Chasing Fall Colors, Midwest Memories, and Mother-Daughter Adventures on Mackinac Island

An autumn road trip through Michigan and Ohio, filled with beautiful views, little adventures, familiar places, and the reminder that sometimes the best trips are the ones that happen a little differently than planned.

Some trips are about checking places off a list. Others are about the memories you make along the way, the places that surprise you, and the time you get to spend with the people who matter most.

Our fall break trip to Michigan was a little bit of all of that.

The original plan was simple: find some beautiful fall colors, experience a little of that chilly Midwestern weather that feels like home, and finally give my daughter the chance to visit Mackinac Island. Minnesota was a little too far for this particular adventure, so Michigan it was!

After a summer that didn't quite go according to our usual plans, this little getaway was exactly what we needed. Between a recent move, a demanding job, and a school year that started on my birthday (July 31!), we missed out on our traditional two- to three-week summer National Park adventure this year. And if you know us, you know that adventures aren't just something fun we do when we have time. They're an important part of how we recharge, reconnect, and take care of our mental health.

So, we packed our bags, hit the road, and made the most of fall break. We didn't have weeks to wander, but we had a beautiful stretch of road, plenty of places to explore, and some much-needed mother-daughter time.

And, of course, we took approximately a million pictures along the way.

First, the Road Trip Was an Adventure of Its Own

One of my favorite things about road trips is that the destination is only part of the story. We tend to find little adventures everywhere we go, and this trip was no exception.

On our way through Michigan and Ohio, we made time for history, quirky stops, beautiful scenery, and a few experiences that were entirely different from one another.

Inside the incredible Education Center at River Raisin NB

We visited River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Michigan and Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on Put-in-Bay Island in Ohio. There's something special about weaving National Park sites into a road trip (and lake trip?). They give us a chance to learn something new, step into a piece of history, and appreciate the stories behind the places we visit.

This is one of the two ferries that we wrote to and from the island!

We were treated to a historical reenactment of a Kentucky rifle and another old gun that I don’t remember the name of…

One piece of advice is to look ahead to make sure the park you want to visit is open, especially during the “off” season when there are less travelers. Unfortunately, National Park funding and jobs have been significantly cut, so the parks are having to make some tough decisions and that often means that they aren’t open every day of the week. We stopped at Mill Springs Battlefied in Kentucky on our way up and it was not open. I had mistakenly read google as “open at 10:00 AM,” however, I missed where it said “on Wednesday.” This is a regular occurance these days as we actually had to visit Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial on our way home since the park was not open during the week on our way North. Keep an eye out and don’ t be frustrated if you find a park closed. It is not the park service’s fault!

The cats were very intruiged by the strange sounds and frequencies!

We also spent time in Bowling Green, Ohio, with a sound bath at Good Day Cat Cafe, enjoyed a bowl of chili in Cincinnati (because sometimes a road trip needs a good food stop), and went on a ghost walk in Grand Rapids. A little history, a little spooky fun, and a little exploring on foot made for a great mix.

In Holland, Michigan, we stopped to see the windmill. We also made our way to Petoskey to scout for rocks, because apparently we can never pass up the opportunity to search for interesting treasures along the shore. And somewhere along the way, we made time for a lighthouse in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

This is one of the best and most informative visitor centers that we have been to. The staff was a big part of that!

The portion of the battlefield that you can visit contains these beautiful signs that give the history of what happened during the battle

The monument is under construction for 2 year, so we did not have the opportunity to go to the top. We will need to come back!

This beautiful mural is inside the cat room in Bowling Green, OH

I am always a fan of street art and here was one that I loved in Cinncinati!

*Food, town stops, street art, and the little moments that make a road trip memorable.*

Although we didn't experience anything supernatural on our walk, we learned a lot about Grand Rapids' history and heard some interesting, spooky, cool, and creepy stories. This is a tradition of ours when we go on our travel adventures. We have been on ghost walks in Colorado Springs, Kansas City, Salem, Boston, and many more. However, the most memorable were Colorado Springs (best, most amazing guide) and Kansas City (worst and incredibly high and incoherent guide who almost got the cops called on us!).

