Best Michigan Fall Stops: Color Drives, Orchards, and Haunted Fun Up North
Best Michigan Fall Stops: Color Drives, Orchards, and Haunted Fun Up North
Fall in Michigan has a way of slowing you down. The first cool mornings, the smell of cider, and a sky full of fiery maples remind you to breathe a little deeper and savor the season. Up here in Northern Michigan, autumn isn’t just a time of year… it’s an experience worth chasing. Whether you’re packing up the car for a color tour, grabbing cider and donuts at a local orchard, or braving a haunted attraction, there are endless ways to celebrate fall in the Mitten.
Scenic Fall Color Drives
Few places do fall color like Northern Michigan. Crisp air, winding roads, and glowing canopies make for unforgettable drives.
M-22: Consistently ranked one of the most scenic drives in the country, this route hugs Lake Michigan, winding through Sleeping Bear Dunes, Glen Arbor, and up to Northport. Expect postcard-worthy views at every turn.
Tunnel of Trees (M-119): Stretching from Harbor Springs to Cross Village, this iconic drive feels like rolling straight into autumn itself. The twisting road, lake views, and small-town stops make it a fall favorite.
Old Mission Peninsula: Just outside Traverse City, the rolling vineyards and farm stands make this route extra charming. Catch a sunset at the lighthouse for a perfect end to the day.
M-22 ✨
Inspired by the scenic drive, M-22 is a holographic black nail polish that comes to life in the sunlight.
Holographic charcoal black with a rainbow holographic shimmer finish
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with love in Traverse City, Michigan
Fun Fact: The iconic M-22 highway offers some of the most picturesque views in Michigan, winding through Lake Michigan’s scenic shorelines and charming villages. This stretch of road is a must-visit for nature lovers, offering the perfect blend of lakeside beauty and rolling hills.
Tunnel of Trees 🌲
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Northern Michigan’s iconic scenic drive with Tunnel of Trees, a mesmerizing multi-chromatic polish inspired by the stunning route along the Lake Michigan coastline. This captivating shade shifts between vibrant hues of red, green, and brown at different angles and lighting, reflecting the vivid autumn colors that line the road.
Multi-chromatic polish inspired by the vibrant colors of Northern Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees (shifts between ed, green, and brown)
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with care in Traverse City, Michigan
Fun Fact: The Tunnel of Trees is a scenic drive along M-119, stretching from Harbor Springs to Cross Village in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Known for its breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the towering trees that form a natural canopy, this iconic route is especially stunning in the fall when the vibrant colors of the hardwood trees create a brilliant tunnel of reds, oranges, and yellows. It’s a must-see for anyone looking to experience Michigan’s autumn beauty!
Old Mission 🍷
Indulge in the sophistication of Michigan’s wine country with Old Mission, a rich, deep wine red creme polish inspired by the renowned Old Mission Peninsula wine region. This bold, elegant shade embodies the flavors and ambiance of Michigan's prestigious wine country, making it the perfect accessory for wine lovers and those who appreciate refined beauty.
Deep wine red creme inspired by the rich, sophisticated ambiance of Old Mission Peninsula
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with care in Traverse City, Michigan
Fun Fact: Old Mission Peninsula lies on the 45th Parallel, the same latitude as some of the world’s most famous wine regions, like Bordeaux in France and Piedmont in Italy. This prime location creates the perfect climate for growing cool-climate grapes, making it a gem of Michigan’s wine country!The Old Mission Peninsula is home to over a dozen wineries, making it one of Michigan’s most celebrated wine regions, with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay!
Orchards & Cider Mills
Michigan apples taste best right where they’re picked. Northern Michigan’s orchards double as destinations for cider, donuts, and family fun.
Jacobs Corn Maze (Traverse City): More than just an orchard, Jacobs has a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and wagon rides. A fall tradition for families.
King Orchards (Central Lake & Kewadin): A family-run orchard known for u-pick apples, cherries, and fresh cider. Their farm market is a must-stop in the fall.
Gallagher’s Farm Market (Traverse City): Fresh donuts, pumpkins, and a rustic market just outside of town. A great spot to grab local produce and seasonal treats.
Pond Hill Farm (Harbor Springs): A Northern Michigan favorite with hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a winery, and a café. A true fall experience all in one place.
Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill (Armada): A bit farther south, but a Michigan legend when it comes to fall celebrations. Hard cider lovers, this one’s for you.
