With the Upper Peninsula being in the running for top 10 fall road trip destinations, there’s no mistaking that the natural beauty of the Keweenaw should be on your fall bucket list. Between corn mazes, apple picking, fresh farmers markets, and local eats, you could spend the whole week outdoors and come home happy. Whether you are coming for the nostalgic memories this area holds, to experience the history first-hand, or just to see the epic fall colors, the Keweenaw makes for the perfect fall family road trip.

Fall colors at Brockway Mountain

Attend a Fall Event

Fall is one of the best times to attend one of Michigan’s annual autumn celebrations. From the perfect weather to the changing leaves, these outdoor events in the Keweenaw area are sure to bring family fun. Check out Houghton's family-friendly Fall Fest which offers plenty of activities, live music and tasty foods downtown at the city's new pier. Kids will love hay wagon rides, face painting, and fall-themed food and drink!  

The Keweenaw's international and MTU communities come together to celebrate more than 50 countries with the Parade of Nations. Enjoy the parade beginning at the Rozsa Center on MTU's campus and ending at the Dee Stadium in Houghton. Be sure to head into the Dee Stadium following the parade for live entertainment and the international students will be offering to-go dishes from their cultures. 

Don your lederhosen and head to Copper Harbor for the annual Oktoberfest at the Harbor Haus Restaurant! Held in the lakefront events center, drink the classic Oktoberfest craft beer and dance to live polka. Festive food and merch available!

Fall also brings Plaidurday, a celebration of that patterned flannel fabric that has become somewhat of a Yooper icon. Worn for warmth, fashion, chopping wood, going on hikes, wrapping up your loved ones, and sippin' craft brews - our love of plaid flannel wear is just as sweet as it is silly. Head to the Houghton High School football field to join in the annual competition to gather the MOST folks in the Keweenaw all decked in Plaid!

Close to Halloween, downtown Houghton transforms for trick-or-treating ghouls and goblins for the annual Treat Street Festival. Shelden Avenue gets closed off while businesses pass out candy for a fun and safe trick-or-treat experience. 

If there’s one thing that fall is known for, it’s fresh apple cider. Learn to press cider with the Keweenaw Historic Society in Central, home of the Central Mine. Hint: apple orchards were often established near mining communities during the Keweenaw’s copper rush as early settlers sought to establish food sources.

 

Support a Local Farm

Show your support for the local farms on the Keweenaw Peninsula this fall by attending farmers markets, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes that dot this charming region. At the farmers markets, you can enjoy fresh produce, seasonal baked goods, children's tents, and so much more. For a full list of farmers markets, be sure to check out the list on the Visit Keweenaw Farmers Markets page.

Meanwhile, wandering through the pumpkin patches and getting lost in corn mazes are fall-favorite experiences for families and friends alike. You can read all about these wonderful farms in our Keweenaw Fall Farm Experiences blog. 

Experience a Fall Hike

You can find a number of wonderful hikes in the area. But if you want to be surrounded by color, then here are a few for your trip itinerary. Engulf yourself in the colors of autumn at the Pilgrim Community Forest near Houghton. If you are up for a longer hike, the hike up to the top of Mt. Baldy will leave you breathless. It’s a 6-mile trip from the parking area to the top and back, but it’s a very gradual incline and the panoramic views of Eagle Harbor, Brockway Mountain, and the surrounding peninsula will be well worth it. The Nara Nature Trails & Boardwalk are another set of trails that take you through 100 acres of dense forest or wetland. 

Young woman viewing the vast wilderness in the Keweenaw

Take a Fall Ski Lift Ride or Aerial Tour

There are two Copper Country ski destinations that open in the fall for a fun color chairlift ride: Mont Ripley and Mt. Bohemia. Be sure to check our events calendar or call ahead for their specific weekend schedule and hours, as they vary. If you want more of a panoramic view, the Isle Royale Seaplane offers fall color tours high above the Keweenaw aboard their iconic seaplanes.

