Planning a fall color tour? Here are six iconic spots we dream of visiting again and again and again.
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Photo by Dave Weidner
M-26, Keweenaw Peninsula
When it comes to scenic views, this state highway rivals its more well-known cousins M-22 and M-119. Take your time, stopping at Eagle River Falls, Eagle Harbor Lighthouse (pictured above), Jacob’s Falls and the iconic Jampot Bakery, where a group of monks greet thousands of visitors each summer and fall with their homemade jams and confections. The wild thimbleberry jam is a specialty, and worth the $25 splurge, but you can also grab small treats like cashew caramel or the most massive muffins you’ve ever laid eyes upon. Turn down the nine-mile Brockway Mountain Drive for panoramic views of the peninsula and Lake Superior.
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Photo by Dave Weidner
Marquette Harbor Lighthouse
This bright red beacon on the Lake Superior shoreline is a favorite among photographers and especially pretty come fall. Round out your visit to Marquette with German comfort food at Steinhaus (jägerschnitzel, spätzle, warm pretzels), and grab a cocktail at the Crow’s Nest, perched atop the historic Landmark Inn. Insider tip: Just 15 minutes west of downtown Marquette is the old County Road 510 bridge, which boasts stunning fall foliage views along the Dead River (pictured at top of article).
Photo by Allison Jarrell
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
As Michigan’s most iconic series of falls—and one of the largest west of the Mississippi River—Tahquamenon’s Upper Falls and Lower Falls still swarm with tourists on a gorgeous fall day. To avoid the crowds, go during the week at the end of the day, and grab a beer and a whitefish sandwich at the on-site Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub before your sunset hike. Also worth catching is the sunrise—or, in our case, the lack thereof. Instead, we were treated the next morning to a thick blanket of fog, with pops of red and amber peeking through.
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Photo by Allison Jarrell Acosta
US-2, St. Ignace
Sparkling white sand dunes roll into crystal-clear turquoise waters along the section of US-2 that stretches from St. Ignace to Naubinway. You can drive it in under an hour, but don’t breeze by—stop for a sunny dune picnic and a scenic hike, or soak in the views from one of the quaint coastal towns along the way. A few must-stops: Leto’s Pasties, Gustafson’s Smoked Fish, Heath M. Robinson Memorial Cut River Bridge.
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Photo by Allison Jarrell Acosta
Spray Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Perhaps one of the most remote falls in the national lakeshore, the 70-foot, aptly named Spray Falls is best viewed from the water. We chose the Spray Falls Sunset Cruise offered by Pictured Rocks Cruises, and it didn’t disappoint. The tour takes you past iconic landmarks like the Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse, Miners Castle, Lovers’ Leap, Indian Head, Grand Portal and Chapel Rock, before arriving at Spray Falls. The autumn views at sunset are pure magic: mineral-painted cliffs and terracotta-colored trees glow orange above the turquoise waters of Lake Superior.
Photo by Allison Jarrell Acosta
Perry’s Landing, Grand Marais
Head to the quaint burg of Grand Marais for some glorious off-season rockhounding (my favorite beach, Perry’s Landing, is about 12 miles east of town). Before you make the trek, stop by the Agatelady Rock Shop and hit the Dream Bean (a VW bus-turned-coffee shop) for a pumpkin maple latte and a cinnamon roll (we also love the breakfast pasties!).
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