We decided that Raniece’s focaccia is SO MUCH better!!! We are spoiled! <3

We were both very excited about seeing a huge weeping willow!

Petosky, MI is known for Petosky stones. If you don’t know what they are, Google them! You will see a large variety and each one is unique!

Did we find any treasures? Naturally, the rock-hunting pictures belong here.

Post ghost walk dinner at Allora Coastal Italian

*Windmill pictures absolutely deserve their own little collection!*

There is nothing like hunting for rocks along a beautiful coast line

There's something about a lighthouse beside the Great Lakes that makes you want to stay a little longer.

Our route reminded me that travel doesn't have to be one big, perfectly planned event. Sometimes it's a collection of small experiences that add up to something wonderful.

And then, finally, it was time for Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island: A Place That Felt Familiar

I had been to Mackinac Island once before, back when I was a senior in high school at Interlochen Arts Academy. It was part of our senior trip, and even though years had passed, I still had memories of visiting this beautiful little island.

This time, I got to experience it through my daughter's eyes.

She had been wanting to visit, and I was excited to return. There is something special about revisiting a place from your past, especially when you get to share it with someone you love. You remember what it felt like to be there the first time, but you also get to see it in a completely new way.

One of the things that struck me most was how much the island still felt like itself. It hasn't changed a whole lot since my high school visit, at least not in the ways that mattered to me. The charm, the scenery, the horses, the bikes, the water, and the slower pace all felt wonderfully familiar.

And the fall weather? We definitely got our taste of chilly Michigan!

A Chilly Ferry Ride and a Beautiful Bridge

Getting to Mackinac Island is part of the experience. We crossed the Straits of Mackinac, with the magnificent Mackinac Bridge stretching across the water nearby. Connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, the bridge is an impressive sight all on its own.

The water around the straits was beautiful, and the whole area felt like the perfect introduction to the island.

Our ferry ride was chilly, too! We ended up sitting on the upper deck on the way over, which gave us wonderful views but also reminded us that fall in Michigan is not messing around. We wanted crisp autumn air, and we certainly got it.

Bundled up and taking in the scenery, we were officially in adventure mode.

We waited in a very long line at 9:00 am (in the cold!) to get on this ferry!

The views alone made the trip worthwhile. The deep blue water, the changing colors along the shoreline, and the feeling of traveling somewhere you can only reach by boat all made the island feel a little removed from the rest of the world.

And once we arrived, our island adventure really began.

First Things First: Biscuits and Gravy

After stepping off the ferry, we had one important priority: breakfast.

We found biscuits and gravy, and honestly, there are few better ways to start a chilly day of exploring. Warm food, a cozy start, and a full day ahead of us? Perfect.

Travel memories aren't always made at the grand landmarks. Sometimes they're made over breakfast, laughing together, talking about what we want to see next, and enjoying the fact that we're somewhere new.

It was a simple start to the day, but it was exactly right.

No Cars, Lots of Bikes, and Plenty of Horses

One of the first things people notice about Mackinac Island is what it doesn't have: cars.

Motor vehicles are generally prohibited on the island, with limited exceptions. Instead, transportation revolves around bicycles, horses, horse-drawn carriages, and your own two feet.

It's such a different pace from everyday life.

You hear bicycle bells, the clip-clop of horses, and the sounds of people enjoying the outdoors instead of the constant hum of traffic. It feels a little like stepping into another time, and that's a big part of the island's charm.

Naturally, we decided that the best way to explore was on two wheels.

Biking the 8.2-Mile Island Loop

We rented bikes and rode the approximately 8.2-mile road that circles the island.

And what a way to see it!

The loop offers beautiful views of Lake Huron, rocky shorelines, wooded stretches, and those gorgeous blue-green waters that make the Great Lakes feel almost ocean-like. Every bend gives you another reason to stop, look around, and take a picture.

