Released on: September 9, 2008, 6:57 am

Press Release Author: West Michigan Tourist Association

Industry:

Press Release Summary: West Michigan offers many ways for a visitor to enjoy the
change of seasons this fall with these many unique viewing opportunities!

Press Release Body: How many ways can visitors see fall color? Sure, driving through
one of West Michigan’s scenic historic highways is what comes to mind, but did you
know there are many other ways to see the colors?

At the Gardens. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park located in Grand Rapids
presents the return of ColorFall, September 13 – October 31. October is the most
colorful season of the year as it features constantly changing hues of scarlet,
auburn, yellow and gold. The many colors of nature can be found along the walking
trails of Meijer Gardens during this exciting celebration. The exhibit will feature
fun and educational activities for the entire family, including color tours, giant
pumpkins, large Chrysanthemum displays and more. All activities will take place
throughout October; you will not want to miss this exciting celebration of the
change of seasons! (888-957-1580
www.meijergardens.org)

From an RV. Michigan brings ample opportunities to enjoy fun and exciting adventures
any time of the year, but many RV’ers will tell you that autumn is their favorite
season to travel around our state. Now that the summer crowds are gone, enjoy a
slower pace. Set off in your RV and visit one of the many apple orchards or the
45-plus wineries with 13,500 acres of vineyards across the state. Enjoy the brisk
air while sipping a cup of warm apple cider or biting into a luscious Michigan
apple. Stroll through the vineyards, and take a moment to appreciate the natural
beauty as you watch the leaves turn from green to shades of red, orange and yellow.
Some of the best fall colors can be viewed from your RV as you travel where you
please. Visit a lighthouse, eat your lunch alongside a waterfall, or visit tourist
towns offering quaint shops, friendly people and cozy restaurants. There are over
1,000 campgrounds in Michigan, most open well into the fall season. Visit
www.marvac.org for an online directory of Michigan campgrounds, or to request a free
copy of the RV & Campsite publication.

On a Mountain. Take a scenic chairlift ride up the mountain for a bird’s eye view of
the fall foliage. Ski Resorts, such as Crystal Mountain (800-968-7686,
www.crystalmountain.com) offer this eye-in-the-sky experience during the fall
season. Crystal Mountain operates their Scenic Chairlift rides Saturdays in
September from 5-7 p.m. and Saturdays in October from 4-6 p.m. Also, on Crystal
Mountain enjoying seeing the fall colors flash by when you take a ride on the NEW
Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide. The Crystal Coaster will be open every Saturday and
Sunday in September and October from 12-5 p.m.

Tall Ship. All Aboard for your last chance this season to sail aboard the Historic
Replica Sloop Friends Good Will at the Michigan Maritime Museum located in South
Haven. This is an experience not to be missed before the season closes on October
14th. Saturday, October 13th, the Michigan Maritime Museum presents Pintsize
Pirates. Pintsize Pirates is 90 minutes of swashbuckling adventure. Arrgh!!! Ability
to talk like a pirate is desirable on this short sail designed for pintsize pirates
ages 3 to 12 (must be accompanied by an adult). Activities will take place on our
Campus and aboard Friends Good Will. Each child will receive pirate gear to keep!
$30.00 for one child with adult, $20.00 for each additional child, and $10.00 for
each additional adult (800-747-3810, www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org)

Motorcycle: Prepare for your fall color motorcycle tour with a visit to Hot Rod
Harley Davidson in Muskegon (231-722-0000, www.hotrodhd.com). Don’t own a HOG®? Hot
Rod Harley Davidson has rentals! Rentals are through October (weather permitting)
and included in the Rental Fee are Unlimited Mileage, a Helmet that meets DOT
specifications, Bike locks, Rain gear and 24 Hour Roadside Assistance.

Bike. Mark your calendar for two of the best Fall Bike Tour opportunities around.
Mackinaw City is proud to host the Fall Big Mac Shoreline Scenic Bike Tour,
September 13 – 14. Set your goal: 25, 50, 75 or 100 miles. Choose from several
inland and shoreline routes. Join hundreds of other riders from all over the country
for this awesome tour! (800-666-0160, www.mackinawcity.com). The 2nd Annual
Lakeshore Harvest Country Road Rally will take place on October 11 in South Haven.
Participants will follow clues to visit farms and other notable locations in
Lakeshore Harvest Country (269-639-1970, www.lakeshoreharvestcountry.org).

On Foot Running. Run the 2nd Annual Boyne 2 Boyne Marathon (September 28). Boyne USA
Resorts (800-462-6963, www.boyne.com) and 3 Disciplines Racing has brought this
event to life - taking place in beautiful northern Michigan from Boyne Highlands
resort to Boyne Mountain resort. Enjoy the area\'s most coveted views as you race
along the shores of Little Traverse Bay, Bear River and Walloon Lake, creating the
most scenic marathon in the Midwest! Create the perfect family weekend with lodging
starting at only $89 per night! For reservations, please call 800.GO.BOYNE
(462.6963) and mention promotional code MARA.

