Fall is the season of the grape, where local vineyards harvest the future Chardonnays, Rieslings and Pinot Grigios. Combine a color tour of the region with a visit to Michigan’s wine country – a feast for the eye and the palate.

Choose one or several of the 19 wineries of Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas for a very special fall vacation. Old Mission Peninsula has much to offer the autumn leaf-peeper: delicious apples can be found at roadside stands, charming restaurants, and the Old Mission Lighthouse.

“Land of Delight” is the English translation of the Indian wood “leelanau,” and it’s easy to understand the reason for so naming the Leelanau Peninsula, especially in fall. Circling the perimeter of the place many call Michigan’s “little finger” is a color tour that has been popular for decades. An easy and interesting route, M-22 takes you along the shoreline through the quaint villages of Suttons Bay, Peshasbestown, Omena and Northport, with water views almost the entire way. North of Suttons Bay the sign reads: Northport 12 miles. Northport, situated near the tip of Leelanau Peninsula, overlooking Grand Traverse Bay, is a picture-perfect town, with a marina, waterfront, unique shops, galleries and restaurants.

Each port town has its own unique charm, and each is a perfect place for shopping, dining, trying your luck at the casino or just breathing the crisp fall air. Tour the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, a living museum. Along the western coast, Leland and Glen Arbor offer still more options, and spectacular autumn color can be expected in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a 71,000-acre national park that includes 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Go barefoot “one last time” when you encounter the massive sand dunes and stunning sunset beaches.

According to the National Park Service, many of the best spots for viewing fall colors at Sleeping Bear are easily reached by car or by a brief hike. The park’s popular Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, for instance, gives motorists a bird’s-eye view of areas like Alligator Hill, where brilliant fall foliage is set off by Glen Lake’s tropical shades of turquoise, jade and cobalt blue.

The Frankfort-Elberta area has much to offer, and is the gateway to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in Benzie County, the Frankfort and Elberta communities encompass beautiful Betsie Bay, a historic sailing harbor.

The Point Betsie Light Station is one of the most visited and photographed in Michigan, and is considered to be the most popular visitor site in Benzie County. For mariners, Point Betsie (or originally: Point Aux Bec Scies), has been one of the most prominent and utilized lights on Lake Michigan.

Another great side trip is to the Gwen Frostic Prints Company in Benzonia (located between Frankfort and Benzonia). This 250-acre wildlife sanctuary on the Betsie River is home to Frostic’s studio with 15 Heidelberg presses using the original Frostic blocks to print a variety of paper arts.

Kids will love a stop at the Homestead Sugar House in Beulah, just five miles from the top of the hill on US-31. Open until November 30, enjoy delicious hand-dipped candies, fruits and even thick sugarless syrup.

You’re likely to hear the sounds of music mingling with the rustling of fall leaves on a color tour of Benzie County. The Interlochen Center for the Arts offers year-round education for young people interested in the performing arts. Situated on Green Lake, the Center provides excellent professional entertainment, as well as student performances. The campus itself consists of tree-lined pathways that take on vibrant personalities during the autumn months.

For more information check out www.michigan.org/travel

Visit Up North Vacation Rentals has beautiful accommodations that are located in the heart of this wonderland. Call us today and make us a part of your fall color tour. 800-901-8922.

There is nothing more tasty than fresh produce straight from where it is grown. Northern Michigan has a bounty of farms that feature fruits and vegetables fresh picked and waiting for you. Make a trip to local farm markets available every week through out the area. Farmer’s markets not only offer the fresh pick of the day but pies and baked goods, local honey and more.

Every village features a roadside stand that features all kinds of luscious foods. Fresh sweet apricots and peaches, asparagus straight out of the field waiting for your plate and melted butter,fresh sliced cukes,tomatoes w/ fresh basil,sweet squash baked on the grill–oh my. You can leave Michigan healthy and happy after you visit this great place. Follow this link for a variety of farms http://localdifference.org/farmresults.asp through the area.

Locations of farmer’s markets late spring – fall.

Traverse City – Sat. & Wed. – 8 am-12 pm

Suttons Bay – Saturday 9 am-1 pm

Leland – Thursday 8 am – 12 pm

Glen Arbor – Tuesday 9 am-1 pm

Empire – Saturday 9am- 1pm

 

Oct. 10- Glen Arbor Fall for Art
4th annual gallery tour. Prizes, food, beautiful art for viewing & purchase.

Oct. 11- Northport Fall Festival

Oct. 17, 18 and 24, 25- Empire Haunted Hayrides
Travel in the dark down to the abyss of terror on a tractor – pulled haywagon through the haunted forest. Enjoy eerie theatrics, startling events, ghouls and spooks. Hang on to your loved ones and hope you make it back for hot cider and donuts.

Oct. 18- Haunted Lighthouse in Northport

Oct. 25- Fall Festival and Swiss Steak Dinner in Empire
Swiss Steak Dinner $9/per person and Silent Auction, Crafts, Baked Goods & Pies

Oct. 25- Leland Fall Frenzy
Sales and more!

Ongoing attractions:
Jacob’s Corn Maze in Traverse City
http://www.jacobs-corn-maze.com/

Traverse City Farmer’s Market
Saturday’s in Downtown Traverse City

We at Visit Up North love to check out the Macintosh and Honey Crisp varieties of apples.

Did you know that pumpkins originated in Central America? Or that the largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,689 pounds? For more fun pumpkin facts, check out http://www.pumpkinnook.com/ They’re not just for carving!

And, an all-time favorite Acorn Squash recipe:  2 acorn squash, halved and seeded, salt/pepper to taste, 1/4 cup butter (diced), 6 tbl packed brown sugar.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place squash in a shallow baking pan, cut side down. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until tender. Turn cut side up; season with salt and pepper, dot with butter and sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake for 20 minutes more.

 

Watch for the harvest moon on October 4. This is the time of year when the full moon is nearest the autumnal equinox. It is known as the harvest moon because the early rise of the moon gave farmers more light to gather fall crops such as squash. Visit Up North has great locations to enjoy howling at the Harvest Moon. Mention this post and get a $50.00 “moon” credit on your new reservation anytime during the Harvest Moon week.
Check out Moonridge, Dancing in the Moonlight or Moonlight Bay for your own special location. Call today at 800-901-8922 and reserve today!

The Leelanau Farmers Market locations, dates, and hours of operation are as follows:
Suttons Bay: May 16 – October 17 Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Empire: June 13 – September 26 Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Leland: June 18 – September 3 Thursdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Glen Arbor: June 16 – September 1 Tuesdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Northport: June 19 – September 18 Fridays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

We will also be having demos on cooking with local produce by local chefs at some of the farmers markets throughout the season.