Fall Family Fun: Fawcett Farms and Markillie Orchard in Howell

With temperatures finally season-appropriate, I am ready to dive into all things fall!

Two places my family and I love to go to each year are Markillie Orchard and Fawcett Farms, both located in Howell, Michigan, about 1.5 miles apart. These two hidden gems offer all the fall fun you need in a no-frills, inexpensive manner. Nothing like going right to the families that make the cider, donuts, and pumpkins, right? It’s definitely my favorite part of living in a more ‘country’ part of southeast Michigan!

FAWCETT FARMS

From M-59, travel a few miles north on Latson Rd. in Howell and go until it just about turns to dirt at Faussett Road. The drive is full of farm land and is gorgeous, especially in the evening. On the left, you’ll see a pumpkin patch. It’s hard to miss the gorgeous sea of orange!

This farm offers pumpkins — of any size — for just $6 {2024 pricing}. And the pumpkins are beautiful! Less expensive than the grocery store, and such a better experience to just go right to the source. The farm also has corn stalks, mums, gourds, and pie pumpkins, white pumpkins and a variety of other heirloom pumpkins. Some are incredible! The funkier, the better in my book 😉

There are a few hay bales for the kids to climb on, and plenty of John Deere tractors on the premises to make any tot swoon.

My kids absolutely love picking out tons of small pumpkins to put in our landscaping. And at 50 cents a pop, I’m not complaining.

HOURS AND INFORMATION

Current hours are as follows:

• Daily: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The farm accepts cash and credit. Follow Fawcett Farms on Facebook.

Located at 6909 N Latson Rd., Howell, Michigan | (810) 252-7718

MARKILLIE ORCHARD

After you’re done picking up your fall decor, head south on Latson a mile for Markillie Orchard {you will pass it going to the pumpkin patch, so your call which is better to do first}.

This small family-run orchard has incredible cider and donuts, plus apples and more. It’s so charming! After how commercialized some orchards have gotten, I appreciate just popping in for some goodies and letting the kids just run around happily without the extra hoopla.

All of the donuts and the apple chips dessert are phenomenal.

There is a small play set for kids to play on, and they can check out the apple trees behind the building, too. {However, this is not a U-pick farm.}

And of course, you have to stop at the cute cut-out for a photo op.

HOURS AND INFORMATION

Open from Labor day week-end until mid November Saturday and Sunday ONLY, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.