Every fall, hundreds of thousands of travelers from the northeastern United States set out from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Connecticut in search of fall colors in the Catskills, the Berkshires, and New England. Dexter Hotel is offering an alternative this year in northern Michigan: fly to Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City and drive to Elk Rapids, where this 29-room boutique hotel is located on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay.
Elk Rapids is located 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 foliage is typically at its peak between early and mid-October, when the destination offers a more peaceful experience than many of the better-known fall destinations in the northeastern United States.
One of the hotel’s gathering spots is the Noble Lounge, its waterfront restaurant and bar, designed to feel like a living room in Elk Rapids. Executive Chef John Korycki’s culinary offerings, based on local and seasonal ingredients, are complemented by a menu of signature cocktails created by Beverage Director Anthony DiMaria.
“Guests from the Northeast told us all summer long how surprised they were by Elk Rapids—especially by the water, the scenery, and the town’s character,” explains Kamron Bijeh-Apple, co-founder of Kinship Hospitality, the company that manages the Dexter Hotel. “These are many of the same qualities that 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 it also has miles of shoreline and far fewer visitors.”
Dexter opened its doors last May, after Kinship Hospitality transformed the property—which had previously been designed as self-service residential housing for extended stays—into a full-service boutique hotel.
The spacious rooms have remained one of the hotel’s main features, but now feature white oak furniture, neutral tones, and walls adorned with original artwork by Michigan artists such as Martyna Alexander, Pier Wright, and Jesse Hickman. The design is evident throughout the hotel, with elements ranging from ceramics to curtains, all designed by Kinship Studio and crafted by Michigan artisans.
At the heart of the experience is the Noble Lounge, which combines fine dining with signature cocktails and has become a gathering place for both guests and Elk Rapids residents.
Itineraries for Exploring Michigan in the Fall
A two- or three-night stay lets you explore the area without turning your trip into a race against the clock. You can spend your first afternoon strolling through downtown Elk Rapids and wrap up the day with dinner and cocktails at Noble Lounge.
The next day, scenic roads take you deep into the fall landscape, with stops at orchards, cideries, wineries, and small villages along the water. For the third day, options include the Sleeping Bear Dunes, the wine trails of Old Mission and the Leelanau Peninsula, or a longer trip north through the Tunnel of Trees.
The latter offers a 32-kilometer route beneath a spectacular canopy of trees, following the cliffs along Lake Michigan between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. On the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas, wineries prepare for the fall harvest season and open their tasting rooms overlooking the bay.
Other points of interest include Fishtown, in Leland—a historic fishing village with traditional wooden buildings that is especially charming in the October light—and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, located within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Fall is also a great time to enjoy the waters of Torch Lake and Elk Lake, which you can explore by kayak as the surrounding hillsides change color. Orchards, cider mills, corn mazes, and harvest festivals round out the calendar of events in the Grand Traverse region through mid-October.
Dexter's fall season runs from late September through late October, with the foliage typically peaking between early and mid-October. The hotel has also prepared a special guide for this season, featuring suggested two- and three-night itineraries, scenic drives from Elk Rapids, and recommendations for enjoying fall activities and local products.
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