In a Glass. Michigan tourists are seeing red! And pink! And even some gold! From a
brilliant red cabernet franc, to a gorgeous pink pinot noir rosé, to the golden hue
of a late harvest Riesling, Michigan wines match the stunning colors of the season.
With more than 50 wineries scattered across the Great Lakes State, fall color
tourists will discover that some of the best places to view autumn colors are also
great places to find award-winning wines. Visit Fenn Valley Vineyards in September
and October to experience their Vineyard Tour – a 1 ½ tour & tasting through the
vineyard! (800-432-6265, www.fennvalley.com) Sample a variety of Michigan wines at
the Food, Wine and All That Jazz, Oct. 26, at The Public Museum of Grand Rapids.
Visit www.michiganwines.com for a complete list of Michigan wine-related events
throughout the state or to order your complimentary Wine Country Magazine.

Horseback. Rainbow Ranch located in New Era offers beautiful woodland scenery, river
trails, over 70 horses and an abundance of wildlife & color viewing opportunities.
Guided Horseback trail rides are offered on weekends during September and October.

Hiking. On October 11, the Solace Spa at Boyne Mountain offers their Fall Color
Nature Adventure! The adventure includes a group trail hike to appreciate the beauty
of fall\'s glorious colors, a boxed lunch, a 2 1/2 hour rafting trip across the
Sturgeon River with a trip guide, round-trip transportation and choice of one
50-minute spa treatment from Solace Spa at Boyne Mountain. Starting at $218 per
person you can book the Fall Color Nature Adventure plus one night\'s lodging at the
Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa with breakfast the following morning. Stay either
Friday, October 10 or Saturday, October 11. Without Lodging the Fall Color Nature
Adventure is $175. (800.GO.BOYNE (462.6963), www.boyne.com)

Paddleboat. Cruise the Kalamazoo River & Lake Michigan on an authentic stern wheel
paddleboat during a 1 ½ hour cruise with the Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises.
Afternoon and sunset cruises are available and run through the end of October,
weather permitting. (269-857-4261. www.saugatuckboatcruises.com)

Drive. On October 18, experience the Depot to Depot Fall Color Tour. Travel between
the White Lake Area Chamber and the Muskegon County Convention & Visitor\'s Bureau on
one of Michigan\'s most scenic drives and experience vibrant colors of the woods,
dunes, and water (800-250-WAVE, www.visitmuskegon.org). Color seekers can find 26
scenic driving tours across West Michigan from 40 to 140 miles online at
www.wmta.org, courtesy of the West Michigan Tourist Association.
http://www.wmta.org/autumn-color-tours-19/

Jeep. The fall brings a whole new color to a Jeep Adventure Tour! Sandy Korners
(231-873-5048, www.sandykorners.com) in Mears, offers tours that feature the autumn
scented two-track trails through the beautiful Pere Marquette State Forest and the
Huron Manistee National Forest. These adventures feature some of the most
breathtaking fall colors you will ever experience! Those who can’t get enough of
autumn in Northern Michigan will want to take advantage of the Lake Superior Color
Adventure Tour October 5 – 9. You will visit the historic Whitefish Point Light
Station, experience the sand blows along Lake Superior, and drive remote trails to
the private side of the Tahquamenon Falls. The package includes four nights
accommodations in rustic cabins at a historic 100 year old lodge, overlooking a
private lake, and seven generous meals served family style. ($595 per person, based
on 2 people per Jeep; $175 per child, age 10 and under.

Canoe. Paddle one of West Michigan’s rivers, lakes and streams to see the fall
colors scattered through dense hardwoods of the forest – you may even spot a deer
bedding down for the winter season or a school of salmon running upstream. Many
canoe liveries are open through mid-October, including Wisner Canoes on the Muskegon
River (231-652-6743, www.wisnercanoes.com) and Riverside Canoe Trips in the Sleeping
Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (231-325-5622, www.canoemichigan.com


To accompany all your fall adventure tours, be sure to have the West Michigan
Carefree Travel Guide handy! Order your free copy at www.wmta.org or by calling
800-442-2084.

Founded in 1917, WMTA is the oldest continually operated regional tourist
association in the nation. Representing 41 counties from the Michigan-Indiana state
line to Mackinac Island and covering the entire west half of the Lower Peninsula,
WMTA is dedicated to proving that “We Know West Michigan!”








Web Site: http://www.wmta.org

Contact Details: Sarah Hayes
Director of Marketing
West Michigan Tourist Association
741 Kenmoor Ave, Ste E
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616-245-2217 x 105
616-954-3924 fax
sarah@wmta.org