Your Guide to Fall Color in Traverse City (And Where to Stay)

If you’ve never experienced fall in Traverse City, this is your sign. Crisp mornings, sunny afternoons, and hillsides glowing in shades of red, orange, and gold — it’s one of the most beautiful times of year in Northern Michigan. Here’s how to plan it right — from timing your visit to knowing exactly where to go.

Best Time to See Fall Color This Year

For 2026, peak fall color in the Traverse City area is expected between October 8–18, with color beginning to change in late September.

• Late September: Early color, especially inland and on higher elevations

• Early to Mid-October: Peak color throughout Old Mission Peninsula, Leelanau County, and Sleeping Bear Dunes

• Late October: Deeper tones and fewer crowds — still beautiful, just softer

If you want the full, vibrant, postcard-worthy experience, aim for that second week of October.

Best Scenic Drives

One of the easiest (and most comfortable) ways to leaf-peep? Stay in the car with a good playlist and let Northern Michigan do the work.

• Old Mission Peninsula Scenic Drive Head north on M-37 along Old Mission Peninsula. The narrow strip of land between the bays gives you water views on both sides, rolling vineyards, and tree-lined stretches that absolutely glow in mid-October. Stop at wineries, farm stands, or simply pull over for photos.

• Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Located within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, this 7.4-mile loop offers sweeping overlooks of Lake Michigan framed by blazing fall color. It’s one of the most dramatic autumn views in the Midwest.

• M-22 through Leelanau County Drive the iconic M-22 route through Leelanau Peninsula for charming small towns, orchards, and nonstop color. It’s especially beautiful between Suttons Bay, Leland, and Glen Arbor.

Best Hikes for Fall Views

If you want to earn your color views (and trust me, it’s worth it), these trails deliver.

• Empire Bluff Trail is a short but rewarding hike inside Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with panoramic views of Lake Michigan surrounded by peak foliage.

• Pyramid Point is another Leelanau favorite with elevated views over Lake Michigan and dense hardwood forests that explode with color in October.

• The TART Trail offers paved paths perfect for biking or walking as leaves begin to fall. It’s an easy, accessible way to soak in fall without committing to a major hike.

• Mission Point Lighthouse Walk the shoreline and wooded trails near Mission Point Lighthouse at the northern tip of Old Mission Peninsula. The mix of water, woods, and open sky makes it especially photogenic in autumn.

Make Alexandra Inn Your Fall Home Base

After a full day of scenic drives and color-filled hikes, where you stay matters.

Alexandra Inn sits directly on the shores of East Grand Traverse Bay, giving you waterfront calm just minutes from downtown and a short drive to Old Mission Peninsula and M-22. It’s boutique, family-owned, and intentionally personal — the perfect balance of cozy and elevated.

Imagine this:

• Morning coffee on your private balcony overlooking the bay.

• A full day of exploring.

• Rooftop cocktails at sunset.

• Cool evenings and lake breezes wrapping up a perfectly fall day.

It’s the kind of place that turns a leaf-peeping trip into a full experience.

Fall color season doesn’t last long — and peak weeks book quickly. If you’re planning to visit Traverse City between late September and mid-October, now is the time to secure your stay. Reserve your room at the Alexandra Inn and make this fall getaway one you’ll be talking about long after the leaves have fallen. 🍁