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How to Spend a Fall Day at EasternMarket

Itinerary & Photos by Sarah Bence

There’s nothing more classic Detroit than a day spent at Eastern Market – the hugeoutdoor farmer’s market that has been feeding Detroiters since 1841.

Many people flock to the market in Spring and Summer – for events like Flower Dayor Murals in the Market. However, fall is arguably the very best time to exploreEastern Market thanks to the Michigan fall harvest!

Soak up the crisp fall air, rows of fall produce, and the smell of cider with a full dayspent in and around Eastern Market.

When to Visit Eastern Market

Eastern Market has market days on Saturdays (6 a.m. – 4 p.m., year-round), Sundays(10 a.m. – 4 p.m., June-September), and Tuesdays (9 a.m.-3 p.m., June-September).

Saturday is the biggest market day, with the most produce options. It’s also the onlymarket that stays open into October and November. If you truly want to witness thefall harvest glory at Eastern Market – from colorful pumpkins and apples to freshlyfried donuts – then you should plan to visit on a Saturday.

1 DAY | 7-10 HOURS FEATURES

Art & Culture, Entertainment,Food & Drink, Outdoor,Shopping

DESTINATIONS

Detroit

1 9 A.M. Grab Your Morning Coffee at Germack

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For those who need their morning coffee, there’s no better coffee shop nearEastern Market than Germack.

This coffee shop is also the nation’s oldest pistachio roasting company, andyou’ll find walls lined in nuts, spices, teas, fruits, chocolates, kitchenware,and more. Spend some time perusing the shelves, and then order a hot drinkto start your day.

Germack has traditional barista coffee drinks, but also a few fall specialties.Try a lavender hot chocolate, if you’re still yearning for end-of-summerflavors. Or for a more autumnal (and spicy) option, order the Chili Mexican,which is a thick mocha spiced with cinnamon and cayenne pepper.

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2 10 A.M. Peruse the Fall Produce in Sheds 2 & 3

It’s time to start exploring the market!

Eastern Market is the largest outdoor farmer’s market in the United States,but its vendors are still organized into numbered “sheds” to protect from theelements. Fun fact – there actually isn’t a Shed 1! This shed was demolishedin the 1960’s, and is now the large parking lot at the market’s southern end.

Instead, you’ll begin your journey in Shed 2. This is one of the biggest sheds,and full of fall produce from Michigan farms.

Stalls to visit in Shed 2:

Jentzen Farms: Located in stall 222, here you’ll find tons of seasonalfall produce including corn, squash, pumpkins, and more.

White Lotus Farms: Has some fall produce, including apples, but cometo this stall for the 100% organic fresh bread and the freshly mademozzarella.

Hoxie Farms: Located in the open air between Sheds 2 and 3, this stallhas rows of pumpkins, apples, butternut squash, and end-of-seasontomatoes and plums.

From Shed 2, you’ll wander directly into Shed 3, which is enclosed and linedwith market vendors.

Stalls to visit in Shed 3:

NW Kaltz and Sons Farms: One of the largest produce vendors inEastern Market, located at the southern entrance to Shed 3. Amongthe fall produce you’ll find squashes, pumpkins (including piepumpkins), black kale, and sunflowers.

Stadler Farm: Another produce stall in Shed 3. Be sure to stop here forthe adorable “squirrel picnic tables” (a tiny picnic table with a driedcorn cob in the middle).

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3 11 A.M. Grab Donuts, Cider & Fall Decor in Sheds 4-6

At this point, you might be weighed down with produce purchases. Take ashort detour to drop those off at your car if you drove to Eastern Market (tip:bring a cooler with you to keep your produce fresh, so you can spend all dayat the market!).

Then, return to where you left off, with Shed 4! Shed 4 is located in themiddle of the market, and is a bit different from the other buildings as it’smuch more open. There are still plenty of stalls here, though, includingsome Michigan fall favorites (think: donuts and cider!).

Stalls to visit in Shed 4:

Fusilier Family Farms: Located in stalls 420-422, this is your go-to spotfor Michigan grown apples, including the popular honey crisp apples.

Hy’s Cider Mill: It wouldn’t be fall in Michigan without donuts andcider. At this vendor, you can pick up a pint of Michigan apple cider,plus fresh donuts (in flavors like glazed chocolate, cinnamon sugar,and sour cream glazed).

