West Michigan Presents: All Things Autumn

Autumn is here in Michigan and the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) has created an online resource for visitors planning their fall color trips. In a campaign to celebrate this colorful season in West Michigan, WMTA’s “All Things Autumn” is a comprehensive, online portal of color tour routes, fall-season FAQ’s, harvest festivals, and weekly color updates.

Grand Rapids, MI, September 13, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Development of West Michigan’s Fall Colors.

Generally, the annual seasonal show peaks in stages, beginning at the top of the state in the Upper Peninsula (where it gets cooler first) then moving southward. Peak color is usually found in the U.P. between mid-September and early October; in the northern Lower Peninsula between late September and mid-October; in mid-Michigan from early to mid-October, and in southern Lower Michigan from mid- to late October. Color patterns, however, depend greatly on the weather as well as other factors including lake effect warming, which delays color changes near the Great Lakes and inland water shorelines.

Keep track of the most current fall color conditions by logging onto “All Things Autumn” at www.wmta.org, or calling the West Michigan Tourist Association conditions hotline at 800-442-2084, ext. 304. The recorded line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week with fall color updates. Conditions are updated each Thursday starting mid - September. Color Tour updates provided by the Michigan Audubon Society.

Color Tours in West Michigan
There is no single best way to enjoy the fall color display. West Michigan travelers have a plethora of ways to enjoy the show, either by car, train, boat, bicycle, horseback, at festivals, hiking, on golf courses and luxury resorts, or historic highways. Many of these “old roads” cut through great forests of hardwood and pines and make perfect color tours, and some are state-designated scenic routes.

Color seekers can find these 26 scenic driving tours on WMTA’s online feature “All Things Autumn” at www.wmta.org and print detailed directions for each route. From 40 miles to 140 miles, there’s a day trip perfect for everyone. To aid in planning their fall color tour adventure, visitors can request a free copy of the West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide by calling 800-442-2084.

Harvest Festivals Celebrate the Season
“All Things Autumn” also highlights the many Harvest Festivals happening around West Michigan. September and October are two months jam-packed with events focused on pumpkins, fall foliage, and Michigan’s seasonal bounty. The Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival (September 11 – 13) and the PumpkinFest In Zeeland (October 1 – 3) are just two ways to spend a day celebrating the season. An extensive listing of harvest festivals and fall-fun events throughout the region can be found online at “All Things Autumn”.

Apple Time in West Michigan
And how can we mention fall without giving credit to Michigan’s largest agricultural commodity – apples.

The West Michigan Tourist Association’s “All Things Autumn” portal includes a list of fascinating Michigan Apple Facts and Apple Driving Tours, courtesy of the Michigan Apple Committee.

For more information about “All Things Autumn” in West Michigan, log onto West Michigan Tourist Association’s website at www.wmta.org and access Great Ideas.

Founded in 1917, WMTA is the oldest continually operated regional tourist association in the nation. Representing 41 counties from the Michigan-Indiana state line to Mackinac Island and covering the entire west half of the Lower Peninsula, WMTA is dedicated to proving that “We Know West Michigan!”

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Contact
West Michigan Tourist Association
Sarah Hayes
616-245-2217 x 105
www.wmta.org
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