How many ways can visitors see fall color? Sure, driving through one of West Michigan’s scenic historic highways is what comes to mind, but did you know there are many other ways to see the colors?
AT THE GARDENS. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park located in Grand Rapids presents the return of ColorFall, September 13 – October 31. ColorFall is a celebration devoted to the season of colorful changes. October is the most colorful season of the year as it features constantly changing hues of scarlet, auburn, yellow and gold. The many colors of nature can be found along the walking trails of Meijer Gardens during this exciting celebration. The exhibit will feature fun and educational activities for the entire family, including color tours, giant pumpkins, large Chrysanthemum displays and more. All activities will take place throughout October; you will not want to miss this exciting celebration of the change of seasons! (888-957-1580
www.meijergardens.org)
FROM AN RV. Michigan brings ample opportunities to enjoy fun and exciting adventures any time of the year, but many RV’ers will tell you that autumn is their favorite season to travel around our state. Now that the summer crowds are gone, enjoy a slower pace. Set off in your RV and visit one of the many apple orchards or the 45-plus wineries with 13,500 acres of vineyards across the state. Enjoy the brisk air while sipping a cup of warm apple cider or biting into a luscious Michigan apple. Stroll through the vineyards, and take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty as you watch the leaves turn from green to shades of red, orange and yellow. Some of the best fall colors can be viewed from your RV as you travel where you please. Visit a lighthouse, eat your lunch alongside a waterfall, or visit tourist towns offering quaint shops, friendly people and cozy restaurants. There are over 1,000 campgrounds in Michigan, most open well into the fall season. Visit www.marvac.org for an online directory of Michigan campgrounds, or to request a free copy of the RV & Campsite publication.
ON A MOUNTAIN. Take a scenic chairlift ride up the mountain for a bird’s eye view of the fall foliage. Ski Resorts, such as Crystal Mountain (800-968-7686, www.crystalmountain.com)
TALL SHIP. All Aboard for your last chance this season to sail aboard the Historic Replica Sloop Friends Good Will at the Michigan Maritime Museum located in South Haven. This is an experience not to be missed before the season closes on October 14th. Saturday, October 13th, the Michigan Maritime Museum presents Pintsize Pirates. Pintsize Pirates is 90 minutes of swashbuckling adventure. Arrgh!!! Ability to talk like a pirate is desirable on this short sail designed for pintsize pirates ages 3 to 12 (must be accompanied by an adult). Activities will take place on our Campus and aboard Friends Good Will. Each child will receive pirate gear to keep! $30.00 for one child with adult, $20.00 for each additional child, and $10.00 for each additional adult (800-747-3810, www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org)
MOTORCYCLE: Prepare for your fall color motorcycle tour with a visit to Hot Rod Harley Davidson in Muskegon (231-722-0000, www.hotrodhd.com)
BIKE. The 2nd Annual Lakeshore Harvest Country Road Rally will take place on October 11 in South Haven. Participants will follow clues to visit farms and other notable locations in Lakeshore Harvest Country (269-639-1970, www.lakeshoreharvestcountry.org)
ON FOOT RUNNING. Run the 2nd Annual Boyne 2 Boyne Marathon (September 28). Boyne USA Resorts (800-462-6963, www.boyne.com)
IN A GLASS. Michigan tourists are seeing red! And pink! And even some gold! From a brilliant red cabernet franc, to a gorgeous pink pinot noir rosé, to the golden hue of a late harvest Riesling, Michigan wines match the stunning colors of the season. With more than 50 wineries scattered across the Great Lakes State, fall color tourists will discover that some of the best places to view autumn colors are also great places to find award-winning wines. Visit Fenn Valley Vineyards in September and October to experience their Vineyard Tour – a 1 ½ tour & tasting through the vineyard! (800-432-6265, www.fennvalley.com)
HORSEBACK. Rainbow Ranch located in New Era offers beautiful woodland scenery, river trails, over 70 horses and an abundance of wildlife & color viewing opportunities. Guided Horseback trail rides are offered on weekends during September and October.
PADDLEBOAT. Cruise the Kalamazoo River & Lake Michigan on an authentic stern wheel paddleboat during a 1 ½ hour cruise with the Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises. Afternoon and sunset cruises are available and run through the end of October, weather permitting. (269-857-4261. www.saugatuckboatcruises.com)
DRIVE. On October 18, experience the Depot to Depot Fall Color Tour. Travel between the White Lake Area Chamber and the Muskegon County Convention & Visitor's Bureau on one of Michigan's most scenic drives and experience vibrant colors of the woods, dunes, and water (800-250-WAVE, www.visitmuskegon.org)
CANOE. Paddle one of West Michigan’s rivers, lakes and streams to see the fall colors scattered through dense hardwoods of the forest – you may even spot a deer bedding down for the winter season or a school of salmon running upstream. Many canoe liveries are open through mid-October, including Wisner Canoes on the Muskegon River (231-652-6743, www.wisnercanoes.com)
To accompany all your fall adventure tours, be sure to have the West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide handy! Order your free copy at www.wmta.org or by calling 800-442-2084.
Founded in 1917, WMTA is the oldest continually operated regional tourist association in the nation. Representing 41 counties from the Michigan-Indiana state line to Mackinac Island and covering the entire west half of the Lower Peninsula, WMTA is dedicated to proving that “We Know West Michigan!”
