2025's Towns In Michigan That Come Alive In The Fall
Michigan is accentuated by vibrant foliage now through late October, with the earliest changes along the Upper Peninsula, peaking in the first two weeks of October, followed by the northern part of the mitten in mid-October, and the rest of the Lower Peninsula by Halloween. Experience falltime in Europe, in Frankenmuth, or in some of the Midwest’s last undiscovered places like Niles.
For the classic autumn experience with an island twist, Mackinac Island is an off-the-beaten-path adventure, while the Keweenaw Peninsula is alive with foliage in the first and second towns, with access to stunning natural areas like Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park's Lake of the Clouds. The best scenery is always one step ahead, keeping you tirelessly engaged.
Mackinac Island
Bursting with dahlias in early fall, autumn on Mackinac Island can be the sweetest time, with black-eyed Susans providing late-season color before the first frost. Though most businesses and attractions close by late October, rent a bike from the central shop or explore on foot in the clean air, with calm waters and shorelines aglow in rich coppers and golds. The East Bluff showcases Victorian-era summer mansions on one side and grand views of Lake Huron on the other.
The sheltered feel and frozen-in-time vibes prevail as the seasons change on the island. Decorated in foliage, fewer crowds, and carriage rides all add to the authenticity and magic, with open year-round attractions like the Mackinac House and The Inn at Stonecliffe, dining at Mustang Lounge and Kingston Kitchen, Doud's Market, and exploring Mackinac Island State Park. Arch Rock is a 30-minute woodsy hike from the Grand Hotel (featuring the world's largest porch) to the northern shore.
Calumet
Calumet shines with a distinct character and a quaint downtown, a National Historic Landmark, at the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The area traces its origins to the heart of the 1900s Keweenaw copper boom, much of which is preserved within the historic district of Keweenaw National Historical Park (KNHP), established in 1992. The rich past and easy access to trails make it ideal for leaf-peeping and leafing through history, plus gift stores, galleries, coffee houses, and saloons.
Browsing on a crisp afternoon, be that a weekend or a Tuesday in the fall, it's impossible to miss the stately 1889 Union Building, now the KNHP HQ and Visitor's Center on 5th Street. Just down the highway, the Hungarian Falls reveals itself in a shimmering 50-foot drop in forested surrounds, plus smaller ones behind, most ample after rain. The hike from the highway is short and sweet. You can rent a bike from the town's all-season gear shop and reach the falls in just 15 minutes on a sunny day.
Copper Harbor
Just 40 minutes northeast of Calumet, the state's northernmost town, is alive with foliage and fall vibes at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. After the early 1870s copper rush, Copper Harbor was quickly recognized as more than an outlet for copper, leaving the Keweenaw, but for its beauty and energy akin to the Pacific Northwest. Indeed, the area's rich history runs deep, with remnants of an army. However, natural landmarks and adventures such as Manganese Falls will keep you engaged for days.
At Astor Shipwreck Park, you can spy on the lighthouse across the harbor along a scenic shoreline, while Hunter's Point Park is a 9.4-acre spit with a loop trail and pebbly beaches to watch the sunset. From the tint of the historic architecture to the rustic harbor, Esrey Park is a highway pull-off with an outcropping to stop, breathe in the views, and relax. Drive to the top of Brockway Mountain for the 360-degree views, with freighters on the lake, 720 feet below, and bald eagles circling.
Frankenmuth
Boasting Bavarian charm and peak foliage in mid-October, this atypical little town wakes up in the fall with unique cultural experiences, authentic architecture, and dozens of shops in the crease of Michigan's mitten. What better way to leaf peep than eye-to-eye with foliage at the vast Frankenmuth Aerial Park, whether you're tree hopping like a squirrel or zooming past the colors with rope courses for all levels? From trolley rides to leisure at Memorial Park, the Cass River flows languidly by.
Starting on October 18, the two-week-long Scarecrow Fest promises to be just as vibrant as Oktoberfest was for everyone in the family, including pets and scarecrows throughout town. You can browse Michigan-made memorabilia and get some pre-holiday shopping in at family-owned boutiques, the beautiful Bavarian-themed shopping mall, and Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas merchandise retailer. Hop on the narrated tour aboard the paddlewheel riverboat, the Bavarian Belle.
Harbor Springs
Located along the sheltered north shore of Little Traverse Bay, this charming town boasts the best access to the Tunnel of Trees. Drive the whole 20-mile scenic canopied lakeshore highway, or skim parts on foot, with scenic twists and enjoyable curves for cyclists in a frame of vivid fall colors, peaking in the first three weeks of October. You can browse galleries and drive out to Harbor Point at sunset, lighting up the town behind, Lake Michigan, and the coastal panorama from the tip of the peninsula.
