Enjoy Autumn in Full Swing in Southwestern Michigan

By Gothamist on Oct 6, 2010 9:00PM

Leaf peeping time is here! Michigan is nuts about fall foliage and just a short drive away. A day tour of Southwestern Michigan is just the thing, where autumn’s leaves are hitting their glorious peak during mid- to late-October.

Start in New Buffalo and head north on I-94 toward St. Joseph for beautiful scenery in Harbor County. Stop by Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer, and if it’s a clear day, you might be able to see the Chicago skyline from across the top of the Tower Hill sand dune. After St. Joseph, head east to Jollay Orchards in Coloma, with u-pick apple orchards and pumpkin patches, as well as a corn maze. Keep driving east to Paw Paw, which is in the middle of Michigan’s wine country—stop by Warner Vineyards, which has Kevin’s, a casual restaurant next door, as well as a 1914 railroad passenger car. Finally, start looping back to Dowagiac, where you can stop by Wicks Apple House, with a century-old cider press and a popular bakery with doughnuts, apple dumplings, and Michigan fruit pies. Buy some to nibble on as you drive home.

The preceding post is part of the Chicagoist Fall Guide, sponsored by Lexus.