Up North Michigan Fall things to do, places to go, and fun events. Where to see the best FALL colors in Traverse City, Petoskey, Mackinac Island, Harbor Springs, Boyne Mountain, and more.
OAKLAND COUNTY MOMS TRAVEL REVIEWS
Up North Michigan has so much to offer during the fall season. Beautiful scenery, cozy eats, fun events, Halloween celebrations, and much more. We don’t want you to miss out on all the fun, so we’ve put together this easy fall guide of all the fall fun happening up north Michigan. Here are our favorite places to go for Fall fun in Northern Michigan and places to see the fall colors Up North.
Up North Michigan Fall Things to Do
Up North Michigan Fall Things to Do – Traverse City
Sleeping Bear Dunes (Traverse City / Leelanau County & Benzie County)
Hit up the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park has freshwater beaches, forested wilderness islands, and miles of hiking trails. It’s one of the top things to do in the Traverse City Area. Or, enjoy a Fall Color Tour, explore a local pumpkin patch or corn maze, and visit the nearly 50 wineries on the Traverse Wine Coast for wine tastings and unbelievable autumn views.
Up North Michigan Fall Things to Do – Harbor Springs
The Highlands at Harbor Springs (600 Boyne Highlands Dr, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-526-3000, www.highlandsharborsprings.com)
Formerly known at Boyne Highlands, The Highlands have experienced significant upgrades and is a fantastic resort. For Fall fun, you may never want to leave the property. Enjoy Fall color tours via zipline, chairlifts, horseback rides, or even Segways. Of course, you could always just hike the North Peak trail on foot to discover one of the best views of the valley. On clear days, you can even see the Mackinac Bridge beyond the acres of green, gold, orange, and red foliage. REVIEW & PICS OF THE HIGHLANDS
Pond Hill Farm (5699 S Lake Shore Dr, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, www.pondhill.com)
Pond Hill Farm is an award winning hotspot in Harbor Springs that offers a cafe, winery, brewery, market, and loads of fun activities. Fall Fest Weekends at Pond Hill take place from 11am-6pm every Saturday & Sunday from mid September through the end of October. Fall Fest Weekends include… pumpkin bowling, pumpkin smashing, hayrides, live music, bounce houses, brick oven pizza, and much more. REVIEW & PICS OF POND HILL FARM
Tunnel of Trees (Downtown Harbor Springs through Cross Village)
The Tunnel of Trees is 20-mile stretch of curvy roads and breathtaking scenery that runs along M-119 and starts in Downtown Harbor Springs and runs north through Good Hart Village, Cross Village and moves north toward Mackinaw City. You might scoff at a car ride being a “thing to do”, but wait until you see it in the Fall. Fun in a car, more fun on a motorcycle! REVIEW & PICS OF TUNNEL OF TREES
Legs Inn Restaurant (6425 N Lake Shore Dr, Cross Village, MI 49723, 231-526-2281, legsinn.com)
At the end of Tunnel of Trees is the historic Legs Inn Restaurant in Cross Village on the banks of Lake Michigan. Legs Inn serves authentic Polish cuisine and cocktails in a rustic, yet elegant setting. Dine indoors… or outside and watch the freighters go by on the beautiful patio adorned by a garden. REVIEW & PICS OF LEGS INN
Petoskey State Park (2475 M-119, Petoskey, MI 49770)
Petoskey State Park has a wonderful sandy beach, hiking trails, biking on interior roads, picnic facilities, sand volleyball courts, and a small playground. Kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes are available for rent. You can’t beat a good old fashion Petoskey stone hunt at the 300+ acre park.
Up North Michigan Fall Things to Do – Mackinac Island & Mackinaw City
Halloween On Mackinac Island
Get the most out of those costumes by celebrating Halloween on Mackinac Island early on the weekend of October 27-29, and making it home on time to celebrate again on the 31st! This weekend typically marks the last big weekend before most island businesses close for the season. Halloween events include the Great Turtle Trail Run, trick-or-treating for kids through downtown shops, and Halloween costume parties for adults throughout island establishments in the evening. Try to make reservations at our favorite hotel, The Grand Hotel, and you might not ever want to leave the property during your stay.
Fort Fright Mackinaw City at Camp Michilimackinac (102 West Straits Ave Mackinaw City, MI 49701)
Camp Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City holds a fall fun event the beginning of October each year. This year it is October 4 & 5. Camp Michilimackinac Fort Fright in Mackinaw City is an 18th-century fort and fur trading village, reconstructed based on historic maps and more than 60 years of archaeological excavations. Camp Michilimackinac Fort Fright features the historical setting of Camp Michilimackinac enchanted with a haunted theme with wolves, soldiers, witches, a ghost bride, and other legendary characters. REVIEW & PICS OF FORT FRIGHT MACKINAW CITY
Headlands International Dark Sky Park (15675 Headlands Rd, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, www.midarkskypark.org)
Headlands International Dark Sky Park is the best place around for star lovers to view the stunning night sky above Northern Michigan… at the very least seeing the stars, and at the very best, seeing the Northern Lights. The park, located alongside Lake Michigan, has been awarded the International Dark Sky Park designation. During daylight hours, guests can enjoy marked nature trails for hikes, bike rides, and cross-country skiing. At night, be mesmerized by the most amazing sights.
Up North Michigan Fall Things to Do – Boyne Falls / Boyne Mountain
Boyne Mountain SkyBridge Michigan (1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls, MI 49713, 855-688-7024, www.boynemountain.com/skybridge-michigan)
Boyne Mountain SkyBridge is the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge. Enjoy a serene chairlift ride to the bridge for the most beautiful fall color views of northern Michigan. Additionally, there are restrooms and indoor dining available (at the top of the chairlift) and a food truck is on the far side of SkyBridge with outdoor fire pits. REVIEW & PICS OF SKYBRIDGE
Up North Michigan Fall Things to Do – Thompsonville
Crystal Mountain Fall Fun Saturdays (12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI 49683, 855-995-5146, www.crystalmountain.com)
Celebrate fall on Fall Fun Saturdays which take place all October Saturdays. Fall Fun Saturdays at Crystal Mountain include a Scarecrow walk, bike rentals, climbing wall, alpine slide, disc golf, archery, laser tag, pumpkin carving, horse drawn surrey rides and more. Additionally, Crystal Mountain offers scenic chairlift rides to the top of the mountain for panoramic views of over three counties. The chairlift rides are available Saturdays in September, and Saturdays, Sundays and select Fridays in October.
Up North Michigan Fall Things to Do – Paradise MI
Tahquamenon Falls State Park (41382 W M-123, Paradise, MI 49768, 906-492-3415)
Tahquamenon Falls is in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula just about 90 minutes over the bridge. Tahquamenon Falls is gorgeous year-round, but even more so during the autumn months. The Tahquamenon Falls park spans more than 50,000 acres. There’s a trail to the Lower Falls or you can continue on to the Upper Falls to see one of Northern Michigan’s best attractions. Tahquamenon Falls are the largest falls east of the Mississippi, and one of the top travel destinations for visitors in the autumn time.
Up North Michigan Fall Things to Do PHOTO CREDITS – OCM and our friends at Crystal Mountain, TraverseCity.com and the Grand Hotel WITH PERMISSION
See REVIEWS / TRAVEL for more Up North Michigan Fall Things to Do
Stay tuned for more Up North Michigan Fall Things to Do, we’ll add them as we review them!
