Every fall, hundreds of thousands of travelers from the northeastern United States flock from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Connecticut in search of autumn colors in the Catskills, Berkshires, and New England. Dexter Hotel offers an alternative in northern Michigan: fly to Traverse City's Cherry Capital Airport and drive to Elk Rapids, where this 29-room boutique hotel sits on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay.
Elk Rapids is nestled in the heart of one of the most spectacular fall landscapes in the American Midwest, where the vibrant colors of the forests contrast with the blue waters of Grand Traverse Bay. The peak of the foliage typically occurs between early and mid-October, when the destination offers a more tranquil experience than many of the more well-known fall scenes in the Northeast.
One of the hotel's meeting points is Noble Lounge, its waterfront restaurant and bar, conceived as a kind of living room for Elk Rapids. Executive Chef John Korycki's culinary offerings, based on local and seasonal products, are complemented by a signature cocktail menu created by beverage director Anthony DiMaria.
“Guests from the Northeast told us all summer how surprised they were by Elk Rapids, especially by the water, the scenery, and the town’s personality,” explains Kamron Bijeh-Apple, co-founder of Kinship Hospitality, the company that manages the Dexter Hotel. “These are many of the same qualities travelers look for in a traditional fall getaway to the Catskills or New England. Northern Michigan offers maple trees, cider, and small-town charm, but also miles of coastline and far fewer tourists.”.
Dexter opened its doors last May, after Kinship Hospitality transformed the establishment, previously conceived as a self-service residential accommodation for extended stays, into a full-service boutique hotel.
The spacious rooms have remained a key feature of the property, but now incorporate white oak furnishings, neutral tones, and walls adorned with original works by Michigan artists such as Martyna Alexander, Pier Wright, and Jesse Hickman. Design is evident throughout the hotel, with elements ranging from the ceramics to the curtains, all designed by Kinship Studio and crafted by Michigan artisans.
At the heart of the experience is Noble Lounge, which combines gastronomy and signature cocktails and has become a meeting point for both guests and residents of Elk Rapids.
Routes to discover Michigan's autumn
A two- or three-night stay allows you to explore the area without feeling rushed. The first afternoon can be spent wandering through downtown Elk Rapids and ending with dinner and cocktails at Noble Lounge.
The next day, scenic roads offer a chance to immerse yourself in the autumnal landscape with stops at orchards, cider mills, wineries, and small waterside towns. For a third day, options include Sleeping Bear Dunes, the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsula wine trails, or a longer excursion north through the Tunnel of Trees.
This latter route offers a 20-mile drive under a spectacular canopy of trees, following the cliffs of Lake Michigan between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. On the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas, wineries prepare for the harvest season in the fall and open their tasting rooms overlooking the bay.
Other points of interest include Fishtown in Leland, a historic fishing village with its traditional wooden buildings, especially attractive in the October light, and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Autumn also invites you to enjoy the waters of Torch Lake and Elk Lake, which can be explored by kayak as the surrounding hillsides change color. Orchards, cider mills, corn mazes, and harvest festivals round out the Grand Traverse region's agenda through mid-October.
Dexter's autumn season runs from late September to late October, with peak foliage typically occurring between early and mid-October. The hotel has also prepared a special guide for this season, featuring two- and three-night itineraries, scenic routes from Elk Rapids, and recommendations for enjoying autumn activities and products.
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