TR 2024: Michigan Fall Foliage Trip - Day 6 (of 9)

Question

We, two adults, just completed a wonderful fall foliage tour of northern Michigan. We traveled from Ohio, making an eight-day loop through Frankenmuth, Mackinac Island, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Traverse City. We timed our trip for the first full week of October, in hopes of catching peak/near peak foliage along the way, and we were not disappointed.

Day 6 – St. Munising to Traverse City

Our time spent in the UP was far too short, but it was time to head to our next destination, Traverse City. Although it promised to be a very long day, we were determined to milk every moment possible out of the drive by staying off the highways.

After a hearty breakfast at Earl E. Byrds in Munising, we headed south on M-28 towards Wagner Falls. A short 0.1-mile gravel path leads to a boardwalk with lovely views of this 20ft cascading waterfall. There were several downed trees across the falls during our visit, obscuring the view a bit. Visiting here is a great opportunity for anyone who doesn’t have the time or ability to make a long trek.

We followed M-94E to Kitch-iti-kipi Springs, the largest natural freshwater spring in Michigan. A Michigan State Park pass is required to enter the park. Once there, we followed a very short path to the viewing platform. From the shore, the water’s surface looks like a huge mirror. Even at 40 ft depth, we could see the bottom perfectly through the crystal-clear teal green water. It was a bit disorienting at first. The coolest thing is the floating raft we rode across to view the bubbling spring vents and large trout swimming beneath us. The raft has a roof to prevent glare, and a large glass covered opening in the center for easy viewing. It moves slowly along a guided cable system thanks to volunteer passengers turning a large wheel. There is no cost to ride the raft and dogs are welcome.

From there we headed back to Mackinaw City and grabbed a quick lunch at Audie’s, again. It was good the first time and a quick, easy stop for us. We planned to follow the lakeshore all, or most, of the way to Traverse City so headed to Cross Village where we picked up M-119 and the Tunnel of Trees. We spent a bit of time in Cross Village checking out the iconic Legs Inn, a must stop! The Inn (& restaurant) is a combination of creativity and craftmanship of Stanley Smolack, a Polish immigrant. It was built from local timbers and stones and includes furniture made from driftwood and tree roots. We weren’t hungry, so only walked around a bit before heading across the street to check out the local gift shop and Petosky Brewing.

We followed M-119 through the Tunnel of Trees where the fall colors were showing off on this day, and it was simply relaxing to roll down our windows and enjoy the drive. We did try to make a stop at Good Hart at the General Store, but it was closed. We intended to stop at the Thorne Swift Nature Preserve, but after turning onto Lower Shore Drive, we realized that we had found a gem. So, we followed the narrow road, bursting with fall colors (and ZERO traffic), in its entirety. Instead of jumping back onto M-119 , we turned around and did it in the reverse direction. Lower Shore Drive parallels M-119 for a few miles, connecting at both the north and south end.

Satisfied with our journey, we continued through the picturesque towns of Harbor Springs and Petoskey without stopping to explore. We plan to return in the future when we can dedicate more time to the area. During our time in the UP, everyone we met raved about the town of Charlevoix. So, we decided to stop there along the way. It turned out to be the perfect choice because they were holding a huge festival along the lakefront. The streets were blocked off and we enjoyed checking out the various booths and chatting with local artisans. We stopped in for dinner at the Bridge Street Tap Room before completing the drive the Traverse City.

We arrived in Traverse City around 8:30pm and headed to our lodging for the next three nights. Tru by Hilton is located right off US-31 and was a convenient location for us. This was our first stay at the “Tru” brand and might be our last. It’s a different style of hotel leaning heavily toward minimalism in the rooms, with the hopes of encouraging guests to socialize in the lobby space. This concept might be a perfect fit for families or large groups, but we just wanted to retreat to our room after a long day and recharge.

Answer

Your Day 6 from St. Munising to Traverse City offers a perfect blend of scenic drives, natural wonders, and charming small towns in northern Michigan. This portion of your trip focuses on leisurely exploration while maximizing the fall foliage experience.

Starting from Munising, a hearty breakfast at Earl E. Byrds gave you the energy to tackle the day. Your first stop, Wagner Falls, is a short, accessible hike leading to a 20-foot cascading waterfall. Even with a few downed trees, it’s a great stop for those who want an easy, photogenic experience without a strenuous trek.

Next, you visited Kitch-iti-kipi Springs, Michigan’s largest natural freshwater spring. The crystal-clear teal water, visible to the bottom at 40 feet depth, creates a stunning mirrored effect. The highlight here is the volunteer-operated raft, which allows you to cross the spring, see the bubbling vents, and observe the trout beneath. This stop combines natural beauty with an interactive, low-cost activity.

Afterward, you returned to Mackinaw City for a quick lunch at Audie’s, a convenient and reliable option. Following this, you chose a scenic route along the lakeshore to Traverse City, stopping in Cross Village to see the iconic Legs Inn. Even without dining, the architecture, driftwood furniture, and craftsmanship offer a unique cultural experience. The adjacent gift shop and Petosky Brewing provide additional small-scale exploration opportunities.

The highlight of the drive was the Tunnel of Trees along M-119. The fall colors were vibrant, and the leisurely pace allowed you to fully enjoy the scenery. Lower Shore Drive provided a quieter alternative with zero traffic, enhancing the foliage viewing experience. The option to drive it in both directions allowed you to soak in the natural beauty fully.

Continuing through Harbor Springs and Petoskey without stopping maintained the scenic momentum, leading to a festive visit to Charlevoix. The local festival offered a lively contrast to the day’s natural settings, including artisan booths and dinner at the Bridge Street Tap Room.

You arrived in Traverse City around 8:30 pm, checking into Tru by Hilton for the next three nights. The location off US-31 was convenient, although the hotel’s minimalist, social-focused design may not suit those seeking a retreat-style lodging after long travel days.

Wagner Falls: Short gravel path, boardwalk, easy access, photo-friendly waterfall.
Kitch-iti-kipi Springs: Crystal-clear spring, volunteer-operated raft, viewing platform, dogs welcome, minimal cost.
Cross Village / Legs Inn: Historical inn, unique driftwood and timber craftsmanship, cultural experience, gift shop, brewery nearby.

M-119 Tunnel of Trees: Scenic drive, vibrant fall foliage, optional stops at Good Hart and Thorne Swift Nature Preserve.
Lower Shore Drive: Less traffic, beautiful fall colors, alternative scenic route parallel to M-119.
Charlevoix: Festival along the lakefront, artisan booths, dining at Bridge Street Tap Room.

Overall, Day 6 combined natural beauty, scenic driving, and cultural stops. From waterfalls and crystal-clear springs to iconic tunnels of trees and small-town festivals, this day maximized fall foliage and local experiences en route to Traverse City, providing a balance of relaxation and exploration.

TR 2024: Michigan Fall Foliage Trip - Day 6 (of 9)

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