Jackson is known as the birthplace of the Republican Party. No matter your political affiliation, we think you will agree that Jackson, Michigan is a friendly small town that is perfect for a spring day trip. It offers museums, outdoor pursuits, and famed haunts where you can get a sweet snack or brew. Oh, and if you are a golfer, bring your clubs, just in case.
Jackson is approximately 40 miles west of Ann Arbor.
Kids have been captivated by dinosaur displays, and the planetarium. The Michigan Military Heritage Museum is also in town. Several county museums participate in an annual spring event - Free Museum Day.
An old railroad route, the 10.5-mile out-and-back Falling Waters Trail is just right for walking or biking.
If there's one thing Michiganders can be proud of, it's our stunning autumns. Every year, when the leaves start turning, thousands of Great Lake State fans take a look at our road trip packing list to prepare for a road trip filled with Michigan's spectacular foliage. But if you're looking for the best fall day trip in Michigan, consider visiting the Keweenaw Peninsula. This picturesque area is the perfect setting for your autumn adventures.
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Start with a visit to the Copper Harbor Light. This historic lighthouse hugs the harbor shore and has been a fixture of the area since its construction in 1848. Now included on the National Register of Historic Places, Copper Harbor Light is an iconic building and a must-see for fall visitors.
Of course, to see this idyllic lighthouse, you'll have to visit Fort Wilkins Historic State Park. First established in 1923, this former military base has become a remarkable public view of Lake Superior and boasts other fascinating buildings from the fort's not-so-recent past.
To see more of this stunning region, take the Brockway Mountain Drive. This nine-mile scenic route curves along the crest of the Keweenaw Fault, curling visitors up the Brockway Mountain, a 1,320-foot-tall volcanic land formation that affords you jaw-dropping peninsula views.
Named for Daniel D. Brockway, one of the area's first European inhabitants, this vantage point was developed through a 1933 Depression-era work program. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Isle Royale from the peak!
For even more al fresco fun, check out the Estivant Pines Wilderness Nature Sanctuary, a 508-acre preserve popular for its well-maintained trails and gorgeous foliage.
To truly get in touch with the landscape, learn to forage from a local expert. The Keweenaw Peninsula is renowned for its mushrooms, just make sure you go out with a group and identify your finds correctly.
To put a button on a perfect fall day, go for drinks at a Copper Harbor institution. Brickside Brewery has delivered mouth-watering craft brews to the area since 2012. Supporting small businesses is a great way to give back to the vibrant Keweenaw Peninsula community.
Have you been looking for the best fall day trip in Michigan? Look no further than the Keweenaw Peninsula. This picturesque destination is the perfect backdrop to lifelong autumn memories and overflows with fantastic outdoor adventures that bring you to the best of a Great Lake State fall. Bundle up and book your excursion. The Keweenaw Peninsula awaits you.
Where & When To See Fall Foliage In Michigan
Where can you find the best fall foliage in Michigan, and when will it peak? Though it's difficult (if not impossible) to determine something as amazingly natural as the changing of the leaves down to the date, we can take a look at past patterns and make predictions based on those. Our amazing state parks are perfect for fall foliage festivities, but you can meander anywhere with trees to enjoy it.
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Typically, the leaves really start shifting from green to shades of gold, oranges, and reds by the end of September; come the end of October, things are already winding down - so get ready to get out, view, and enjoy ASAP!
Know Before You Go
Entry fees for Michigan state parks vary between residents and non-residents; vehicles start at $14, motorcycles at $7, and commercial passes (for field trips and large groups) are $21.
Wondering about places to eat while leaf peeping? Should you find yourself near Frankenmuth, you should definitely check out the legendary delight that is Station 100. It's one of the best places to eat in Michigan, and it makes for a perfect way to fuel up before or after the leaf hunting. Seeking out the perfect place to sleep, preferably among the foliage you seek? No worries - check out this absolutely incredible, totally unique Airbnb in Michigan that you'll never forget.