Offering an abundance of natural beauty and an array of cultural/culinary experiences, the marina and the beach, pristinely quiet, are backed by exciting attractions like the Pier Restaurant and the historic society. The beautiful harbor town gives way to the serene woodland, the Offield Family Working Forest Reserve. The hilly 390-acre nature reserve with trails through forest and meadow delivers that satisfying leafy crunch beneath the towering trees on a quick break or a whole afternoon in the wild.
Manistee
Known for its three world-class Lake Huron beaches, this small coastal city is lively and inviting through the fall, with foliage, fiery sunsets, and few crowds. 19th-century Victorian architecture is a hallmark, like the Manistee County Historical Museum along the riverwalk. Each beach offers unique experiences, like the long pier at Fifth Avenue Beach and the statuesque white Manistee North Pier Lighthouse at the very tip. In the fall, travelers naturally gravitate north along the shore.
Beech Hemlock and Lick Falls Loop is a moderate 4-mile hike with elevation gain, including a staircase to the wooden deck. The peak foliage is now for coastal areas, followed by the surrounding Huron-Manistee National Forests. Giant Sequoia at Lake Bluff Arboretum boasts the largest giant sequoia east of the Rockies and notable bird species. Elevate any visit to the charming B&B in the late-19th-century Dempsey Manor Victorian House Museum, with turrets, quaint rooms, and a garden.
Marquette
This UP college town and tourist hub on Lake Superior goes from feisty to nonchalant as an ideal place to revisit when beach crowds depart. Presque Isle Park is a showstopper anytime, with a drivable loop and wooded trails along the 323-acre peninsula to explore, find a serene picnic spot, and soak in Superior views splashing below and to the undulating horizon from a cliff-top overlook, like Black Rocks, popular among cliff divers in the appropriate season.
You can still chase lighthouses and waterfalls like Yellow Dog Falls and Morgan Falls on a hike, a bike ride, or a scenic drive. Fish from the piers, putting the great outdoors above all else in the crisp air, and picnic along the sandy Little Presque Beach. The nearby Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, a bright red beacon built in 1853, guided ships into the harbor. The 19th-century Americana extends downtown, with brewpubs, coffee shops, and performance venues for the evening.
Niles
Having incredibly flown four flags—France, Britain, Spain, and the United States—the city’s 300+-year history and natural beauty come alive in the fall along both banks of the beautiful St. Joseph River. In addition to public golf, outdoor movies, and craft brews, it is easy to chase away the blues on a stroll through Fernwood. This four-season gem in Southwest Michigan flaunts a railroad garden, nature trails, and more to spy on birds and wildlife, including endangered and protected species.
South along the river, Madeline Bertrand County Park offers a picnic area and play area, an 18-hole disc golf course, and miles of hiking trails that turn to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. For the real adventurers, the IN-MI River Valley Trail is a 17-mile paved path for non-motorized adventurers to Mishawaka, Indiana. Between the downtown farmers market (Sundays and Thursdays) and the nearby Lehman’s Orchard, you can enjoy farm freshness and craft drinks through the fall.
Traverse City
Traverse City is like a sparkling gemstone adorning the ring finger of Michigan's mitten. This beach town's falltime allure is quaintly intertwined with art, culture, and wine beneath both the west and east arms of the sparkling Grand Traverse Bay. With foliage peaking into the third week of October, Pelizzari Natural Area is ideal for leaf peeping between the two bays on a dog-friendly adventure via a 3.2-mile loop under a shaded canopy of hemlock trees.
Some travelers choose to break for tasting and a tour at Mari Vineyards, including underground aging caves. Away from the waterfront to explore Hickory Meadows along the crunching leaves. The nearby Hippie Tree is a fun spot for pictures by a once-fallen tree and to leave your own fall-time signature with a can of spray paint. Finally, the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park is open through October, with unique flora over 25 acres to explore and seasonal art.
As the days shorten and nights become cooler, the weather holds off the first frost to experience this intimate time for the state, blushing north to south. The falltime delivers the most authentic vibe, with fewer crowds, cheaper lodgings, and a unique take on the Great Lakes, when, for once, the spotlight is away from the beaches.
The immense water bodies lure worldwide travelers to the largest freshwater system on Earth, which makes the Great Lakes State the nation's third coastline. You can stand along the shore with views to the undulating horizon, or better yet, climb a bluff or a peak like Brockway Mountain to see the coastal foliage panorama.