Fresh Cider & Donuts 🍎
Indulge in the cozy essence of autumn with Fresh Cider & Donuts, a luxurious medium mauve brick creme polish that captures the heart of crisp fall days. Inspired by the comforting experience of sipping fresh apple cider and enjoying warm donuts, this rich, inviting shade brings the golden hues of autumn foliage right to your fingertips.
Medium mauve brick creme inspired by the warmth and comfort of fall
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with care in Traverse City, Michigan
Fun Fact: Michigan is one of the nation’s largest producers of apples, making it the perfect place to enjoy fresh cider and donuts during the fall harvest season!
Apple Orchard 🍎
Embrace the beauty of Michigan’s harvest season with Apple Orchard, a shimmery, metallic polish inspired by the state’s bountiful apple orchards. This sparkling pink shade, infused with a metallic glow, mirrors the vibrant charm of ripe apples glistening under the autumn sun. Perfect for celebrating fall or adding a touch of glamour year-round, Apple Orchard brings the essence of Michigan’s orchards to your fingertips.
Shimmery, metallic pink inspired by Michigan’s apple harvest
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with care in Traverse City, Michigan
Fun Fact: Michigan is the third-largest producer of apples in the United States, growing more than 1 billion pounds annually across over 14.9 million apple trees!
Pumpkin Patch 🎃
Transport yourself to a charming pumpkin patch with Pumpkin Patch, a whimsical frosted orange hue that captures the warmth and inviting spirit of autumn. Whether you’re savoring pumpkin-flavored treats, exploring pumpkin patches, or enjoying the rustling of fall leaves, this vibrant orange shade brings the beauty of the season to your fingertips.
Whimsical frosted orange polish with subtle shimmer
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with love in Traverse City, Michigan
Fun Fact: Did you know that Michigan grows more pumpkins than any other state in the Midwest? With over 100 million pounds harvested each year, it’s no wonder Michigan is home to so many picturesque pumpkin patches, perfect for creating those seasonal memories!
Haunted Fun
Michigan fall wouldn’t be complete without a little spooky thrill. From ghost ships to haunted cornfields, Northern Michigan brings on the chills.
Manistee Ghost Ship: A retired freighter transformed into a haunted house on water. Creepy, eerie, and a local legend.
Ghost Farm of Kingsley (Kingsley, Northern Michigan): A local favorite featuring haunted trails, dusk walks, and plenty of fresh scares from live actors. Perfect if you want spooky fun without heading too far south.
Niles Scream Park (Niles, MI): One of the largest in the state, covering 44 acres with multiple attractions rebuilt every year. Big, intense, and known for drawing horror fans from across the Midwest.
Erebus Haunted Attraction (Pontiac, MI): A four-story haunted house with immersive effects and elaborate sets. Consistently ranked among the scariest haunts in the U.S.
Hush Haunted Attraction (Westland, MI – Detroit area): Multiple themed haunted houses under one roof, plus secret bars and a festival-style atmosphere.
Rotten Manor Haunted Attraction (Holly, MI): A huge haunt featuring The Manor, a haunted forest and asylum, hayrides, and even a “Rotten Theater.”
Past Tense After Dark (Lapeer, MI): Known for its dark, immersive approach to fear. Smaller than some of the mega-haunts, but it packs a punch.
The Decaying Swamp (Wolverine, MI): A haunted trail through spooky woods that brings you face-to-face with monsters and eerie sounds in the dark.
Screams in the Dark (Kalkaska, MI): Northern Michigan’s largest haunted event; multiple attractions like Blackwood Manor, Trail of the Lost, “Pandemonium – The Midnight Carnival,” a spooky midway with food trucks, photo ops, souvenir store, etc.
Howl at the Moon
This deep, mysterious polish shimmers with flashes of pink, gold, and green, like moonlight breaking through midnight clouds. Howl at the Moon is a reminder to embrace your wild side, honor your intuition, and celebrate the power that comes from within. It’s bold, moody, and a little untamed… just like you.
Deep blackened base with shifting pink, gold, and green shift
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with care in small batches
Fun Fact: Throughout history, the full moon has symbolized transformation, empowerment, and freedom, making it the perfect time to set intentions and let your inner magic shine.
It’s Freakin’ Bats! 🦇
Get your nails Halloween-ready with It’s Freakin’ Bats!, a playful glow-in-the-dark polish that captures the spooky spirit of the season. Featuring a textured base packed with iridescent glitters, golden stars, and black bat shapes, this polish is as eerie as it is enchanting. Watch it truly come to life after dark, adding an extra layer of fun to your manicure.
