In the Keweenaw Peninsula, areas south, east and west of Houghton are at peak color. Houghton and Hancock are at 50% color and climbing, with total peak color for the region expected October 13-19. Copper Harbor, the most northern town on the peninsula, and the surrounding area are at about 20% fall color, and the weather has still been holding strong with sunny days and cool air.

There’s still time to catch a scenic chairlift ride at Mont Ripley and Mount Bohemia, and mountain biking on Copper Harbor's IMBA Silver Level Ride Center Trails will wow with thrills and seasonal views. The mild weather makes conditions perfect for hiking, or for an impromptu waterfall tour. You can also experience outdoor events surrounded by fall foliage, like the exciting Heart the Heartlands ATV Slow Ride (October 12).

Fall color has peaked on the west end of Marquette County, turning the forests into a sea of bright reds, oranges and yellows. The shoreline areas along Lake Superior follow closely behind, with peak color expected October 13-19. Visitors can enjoy the incredible outdoor adventure in the Marquette area, like hiking, biking, paddling and fall scenic drives. There are also a variety of events to plan your trip around, like the Lake Superior Performance Rally (October 11-13) and Fresh Coast Film Festival (October 17-20).

If you’re heading east along Lake Superior, Munising reports lots of reds, yellows and oranges starting to pop across the area. With peak color expected October 13-19, it’s the perfect time to take a Pictured Rocks Cruise for fantastic views of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Visitors can also find thrills with a mountain bike ride along the Munising Bay Trail Network or relax on the beach to enjoy the beautiful, fall color backdrop.

On the southern coast of the UP, the Escanaba area is seeing some beautiful fall colors on the trees and peak is expected October 13-19. Now is a great time to take a color tour in Delta County, especially along the nearby Stonington and Garden peninsulas to enjoy the warm hues on Lake Michigan. Must-visit attractions in the area include Fayette Historic State Park, Peninsula Point Lighthouse in Rapid River, Van Cleve Park in Gladstone and Ludington Park in Escanaba.

Further east in Manistique, fall color is popping downtown and along M-94, where visitors can find peak fall foliage this weekend. While peak is still a week away along Lake Michigan, visitors can enjoy the growing colors by strolling the scenic Manistique Boardwalk along the coast.

Experience the thrill of an ATV ride on the Haywire Grade Trail, Michigan's first rails to trails. If you prefer something more serene, take a trip to Kitch-iti-kipi (The Big Spring) in Palms Book State Park, Michigan's largest natural freshwater spring. Cast a line for steelhead and salmon fishing on the Manistique River, or get in touch with nature at the Rainey Wildlife Area. Back in Manistique, celebrate the season this weekend with Oktoberfest at Flatiron Brewing (October 12) or take a drive east to Gulliver for a fright at the Seul Choix Pointe Haunted Lighthouse experience (October 19 and 26).

For more beautiful fall color in the UP, visit Sault Ste. Marie in the eastern region. Here you can see the incredible Soo Locks in action and visit the iconic Tahquamenon Falls – one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi – in nearby Paradise.

Photo: Manistique, courtesy of Great Getaways

East of the Mackinac Bridge in Cheboygan, oranges, reds and yellows are spreading through the foliage, with peak expected in the coming week. Explore the area’s trails for hiking, biking and side-by-side ATV rides. For a memorable experience off the coast, take a Nautical North Family Adventures cruise on Lake Huron. If you’re excited for the Halloween season, celebrate with locals at Cheboygan Downtown Scarecrow Stroll (October).

In Rogers City, located on the picturesque shores of Lake Huron’s sunrise side, the trees are expected to continue to change with vibrant colors. Peak fall color is expected October 13-19, and visitors can taste fall’s flavor at Knaebe's Apple Farm & Ciderworks (rated the #5 apple orchard in the nation by USA Today). Just west of Roger’s City, explore the Lower Peninsula’s only waterfall – which is universally accessible – at Ocqueoc Falls. For a challenge, test your skills at Moltke Maize Maze, which is created in the shape of Michigan’s peninsulas. Visitors can also find wonderful shopping at quaint boutiques in downtown Rogers City.

Visitors can experience both fall’s splendor and Michigan’s maritime heritage in Alpena, located on the historic Thunder Bay. The area reports that reds and oranges are lighting up the drive to the Old and New Presque Isle lighthouses just north of Alpena, and peak color is expected October 20-26. Taste the area’s apple harvest in a variety of hard ciders at Presque Isle Farm Cider. Enjoy more incredible fall foliage with a hike at Rockport State Recreation Area and Dark Sky Preserve – where visitors can also experience dazzling stargazing after the sun goes down.

Continue south on US-23 with stunning coastal views to Oscoda, where visitors can view beautiful magenta shades on the area’s large oak trees this week. Immerse yourself in fall color with fat tire biking, canoeing the AuSable River and hiking through Iargo Springs and the Highbanks River Trail. If you’re interested in cryptids instead of ghosts, join Sasquatch enthusiasts at the annual Big Foot Bash this weekend (now through October 12).

