See fall colors on a weekend getaway to Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula

October 6, 11:05 AMChicago Midwest Getaways ExaminerJodie Jacobs

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Fall colors have reached Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula. A JJ photo

Whether driving through the woods of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park or further north to the lighthouse in Leelanau State Park, spectacular scenery lies around every turn on Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula.
 

Here, autumn’s gold and orange-tinted rolling hills and the calming blue of Lake Michigan on the west and Grand Traverse Bay on the east are a feel-good respite from busy fall schedules and fodder for the camera.

Where to drive: Michigan Highway 22 (signs say M22) makes a scenic loop around the Leelanau Peninsula. But half the fun of coming here is taking side roads. Drive through Sleeping Bear’s two areas on M72 south of Empire and M209 north. Then follow M22 north along the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula. Stop in Leelanau for a lunch and walking break before continuing up to the galleries and antique shops in Northport. There, follow County Highway 201 to the lighthouse and museum in Leelanau State park.

Stop at John and Phyllis Kilcherman's Christmas Cove near Northport for specialty and antique apples. Michigan apples are justly famous so also be on the lookout for apple stands.

Back at Northport, continue south on M22 along Grand Traverse Bay. Stop in Suttons Bay to check out its boutiques, eateries and galleries.

Continue south on M22 to a sign for Black Star Farms. A good place to stay (but difficult to snag a reservation), stop to taste Black Star’s famed cheeses and wines.

Also ask for a Leelanau wine trail map. Once the main wine trail, Leelanau is now one part of a two-pronged wine trail that includes vineyards on its neighboring Mission Peninsula. Both peninsulas have good wineries.

When M22 re-meets M72 at the peninsula base, go east into the area’s dining hub of Traverse City. The town has numerous accommodation choices, good restaurants and fun shops.

More accommodations at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park

More dining information at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park

More fall color information and fall getaway tips

Fall drives northern Michigan and Wisconsin  and fall drives northern Minnesota 

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