Glow-in-the-dark polish with black bat shapes, golden stars, and iridescent glitters
Perfect for layering over a white or light base for maximum glow, charging with a phone flashlight or black light works the best!
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with care in Traverse City, Michigan
Fun Fact: Michigan is home to nine species of bats, all of which play a vital role in pest control and pollination. These nocturnal creatures are essential for controlling insect populations, eating thousands of mosquitoes each night! Celebrate these misunderstood creatures with this unique nail polish.
Witches Brew 🌙
Conjure up some spooky magic with Witches Brew, a glitter topper designed to bring enchanting Halloween vibes to your manicure. This captivating polish features a clear base with a playful mix of purple glitters, holographic silver moons, bats, black stars, and cauldrons. Whether you're dressing up for a Halloween bash or adding some whimsy to your everyday look, Witches Brew casts a spell of charm and personality on your nails.
Bewitching glitter topper with moons, bats, stars, and cauldrons for a spooky touch
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with care in Traverse City, Michigan
Fun Fact: Did you know that Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is home to the Paulding Light, a mysterious phenomenon often linked to ghostly legends? Spotted in the woods between Paulding and Watersmeet, this unexplained glowing light has been drawing curious visitors and paranormal enthusiasts for decades—a perfect inspiration for spooky Halloween vibes! 👻✨
Cozy Weekend Getaways
Fall is also about slowing down, wrapping up in a blanket, and watching the leaves fall outside your window. Some of the coziest Northern Michigan towns make for dreamy autumn escapes.
Petoskey & Harbor Springs: Small shops, historic charm, and sweeping views of Little Traverse Bay.
Empire & Glen Arbor: Perfect base for exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes while enjoying local wineries.
Charlevoix: Famous for its stone “mushroom houses” and lakefront beauty.
Wherever you head, pack a sweater, grab apple cider, and let the season work its magic.
Let It Fall
This warm, shimmery mauve-brown polish captures the beauty of change and the power of release. Autumn reminds us it’s okay to let go… let the leaves fall, let the stress fall, let the patriarchy fall. Let It Fall brings the spirit of transformation to your fingertips, with a shade that’s bold, grounding, and unapologetically freeing.
Mauve-brown shimmer base with gold flakes
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with care in small batches
Fun Fact: The term “fall” originated in 17th-century England to describe the season when leaves descend from the trees, a reminder that letting go is a natural, necessary part of growth.
Fall in Love ❤️🍁
Embrace the romance of autumn with Fall in Love, a beautiful rose-red shimmer polish that evokes the warmth and affection of the season. This delicate shade captures the essence of autumn romance, with a red base and captivating shimmer that catches the light beautifully. Whether you're heading out on a special date or simply adding a touch of charm to your everyday look, Fall in Love brings a soft elegance to your nails.
Rose-red creme with subtle red shimmer for a romantic, autumn-inspired look
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with care in Traverse City, Michigan
Fun Fact: Michigan is famous for its stunning fall foliage, attracting visitors (leaf-peepers) from all over to experience the vibrant colors and cozy, romantic atmosphere of the season!
Autumn Up North 🍁
Capture the beauty of Northern Michigan’s fall foliage with Autumn Up North, a shimmering brick red polish that embodies the rich colors of the season. Inspired by the vibrant colors of maple leaves, this captivating shade is enhanced with tiny rainbow glitters that sparkle like sunlight on colorful autumn leaves.
Shimmering brick red with rainbow glitter for a festive, autumn-inspired look
Long-lasting and chip-resistant for everyday wear
100% vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free
Handmade with care in Traverse City, Michigan
Fun Fact: Michigan is home to over 11,000 miles of shoreline, making it the perfect place to enjoy the breathtaking views of fall foliage against the backdrop of crystal-clear lakes and rivers during the autumn season!
Wrapping Up
Michigan fall is about more than the changing leaves, it’s about the traditions we share: long drives, sweet cider, a little fright, and plenty of cozy weekends. However you choose to spend the season, take time to soak in the colors, the flavors, and the crisp air that make this time of year unforgettable.
And if you’d like to carry a piece of Michigan fall with you? Our Northern Nail Polish shades Autumn Up North, It’s Freaking Bats, and Howl at the Moon are inspired by the very colors and feelings of autumn in the Mitten. A little reminder that fall doesn’t just live outside… it can live at your fingertips, too.