Autumn is my favorite time of the year with all the leaves changing colors. Fall Color enthusiasts will love seeing all the colors in the state of Michigan. There are so many options/roads for you to explore. I chose to drive around the whole lower peninsula to see the fall colors one weekend. This itinerary is one of my favorite Michigan Fall Colors Tour.
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Michigan Fall Colors Tour
Driving north on I-75
Mackinaw City
Petoskey/Charlevoix
After the Tunnel of Trees, the Michigan Fall Colors continue through Harbor Springs to Petoskey. You can take a break in Petoskey at one of the beaches to hunt for the Petoskey stone. I decided to take a short break to take some photos of Bear River Valley Recreation Area to stretch my legs.
Traverse City
The next leg of the Michigan Fall Colors road trip is the Cherry Coast of Michigan. Estimated length is 200 miles and 4.5 hours. I have never been to Old Mission Point before so, pleasantly surprised on how beautiful it is. Although I shouldn’t be surprised, the upper part of lower Michigan is quite beautiful, especially along the Great Lakes. Traverse City has many vineyards to stop and try a taste.
Within the center of Old Mission Village is the Old Mission General Store. This general store has so much character that you have to visit I stopped in here to pick up some food for lunch; they do have a sit-down cafe inside. While I was waiting for my extra-large slice of pizza, I browsed around at all the Colonial oddities they have on display. From a Gramophone to a 1909 Sears Roebuck catalog, there is so much to see in this store. As they kindly remind the visitors, your patronage keeps this general store going.
And then finishing the weekend by driving through the heart of Michigan: following the Grand River – Grand Rapids to Detroit (estimated travel time 2.5-4 hours depending on backroads or expressway). All in all, it was a fabulous weekend fall road trip with three lighthouses, a couple of general stores, a cute art gallery and more autumn colors on trees that I could have imagined. Check out Booking.com for deals on staying in hotels throughout Michigan on your road trip.
Booking.com
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Further Reading
If you are coming to Michigan for a visit, check out these posts for further travel inspiration:
- The Quintessential Summer Road Trip Packing List – This has all you could need to get ready for a road trip whether it is in the summer or fall!
- Last bit of Fall Color in Michigan – More colorful fall photos for you to get your fall fix in before winter starts
- Michigan Cider Mills – My Top Three Favorites You Must Visit
- The Secret Treasures of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
- Capture Amazing Photos on Pictured Rocks Cruises
- Wings, Women, and Warriors at the Air Zoo
- Chocoholics Meet Chocolate Garden
- Dinosaur Farm – Weird Roadside Attraction
- Exploring Ludington on a Dreary Sunday
- Top 7 Family Fun Things at Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Relax Up North at America’s Freshwater Resort – The Homestead
- Fun Things to do in Frankenmuth
- Parade of Tulips
- Tiptoe through the Tulips
- Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel Review
- Take a ride on the Alpena Shipwreck Boat Tour