Fall in Bellaire, Michigan, draws a surge of visitors to this tiny village of just 1,000 residents, but there are more ways to take in the pop of rich autumn colors than a quick drive along the lakeshore.
At Shanty Creek Resort, each fall draws thousands of visitors who are captivated by northern Michigan’s picturesque landscape. We’ve got the inside scoop from the staff of an insider’s look at the best ways to experience autumn in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
Here are five top picks for planning your fall visit.
1. Take a chairlift ride up Schuss Mountain. “This is probably one of our most popular fall attractions,” said Lindsey Southwell, Director of Marketing for Shanty Creek Resort. “Schuss Mountain is the highest point in Antrim County, so when the chair takes the turn to go back down, your breath is taken away by the views of the Northern Michigan countryside ablaze with color.”
2. Get close to nature on a championship golf course. From courses that wind through wooded areas to wide, rolling fairways that offer a glimpse of the Cedar River, guests can explore Shanty Creek’s five renowned golf courses at a reduced rate in the fall. And for children who play golf with a paid adult, all five courses are just $15. This allows parents the opportunity to introduce their children to the sport without worrying about whether their kids will last all nine or 18 holes. “They can walk along with you and just enjoy the view,” Southwell said.
And with the close proximity of Shanty Creek’s golf courses, which are located within a five-mile radius, “It’s very simple to move from one course to another, especially if you want to play 36 holes in one day, which a lot of our groups do,” notes Steve Scheuermann, PGA, director of golf operations for Shanty Creek Resort.
3. Explore Torch Lake. Located just a few minutes from Shanty Creek, Torch Lake is known as Michigan’s clearest and cleanest lake, and it attracts celebrities from Kid Rock to Eminem to Ted Nugent. The 19-mile lake casts a unique shade of turquoise that reminds some visitors of waters in the Caribbean. Combine this with a vibrant backdrop of bright orange, red and yellow leaves of trees along the shoreline and you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into an autumnal paradise. “It’s a very cool experience,” Scheuermann said.
4. Hike or Bike the Glacial Hills. The Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area offers 31.5 miles of world-class hiking and biking trails, with a family/warm-up loop perfect for those who are new to mountain biking, a rolling hills loop for experienced mountain bikers and an outside loop with distances that range from 12 miles to nearly 20 miles. Flat rest zones give riders, walkers and runners a break from the climb, which, depending on the route, can reach an elevation of more than 400 feet. Guests may rent mountain bikes for anywhere from four hours to one week in downtown Bellaire.
5. Shop downtown Bellaire. From Uniquely North, which sells clothing, home décor and gifts inspired by life in northern Michigan, to the Flying Pig, selling repurposed antiques and furniture, downtown Bellaire offers a distinct Northern Michigan shopping experience. Walk downtown in the crisp fall air while taking a stroll through Bellaire’s quaint shops. Then take a stroll along the village’s tree-lined streets and walk underneath a canopy of leaves at Richardi Park.
Afterward, enjoy a bite to eat and a craft beer at Short’s Brewing Company (try the Dill Pickle Pizza), Toonie’s Fish & Steakhouse, known for “The Angry Mountain,” or Ruthann’s Gourmet Bakery, featuring an array of seasonal coffees like the German Chocolate Mocha or Michigan Apple Pie.
For more information, check out these fall adventure recommendations, or create your own fall color drive.