Of course, there were plenty of pictures.

The best part about biking is that you can move at your own pace. We could stop whenever something caught our eye, take in the scenery, and enjoy being outside together without worrying about a schedule.

It was the kind of experience that reminds you how good it feels to move your body, breathe some fresh air, and spend a few hours doing something simple and fun.

The fall colors added another layer of beauty. Even when the leaves weren't quite at their peak everywhere, the mix of autumn foliage, blue water, and rocky shoreline made the ride feel distinctly Michigan.

We came for fall colors and chilly weather, but this bike ride gave us something just as important: a few hours to slow down and simply enjoy being together.

The Crack in the Island

One of our stops was the famous Crack in the Island, a dramatic geological feature that makes you wonder how nature managed to create such an unusual formation.

Mackinac Island is full of limestone formations and geological features that tell a story far older than the historic buildings and streets. Exploring these natural landmarks is a reminder that the island's beauty isn't just about its charming downtown. There's a whole world of geology, forests, cliffs, and shoreline to discover.

We had to stop and see it for ourselves!

I love that we can visit a place for its beauty and still come away learning something new. These are the kinds of stops that make an adventure more memorable than simply driving past a viewpoint.

The Arch: One of the Island's Iconic Views

Another highlight was seeing Arch Rock.

If you've ever looked at pictures of Mackinac Island, there's a good chance you've seen this natural limestone arch. Formed over thousands of years, it stands high above the surrounding landscape and offers one of the island's most recognizable views.

Seeing it in person is a different experience from seeing it in photographs. The scale, the surrounding trees, and the view toward the water make it a memorable stop.

It's also a reminder of just how much natural beauty is packed into this relatively small island.

This was one of those places where we naturally pulled out our cameras again. Some places just make you want to capture every angle, even though you know your pictures won't quite do them justice.

History, an Old Church, and a Little Shopping

Mackinac Island has a rich history, and it's easy to see why it has attracted visitors for generations.

We spent some time exploring the historic parts of the island, including an old church. There is something peaceful about stepping into an old building and imagining all the people who have passed through it over the years.

The island has been shaped by Indigenous history, the fur trade, military activity, and generations of people who lived and worked around the Great Lakes. Its historic buildings and landmarks offer little glimpses into those different chapters.

And then, of course, we did a little shopping.

Mackinac Island has plenty of charming shops to wander through, making it easy to mix sightseeing with a bit of browsing. Whether you're looking for souvenirs, local goods, or simply an excuse to explore downtown on foot, there's something fun about poking around the little storefronts.

We didn't need a packed itinerary. We just enjoyed seeing what caught our attention.

History, an Old Church, and a Little Shopping

Mackinac Island has a rich history, and it's easy to see why it has attracted visitors for generations.

And then, of course, we did a little shopping.

We didn't need a packed itinerary. We just enjoyed seeing what caught our attention.

I have always loved the look of an old church.

As a musician, I found this hilarious! “DANGER Do Not Ring Bell.”

One tradition we have is mailing a postcard from wherever we travel. Whether we are traveling internationally, at a National Park, or just one state over, we try to mail ourselves a postcard. We have collected postcards from all over the world and it is a fun way to “timestamp” our trip! Here is the beautiful historic post office on Mackinac Island. We read that there is no delivery service and that those who live on the island must walk or bike to the post office to pick up their mail.

A Little National Park History

As someone who loves visiting National Park sites, I couldn't explore Mackinac Island without appreciating its place in National Park history.

Here's a fun fact that many visitors may not know: Mackinac Island became the country's second national park in 1875, just three years after Yellowstone was established as the first.

The federal government set aside land on the island to protect its natural beauty and historic significance. Soldiers from nearby Fort Mackinac helped care for the park, and the military reservation eventually became part of its story, too.

But the designation didn't last forever.

In 1895, the federal government transferred the national park lands to the State of Michigan. The state then established Mackinac Island State Park, which today encompasses much of the island. So while Mackinac Island is no longer a National Park Service site, it remains an important part of the story of America's public lands.

