Fall in Northern Michigan

 Happy First Week of Fall!

There are so many reasons to come to Boyne City for fall! We’ve heard it said that fall is like summer for the locals, so if you want to experience our small Michigan towns during the slower (but still incredible!) season, then you need to book a stay with Boyneland for the perfect fall getaway.

If we were planning the perfect fall visit to Northern Michigan, these are some stops that our trip would include!

First things first, we would obviously start our day with coffee from Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company. We’ve talked about this coffee shop in almost every blog, and there’s a reason! There’s just something special about finding good, local coffee when you’re in a new town. It makes you feel like one of the locals. Plus, since you are on a leisurely getaway, you have time to sit back, relax and enjoy your coffee. Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company offers the perfect environment to do just that! You’ll want to check out their seasonal menu- they are always creating something new and delicious that we want to try! After caffeinating for the day, we are ready for a fall adventure! There are so many spots to check out in Northern Michigan, so here are a few choose your own adventure options!

Hike Up Avalanche: Hiking up Avalanche Mountain in Boyne City offers incredible views of the trees changing colors and of Lake Charlevoix. We love hiking up the path during every season to see the beauty. If you want to make it a quick trip, climb the 462 steps to the top - sounds easy, right? But trust us, the views are worth it! If you have more time, take the trail that will wind you up the back of Avalanche Mountain and take the stairs down! It can still be steep on the pathway up, as it is filled with ups, downs and some tree roots, but we definitely think it’s worth the climb!

Picture from Lottie's Bagels Facebook Page

Boyne City Farmer’s Market: We love going to our local farmer’s market every chance we get! During the fall, the farmers market happens Saturdays in Veteran’s Park. The Boyne City Farmer’s Market is the best in the area! It has so many amazing, local vendors. We love sampling and seeing all the offerings each time we go. If you love bagels, make it to the farmer’s market earlier in the day to have a chance at trying Lottie’s Bagels. They sell out quickly – make it one of your first stops when you arrive!

Picture from Boyne Valley Vineyards Website 

Boyne Valley Vineyards: The picture above shows exactly why we want you to visit Boyne Valley Vineyards when visiting Northern Michigan.  Look at the incredible colors that are all around the winery! Boyne Valley Vineyards has live music every weekend. Boyne Valley Vineyards is one of our favorite stops whenever we have a chance to visit. It’s a relaxing atmosphere – you’ll love it just as much as we do!

Tunnel of Trees: If you’ve never explored the Tunnel of Trees, add this to your Northern Michigan Bucket List! The Tunnel of Trees is a beautiful drive that starts in Harbor Springs and weaves 20 miles up to Cross Village. The views of Lake Michigan on your drive north are truly spectacular! You can travel this path countless times and we promise you – each time you go up M119, you will find something new to explore and the beauty will captivate you.  

Without stops, the drive will take you approximately one hour. But we think that the stops make the trip worth it, so plan to take a few hours out of your day for this adventure.  t's also important to know that the Tunnel of Trees is narrow! If you have a large vehicle, you’ll have to be careful on the twists and turns!

 If you plan to do the Tunnel of Trees, a few stops along the way that we recommend:

Picture from Tom's Mom's Cookies 

Stop 1, Tom’s Mom’s Cookies: Arguably some of the greatest cookies ever made. Our mouths water just thinking about them! It’s an incredible little gem tucked in the cutest pink cottage in Harbor Springs. Make sure to include time in your trip for these tasty treats!

Picture from Pond Hill Farm's Instagram 

Stop 2, Pond Hill Farm: Pond Hill Farm is an experience that everyone in your group will love! There is a café, winery, brewery and market, along with a lot of fun activities! There is year-round fun for your kids: a natural playground, feeding the farm animals, visiting the trout pond, adventuring on the gnome house hunt and more! The adults will love the offerings from the winery and brewery, along with the delicious farm fresh flavors on the menu! The brick oven pizzas are mouth – watering, but anything you choose on the menu is delicous! Another offering at Pond Hill Farm includes their trail system – they have miles and miles of trails for you to enjoy all year long. Hike, snowshoe or bike your way along the trails. During the fall, each Saturday and Sunday are a Farm Fest Weekend. The Farm Fest Weekends are filled with pumpkins, a corn maze, pumpkin bowling, hayrides, pumpkin smashing, live music, apple cannons, donuts and so much more! Pond Hill Farm is a spot that locals love to visit during every season! Add Pond Hill Farm to your list of places to visit, even if you decide not to do the entire Tunnel of Trees.

Stop 3, Trillium Woods: This is the CUTEST little coffee shop! It is so nostalgic of everything we grew up with. They serve Higher Grounds and Birch Tree Bakery goods! They also have a small section of local goods to shop. Try their café miel – it is so good! It’s a latte made with espresso, steamed milk, honey and cinnamon!

Stop 4, Good Hart General Store: This little general store is a gem from 1934! Inside, you’ll find a US Post Office, complete deli and bakery, gift shop, real estate office and community gathering space all in one central location! The fruit pies are amazing – a must try!  

Stop 5, Readmond Township Park: While you are stopped visiting Good Hart General Store, head down to Readmond Township Park, an incredible public beach. It’s perfect for taking a picnic down to the water or for walking along the beach looking for sea glass and Petoskey Stones.  It is not usually an overcrowded beach, so you will enjoy the tranquility of Lake Michigan like you’ve never experienced before!

