With cooler temperatures and autumn approaching, the coastal Midwest town of Traverse City, Michigan, is an ideal destination to experience the splendor of fall. As harvest season begins, both visitors and locals can explore the Traverse Wine Coast, enjoy scenic drives, and take in abundant leaf-peeping opportunities throughout the region.
If you’re planning a road trip or a day out from Traverse City, consider these top spots to enjoy autumn color and seasonal activities:
Old Mission Peninsula
The scenic drive along Old Mission Peninsula, which takes roughly two hours round-trip from Traverse City, weaves past orchards, vineyards, forests and small villages draped in fall hues. Travel north on M-37 from Traverse City to find cozy restaurants, wine tasting rooms, roadside fruit stands and sweeping views of East Bay. Continue to the village of Old Mission, the area’s oldest permanent settlement, and visit Mission Point Lighthouse to see a classic piece of Michigan maritime history set against glowing autumn foliage.
© Traverse City Tourism
Benzie County
Just northwest of Traverse City, Benzie County stretches along Lake Michigan and is known for its rolling hills and dense forests. The area includes several charming small towns, including Lake Ann, which sits roughly halfway between Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Sleeping Bear Dunes is celebrated for dramatic vistas, freshwater beaches, massive sand dunes and miles of hiking trails—an exceptional spot for fall color. For panoramic autumn views, drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive to immerse yourself in a tapestry of reds, oranges and golds.
The Leelanau Peninsula
Head north from Traverse City along the iconic M-22 to discover the Leelanau Peninsula’s coastal scenery and fall foliage. This route offers outstanding views of Grand Traverse Bay to the east and winds through small towns and pastoral landscapes. At the peninsula’s tip, Leelanau State Park encompasses more than 1,550 acres of woodlands and shoreline alive with autumn color. The restored Grand Traverse Lighthouse sits within the park and provides scenic overlooks and guided tours that highlight the surrounding natural beauty.
© Traverse City Tourism
Crystal Mountain
Just a short drive from Traverse City, Crystal Mountain Resort offers family-friendly accommodations and a range of outdoor activities amid vibrant fall foliage. The resort features more than 260 lodging units, downhill and cross-country ski trails, golf courses, Michigan’s only alpine slide, an outdoor pool and water play area, plus a rooftop terrace. In autumn, the surrounding trees blaze with reds, yellows and oranges. Seasonal offerings include scenic chairlift rides that allow guests to view the changing leaves from above, an especially memorable way to experience peak color.
Whether you prefer coastal vistas, rural backroads or mountain viewpoints, the greater Traverse City region delivers a variety of fall experiences. From vineyard-lined lanes on Old Mission Peninsula to sweeping dunes at Sleeping Bear and wooded trails in Leelanau State Park, autumn in northern Michigan presents plentiful reasons to get out and enjoy the season.