In the western region of northern Michigan, Traverse City is starting to see a dramatic change in color. While peak is not expected until October 20-26, the patches of vibrant colors are more pronounced. Enjoy scenic views with a road trip on Old Mission Peninsula and along M-22 in Benzie and Leelanau counties. Visitors can also celebrate the season’s grape harvest with wine tasting at nearly 50 wineries. For panoramic views of Lake Michigan and fall foliage, take a hike at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – or take a colorful bike ride on the Boardman Lake Loop. If you’re traveling later in the fall season, Traverse City is hosting some spectacular events like the Traverse City Zombie 5k Run (October 26), Iceman Cometh Challenge (November 2) and Traverse City Beer Week (November 8 -16).

In the Petoskey area, the colors are really starting to pop with the cooler weather – and the area is anticipating more color this weekend with peak arriving October 13-19. Take a scenic chairlift ride at The Highlands or Boyne Mountain for incredible leaf-peeping. Once you reach the top of Boyne Mountain, stroll across SkyBridge Michigan for more spectacular panoramic views. If you’re looking for a more thrilling experience, take a zipline adventure at Boyne Mountain or The Highlands for an exhilarating and swift fall color tour. Visitors can also taste the flavors of fall and shoot an apple out of a cannon at Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs. Soak up the scenery with a walk along the Bear River in Petoskey, or fish during the salmon run in the Bear River and Boyne River in Boyne City.

If you’re feeling festive this weekend in the Petoskey area, attend Harbor Harvest Festival (October 12), The Highlands Harvest Festival (October 12) and Fall Fest at Gypsy Distillery (October 12).

Thirty minutes west between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix, the picturesque city of Charlevoix is also seeing more fall color, with peak expected October 20-26.

At the resort of Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, visitors can experience peak fall foliage October 13-19. The Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide is perfect for fall color enthusiasts looking to see the season in a new way. Enjoy a relaxing chairlift ride to the top of the mountain and soak in the beautiful leaves across four counties with panoramic views (then take a thrilling ride on the alpine slide back down the mountain). Fall Fun Saturdays (October) are full of autumnal activities that everyone is sure to enjoy with pumpkin carving, fun scarecrows created by the resort staff, fall crafts and delicious donuts.

On Lake Michigan, the Manistee area is seeing more fall colors beginning to pop. As temperatures start to fall at night, the area is anticipating more and more reds and yellows, especially in the inland areas and the river lands. The coastal areas of Manistee are coming along nicely, with leaves turning to a lovely shade of orange, and peak color is expected October 20-26.

Visitors can take a drive along multiple fall color routes in the Manistee area, with fun things to do and sites to see along the way. Fall salmon fishing is always popular in the Big Manistee Rive, and visitors can find cozy shopping in all of Manistee County’s downtown communities. Don’t forget to sip ciders and bourbons at Northern Natural and Iron Fish Distillery, respectively.

For a haunting experience, explore the Ghost Ship Haunted House (Fridays and Saturdays in October) on the SS City of Milwaukee. For less frights, celebrate autumn at HayDay at the Manistee National (October 19) or in downtown Manistee at the annual Fall Festival (October 26).

Travel east along I-55 through the Huron-Manistee National Forest to Cadillac. The area is getting closer to the halfway point when it comes to peak color, which is expected October 20-26 (visitors can find frequent updates as conditions change here). The Cadillac area offers many ways to enjoy fall foliage outdoors with hiking, biking, paddling, ORV riding and fishing. The area is also hosting several fall- and Halloween-themed events happening over the next three weeks to create your perfect autumnal getaway.  

Travelers can find more charming destinations to enjoy fall’s splendor along northern Michigan’s US-127, where peak color is expected October 13-19. In Gaylord, enjoy a driving tour, trails for hiking and biking, as well as rafting tours on the Sturgeon River. In Grayling, plan a canoe trip along the AuSable River, a scenic drive or golfing outing to soak up the area’s stunning fall color. At Wellington Farm, visitors can try to solve a corn maze (October 11-12) and watch pumpkins fly at Pumpkin Chunkin’ (October 12-13 and 19-20). In the Houghton Lake area, the sugar maples, maples and oaks are 40% covered with fall colors around the lakes and trails. Take a scenic drive down M-18, or enjoy the outdoors with a stroll on a walking trail, ORV ride and a trip to a cider mill or pumpkin patch.

Photo: The Petoskey Area, courtesy of Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau

In Mt. Pleasant, the area’s beautiful fall foliage is growing with peak color expected October 13-19. Check out the Shepherd Pumpkin Display (October 26-31), where over 1,000 jack-o-lanterns decorate the Village of Shepherd just outside of Mt. Pleasant. Visitors can head to downtown Mt. Pleasant's new town center for FreakFest (October 26), a spooky event featuring vendors, games, a pumpkin decorating contest, face painting and more.