Flowers by Rosey: Located in the open area between Shed 4 and 5,this stall has fresh-cut fall flower bouquets, plus Osage oranges,“pumpkins on a stick,” and other fall décor.

Shed 5 is the last big warehouse shed. It feels more spacious than the othersheds because there aren’t as many vendors – so you can relax and wandera bit more without the crowds!

Stalls to visit in Shed 5:

That French Cow Creperie: A popular crepe shop selling sweet andsavory crepes – perfect if you need a little pick-me-up!

Canton Floral: Sells a variety of floral arrangements, including fall-themed bouquets with mini scarecrows.

Finally, you’ll find Shed 6 at the northernmost end of Eastern Market. LikeShed 4, this is more of an open air structure with a raised roof.

Shed 6 is dedicated to flowers, live plants, and garden décor. Take your timewandering the stalls, which all have a variety of autumnal floralarrangements, produce plants, and more.

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4 12 P.M. Grab a Sit-Down Lunch Near the Market

It’s lunch time! Drop off any extra purchases to your car, and then get readyto experience the foodie scene around Eastern Market.

There are plenty of iconic Detroit restaurants surrounding Eastern Market. Ifyou’re parked at the northern end of Eastern Market (near Sheds 5 and 6),then you might prefer a quieter lunch at Amora da Roma or Sala Thai.

There are also plenty of restaurants around the more bustling area on eitherside of the Sheds.

In the mood for a classic Detroit coney dog? Head to Zeff’s Coney Island,which is highly regarded as one of Detroit’s best spots for coney dogs. Ifyou’ve got a craving for pizza, then go to Supino Pizzeria for their signatureSupino pie. And if you want Mexican food, but don’t want to venture all theway to Mexicantown, then definitely eat lunch at the new outpost of Jose’sTacos. It’s a favorite with the downtown lunch crowd, so it’s sure to bepopular in the market, too!

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5 1 P.M. Explore the Eastern Market Murals

You’re probably stuffed from lunch (and those cinnamon sugar donuts…), soit’s now time to walk it off by exploring the street art around Eastern Market.

It’s hard to miss the massive, colorful murals that surround Eastern Market.Spend your time wandering, or alternatively head straight to Division Streetwhich is lined in murals on both sides.

Ready for an afternoon pick-me-up? Just past the famous shark mural onDivision Street you’ll find Anthology Coffee, which has a spacious patio,comfy chairs, and is one of the best coffee shops in Detroit.

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6 2 P.M. Do Some Window Shopping Around the Market

Why not have an afternoon shopping spree? In addition to the restaurantsand coffee shops, Eastern Market is also surrounded by some top notchboutiques and thrift stores.

3 Dogs 1 Cat is the perfect stop for any pet lovers. This urban pet boutiquenot only holds adoption events on Saturdays, but they also have a superbselection of Halloween costumes for your cat or dog!

DeVries & Co 1887 should also be on your radar for not only their specialtyfoods, but the wide selection of fall décor – from scarecrows, to skeletons,to Halloween yard decorations, and more.

Looking for menswear? Then head to Cyberoptix, which sells face masks,bow ties, ties, and cuff links, including many autumnal (including Halloween)designs.

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7 3 P.M. Take a Side Trip to the Cut

You might be in the city, but you can still experience the Michigan fall colorswithout going too far from Eastern Market. If you’re up for an afternoonstroll, then head over to the Dequindre Cut Greenway.

This paved urban path can be accessed from Gratiot Avenue near EasternMarket. Spend an hour wandering the path, admiring both the street art andthe fall colors.

Alternatively, you might want to do a last lap of the Eastern Market Sheds atthis point. The Saturday market wraps up at 4pm, so be sure you’ve got allthe produce, fall décor, and food that you want!

Hint: Sometimes you can find extra good deals on produce or plants at thistime. Vendors will try to get rid of all their stock by lowering prices.

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8 4 P.M. Time for Happy Hour

Finally, it’s time to celebrate a fall day well-spent. As the market closes downfor the day, find a bar to enjoy an early happy hour, some appetizers, orboth.

Some of the best bars around Eastern Market are concentrated at themarket’s southern end. Try Eastern Market Brewing Co. for local-focusedcraft beers, Vivio’s Food and Spirits for their world-famous bloody marys, orDetroit City Distillery for cocktails and small-batch liquors (many of whichare made with ingredients from the Eastern Market vendors!). Other nearbybars include Cutter’s, Lagerhaus No. 5., Thomas Magee’s and StacheInternational.