View of seaplane from below

Enjoy Some Delicious Eats

The Keweenaw is full of delicious food from cultural meals to local favorites. For some fall specific favorites, check out these stops: 

Shop at a Farmers Market

If you still aren’t satisfied after filling your stomachs at the amazing local eateries, head down to one of the farmers markets in the area for fresh produce, seasonal baked goods, children’s tents, and so much more. For a full list of farmers markets, be sure to check out the list on the Visit Keweenaw Farmers Markets page! 

Grab a Fall Beverage

Are you team pumpkin spice latte or apple cider? Either way, we got you covered! Head to Keweenaw Coffee Works for ethical and sustainable coffee in unique Yooper blends or seasonal favorites. Biggby Coffee also brings in local Michigan Apple Ciders every fall. Camp Coffee in Houghton releases delicious seasonal menus. If you're up in Copper Harbor, grab a hot spiced cider at the Brockway Inn & Coffeehouse. Or, check out many of the other amazing local coffee shops to see what their seasonal treats are! 

View of a latte with swirls

Chart a Scenic Drive

Whether you get out into nature or just witness it from the car, the Peninsula has a number of stunning scenic drives to enjoy. I would start at the Covered Road near Redridge. It is a dirt road located just west of Houghton off the Houghton Canal Road. The Covered Drive is an 18-mile-long segment of US-41 from Delaware to Copper Harbor. Brockway Mountain is another well-known scenic drive ending with panoramic views. Lastly, the entirety of M-26 has stunning views of tree covered roads to Lake Superior shoreline. Find our Ultimate Keweenaw Fall Scenic Drive here. 

A red car drives under a bright canopy of leaves.

Explore a Waterfall 

The fall rain in the Keweenaw brings life back to the waterfalls, making them a must stop on your fall family drive. There are a few roadside waterfalls to add to your list: Eagle River Falls & Dam, Jacob’s Falls, and Haven Falls. The Hungarian Falls isn’t right along the side of the road, but the wooded trails surrounding the falls make for another perfect fall hike. If a roadtrip to the southern reaches of the Keweenaw calls to you, head to Canyon Falls outside L'anse, Michigan for golden colors and rushing waters.

Four children sitting on a rock next to waterfall

Stop at a Local Brewery

For the moms and dads, stop into Keweenaw Brewing Company for $3.50 local pints. Be sure to bring your own food for a sit-down, cozy experience (children are allowed in the brewery and can enjoy a KBC craft soda). The Library restaurant in Houghton is also home to Copper Country Brewing, a longtime purveyor of Keweenaw craft beer. These pours can only be enjoyed at the restaurant, so be sure to try a flight! Michigan House Cafe & Red Jacket Brewing Co. in Calumet serves several beers, historic charm, and excellent food. To complete your beer crawl, swing into Brickside Brewery in Copper Harbor and be sure to ask the bartender for their recommendations! 

Two craft beer glasses at the Keweenaw Brewing Company

View the Night Sky

Test your hand at viewing the northern lights at the Keweenaw’s newest International Dark Sky Park headquartered at The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. Head to the top of Brockway Mountain, or to one of the other splendid dark sky viewing locations, to try and catch a glimpse of the Aurora. If you don’t see them, that’s okay. Sit back and enjoy the Milky Way or test your knowledge by spotting various constellations. 

Watch a Football Game

Bring back the nostalgia of fall by tailgating or enjoying a football game at Michigan Technological University. Are you an alumni? Be sure to show your alma mater some pride!

A family watching football game at Michigan Tech

Plan a Day Trip

There are a number of amazing day trips from the peninsula as well! Head over to the Porcupine Mountains for the stunning view of Lake of the Clouds lit up with autumn colors or hike the wonderful trails, such as the Escarpment Trail. Or, you can visit Bond Falls scenic site, Agate Falls scenic site, Canyon falls scenic site, and the Sturgeon River Area to see these wonderful waterfall areas surrounded by fall colors.

However your fall family road trips may look, the Keweenaw Peninsula is sure to have it all.