Fall color is continuing to paint the trees in the Great Lakes Bay Region, and peak color is expected October 20-26. Enjoy an evening of live music with cider, donuts, gourmet caramel apples and a taste of what’s on tap at Bayne’s Hard Cider House at Bayne’s Apple Valley Farm in Freeland (Thursday-Sunday in October). For a day of family fun on the farm, visit Leaman’s Green Applebarn in Freeland where you can enjoy a corn maze, putt-putt golf, petting barnyard, hayrides and the Apple Barrel Express – and, of course, cider slushies and delicious donuts! In Saginaw, get lost inside the 13-acre corn maze at Johnson’s Pumpkin Farm. Find your way back for live music on weekends, horse and barrel train rides, gigantic pumpkins, face painting and cider paired with your choice of specialty donuts.

The region is also hosting a variety of autumnal celebrations like the eerie Edson Incident: Abyss haunted house on the historic U.S.S. Edson in Bay City (October and November 1-2) and the festive Scarecrow Fest at Frankenmuth River Place Shops (October 19-20) in Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Little Bavaria.

Genesee County is home to Michigan’s largest county parks system with many trails and waterways to view fall’s beautiful changing colors. With peak color expected October 20-26, visit the For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum in Burton, which hosts color tours throughout the season. In Flint, the Stepping Stone Falls & Picnic Area and the Flint River Trail are great places to see the beauty of autumn in the city. Visitors can also take a scenic drive through quaint downtowns to get into the fall spirit, or check out one of the many orchards throughout Genesee County like Montrose Orchards or Porter's Orchard. View fall colors from the water by kayaking or canoeing on the Shiawassee River that runs through Fenton and Linden.

Get in the Halloween spirit at spooky events throughout Genesee County like Ghosts & Goodies at Crossroads Village (weekends in October), Pumpkin Festival in downtown Davison (October 12) and Jeepers Creekers in Swartz Creek (October 19).

Further west in Shiawassee County, peak color is also expected October 20-26. Visitors can enjoy downtown shopping, beautiful parks, biking, hiking and kayaking down the Shiawassee River. Complete your itinerary with one of the county’s events like Tribute to Johnny Cash at the Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts (October 19) or the Speedway Trunk or Treat (October 20) in Owasso.

On the west side of the state along Lake Michigan in Silver Lake, view growing fall colors and stunning sand dunes at Silver Lake Dunes State Park. Peak color is expected October 20-26, which will make for beautiful photos and incredible memories.

Photo: Flint, courtesy of Explore Flint & Genesee

Fall color is exploding in the artsy college town of Ann Arbor. Earning the nickname “Tree Town” because of its dense woodlands, 150+ area parks and tree-lined streets, it’s a must-visit for viewing fall foliage. Take a moment to explore the Bird Hills Nature Area, the largest park in the city, where you can explore the hilly woods and a network of trails for hours of fall hiking. One of the most talked about stretches for leaf peeping is along the West Huron River Drive between downtown Ann Arbor and Dexter, a quaint community just west of the city.

No fall trip to the Ann Arbor area is complete without cider and doughnuts. Wiard’s Orchard (Ypsilanti), Dexter Cider Mill, Alber Orchard (Manchester) and Wasem Fruit Farm (Milan) will satisfy your craving for fresh-pressed cider and warm doughnuts – all with plenty of apple trees and pumpkin patches for U-Pick adventures! Check out Blast Corn Maze at Nixon Farms in Dexter, where you can spend up to three hours wandering through cornstalks to see if your crew can stay on track. Elsewhere on the farm, indulge in apple cider slushies, and the whole family will have fun exploring the outdoor activities offered.

Further south in Lenawee County, fall colors are still popping, with peak color expected October 20-26. Experience autumn up in the trees at the Reach for the Sky Canopy Walk at Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton – or visit the gardens for their annual Fall Foliage Festival (October 19).

Fall color is continuing to grow on the western side of the Lower Peninsula as well, where peak color is expected October 20-26. Visitors can find yellows with pops of orange and red this weekend in Kalamazoo, a city home to a variety of top cultural attractions, unique shopping and outdoor adventure. On the shores of Lake Michigan, Saugatuck is reporting more fall colors mixed in the green of the area’s forests. Plan a relaxing fall getaway to this coastal town this weekend during the Saugatuck Douglas Art Gallery Stroll (October 12-13) or Octoberfest (October 12) in Douglas across Kalamazoo Lake. In Southwest Michigan, experience beautiful fall color and Lake Michigan sunsets in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph – or create a road trip to some of the many picturesque towns in the region.

Photo: Ann Arbor, courtesy of Instagram Fan benchesofmichigan