-friendly. The entire month of October, Gabis also features the Trail of Scarecrows exhibit that features students’ scarecrows to match the theme of the year. Keep your eyes peeled for other fun fall and Halloween events at both of these locations.

Take a hike with the 3 Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park to see the beautiful changing leaves from the top of sand dunes. This challenge is always a fun and worthwhile hike, but feeling the crisp fall air before heading down the stairs at Mt. Tom’s peak (which is 192 feet above Lake Michigan) is something special! There are also a lot of trails to choose from at the Indiana Dunes National Park.

For more outdoor activities, click here >>

Oktoberfests

Octoberfest

From early September through October, there are Oktoberfest celebrations all over the region! Find German food vendors, live entertainment, fun activities and of course, beer! Many of the events are also family-friendly.

Michigan City Oktoberfest - August 29 - September 1, 2025
Pop-up German Biergarten - September 11-13, 2025
Byway Oktoberfest - September 13, 2025
Oktoberfest at Running Vines Winery - September 20, 2025
St. John Oktoberfest - September 26-28, 2025
Oktoberfest at Fair Oaks Farms - September 27 & 28, 2025
Oaktober Fest at Gabis Arboretum - October 3-4, 2025
Griffith Oktoberfest - October 3-5, 2025
Oktoberfest at Off Square Brewing - October 3-5, 2025
Crown Point Oktoberfest - October 4, 2025
Pop-up German Biergarten - October 9-11, 2025
Oktoberfest at Journeyman - October 18, 2025

Many of the breweries on our South Shore Brewery Trail will be releasing their very own pumpkin ales this fall, so you can try them all! Plan your trip with the South Shore Passport App.

Wherever you visit, contact Brewery Lodge for their Brew Bus Tours to get where you want to go. Plan a brewery tour with a group of friends or family! What pairs better with fall than an ice-cold brew and a safe way of getting to and from?

Check out more events on our Fall Events page.

We hope this helps with planning your best fall adventure yet! Make sure to share your experiences with us on Facebook or Instagram using #AlongTheSouthShore so we can see all the fun you’re having.