I love finding these connections when we travel. National Park history isn't just about the places that currently have the familiar arrowhead symbol. It's also about the places that helped shape the system we know today.

And Mackinac Island is a pretty fascinating piece of that story.

Fall Colors, Chilly Air, and Feeling a Little More at Home

One of the main reasons we planned this trip was to chase fall.

There's something about autumn in the Midwest that I love. The crisp air, the changing leaves, the earthy colors, and that feeling that the seasons are truly shifting. We wanted to get away for a little while, experience some cooler weather, and soak up the kind of fall atmosphere that feels familiar.

Michigan delivered plenty of that.

Between the wooded roads, colorful trees, beautiful shoreline, and chilly ferry ride, we got a welcome taste of the season. And while fall color timing is never guaranteed, the scenery was beautiful in its own way.

The Great Lakes region has a character all its own. The water can look almost impossibly blue, the weather can change quickly, and the landscape offers a wonderful mix of forests, rocky shorelines, historic towns, and open views.

It felt good to be there.

Sometimes you don't need an elaborate vacation or a faraway destination to feel refreshed. You just need a change of scenery, a little fresh air, and enough time to appreciate where you are.

The Best Part Was the Time Together

As much as I loved the scenery, the history, the biking, and all our stops along the way, the most important part of this trip wasn't any one attraction.

It was the time together.

Life has been especially busy lately. Moving, keeping up with work, and navigating a new school year have made it harder to find the time for the adventures we usually prioritize. Missing our big summer National Park trip was disappointing, because those experiences have become such an important part of our lives.

Our adventures give us room to breathe. They get us out of our usual routines, introduce us to new places, and create opportunities to talk, laugh, learn, and just be together.

They also give us something to look forward to.

My view for almost the entire 8.2 miles around the island

I believe that exploring new places and making memories together can be such an important part of taking care of our mental health. It's not about traveling constantly or spending a fortune. It's about intentionally making space for experiences that help us feel connected, curious, and alive.

This trip was a good reminder that an adventure doesn't have to be two or three weeks long to matter.

Sometimes a fall break road trip is enough.

Sometimes it's a chilly ferry ride, a bowl of biscuits and gravy, eight miles on a bike, a rock hunt along the shore, a ghost walk, or a beautiful view of a lighthouse.

And sometimes it's returning to a place you visited as a teenager and realizing that, while the place may feel familiar, you're experiencing it through an entirely new chapter of your life.

I loved being able to share Mackinac Island with my daughter. I loved watching her experience a place that had once been part of my own story. And I loved that we got to make new memories in a place that already held a few of my own.

Until the Next Adventure

Our fall break trip wasn't the long summer National Park adventure we had originally hoped for this year. It wasn't weeks of wandering, camping, and exploring new places.

But it was exactly what we needed.

We chased fall colors, found chilly weather, visited National Park sites, explored historic towns, ate our way through a few stops, searched for rocks, admired a windmill, visited a lighthouse, and spent a wonderful day on Mackinac Island.

We crossed the Straits of Mackinac, admired the bridge and the beautiful water, rode bikes around the island, saw Arch Rock and the Crack in the Island, explored historic buildings, and enjoyed the simple pleasure of having nowhere more important to be than right there.

Most importantly, we spent time together.

One of these days, we'll be back to our longer summer adventures. There will be more National Parks to explore, more roads to travel, more places to discover, and plenty more pictures to take.

But this little Michigan getaway will always be a reminder that we don't have to wait for the perfect season of life to make memories.

We just have to make room for the adventure.

And this one? It was a mother-daughter adventure for the books.

Until next time, keep exploring, keep making memories, and never underestimate the power of a little road trip.

Have you visited Mackinac Island? I'd love to know what your favorite part of the island is, whether it's biking the shoreline, exploring the historic sites, enjoying the horses and carriages, or simply taking in those gorgeous Great Lakes views!

Susan MirandaOctober 27, 2026Mackinac Island