Fun things to do around campus this fall

October 25, 2021

Here are a few of our favorite things.

This article was originally published on October 25, 2021.

Fall is a classic campus season. Cool air is perfect for a Michigan hoodie and a warm drink while looking at beautiful scenery in an array of fall colors. And it’s all steps from your office or classroom.

Wander around the woods

Join the Environmental Interpretive Center (EIC) staff naturalists on guided walks through the outdoor Environmental Study Area from noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays this fall for their "I Wonder Wanders" walks. Don’t worry — they aren’t going for Blair Witch Project realness. These daylight walks are for the EIC experts to give us a bit more information about stunning fall foliage and the creatures that call campus home. No RSVP needed and it's specifically for the UM-Dearborn community. Ready for a quick outdoor adventure? Please gather at the picnic tables behind the EIC a little before noon.

On those rainy fall days, get some history

If the weather isn’t cooperating for a walk around campus’ EIC, stroll around — the museum is open year round — and see artifacts like Rosa Parks’ bus, cars that date back to the late 1800s, and American toys and music throughout the past 100 years. There are millions of artifacts to see, so there’s something for everyone.

All if they show their MCard at the museum’s Welcome Center. Student perks include unlimited access to the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village and traditional films.

Decorate for Hail-o-ween

Add a bit of “Go Boo” to your Halloween decor and pumpkin carving party. There are six unique UM-Dearborn pumpkin carving stencils that you can use to get started, or come up with your own unique design.

Ronen and Rebekah Tuxbury, children of staff member Sarah Tuxbury, chose the "Batty for Michigan" design.. Photo by Scott Piestrak

Watch or read scary stories

Pick up a spooky novel or film while at Mardigian Library. The library also has a selection of horror movies and scary stories that you can enjoy right from your computer like Stephen King’s and Bram Stoker’s on e-book, and films like Alfred Hitchcock’s , Jordan Peele’s and Joss Whedon’s via streaming. are here and you can here.

Mardigian Library offers fall books and movies

Warm up with fall flavors

Maple, pumpkin spice, chai, and caramel are arguably the unofficial ingredients of fall in Michigan. Find these flavors in lattes, hot ciders and pastries on menus across campus, from McKinley Café to Mug Life. Looking for a meeting spot or snack break near campus with autumnal flavors? Try , where milkshakes are blended with salted caramel and Madagascar vanilla bean, or brunch at where brown butter pancakes are topped with burnt cinnamon whipped cream and Michigan maple syrup. Dearborn is also home to a number of Yemeni cafes, like and, where Arabic coffees are brewed with spicy flavors, such as fresh ginger, cardamom and cloves.

Dearborn is also home to a number of Yemeni cafes, like Qahwah House where Arabic coffees are brewed with spicy flavors, such as fresh ginger, cardamom and cloves.

Say ‘Go Boo!’ when you cheer on our athletes

Want to get pumped for your favorite Wolverine team? Check out this Spotify by the University of Michigan. And there’s tons of upcoming action you can watch. Our Dearborn Wolverines Men’s Ice Hockey team has a home game at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 vs. Concordia in the Fieldhouse. The Women's Ice Hockey team has a game coming up against Ann Arbor at 9 p.m. Nov. 5 at Artic Edge in Canton. Women and Men’s soccer and volleyball have upcoming home matches too. .

are free for UM-Dearborn students, faculty and staff.