Fall in Elkhart County

FALL

One of the best times to experience the Heritage Trail is when the leaves begin to turn. Gold. Red. Orange. Brilliant warm colors to balance the new chill in the air. Clusters of trees sporting blazing fall hues form a vibrant backdrop for the barn-red Bonneyville Mill, Indiana’s oldest continuously operating gristmill. For a colorful walk, follow the nearby trails that meander along the little Elkhart river wetlands at this 233-acre park.

Looking for more color? Take a leisurely walk along the tree-lined towpath beside the millrace canal of the Elkhart River in Goshen. Goshen is known as the “Maple City” so color viewers are richly rewarded with flaming shades of red and orange each autumn. If you’re there on a Saturday morning, check-out the Goshen Farmer’s Market featuring a bounty of locally grown fruits and vegetables located between downtown Goshen and the Millrace Trail at the old Millrace Center. 

Fall Festivals

Pumpkins and apples seem to be everywhere – decorating homes and main streets as well as flavoring pies and other fresh-from-the-oven baked goods. Speaking of apples. We’ve got the largest apple pie in the world to help satisfy fall cravings! Weighing in at 600 pounds, this pie is an annual tradition at the Nappanee Apple Festival. The four-day festival also features an incredible assortment of apple goodies, pie-eating contents, live music and fun and games for the whole family. For More Fall Fun, click here for our Events Calendar 

Middlebury Fall Festival: Sept. 8 -  9, 2023
Nappanee Apple Festival: Sept. 14 - 17, 2023
Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale. Sept. 22 - 23, 2023
Michiana Pottery Tour: Sept. 23 - 24, 2023
Goshen First Friday: October 6, 2023
 

Fall Family Fun

There is no shortage of fall-time family fun from September through October at area pumpkin patches, apple orchards and harvest festivals. Jump on a fun and relaxing hayride through the orchard at Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard to pick a bushel of apples or a pumpkin. Linton’s Enchanted Gardens in Elkhart offers loads of fall fun with a petting zoo, train and swan paddle boat rides and other adventurous attractions. And be sure to head out to the Knollbrook Farm Corn Maze. "Fun on the Farm"  Open weekends Fri:4-8, Sat:11-8. Sun:1-6. 

One thing you can’t miss is the Great Pumpkin Tree in Wakaursa. Standing 17 feet tall, the tree is made with over 200 pumpkins! It’s also the centerpiece of the Wakarusa Harvest Halloween Party, which promises spooktacular fun for all ages. Enjoy a hayride, a costume contest and special fall savings throughout the downtown. October.

Wine Down Time

Gather your friends for a weekend afternoon at  Fruit Hills Winery & Orchard. Sample wines in the rustic tasting room then choose a wine to savor as you sit on the deck and enjoy the beautiful view of the historic Bristol fruit hills.

Fall in Elkhart County, Indiana #INElkhartCo