Stop 6, Legs Inn:  Located in Cross Village, the end of the Tunnel of Trees, is Legs Inn, a historic site and landmark dining destination! It was voted the 2nd Most Iconic Restaurant in the entire state! The homemade polish cuisine is their specialty, but they have a full menu, offering something for everyone! It’s said that the trip to Legs Inn lives up to the hype and we couldn’t agree more! The views are astounding, and the food is delicious, making your M-119 Tunnel of Trees day end with a memorable dining experience.

Uncle Frank’s Apple Town: Visit this 50-acre farm that is home to almost 600 apple trees for a delicious taste of fall! We love stopping in for cider and donuts on a crisp fall afternoon.  They also offer fun activities like a. corn maze, pumpkin patch and hayrides. Everyone that visits will tell you – the best part about visiting Uncle Frank’s Apple Town is definitely the donuts!

Picture from Bill's Farm Market 

Bill’s Farm Market: This is one of the local’s favorite stops to go during every season, but especially in the fall! Choose squash from approximately 26 different varieties that Bill grows on the farm or a pumpkin from one of 15 different varieties! All fall, you’ll find the farm market stocked with pumpkin pies, pumpkins, gourds, squash, hay bales, corn stalks and apples – everything you need to bring the scents and tastes of fall home with you.

Picture from Coveyou's Instagram 

Coveyou Scenic Farm: Located between Walloon Lake and Petoskey, this is quickly becoming  a staple for produce and local goods. Their barn market offers organic produce, local artisan creations, specialty foods, flowers, soil amendments, seasonal decorations, and much more!  If you eat out during your stay in Northern Michigan, you are most likely going to be enjoying their produce as they help supply 20+ dining establishments in the local towns. During the fall, they offer delicious local apples, vibrant mums and a variety of colorful and unique pumpkins that will look perfect going home with you!

Picture from Boyne Mountain 

SkyBridge at Boyne Mountain: This has quickly become a family favorite for us to explore! Maybe you did it in the spring, but going across the sky bridge in the fall is a completely different experience. The fall foliage is truly stunning, plus we love the cooler temperatures and that it’s not as busy in the fall as it is in the summer! The SkyBridge boasts the title of the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge! The bridge is 1,200 feet long and 118 feet high! When you cross the bridge, you can eat at the Eagle’s Nest and SkyBridge Michigan Food Truck! It’s the perfect way to enjoy the afternoon, as you relax and enjoy your meal, the view and time with your family and friends. The SkyBridge has incredible views that you need to see this fall!

Friske Farm Market: Friske Farm Market offers a fun filled day for the entire family. Their fun experiences include a MegaPillow, Zipline, Barnyard Basketball and indoor and outdoor playgrounds, making it the perfect spot no matter what the weather is doing outside. While you are there enjoying all the fun activities, you can have a delicious lunch of pizza and sandwiches from the farm market! After lunch at their bakery and café, enjoy the U-Pick Apple Orchards, so you can stock up on apples for the entire fall season. Located just 10 miles from Charlevoix, we love visiting this spot as a family during the fall!

Northern Michigan also boasts so many amazing festivals throughout the year! Here are a couple that are happening in Northern Michigan this fall:

Apple Fest in Charlevoix is happening this year (2024) from October 11 - October 13. There’s a farmer’s market, arts and crafts show, kid’s activities and SO MANY apples! It’s a fun event for the entire family to enjoy. Plus, it’s in downtown Charlevoix, on the lake. It’s a great time to come up north!

The Boyne City Harvest Festival is taking place September 30 with so many fun and exciting activities for the entire family to enjoy! There will be food trucks, vendors, a petting zoo, the Boyne District Library Book Mobile, and more! It’s the last week of the Boyne City Farmer’s Market being outside for the season (during the colder months, you can find them inside the XXX)! It’s a great time walking around town, supporting local businesses and enjoy the crisp fall air.

Book Your Northern Michigan Fall Adventure!

While there are many more adventures to be had when visiting Northern Michigan in fall, these are a few that stand out to us. There is something for everyone – kids all the way up to grandparents. If you haven’t booked your Boyneland Vacation Rental for your fall adventure, this is your sign to do that now! Boyneland has over 20 vacation listings – offering unique stays that everyone will enjoy. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, or a home for 10+, we have the rental you are looking for!

A rental we recommend for fall:

The Treehouse Airbnb is close to Downtown Charlevoix and an incredible rental to stay at. Did we mention it’s a Treehouse?! This incredibly cute Airbnb is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath gem in the woods of Charlevoix. The Treehouse Escape is set amidst 55 acres of natural beauty. As you approach, a winding path leads you through lush woodland as you hike into your stay. The treehouse itself is a haven, perched at the top of the hill. Created out of shipping containers it uniquely blends modern with comfort. Created in a way that allows you to escape reality, with its hike in feature (about 100 steps) and no wifi. You really are at a place you can escape! The living room is made cozy with an indoor fireplace, books and games.

This Airbnb does book up quickly, so if you want to have the chance to stay in it this fall,

book now!

One final tip!

Follow us on Instagram at boyneland. We share some insider looks at the different Airbnbs, our local Michigan favorites and more!