VACATION AND TRAVEL
“One of many lighthouses next
to the Great Lakes of Michigan”
I’ve taken many of these trips during the months of late September to early November when the leaves were at their peak. This is a perfect time to bring your camera along because of all the great photo opportunities you will witness.
If you take I-94 east until it ends, it turns into I-69 (toll road), then you can take the scenic shoreline exit Hwy #25 north which is very near Lake Huron and head north in the direction of Bay City. You will then get onto Hwy #23 and continue seeing lighthouses along the way, as well as all the Great Lakes waters that surrounds the state on three sides on your ride along the rim of a shoreline drive, having the shimmering waters of the Great Lakes on one side of your car, and the colorful leaves on the other.
Now, if you keep going you will eventually make it all the way to the Upper Peninsula. But if you have limited time, you can then head west from Mackinaw City, and continue traveling west on Hwy #31 to the west side of the state where you will see Traverse City as you pass the beautiful Petoskey area, first. You may want to stop and check out Bayfront Park or Petoskey State Park to name a few. You will then drive farther south to the sand dunes along Lake Michigan on the west side of the state.
Once you get as far south as you can go, you will eventually run into US-12 (Michigan Ave) which is a nice scenic drive heading back home to the Detroit area. If you are in a hurry to get home I-94 is very near US-12, but I personally prefer US-12 because there is so much countryside you will see passing the smaller towns with different stops along the way that are fall related.
This complete trip will take you more than a few days to complete because of all the stops you will make, but there is a lot to see and do here in Michigan experiencing the fall season without going to the east coast of the USA.
Here in Michigan, we have just as much scenic beauty, if you know where to go. If you are a AAA member, they have booklets available showing you different fall scenic driving routes you can take to get the best experience. Some of these routes are nearby, while others are farther away. If you have only one day to enjoy, there are one day driving tours showing you different attractions with stops along the way.
Now, if you have more time, take the rim tour like I mentioned with all the lighthouses you will see, and also, you will see very scenic state parks like “Ludington State Park,” which is south of Traverse City. This state park covers 5,300 acres of dunes, beaches, marshes, forests with great hiking trails. As you are hiking, you will come upon “Big Sable Point Lighthouse.” You can walk the 130 steps