Scenic Michigan route ranks among top 5 fall road trips in Midwest

If you're looking to get away and check out some natural wonders this fall, Michigan offers some great sights.

A new ranking from The Points Guy , a travel company, features five top destinations across the midwestern U.S. for fall road trips, and Michigan made it on the list. West Michigan's forested fall colors and sandy beaches provide a relaxing escape from the day-to-day routine, just a few hours outside metro Detroit.

Here's a look at some of the top scenic road trips to consider across the Midwest.

West Michigan shoreline

The scenic route along 1-196 and U.S. 31 runs along Lake Michigan. You can start at the St. Joseph Benton Harbor area and drive north to Mackinaw City, passing through several west Michigan beach towns.

Consider checking out top destinations along the way, from South Haven's 12 beaches to Saugatuck's bustling art and dining scene to Holland's tulips and Dutch windmills. Farther north, the Tunnel of Trees boasts around 20 miles of fall colors between Cross Village and Harbor Springs.

Minnesota's Mississippi headwaters

Minnesota offers a variety of natural wonders to explore. In Itasca State Park, the state's oldest state park, lie the 18-foot-wide headwaters of the Mississippi River. The park includes walking paths and tubing along the river and for a higher view, you can climb the fire tower to enjoy the area's natural beauty.

Ohio's Hocking Hills

The Hocking Hills State Park's Hocking Hills Scenic Byway offers views of waterfalls, caves, foliage and bluffs in Ohio. Check out the scenic route with a weekend shuttle or, for the more adventurous, take a zipline tour over the area.

Iowa's Great River Road

From Lake Macbride State Park, this route will take you to Great River Road northward along the Mississippi River. Stopping at Eagle Point Park will give you a scenic view overlooking the river at its widest point from a stone lookout tower.

Brown County, Indiana

A visit to Brown County State Park will take you through colorful forests, good for a day trip of weekend stay. For a bird's-eye view, head to Bean Blossom Overlook and Hesitation Point. For some city scenes, driving just over an hour south will take you to Nashville, Indiana, bustling with food, boutiques, concerts and movies.