Does a road trip need a concrete theme to be successful? I don't think it does. Sure, it's a lot of fun to go waterfall hunting or searching for the best finds on a thrift shop road trip, but does a road trip need a theme? Nope!
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I think adventure is enough of a theme, so I put together this spontaneous road trip through Michigan that'll take you on a grand adventure.
Let's get started!
1. W.J. Beal Tree Plantation in Grayling, Michigan
We're kicking off our spontaneous Michigan adventure in the city of Grayling at the W.J. Beal Tree Plantation. This little-known site happens to be home to the oldest documented tree plantation in North America. In 1888, Professor W.J. Beal planted 80 acres of land with more than 40 species of trees. This experiment aimed to showcase how trees and shrubs could successfully establish themselves in the dry, sandy soils of the area.
The 20-minute self-guided hike takes you through Professor Beal's experiment. The results were used to determine what sort of trees to use to reforest destroyed areas successfully. At this incredible park, you can see the early beginnings of Michigan conservation.
Only seven acres remain of the Professor's initial experiment, making for a low-effort hike. Perfect for the starting point for your spontaneous Michigan road trip. Open year-round, the W.J. Beal Tree Plantation is handicap accessible. Plus, visitors will find benches in various locations on this short hike, making this a perfect place to start making some peaceful memories.
Less than two miles up the road, you'll find our next stop in this spontaneous road trip in Michigan. At Ausable Artisan Village, you'll be able to indulge your shopping side a bit. Featuring more than 40 Michigan artists, you're sure to find something unique here.
This non-profit art center in Michigan is housed in a once-vacant-for-more-than-10-years building and is somewhat responsible for the revitalization of Grayling's downtown area. In addition to the gallery selling the works of local artists, Ausable Artisan Village is also home to a state for live performances and space for classes and workshops.
Run almost completely by volunteers, this Grayling art center sells a variety of work in a variety of different mediums - from paintings to sculptures and everything in between. Plus - visitors report that the prices are reasonable in relation to the quality of the art.
Now, this next stop on our spontaneous road trip in Michigan is quite the swerve from the last one. Grayling Fish Hatchery is a non-profit organization that teaches visitors about the historic site, the trout that thrive in Michigan streams, the environmental issues facing our region, and why Michigan’s stream trout fisheries are so important.
You might be wondering: what they heck am I supposed to do at a fish hatchery? Well, you can feed the thousands of trout on property, or hang out in the turtle sanctuary. You know, slow down a bit.
Additional activities at Grayling Fish Hatchery include visiting the Bug Spot - where you can learn all about the insects that make the hatchery their home. Kids can also fish in the kid's fishing pond! The thing I'm most excited about though? The pollinator garden!
4. Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, Michigan
For our fourth stop, we'll be visiting Hartwick Pines State Park, home to 49 acres of old-growth forest. Rumors say it is some of the only old-growth forest left in the state.
The views at this State Park are incredible, overlooking the east branch of the AuSable river, in addition to some gorgeous timber lands and spring-fed lakes. About a quarter mile away, you'll find the Hartwick Pines Logging Museum.
Hartwick Pines State Park is excellent for hiking, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and, my favorite, birding. Bonus: this state park has a track chair available for use, allowing wheelchair users to adventure deeper into the park than they would have been able to.
Our final stop on this spontaneous road trip in Michigan is one where you can spend some time unwinding from the rest of your journey. This one's for the golfers, y'all.
Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan is home to 81 holes of award-winning golf - including a fantastic par three course. We do recommend reservations if you plan to play 18 holes.
If you're just looking to end your Michigan road trip with a bite to eat, Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan is excellent for that as well. With seven different dining options, this is a wonderful spot to end your Michigan adventure!
I love road trips like this one, where you don't know exactly what you're getting into next. While it's fun to adventure to a theme, sometimes, it's even better to adventure for adventure's sake!
