The leaves are changing in the Great Lakes State, which can mean only one thing: Fall is here in Pure Michigan!
Now is the perfect time to hit the road and marvel at Michigan second-to-none annual color show of reds, golds, oranges and yellows splashed across the state. No matter where you are in Michigan you’re never more than 85 miles from a Great Lake, and with so many other natural and man-made wonders, from waterfalls to museums, it’s easy to plan a fun-filled road trip that is Pure Michigan.
Take a cruise down these fall color driving routes that follow winding, two-lane roads to scenic spots, historic sites, small towns and recreation areas around the state. Bring the binoculars to wildlife viewing areas along the way, like Pigeon River Country State Forest – home to the largest free-roaming elk herd east of the Mississippi – or venture to the Upper Peninsula to catch a glimpse of free-ranging moose.
For those a little less adventures, there are numerous historic covered bridges throughout the state, including White’s Covered Bridge over the Flat River in Ionia County that dates back to 1867. Don’t forget to plan a shoreline tour to see some of Michigan’s 115 Great Lakes lights and lighthouses; you can even stay at a choice of lighthouse Bed & Breakfast inns overlooking Lake Superior.
While you’re on the road, make sure to stop along the way and taste the many flavors that Pure Michigan has to offer. From cider mills, wineries, artisan breweries, and foodie tours, Michigan has something to please every palate. Microbrew enthusiasts will want to be sure to check out the Detroit Fall Beer Festival at the city’s Eastern Market on Oct. 22, and wine lovers won’t want to miss The Round Barn Winery’s Jammin’ in the Vineyard each Saturday and Sunday through October.
For more events and activities, visit michigan.org and sign up for the free Pure Michigan eNewsletter for updates on fall colors, festivals and events, special promotions, and more.
M37 Road Trip
While summer isn’t quite over, it is starting to wind down, and you may be thinking about planning one more big trip or even a few more day trips before the leaves start to change and the weather begins to cool. When we asked our fans planning a vacation if they prefer to get there fast and take the highways, or enjoy the journey, taking back roads and making stops along the way, most of them said they enjoyed taking their time.
With that in mind, one of our Facebook fans was recently inspired by our barn photo theme, and took her kids out for a barn hunt of their own! Some of the other recent photo themes have been sunrises & sunsets, and lighthouses. Maybe it’s time to go on a lighthouse road trip with family and friends! It’s a great opportunity to see beautiful lighthouses and experience some areas of the state you may have never seen before.
Read more…
Hello Pure Michigan Connect fans! We have some great links to share with you in this week’s roundup. Summer is here and we’ve got traveling on the mind. Take a look at these links, and hopefully you’ll find some inspiration for a fun Michigan road trip this summer!
Blue water, waves, and white sand can all be found on the southwest Michigan shore within a half-day’s drive of Chicago and Detroit. From New Buffalo to Ludington, and the towns in between, beaches stretch out and harbors crowded with pleasure boats scallop the water’s edge. George Hendrix, a contributing writer for Michigan Travel Ideas, spent a weekend driving Michigan’s western shore, stopping and admiring each beach town along the way.
South Haven Sunset
New Buffalo, in the heart of Harbor Country, is the starting point for my weekend trip, where sun-toasted sand and a quaint business district make it the idyllic beach town. The Red Arrow Highway takes me north to St. Joseph, where steps climb from Silver Beach to a shady bluff-top park and downtown. Schu’s, a local favorite, serves a famous potato soup at its downtown location, where outdoor tables offer a view of the harbor.
Read more…
Guest Blogger Felicia Fairchild shares her memories of a childhood road trip and her excitement about bringing a Michigan version of the famous Route 66 to life.
One of the most indelible memories of my childhood was a trip “out west” – as my parents liked to refer to it – via the famous Route 66. I remember it vividly even to this day; perhaps because my parents took me out of school to accompany them on what my teachers agreed would be an important “educational journey” – my first Road Trip!
Read more…
Now is the perfect time to hit the road and marvel at Michigan second-to-none annual color show of reds, golds, oranges and yellows splashed across the state. No matter where you are in Michigan you’re never more than 85 miles from a Great Lake, and with so many other natural and man-made wonders, from waterfalls to museums, it’s easy to plan a fun-filled road trip that is Pure Michigan.
