20 StopS for a fall Color to
1. Manistee
5. Douglas Valley Vineyards ~ Manistee
Manistee River trail in the Fall | Photo Courtesy of M22 Photography
Douglas Valley Vinyards | Photo Courtesy of Manistee County Visitors Bureau
Manistee is the first city along the route. With historical sites, farms, the Riverwalk, festivals, natural beauty along the coast, fishing, and more, Manistee is great to visit all-year round, but it really comes alive in the fall. Watch boats go by, do some fishing, or simply find a place to eat on the Riverwalk. You can also enjoy the excitement to be had (or unwind with a visit to the spa) at the Little River Casino Resort, and enjoy the charm of the turn-of-the-century Ramsdell Theatre, which still hosts plays today!
Manistee has a few great vineyards worth visiting. Douglas Valley is an orchard/ farm-turned vineyard that makes great fruit wines, some sweeter reds and whites, and hard cider in a quaint setting. Ironfish Distillery, St. Ambrose Cellars, and Northern National Cider and Winery are other great places to relax with a drink as well!
Plus, if you’re looking for a long detour, M-22, one of Michigan’s most beloved scenic byways, starts in Manistee and follows the coast up north to the Leelanau Peninsula. You have the lake on one side of the road and the forest-lined Michigan landscape on the other, making it one of the country’s most awesome autumn leaf-peeping drives!
Located on a bluff providing stunning views of Lake Michigan, Orchard Beach State Park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon on the lake. Hike the trails, or simply take the stairs down the hill to the breezy stretch of Lake Michigan beach to swim in the water. You can even camp here, too!
2. lake Michigan Recreation Area ~ Manistee Whether you just want to spend a day at the beach, or you’re hoping to camp out right on the shores of the lake, the Lake Michigan Recreation Area near Manistee is a great first stop along the route. There’s plenty of hiking, especially because the recreation area is within the Huron-Manistee National Forest, and there are many sites where you can set up a tent.
3. Manistee North Pierhead lighthouse ~ Manistee You won’t find a more perfect photo op than the Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse. Take in views from the land, and then stroll along the pier out to the light. It’s a great place for jogging and fishing. It’s not open to the public right now, but it did just get a makeover, so it’s ready for its close-up. The beach here is lovely for a stroll as well.
6. Orchard Beach State Park ~ Manistee
7. Huron-Manistee National Forest If you’re visiting in the fall and want to see some foliage, make your way into Huron-Manistee National Forest. Part of the epic North Country National Scenic Trail, which stretches from New York state into North Dakota, passes through here, and the Manistee River Trail & North Country Trail is the perfect leaf-peeping hike. The Bowman Lake Trail is another trail in the National Forest, and at 2.5 miles, it’s a lot more manageable. Admire the rolling hills and the Pere Marquette National Scenic River along the way!
8. Orchard Beach Aviation Inc. ~ Manistee
4. S.S. City of Milwaukee & USCgC Acacia ~ Manistee
Orchard Beach Aviation | Photo Courtesy of Gayle Sonfeld S.S. City of Milwaukee | Photo Courtesy of Manistee County Visitors Bureau Even though tours end in the fall, you should still stop by the National Historic Landmark S.S. City of Milwaukee, a steamship that ferried railroad cars, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Acacia, a WWII-era buoy tender that serves as a B&B on summer weekends. Pro tip: The S.S. City of Milwaukee turns into a floating haunted house during the month of October!
For a different view of the beauty of Michigan, charter and aerial tour of the coast from Orchard Beach Aviation. On a clear day you can spot shipwrecks from above as your soar over the lake.
9. Kaleva Bottle House Historic Museum ~ Kaleva From a distance, the Kaleva Bottle House Museum might look like, well... an ordinary house, but as you get closer, you’ll see that there’s something very special
