Best Places to See Fall Color in the Great Lakes Bay
Like beautiful flames of glowing crimson & gold, the treetops in Michigan will soon be ablaze with brilliant colors! Head out on a crisp autumn day and see for yourself the glorious hues that only emerge in the fall — and make their seasonal debut on quiet country roads, out-of-the-way paths, and even winding waterways.
Find your favorite view as you explore these one-of-a-kind places to leaf-peep when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan!
Midland
Dow Gardens
Lose yourself in captivating color at Dow Gardens this autumn. With meandering streams, winding paths, and architectural bridges, slow down to savor the sights, sounds, and scents of fall. Get a bird's-eye view of autumn beauty from the nation's longest canopy walk, hovering over 54 gorgeous acres of natural landscape.
Dow Gardens | @_dineshdon_
Soak up views of the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge on a fall color tour with Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips! See deer drinking from streams, bald eagles diving & fishing, and egrets at leisure as you boat through the "Everglades of Michigan” alongside your expert local guide.
Take your color tour to new heights with six unique ropes courses for ziplining & climbing at Frankenmuth Aerial Park! Pause at each platform to take in the brilliant hues around you, and feel the rush as you zipline through the trees!
Discover radiant hues & wildlife sightings at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge! Enjoy fall scenery along the Woodland and Ferguson Bayou trails, keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles & migratory birds — but watch for park closures during hunting season.
Float in tranquility down the tree-lined Cass River aboard the iconic Bavarian Belle Riverboat in Frankenmuth. See a spectacular fall color show from the water, and learn about the history & architecture of Michigan's Little Bavaria aboard this 150-passenger vessel.
Chippewa Nature Center | @calvinmarteen
Midland
Chippewa Nature Center
Venture out to an Arboretum with 100+ species of Michigan-native trees & shrubs, all in full fall color, at Chippewa Nature Center! With 19 miles of leaf-lined trails, drop in at the kayak launch or climb the observation tower for sweeping marsh views!
Frankenmuth FunShips | @pierrenasralla
Take a one-of-a-kind boat ride through autumn foliage with Frankenmuth FunShips. Relax aboard a 12-passenger tour boat and relish in the hues, or experience fall colors — and flavors — on a Wine & Chocolate River Tour!
Board the Princess Wenonah with Bay City Boat Lines to experience autumn glory! Watch the hues change along the bank as you float your way through fall on a Saginaw River Guided Tour.
Bay City State Park | @dee_dorsey
Stoke the campfire and relax into autumn at Bay City State Park. See wildlife play under the canopy of color, or take a kayak or paddleboard for a spin on Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay. Watch waves roll up on the beach, and wrap up in cozy blankets with unforgettable views all around.
Climb two observation towers at Tobico Marsh inside Bay City State Park, each overlooking 2,000 acres awash with autumnal colors! Spot wildlife amidst marsh foliage while wandering the trails.
Find gorgeous fall color at the 520-acre Midland City Forest! Bring your mountain bike or hiking shoes to Midland's largest park, and join bikers, runners, equestrians — and anyone who enjoys fresh air & leaf-peeping!
Stop into Ray’s Bike Shop on-site at Midland City Forest to try out Specialized, Salsa, Surly, Trek, Chumba, and Electra bikes on the trails.
Wander through picturesque terraces and row-upon-row of bursting blooms at Dahlia Hill. Experience a kaleidoscope of 300+ unique dahlia varieties across more than 3,000 tubers.
Bavarian Inn Holz Brücke | @jimmytaylorphoto
Frankenmuth
Bavarian Inn Holz Brücke
Experience fall scenery from a covered bridge made entirely out of wood! Marvel at the beautiful craftsmanship and the world of autumnal beauty on either side of the picturesque Cass River.
The Tridge | @atom_n_eve7
Discover autumn hues and The Tridge in Midland, a three-legged pedestrian footbridge at the confluence of two rivers. Walk or bike your way across, and savor the scenery with a peaceful picnic on the river bank.
Get lost and find your way back to the working historical Grandpa Tiny's Heritage Farm, where towering stalks line a puzzling corn maze! Sip cider & enjoy sweet donuts, pick a pumpkin from the patch, pet & feed farm animals, and enjoy rural heritage in the heart of Frankenmuth.
Climb in, cover up with a cozy blanket, and let the clip-clop of horses’ hooves rhythmically lead you along leaf-lined streets with Fantasy Carriage Company or Frankenmuth Carriage Company. Travel through Michigan's Little Bavaria, and enjoy views of abundant seasonal decor.
Great Lakes Bay
Paddle your way through picturesque fall scenery! Join Chippewa Nature Center for a guided kayak trip, or look to local outfitters Ike’s Mobile Kayak Rentals, Nor'East Outdoors, Frankenmuth Kayak Adventures, or Cattail Kayak Rental to float through fall’s display.
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Great Lakes Bay
Walk, bike, or just wonderfully wander the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail! Spanning more than 100 miles, with multiple trailheads & paths connecting downtown cityscapes to sprawling countryside, listen to twigs snap & colorful leaves crunch through scenic woods & wetlands!
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Great Lakes Bay
Sip cider, pressed daily, and bite into freshly made donuts at Leaman’s Green Applebarn. Step out into fall scenery to pick your own apples or take a hayride, then toast to fall with refreshing cider sundaes! Or, enjoy tastes & treats of the season (even hard cider) on the cozy back patio of Bayne's Apple Valley Farm, with gorgeous fall colors all around!
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Great Lakes Bay
Fresh pumpkin pies and quintessential cider & donuts — visiting Johnson’s Pumpkin Farm or Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch is a seasonal must! Take pictures in fields filled with pumpkins and pick your perfect jack-o-lantern, pet farm animals, or find your way through a corn maze.
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Things To Do
Take picturesque hikes & colorful boat tours, peruse apple orchards & sip on cider, pedal trolleys through leafy streets & ride ziplines through the trees! Pull on your boots, bring a light jacket, and be ready for these must-experience fall excursions when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan!
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Things To Do
Find yourself sampling at apple orchards, sauntering through pumpkin patches, and enjoying delicious mulled wine with friends. Whether you hike, bike, or sit back and sip cider together, discover the best of fall when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan!
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Author
Jen W. O'Deay + Go Great Lakes Bay
By: Jen W. O'Deay | Updates: Go Great Lakes Bay | Jen is a Saginaw native and owner of Feel These Words, an independent copywriting studio & home to the free "5 Day Website MiniBoost". Jen specializes in writing that connects, delivered through website copy, branded content articles, and WingWoman writing services. You'll find Jen camping with her family, laughing, and at feelthesewords.com
