Best Halloween Hayrides for Kids in Kalamazoo, Michigan

My kids love fall. It's the only time of year they can have Halloween, apples, pumpkins, cider and hayrides - all in the same day, if they're lucky! If your kids have never been on a hayride before, take them for a Halloween hayride this fall and show them what they've been missing. The locations below are each within about 20 minutes of Kalamazoo, and offer local produce, country-style fun, and kid hayrides and are open through the end of October and in some cases, early November. If you're interested in special events like Halloween hayrides, call first and double check for availability.

Gull Meadow Farms
Fall is more than a season at Gull Meadow Farms - it's an event. Between early September and Halloween, your kids can find out what it's like to pick their own own apples, hunt down the perfect pumpkin from the pumpkin patch or choose one already picked for you, ride a kid-sized train, get lost in a giant corn maze (or pint-sized hay bale maze instead, if the corn maze is a little too intimidating), take a wagon ride, or visit the gift shop for a souvenir, doughnut or cider. See their website for hours of operation.
Contact info:
Gull Meadow Farms
8854 Gull Road, Richland, MI 49083
Phone: 269-629-4214
Email: gullmeadowfarms@gmail.com
Directions: Located three-quarters of a mile west of Richland on M-43. For a map to the farm, click here.

Husted Farm Market And Cider Mill
I really like Husted Farm Market and Cider Mill, even though it's quite a bit smaller than Gull Meadow Farms. They offer pumpkins and pick-your-own apples, fresh apple cider (made on-site), produce, snacks and a picnic area. And tractor-pulled hayrides, of course! Plus, you can enjoy the activities Husted Farm Market and Cider Mill has to offer without the huge crowds that you often run into at other venues. Open from May through November, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Contact Info:
Husted Farm Market and Cider Mill
9191 West Main, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Phone: 269-372-1237
Email: scotthusted@charter.net
Directions: Located 3.5 miles west of the US-131 Kalamazoo exit 38-B, on West Main.

Verhage Farms
Verhage Farms is the only place on this list that I haven't yet taken my own kids to, but according to Pumpkinpatchesandmore.org, they offer you-pick apples, pre-picked apples, non-pasteurized homemade cider, twelve varieties of homemade donuts, and five varieties of homemade caramel apples. The also feature a Country Store with homemade jams, a pumpkin jump (I'm not sure what that is, but it sounds like fun!), an animal barn, and hayrides. Five varieties of caramel apples? My kids and I will definitely be checking out Verhage Farms this year! Open for approximately eight weeks, from September 5th through Nov. 5th, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Contact Info:
Verhage Farms
8619 W M L Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49065.
Phone: 269-375-0153.
Directions: If you're in Kalamazoo, go west on Stadium Drive to 6th St. and turn right. Go to the end of 6th and turn left on ML. Go over the railroad tracks, and Verhage Farms is a half-mile down on the left.

Sources:
Personal experience
Gull Meadow Farms
Husted Farm Market and Cider Mill
Pumpkinpatchesandmore.org