Autumn, the season of sweet treats, comfy sweaters, and frightful films. Once you feel that slight bite in the air, it’s hard to contain the excitement. So if you’re looking for some fall fun, look no further than these local establishments to satisfy your autumn cravings.
When the leaves start to fall and colder weather creeps up, a festive drink in hand feels necessary. Many seasonal drink flavors like pumpkin and apple can be found sprinkled around Berkley. Monarch Coffee, located on Eleven Mile, recently introduced their delicious pumpkin spice latte, topped with your choice of cinnamon, whipped cream, or pumpkin spice. Another contender for a spiced cup of joe would be Atomic Coffee, found on Main St. in Royal Oak. This season they are offering a variety of festive beverages, ranging from their pumpkin pie latte to their classic hot chocolate, guaranteed to warm anyone up on those crisp fall days. And finally, old faithful Starbucks is contributing their yearly fall drinks in locations all over the area, from Woodward to Royal Oak. This lineup includes the return of the fan favorite pumpkin spiced latte, as well as newcomer apple crisp oat milk macchiato, served iced upon request. Try out these sweet and spiced refreshments to receive an instant splash of that cozy fall feeling.
On a day off from your fresh new loads of homework, consider spending a day at Franklin Cider Mill, located in Bloomfield Township. When it comes to a perfect fall day, there’s not much that Franklin’s doesn’t offer. Using over twenty different varieties of Michigan grown hand picked apples, the mill creates and sells their delectable homegrown cider. To complete the perfect October treat, Franklin’s additionally offers fresh cinnamon donuts and daily baked apple pies. While enjoying the homey confections, take a walk around the mill, and watch their famous apple cider be made live. The Mill additionally sells tasty corn on the weekends, there for when you crave a savory snack. If you wish to take a spoonful of Franklin’s home at the end of your visit, pick from under the Franklin’s Favorites tent, where their selection of cheeses, meats, butters, jams, and apples are displayed.
With Halloween right around the corner, it’s hard to keep treats off the mind. If your sweet tooth desires those traditional fall flavors, look no further than these local bakeries. Found on Eleven Mile and Main St, Dessert Oasis’s menu consists of daily house-made cheesecakes, their most seasonally fit being the pumpkin and caramel apple flavored. If you want a quick sweet, then family owned Donut Cutter is calling your name. Upon a visit to Donut Cutter, located on Woodward, you’ll be met with seasonal flavors such as pumpkin cake and cinnamon, with colorful additions like their themed Halloween donuts. This charming shop vends cinnamon rolls as well, covered from classic glaze, to maple, to chocolate. However, if you want to share the holiday joy, consider sending the famous baked goods of Crumbl Cookies, found on Woodward in Royal Oak, to a loved one. On top of their ever changing menu of mouth watering treats, this fall they offer caramel pumpkin, autumn sugar, and apple pie cookies, warm and ready to be delivered alongside a personalized note to a friend or family member. If you need to sweeten up your day, take a trip to these shops and indulge in pure fall goodness.
Lastly, once you’ve enjoyed a day of sweets and cider, check out a night of frightful fun at Boo!kley Days, a free festival celebrated in Downtown Berkley from September 30th to October 30th. On top of the month-long spooky storefronts designed by local artists, the event offers sporadic festivities woven throughout the weeks of October, like the Boo!kley Ghost Chase on October 21st, an exciting road rally race across the city. If you’re a fan of all things horror, pay a visit to the Ghost on The Balcony, an immersive attraction located at the rumored haunted Emagine theatre on Old Woodward. The playhouse, built in 1927, has been transformed for the month into the theatre of Mr. Baldwin, an old theatre proprietor who has harrowing terrors surrounding him. Will you make it out? The experience is available all of October, with Friday and Saturday nights reserved 7-10 pm for the 13+ haunts, and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons at 2-5 p.m. arranged for strictly PG scares. The season wraps up with the city’s family friendly Trick or Treat Stroll on October 29th from 12-3 pm, where kids are free to collect candy from the downtown businesses. Following that from 2-6pm is the Monster Mash, a block party along Coolidge. If you have an evening off, check Downtown Berkley’s calendar, there might be an exciting night waiting for you.
This red and orange time of year deserves to have every second of it soaked up, so try out some of these activities this Autumn; you’ll never want the season to end.