If you're a local, you likely call the Garden Peninsula 'The Garden'. We invite you to visit 'The Garden' at the height of its autumn beauty. Join us for fall color season and take the 18-mile drive down the peninsula from Garden Corners to Point Detour.
Stops to make along the way:
Start your tour of 'The Garden' with breakfast at Tylene's Restaurant at Garden Corners, famous for fresh bread and tasty omelets.
Garden Golf Course - enjoy the fall colors and surrounding beauty at the Google 5-star rated course.
Garden Farmer's Market - Saturdays 9 - 11 am in season at the Village of Garden Pavillion - featuring homemade goods and crafts, fresh produce, pies, bread, and live music.
The Garden Gallery - featuring art and creations from local artists, along with art classes and enrichment activities.
Stop in at the Garden Peninsula Historical Museum to learn about families and life on 'The Garden'.
Visit the Fayette Historic Townsite, our local 'ghost town', to learn more about the industrial history of 'The Garden'. Rent a kayak or canoe while you're there and see what autumn looks like along the shore of Lake Michigan.
Tour our historic cemeteries along the route to learn about family names and get a feel for our history.
Have a drink and famous fish fry at The Port Bar.
Check out the island views from the tip of the peninsula in Fairport. You'll see Summer, Little Summer, St. Martin, and Poverty Islands.
On the return trip, stop at Sac Bay Park or Ozzie Hazen Park for a gorgeous shot of the sunset.
What to bring:
Bring your ATVs and check out trails sprinkled throughout Garden and Fairbanks Townships, from the Garden Plains to Portage Bay on the shores of Lake Michigan. Also enjoy Moss Lake ATV Trail.
Bring bicycles and ride from Garden to Fayette along the winding M-183.
Bring your boat to launch at the Garden Boat Launch and check out the gorgeous shoreline, stately homes, and autumn color on the shores of Big Bay de Noc from Garden to Nahma and down to Fairport.
Where to stay:
Rent the Garden Golf Cottage to serve as your fall color tour headquarters. Book early for best availability!
Book a room at Garden Grove Retreat, the former Marygrove Retreat Center, now open to tourists by advance reservation. The historic Retreat is the perfect place to stage your group gathering, wedding, family reunion, or autumn color tour! Book online or call 231.622.5026 to reserve ahead for best availability.
