The Thanksgiving Nature Drive In Michigan That Families Insist Is Worth The Trip Every Year

Every November, I find myself steering toward northern Michigan with the same giddy anticipation I had as a kid waiting for pumpkin pie.

The M-22 loop around the Leelanau Peninsula transforms into something almost mythical when fall surrenders to early winter, offering families a chance to slow down and breathe in views that no screen can replicate. This drive delivers sweeping lakeshores, cozy small-town stops, and the kind of quiet beauty that makes you forget your phone exists.

Trust me, one trip and you’ll understand why families mark their calendars for this tradition year after year.

Why I Keep Coming Back To M-22

The first time I drove M-22 I thought I’d seen fall, then Glen Lake showed me otherwise. Something about this route pulls me back every Thanksgiving weekend like a favorite song I can’t stop humming. Maybe it’s the way the road hugs the shoreline, or how every bend promises a new postcard moment that makes you brake just to stare.

Road-trip rituals become sacred here: the thermos of coffee that tastes better at sunrise, the silence between songs, the unspoken agreement to skip the interstate forever. I’ve learned to budget extra time because rushing through M-22 feels like speed-reading poetry. You’ll find views that humble you, food that warms you, and small-town moments that remind you why slow travel matters in a world obsessed with fast everything.

Route Snapshot: What M-22 Actually Is And How I Drive It

M-22 is a roughly 116-mile coastal loop that winds around the Leelanau Peninsula between Manistee and Traverse City, tracing Lake Michigan’s eastern shore like a love letter written in asphalt. I usually begin in Traverse City at sunrise, heading counterclockwise so the morning light hits the water just right. Budget at least five hours if you’re stopping to actually enjoy the views, though I’ve stretched it to eight when curiosity gets the better of me.

Clockwise or counterclockwise depends on your personality: early risers favor counterclockwise for that golden-hour glow on the water. Major stops cluster around Empire, Leland, and Northport, with mileage sweet spots every 15 to 20 minutes. Half-day drivers can cherry-pick highlights, but full-day explorers get the whole story.

The Dune Drama: Sleeping Bear And The Viewpoint I Always Stop For

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore sits right on the M-22 route, offering the famous Dune Climb, Empire Bluff, and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for sweeping views and brisk walks that wake up every sense. Wind off Lake Michigan bites your cheeks in late November, but that chill makes the sight of sand meeting sky feel earned rather than handed to you. Golden hour turns the dunes into a canvas of amber and shadow that no photograph ever quite captures.

I park at the Pierce Stocking lot for quick overlook access, though Empire Bluff Trail rewards a short hike with jaw-dropping vistas. Restrooms and a visitor center near Empire provide pit-stop relief. Pack layers because exposed dunes don’t mess around when November flexes its muscle.

Leland Fishtown And The Small Harbors I Always Linger In

Leland’s Fishtown delivers historic fishing shanties, working docks, artisanal shops, and a harbor so picture-perfect it feels like someone art-directed the whole village. One time I warmed up with chowder while watching a charter boat unload its catch, and I completely lost track of time browsing a tiny gallery that sold hand-blown glass ornaments I definitely didn’t need but absolutely had to own. The dock creaks underfoot, gulls argue overhead, and everything smells faintly of cedar and cold water.

Visit mid-morning to dodge weekend crowds, though even busy days feel manageable in a village this size. Stretching your legs along the harbor resets your road-weary spine. Souvenirs here lean authentic rather than kitschy, which makes gift shopping feel less like a chore.

Where I Eat And Warm Up: Cafés, Diners, And One Splurge-Worthy Dinner

I always grab coffee at a lakeside café where steam from my mug mingles with fog rolling off the water, creating a moment so cinematic I half expect a soundtrack to start playing. For pie, there’s a shop near Glen Arbor where the cherry crumble tastes like someone’s grandmother perfected the recipe over decades. One bartender in Northport once insisted I try their whitefish dip, and now I order it every visit like a local secret handshake.

Many small places close earlier in the off-season, so check hours before planning dinner around a specific spot. I always book reservations for my splurge meal because intimate restaurants fill up fast, especially during holiday weekends. Warming up over good food between drives makes the cold outside feel like part of the adventure.

The Colors That Make November Worth The Cold

November on M-22 trades the fiery reds of October for a quieter palette: slate-gray skies, golden grasses bending in the wind, and Lake Michigan shifting between steel blue and pewter depending on the light. Bare trees reveal shoreline views that summer foliage hides, giving the landscape an honest, stripped-down beauty that feels almost confessional. I’ve watched sunsets here that painted the clouds in shades of apricot and lavender so soft they seemed apologetic for being so beautiful.

Photographers love this season because dramatic skies provide natural contrast without needing filters or editing tricks. The muted tones create a meditative atmosphere that helps families decompress from holiday chaos. Bring a good camera or just trust your phone because even amateur shots look professional when nature does the heavy lifting.

Practical Safety, Timing, And The Mistakes I Learned The Hard Way

Recent roadwork and seasonal conditions can affect timing, so I always check MDOT and local updates before heading out because nothing ruins a scenic drive like unexpected detours through construction zones.

I pack warm layers, a thermos that actually keeps coffee hot for hours, a flashlight, phone charger, and traction footwear because November weather plays by its own rules up here. Gas stations thin out between towns, so I refill near Traverse City or Suttons Bay rather than gambling on finding an open pump later.

When daylight starts fading around four-thirty, I call it a day rather than pushing through darkness on unfamiliar curves. Quick checklist: map, charged phone, warm drink, camera, and alternate route info if a stretch closes. Learning these lessons cost me one very cold hour waiting for a tow truck years ago.