5 Things to Do This Fall in Harbor Springs
Shandra Martinez
| 2 min read
Harbor Springs is a Northern Michigan city that lies in a sheltered bay on the north shore of the Little Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan. The picturesque downtown business district offers shopping and dining overlooking the water. Although Harbor Springs is a popular destination in the summer, it offers many reasons to visit in the fall.
There isn't a more Pure Michigan experience than taking a scenic fall foliage color tour through the Tunnel of Trees. This 20-mile drive along M-119 from Harbor Springs to Cross Village might be the best tour in the state. The stretch of tree-lined road bursts with autumn hues, creating a brilliant canopy. It’s the perfect route for leaf peeping.
A gift from Elizabeth Kennedy in 1981 to Little Traverse Conservancy has become a destination for locals and visitors alike. The 30 acres with 950 feet along Lake Michigan – 300 feet of public beach –- is a mix of upland dunes and lowland cedar swamp. It has 1.5 miles of trails, dune-observation platform, pond-observation platform, gazebo, amphitheater and the Elizabeth Kennedy Nature Center. The Thorne Swift trails are open daily from 10 a.m. to sunset typically from April 15 through Nov. 14.
This farm is a year-around destination, but its Fall Fest Weekends are a special attraction. You can find farm-to-table dining, homemade beer, wine and hard cider – along with a chance to revel in 200 acres of nature. The kids can enjoy gnome house hunting through the woods, a pumpkin patch, and the playground and farm animals. Dogs are welcome outdoors and in the Biergarten tent or deck. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
4. Howse Fudge
Since 1959, Howse’s Fudge has been producing more than 20 flavors of fudge and other gooey confections in its vintage 1908 shop in downtown Harbor Springs. Copper kettles and marble top tables enhance this premium candy making operation, a third-generation business. Fan favorites include chocolate covered apricots, cookies and cream fudge, the almond bark, and the turtle-style fudge.
5. Zorn Park
A grassy picnic area across from City Beach with views of the bay, Zorn Park is a popular spot for picnics. It’s a good spot to spread out a blanket and enjoy a take-out dish from one of the restaurants just a couple blocks away.
There’s lots to see and do in Harbor Springs in the fall. Check out the highlights in this video.
