We are looking for a place to spend a week over fall break for our family of five (children ages 7-11). Coming from Cincinnati and hoping for a location within a day's drive 6-8 hours ideally). Can you recommend specific towns or areas where the leaves are colorful and there is opportunity for some outdoor hiking or other adventures? We'd like to find a house on VRBO and day trip from there.

Anywhere in the Traverse City area would be beautiful. You could take many day trips from this area. Shanty Creek is a resort just north east of Traverse City. They have timeshare condos that they may rent when not occupied by timeshare owners. It may be worth a call.

T.C. area will be outstanding..The water, colors, nearby dunes and the penisula!!!

peninsula..darn old fingers!!!

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What dates are you loking at?

Maybe not for this trip, but if you ever get a chance to spend a weekend on Mackinac, it's a great little place with horse drawn carriages, cute restaurants, the fort, etc.

We did TC last year in early Oct. Surprised and loved all the wineries in the area. Also the Bear Dunne State Park was very nice. Some good bicycling in the area.

Is there a reasonably priced place to stay on Mackinaw Island where we can walk around? We will be in that area Columbus weekend. Will there be a lot of foliage at that time?

We stayed at the Lilac Tree and loved it. For more affordable, a lot of people just take the ferry over for the day.

Second the Liliam Tree recommendation. Spent 2 nights there and loved the place and the location.
Also try the Picture Rock Nat. Seashore inthe UP for fall colors, but mid-Oct. might be a bit late.

http://www.michigan.org/news/michiga...ober-3-9-2013/ is a nice site for checking out color updates.

The Island stays fairly expensive on weekends in October, but you may find some last minute deals.

Try this site: http://vgs.spartanstores.com/content...ackinac-island