Fall Color Itineraries in Southwest Michigan
In Southwest Michigan, the beautiful transitions from deep green leaves to brilliant yellows, orange and reds typically begin in mid-September and peak the first two weeks of October. Companioned with our gorgeous autumn sunsets along our Lake Michigan shore, you are never far from breathtaking views from dawn to dusk. Take a day, a weekend or a week to welcome this colorful season by following three fall color tours in Southwest Michigan.
Day 1: West Michigan Pike
This first tour is along the West Michigan Pike. The Pike is the first continuous paved road in West Michigan from the Indiana state line to Mackinaw City. It's a great way to combine fall colors with unforgettable beach moments along the two-lane US Route 12 (Red Arrow Highway) and US Route 31 (Blue Star Highway).
St. Joseph
(Approximately 3 hours)
Heading north on Blue Star Highway, don't hesitate to duck in to visit any of the resort towns along this dune-lined stretch of Lake Michigan. Find places to go antiquing, shopping or beach hiking, and plan to catch a late lunch in St. Joseph. The walkable downtown is steps away from riverfront parks, a tree-lined bluff and Lake Michigan public beaches. It offers an eclectic selection of shops, restaurants, wineries and craft breweries. Visit art galleries, museums, historical sites, one of the most picturesque lighthouses and a magnificent carousel.
South Haven
(Approximately 3 hours)
This quaint port town offers a century-old lighthouse, shops, restaurants and large expanses of public beaches. Come kick your feet through the rustling fallen leaves, tour art galleries along the coast, shop and treat yourself to an ice cream cone.
Michigan Maritime Museum cruise
(Approximately 1 hour)
Watch fall colors from the deck of this electric-powered river launch as it plies the Black River waters. Lindy Lou Black River Cruises are an hour long, and last through the middle of October, five launches a day, seven days a week. Tickets can be purchased on-site or online.
Silver Harbor Brewing Company
(Approximately 2 hours)
Return to St. Joseph, and stop for dinner at Silver Harbor Brewing Company. You’ll have fun tasting at least 12 different craft beers on tap. A must-try is their smoked beer. Order a Kumbaya Brown Ale and ask them to inject hickory smoke flavor into a glass chamber — it infuses itself into the beer. A full menu of snacks to brewer plates will satiate your hunger.
We will have your room ready in a nearby lodging so you can wake up to more leaf-peeping in the morning.
See You In The Morning
You will find more fun to enjoy tomorrow.
Day 2: Apple Country Tour
After breakfast in Benton Harbor, St. Joseph or Stevensville, follow this route for a flavorful, fall day adventure.
Fruit Acres Farm Market and U-Pick
(Approximately 1-2 hour)
Start your day in our beautiful countryside at Fruit Acres, conveniently located just off I-94. Spend your morning picking a variety of eating and baking apples fresh from the trees. Plan your visit for u-pick and hayrides to the orchards on Saturdays and Sundays, from early September to mid-October. Or stop by the market every day of the week, June through October. Find bins and shelves filled with fresh-picked apples, cider, pumpkins, jams, jellies, caramel apples and your favorite fall fruits and vegetables.
3452 Friday Rd.
Coloma, MI 49038
Jollay Orchards
(Approximately 1-2 hours)
The Jollay family has been perfecting the craft of growing fruit for over 150 years! Come pick apples (eight different varieties) and pumpkins in every imaginable size from September through October. Enjoy their annual Fall Festival the last three September weekends and all October weekends. Hayrides, a haunted house, animal farm, fishing pond, cornfield maze and flavored cider tastings (peanut butter is a popular choice) make this a memory-making tradition. Come to the market for several goods, including a variety of cider jugs, donuts, pies and more.
1850 Friday Rd.
Coloma, MI 49038
Round Barn Brewery & Public House
(Approximately 1-2 hours)
This is a great place to relax with family or friends in downtown Baroda. Not only do they specialize in Round Barn’s craft beers on tap, but they also serve their estate wines and refreshing cocktails mixed with spirits from the Round Barn Distillery. There are plenty of appetizers to pair with your beverage choices, but a local-favorite is their beer cheese. You can gather around a table starting at noon, Wednesdays-Sundays.
After your break, take in the beauty of the vineyards and colorful tree-lined roads.
Lemon Creek Fruit Farm & Winery
(Approximately 1½ hours)
Take time to breathe in the rich scents of fall at this family-owned and-operated artisanal producer of estate-grown wines. Pick apples or grapes in September and October, and taste award-winning wines year-round. A mid-September Harvest Festival and home winemaking events make this a popular fall destination.
After a relaxing afternoon, head north to St. Joseph, and enjoy dinner at one of the area's many restaurants before watching the sunset from Lake Bluff Park or a nearby beach. Rest up at one of our lodgings for another colorful day exploring tomorrow.
533 E Lemon Creek Rd.
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
See You In The Morning
You will find more fun to enjoy tomorrow.
Day 3: Into the Woods Tour
Enjoy a hearty breakfast or brunch in Benton Harbor, St. Joseph or Stevensville – you
Fred Russ Forest Park
(Approximately 2 hours)
Open sunrise to sunset, this beautiful 13-acre park is one of the most popular fall destinations in Cass County. It features a Class A trout stream (popular with anglers) and 4 miles of hiking trails. Take the Big Tree Loop (1.6 miles) to see what remains of the largest tulip tree in Michigan (a violent storm took down two-thirds of it in 1984).
20419 Marcellus Hwy.
Decatur, MI 49045
River Saint Joe
(Approximately 1½ hours)
This unique brewery destination opens for lunch at 11 a.m. on Monday and Friday-Sunday. Gather around a table on this certified organic farm! You’ll find a tantalizing menu of craft beers, wines, non-alcoholic beverages, botanical elixirs, basil cream rigatoni, autumn sunset sandwich, harvest bowl, farmhouse salad and many other seasonal choices. If you have never sipped a farmhouse beer, this is the place to try one. Extend your fall fun playing bocce, cornhole or other lawn games.
15475 Walton Rd.
Buchanan, MI 49107
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve
(Approximately 2 hours)
This gem offers 105 acres of cultivated and natural areas along the scenic St. Joseph River valley. Open Tuesday-Sunday, there is a small admission fee. If you didn’t catch lunch at River Saint Joe, check ahead to see if Fernwood's café is open. The food is delightful!
Take time to explore the art gallery, fern conservatory, multiple outdoor gardens and nature trails brimming with autumn beauty. Special classes, including yoga in the gardens, are available during the week and weekends. Check Fernwood's online September and October calendars for details.
13988 Range Line Rd.
Niles, MI 49120
Thanks for joining us!
We hope you enjoyed your travels throughout Southwest Michigan. Check out other trips that you can take on our itineraries page.
Find More Idea Starters