Michigan’s Tunnel Of Trees

Michigan's Tunnel Of Trees, is ranked among the most scenic roads in the nation! Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of northern Michigan, the Tunnel of Trees is the name for a scenic portion of State Highway 119, known as M-119. This beautiful stretch of road, running from Cross Village to Harbor Springs, provides a breathtaking journey through dense forests, along the shores of Lake Michigan, and past charming small towns.

While the drive is beautiful year-round, autumn is the most popular season due to the vibrant fall foliage. Because the road is narrow with sharp curves, visit in the middle of the week if possible to avoid crowds.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY FAVORITE TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

*This post contains affiliate links. We'll receive a small commission at no extra cost if you purchase through the provided link. We appreciate your support!

The Tunnel of Trees is about 20 miles long. It will take at least 40 minutes to complete the route, but this doesn’t include any stops. You’ll want to take your time and plan for stops along the way to appreciate the scenery and explore local attractions.

You can start the drive in Harbor Springs or Cross Village. We visited Mackinac Island first, so it was closer to start in Cross Village and finish in Harbor Springs.

Top stops on the Tunnel of Trees (M-119)

Cross Village

The first town on the M-119 is Cross Village. These are the top sites to see:

Museum of L’Arbre Croche History: Learn the background of the area between Cross Village and Good Hart.

Look for a large white cross overlooking the lake. Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette put the white cross on the bluff before he died in the seventeenth century.
Legs Inn in Cross Village: This historic and quirky restaurant is famous for its Polish cuisine and unique architecture. It’s consistently voted one of the "most iconic Michigan restaurants," The gardens and outdoor seating offer spectacular views of Lake Michigan. You can also rent cabins at the Legs Inn. The Inn is one of the few places to stay on the M-119 (open seasonally). There is also a gift store inside the Inn. We found authentic Polish dolls and amber jewelry. Many souvenirs in the gift store are imported from Poland or made by local Native American artists.
Cross Village Beach: A short walk from Legs Inn, you can find a boat launch, hardwood trees, and open spaces along the waters of Lake Michigan.
Three Pines Studio and Gallery: We stopped to see the local crafts and art. They have woodwork, jewelry, ceramics, metalwork, and paintings. Don’t miss the beautiful sculptures in the outdoor garden.

Thorne Swift Nature Preserve

The Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is a short detour off M-119. Visit the Elizabeth Kennedy Nature Center, to learn about the plants and wildlife in the area. This preserve has ponds, trails, and boardwalks through scenic woodlands. It’s a quarter-mile down to the beach, a great place to stretch your legs and go for a swim.

Good Hart

This small, historic village is a perfect pit stop and one of the most iconic stops along the Tunnel of Trees.

St. Ignatius Mission Church and Middle Village Park: Middle Village is an old Native American village. The Odawa have been living in Middle Village for thousands of years. This picturesque church was built in 1886 with Jesuit and Native American roots. The church is adjacent to the Native American burial ground, Middle Village Cemetery. Nearby is a pathway to Middle Village Beach, a popular spot for swimming.
Good Hart General Store: Established in 1934, try their delicious homemade pies, and freshly baked goods. We loved their “Made in Michigan” items. This store works double-time as the town's grocery, deli, bakery, and post office. Don’t miss getting a picture in front of the quaint red building.
A Studio: A boutique with one-of-a-kind items.
Primitive Images: You’ll find antiques, rustic furniture, and handmade jewelry.
Good Hart & Soul Tea Room: Located in the back of Primitive Images. Go outside in the garden to savor a scone and a lovely cup of tea.
Good Hart Glassworks: The gallery and art studio are about 2 miles from the general store and off the scenic road. We enjoyed the educational demos and lessons about glass blowing.

Pond Hill Farm

Pond Hill Farm was our favorite stop on M-119. Our girls loved exploring the working farm, petting the animals, and hunting for gnome houses. We played human fuse ball and walked through the woods on the trails. We had the best pizza at the Garden Cafe. We think it might be better than pizza made in Italy. It was so good!! Before we left we picked up some farm-fresh fruits. They have a great shop with locally made jams, goods, and more.

Devil's Elbow Marker: One of the markers along the Tunnel of Trees (many markers are difficult to find with the foliage). Legend has it that an evil spirit lived in the ravine and haunted the local Native Americans. Former residents have also heard noises coming from this ravine. Stop and listen for yourself.

Harbor Springs

Harbor Springs has been a resort destination for decades. It’s a charming town known for its quaint shops, waterfront views, and historic homes.

Wequetonsing: This historic community originated in 1878. We drove along Beach Dr. and we were in heaven, the architecture was fabulous!
Tom’s Mom’s Cookies: Don’t miss a visit downtown for some of Tom’s Mom’s Cookies. This quaint shop has 17 different cookies to choose from.

Petoskey

Near Harbor Springs is Petoskey, a lovely town worth visiting. Petoskey is known for its Victorian architecture, with more than 500 historic places on the National Historic Register.

The Gaslight District in the historic downtown area is perfect for shopping, dining, and exploring. You'll find unique boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.
American Spoon: I loved our visit to American Spoon. They make a variety of spreads, jams, and BBQ sauces, all Michigan-made. They work closely with a group of Michigan farmers. Although they are known for their preserves, you can find salsas, condiments, pancakes, granola, butter, and gifts.
Petoskey Stones: People come to Petoskey to find Petoskey Stones. These unique fossilized coral stones can be found along the beaches. They are particularly sought after by collectors and make a great souvenir.
Magnus Park is one of the best places to go hunting for Petoskey stones.
Another spot to find the stones is Petoskey State Park. Also a great stop for a picnic, and hiking. Don’t miss the beautiful views during sunset.
Historic Museums: Learn about the area's history at the Little Traverse History Museum or the Ernest Hemingway Museum, as Hemingway spent his summers in the area and based some of his stories on it.
Wine Tasting: Northern Michigan is known for its wineries, and there are several nearby where you can sample local wines.

Horton Bay General Store

Ernest Hemingway spent his childhood summers in northern Michigan. His family vacationed near Petoskey every year, and many of the spots he frequented as a young man are still open.

Horton Bay General Store: Sit where Hemingway sat, on the front porch bench at the Horton Bay General Store. It opened in the mid-nineteenth century, the general store has remained a community hub of Horton Bay for decades. Next, go next door to the Red Fox Inn to browse old copies of Ernest Hemingway's books.

We hope you enjoy this scenic drive as much as we did. We loved discovering the charm and beauty of this northern Michigan treasure.

Don’t miss a visit to Mackinac Island. Click here for my Mackinac Island Travel Guide.

Click here for the best stops in Northern Michigan.

I fell in love with West Michigan’s Beach Towns. Click here to see why.