The Best Trips In Michigan This Fall

Lower Peninsula

The Tunnel Of Trees

Ranked among the most scenic roads in the nation, it’s no doubt that Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees should be on your fall trip bucket list. Drive under the leafy canopy lit in a beautiful flame of color, stop in the local towns, see stunning Lake Michigan views, and have some of the best homemade food you can find.

Michigan’s Renaissance Festival

The Michigan Renaissance Festival is one of our favorite Michigan Festivals! This interactive outdoor fair focuses on the recreation of the look and feel of a fictional English village called Hollygrove during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The fair is set to take place in the late 16th century and you can find nobles, pirates, Vikings, wizards, rogues, wenches, and the Fae along the streets. From nationally known stage acts, to local artists and food, there’s activities for the whole family.

Traverse City

Traverse City is breathtaking in the autumn season. From fresh local apples, fall color tours, corn mazes, and holiday shopping, there are countless ways to enjoy a fall vacation. You can enjoy the local trails and parks, or stop into the local breweries and wineries. Often times, the breweries and restaurants will have season treats and flavors. There’s no shortage of activities in Traverse City, and the best part is - tourism begins to slow a little. That means less crowds, and more family time.

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island was just named the #1 Island destination in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure! There’s no doubt that this globally known national landmark is an ideal vacation spot. But how many consider fall a wonderful time to come? Since this is a summer vacation spot, many stores are open seasonally. You can still find festivals on the island throughout the fall, seasonal foods and drinks, stunning fall landscaping, and the beautiful colors of the trees.

Frankenmuth

Ranking one of Michigan’s top travel destinations, Michigan’s Little Bavaria is well known for their festivals, world famous chicken dinners, German heritage, and so much more. Whether you are looking for a unique spot to celebrate Oktoberfest, or want to come during a quiet day, Frankenmuth makes for an amazing fall vacation. The streets are landscaped seasonally, so you are sure to find stunning floral artscapes, local delicacies, and why not head to Bronner’s for some early holiday shopping.

Upper Peninsula

Tahquamenon Falls

The Upper Falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, with a nearly 50 foot drop and being 200 feet wide, Tahquamenon Falls is a mind blowing waterfall to witness. Whether you decide to just swing in, you can find a parking lot, visitors center, and other amenities at the top of the falls. Or, you can stay at the state park campground and hike around a bit! The beautiful colors are sure to make the trip worth while. The Tahquamenon Falls also offers a track chair on a first-come, first-serve basis, at no cost, making the off-road trails more accessible.

Iron Mountain & Crystal Falls

Come celebrate Oktoberfest the U.P. way and hit the waterfalls while you are there. No place does fall like the U.P., from stunning site seeing, to local stores and eateries, there’s no shortage of experiences. The best way to see nature is to get out an adventure in the Upper Peninsula. You can hike down the trails, surrounded by fiery colors and crystal clear blue waters from the rivers. The U.P. is deep in their ancestral heritage, so you can find historic markers, historic parks and farms, and cultural foods all throughout the peninsula.

Porcupine Mountains State Park

The ‘Porkies’ is one of the premier backpacking destinations in the upper Midwest. You can find an abundance of trails, backcountry camping area, rustic cabins & yurts, rustic tent & RV camping, and even modern RV & tent camping. The cabin we stayed at had a log book left behind for campers to leave their experiences. There was no denying that September and October were the most popular months to come up and experience the mountains. The ski area also hosts fall chairlift rides up the ski hill so visitors can get amazing views of the colors and scenic Lake Superior. You could stop in for a day of hiking, camp out in the rustic cabins, or stay for a while to recharge in the U.P.’s amazing color show this fall.

Houghton

If you are planning a trip to the Keweenaw, starting in the town of Houghton makes for the perfect fall road trip. This lovely college town is surrounded by stunning blue lakes, streams, hiking trails, ski hills, bike trails, and so much more. In addition to it’s abundance of outdoor adventure, it’s also an amazing cultural and educational experience. The area became well known for copper, it’s not called copper country just for its stunning colors in fall! You can tour Quincy mine, attend the Parade of Nations festival, check out the mineral museum, enjoy local treats, and of course you have to stop for a pasty!

Copper Harbor

At the tippy top of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Copper Harbor will complete your fall Keweenaw tour. Michigan’s northernmost village is one of the Midwest’s oldest frontier posts. You can check out the history, mountain biking trails, waterfalls, outdoor adventures, get your thimbleberry fix, maybe head over to Isle Royale National Park, or just enjoy the stunning scenic drives. Brockway Mountain Drive is one of the best views in the Upper Peninsula! You can also head over to Mount Bohemia ski area for another stunning view and take one of their fall ski lifts.

Other Ideas:

Visit Apple Orchards & Cider Mills

Sure you could get your Pumpkin Spice fix at a coffee shop, or you can head to one of Michigan’s amazing cider mills for local products and seasonal celebrations all year long! The autumnal season brings about hayrides, corn mazes, U-picks, petting zoos, and family memories. Michigan orchards and cider mills can bring back that fall nostalgia from playing in the leaves, jumping off haystacks, enjoying a fresh donut, or just spending the day with family. We love to support local farmers every fall with a trip to pick up locally made cider, hand picked apples, and other delicious baked goods.

Check Out the Sunflower Farms

This is an early fall idea since peak times are typically in August, but some blooms can last through September or October. Michigan is full of flower-filled fields from wildflowers in the U.P., to lavender farms, and sunflower farms. It’s definitely among the list of a Michigan summer, among trips to the lake beaches, glowing sunsets, and getting your last summer vacations in. If you are looking for a few flower farms to visit, or maybe to get some last minute family pictures in, add this to your vacation list before they start to wilt!

Visit the Pumpkin Patches

Pumpkin Patches and fall go hand in hand, and the patches here in Michigan are no exception. Pumpkin patches are often filled with fun areas for kids and hard ciders or wine tasting for adults. Sometimes you can find petting farms, bonfires, live entertainment, and seasonal eats. Whether you are looking for a carving pumpkin, pie pumpkin, or tiny little decorative pumpkins, you can find them all at the Michigan pumpkin patches.

Searra Liggett’s Fall Bucket List

If fall travel isn’t an option for you this year, there are so many other ways to celebrate the season here in Michigan. You can find fall events throughout the cities of Michigan, prime U-pick season, plenty of free hikes, scenic drives, visit haunted houses and corn mazes, stock up at your local farmers markets, head to the breweries, and so much more! Use this bucket list to plan a vacation or day trips, or just to make the most of your fall here in Michigan.

What is your favorite trip to take in the fall? What would you add to the list?