In October 1870, Jerome Pratt climbed the then-new Mission Point Lighthouse again and again – documenting 69 ships throughout the month in his “Record of Passing Vessels.” Chances are that each time the original lighthouse keeper scaled the heights of the tower during that first full month on duty, he also saw some spectacular fall color.

So much has changed over the past 154 years, yet Mission Point Lighthouse today bears a strong resemblance to what Pratt encountered during his 7-year stint. That includes the stunning scenery of fall.

“There’s an excellent view from the tower,” said Ginger Schultz, manager of Mission Point Lighthouse. “It’s very cool up there.”

Mission Point Lighthouse is among a handful of historic beacons in the Traverse City area that each are worth a visit this fall. And when you come to spend a few days on a tour, you can spend the night at some of Michigan’s most historical places to stay.

Take a closer look at the lighthouses of the Traverse City area and nearby places to stay:

Fall Shot of Point Betsie Lighthouse

Lighthouse Tour Stop No. 1: Point Betsie Lighthouse

Located right on Lake Michigan along scenic M-22 just north of Frankfort, Point Betsie Lighthouse is open through Oct. 13 for tours of the original keeper’s house as well as a museum and fog signal building. You also can climb the 34 steps to the top of the tower and look out to the horizon for a glimpse of passing ships.

Built way back in 1858, Point Betsie is full of history. The artifacts on-site include an old Fresnel lens that operated through most of the 1900s, a set of China that was used by a keeper from the early 20th century and an authentic U.S. Coast Guard rescue boat.

The lighthouse is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the fall.

Historical Lodging Options Near By:

The Hotel Frankfort – This 88-year-old boutique hotel has just 17 rooms, each with unique décor and some with hot tubs or saunas. It’s right in downtown Frankfort, a couple blocks from the beach where you can catch the sunset behind the Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse at the end of the pier.

Wayfarer Lodgings – This collection of 10 vintage cottages is open through Oct. 31 along scenic M-22 south of Frankfort and is also within walking distance of the Lake Michigan beach. The cottages date to the 1920s while the main house on the 11-acre property was built in 1914 and at the time was the most expensive home in the county.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

Lighthouse Tour Stop No. 2: Grand Traverse Lighthouse

A 65-mile drive from Point Betsie through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and up to the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula brings you to Grand Traverse Lighthouse, where the Manitou Passage of Lake Michigan converges with Grand Traverse Bay. Built-in 1852, Grand Traverse is one of the oldest lighthouses on the Great Lakes.

The lighthouse is open daily through October and on weekends in November for tours of the keeper’s dwelling and a climb to the top of the tower. There’s also a fog signal building where you can check out a shipwreck exhibit and even try your hand at driving a remote-operated vehicle underwater.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse is located within Leelanau State Park, which has several miles of hiking trails as well as a playground and covered picnic area.

Historical Lodging Options Near By:

Set up for a night or two in one of these historical places to stay in downtown Traverse City, conveniently located in between all the destinations on your Traverse City-area lighthouse tour:

Park Place Hotel and Conference Center – In theme with your tour, the original 1873 Campbell House Hotel added a 10-story tower with a rooftop lighthouse in 1930. Still the tallest building in downtown Traverse City, the hotel overlooks Grand Traverse Bay with stunning views from its Beacon Lounge.

Antiquities’ Wellington Inn – This 1905 mansion has been restored into an elegant B&B with nine guest rooms and a pair of 2-bedroom carriage house suites. You can walk to downtown shopping and restaurants or take your meals in the turn-of-the-century dining room at the inn.

The Flats at Front + Union – Located in the restored 1890 Masonic Building right on Front Street, this hotel features six flats that combine modern comfort with the character of reclaimed wood and original brick walls. The building still houses Michigan’s oldest barbershop. 

Mission Point Lighthouse on the Beach

Lighthouse Tour Stop No. 3: Mission Point Lighthouse

Mission Point Lighthouse is about 55 miles from either Point Betsie Lighthouse or Grand Traverse Lighthouse, and about a 30-minute drive north of downtown Traverse City. The drive is gorgeous this time of year as the road winds up and down the rolling hills of Old Mission Peninsula, flanked by vineyards and spectacular views of the bay. 

When you arrive you can take a self-guided tour of the lighthouse, which sits on a dune up above Grand Traverse Bay. In addition to the tower and a museum with period furnishings, there also are 10 miles of hiking trails and a log cabin on the grounds.

Halloween decorations are common as the season progresses into October. The lighthouse is closed on Tuesdays and open only on weekends in November, weather permitting.

Historical Lodging Options Near By:

In addition to the historical options in downtown Traverse City, there are some unique places to stay right on Old Mission Peninsula:

Old Mission Inn – Just a few miles south of the lighthouse in Old Mission village is Old Mission Inn, Michigan’s oldest hotel. Built in 1869, the inn offers six rooms and a charming 135-foot porch with breathtaking views of the water. Breakfast is available in an on-site café.

Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn – Another great option is Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn, where you can have a luxury B&B experience overlooking the rolling hills of the vineyard and the glimmering bay beyond. You can even pair your stay with one of the winery’s upcoming Fall Wine Dinners.

Frankfort Lighthouse at Sunset

Something to keep in mind...

While it may only take a few minutes to climb the tower of each lighthouse in the Traverse City area, you may want to plan an hour or two at each location. That will give you enough time to immerse yourself in the scenic beauty and historical charm of each lighthouse without having to rush off to the next one right away. 

Schulz recommends taking two to three days to complete your tour. That way you can experience some of the Traverse City area’s most historical places to stay along the way.

Each lighthouse is along the water, which tends to insulate the surrounding area. That means fall color emerges a little later than it does inland. You can expect to see leaves changing from mid-September right through Halloween, but peak color near the lighthouses usually comes around mid-October.