Harbor Springs Festival of the Book
The Harbor Springs Festival of the Book is a gathering of nationally known presenters for a celebration of their books and the stories.
Photo by
Todd & Brad Reed Photography
Fall in Northern Michigan is spectacular for a fall color tour- our foliage highlights the autumn season at its best. The colors of fall Up North are what you think of when you picture fall: a combination of blue skies and crisp air with the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows of the countryside.
You always hear about the autumns in New England, but they’ve got nothing on us here in Northern Michigan! An October afternoon drive along our country roads bring you face-to-face with nature’s magnificence. The tastes of the season are abundant at local Oktoberfest celebrations, harvest festivals, and old-fashioned barn dances. Warm cider, sweet doughnuts, and fresh, crunchy apples fill your senses with fall’s goodness. Now is the time to take a hayride, hike in a Northern Michigan park, or visit a local pumpkin patch. The crisp air up north is a refreshing change after summer’s heat, and many of us start gathering wood to keep us warm during the upcoming winter months. Autumn in Northern Michigan- this is where you want to be!
Visit the many farmer’s markets or Charlevoix’s Apple Fest, stock up on fresh apples and cider, get the bike out for a long ride in the colorful woods, and perhaps enjoy a quiet beach day when Indian Summer strikes. Fall is not to be missed in Northern Michigan.
And there are lots of great Halloween activities scheduled throughout Northern Michigan, as well!
Fall Up North is just gorgeous. With a range of color–and a variety of fall activities–Northern Michigan is the place to be to enjoy fall foliage.
Here’s what you can expect for fall color:
Late September Early Color with some isolated peak color in Northern Lower Michigan. Nice blend of greens with fall color.
Early October Early Color to Peak Color. Many fall events take place the first two weekends of October when the color peaks. The color is more intense away from the lake shore.
Mid October Peak Color particularly inland. Good color along the lake–a perfect weekend for a drive along the Tunnel of Trees.
Late October Peak to Past Peak Color with the best of the remaining color near the lakeshore.
The Harbor Springs Festival of the Book is a gathering of nationally known presenters for a celebration of their books and the stories.
Boyne City’s Harvest Festival is held each September and fills the downtown with music, crafts, and fall produce.
Northern Michigan grows the best. Our Farmers Markets are open from late spring to fall, from cherries, to potatoes, to sweet corn, and more.
Apple Fest. Held each year on the second weekend of October, Apple Fest turns downtown Charlevoix into a festive and fun place to be.
Skitoberfest celebrates the best of fall’s family offerings in an Oktoberfest style setting., all at amazing Boyne Mountain!
From haunted houses to trick or treating, Northern Michigan is full of Halloween’s fun activities during October.
Northern Michigan builder Earl Young created the unusual mushroom houses in Charlevoix. Tours are available.
Northern Michigan is home to several different museums for people of all ages which highlight the area’s businesses, history, and culture!
Historic Mill Creek has 625 acres along Lake Huron, 3.5 miles of hiking trails, a reconstructed saw mill, mill dam, and more.
West Michigan is home to numerous artists with so many different talents. Groovy music, vivid paintings, gorgeous photography, and more!
Wilderness State Park’s 2,582 acres of natural area and 4,492 acres of wilderness area make this a great place to explore all year ’round.
The Harbor Springs History Museum offers a unique look at the history of the community, starting with the first Catholic missionaries.