Legs Inn in Cross VillageĪs one of the few hotels along the Tunnel of Trees in Michigan, Legs Inn is a historic landmark and dining destination. The displays we saw included a range of artifacts from the Native American tribes and early white settlers. Museum of L’Arbre Croche Historyįounded in 1995, the Museum of L’Arbre Croche History has a main hall and four rooms of displays that detail the background of the area between Cross Village and Good Hart. Now it features many things to do, but here are six places that you can check out as you start the drive south. The town grew throughout the 1800s and flourished in the fishing and lumber industries.Īfter a devastating fire in 1918, the Cross Village residents rebuilt the town. In the late 17th century, Jesuit priests visited and established a mission in the area. The first residents were Odawa and Ojibwa Native Americans. Often remembered for the giant white cross that overlooks Lake Michigan, Cross Village at the northern point of the Tunnel of Trees is an unincorporated community with a rich, varied history that began in the 1600s. Tunnel of Trees | photo via Tunnel of Trees Michigan: Places to Visit in Cross Village While our ultimate guide to Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees on M-119 starts in the north at Cross Village and takes you south to Harbor Springs, you’re welcome to start in the south and work your way north instead. You can get a better feel for each stop’s location on our interactive Michigan Tunnel of Trees map below. While our list is not comprehensive, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite stops along the way, starting from the north end in Cross Village. Whether you enter the Tunnel of Trees from the north (Cross Village) or the south (Harbor Springs), there is plenty to do and see along the way. Tunnel of Trees | photo via 20 Places to Visit Along M-119’s Tunnel of Trees Scenic Drive in Northern Michigan
Look out for slow drivers and cyclists as you enjoy the scenery. No matter the season, the best time to visit the Tunnel of Trees is during the week because there’s less traffic on the road.
In the winter, snow cloaks the hardwood trees. In fact, the surroundings feel different depending on the season in which you visit.įor example, trilliums cover the ground throughout spring. Technical Difficulty: Appropriate for all experienced street riders and their street legal mounts.Although most people tour the road to see the brilliant Tunnel of Trees Michigan fall colors, there’s plenty to do enjoy along the Tunnel of Trees route year. Time Required: One to two hours, depending on number and duration of stops. Traffic: Can be heavy during fall weekends. Gaps in this heavily forested area provide panoramic vistas of Lake Michigan.Ĭurves: Approximately 137 curves from start to finish no centerline. Hardwood trees overarch much of the road, forming nature’s cathedral of colorful vegetation.
Scenery: Although a relatively short bucket road, Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees is nevertheless ranked as one of the state’s most scenic routes.
Weekday travel is best for avoiding heavy traffic. Spring also is a good time to experience the route. Classic Roads: Tunnel Of Trees Road (Aka M119)īest Time to Go: Mother Nature doesn’t follow a precise timetable, but radiant fall colors of red, gold, and orange appear between mid-September and mid-October. A must do ride for motorcyclists traveling through Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Tracing the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, the Tunnel of Trees road is a delightful and curvy scenic cruise, albeit a relatively short one. 1 min read Classic Roads: Tunnel Of Trees Road (Aka M119) Travel One of Michigan’s Most Famous Roads