The Ultimate Hines Drive Fall Color Tour

When most people picture Metro Detroit, they think neighborhoods, shopping malls, and busy freeways. But tucked right into the middle of it all is one of Southeast Michigan’s most scenic fall drives: Hines Drive.

Stretching for about 17 miles between Northville and Dearborn Heights, this curvy parkway strings together lakes, wooded hills, historic mills, picnic areas, and trails. Come October, the whole route glows gold and crimson, offering a slice of Up North autumn without ever leaving the city.

Here’s how to turn this Metro Detroit fall color drive into a full fall day — complete with coffee, cider, shopping, and plenty of leaf-peeping.

Thanks to Aaron Cruz for his contributions to this article.

Northville

The best place to begin is at the 7 Mile entrance in Northville. Right away, the road narrows into a canopy of yellow and orange, setting the tone for the miles ahead. Pull into the Northville West Recreation Area for your first photo break.

I recommend starting your Hines Drive fall color tour at its entrance in Northville, just off 7 Mile Road. You will immediately be in the woods and greeted with bright yellow on all sides.

I stopped at the first parking opportunity on the left: the Northville West Recreation Area. This provides easy access to capture the colors from the road, as well as along the dirt road that you can follow to park. – Aaron Cruz

Don’t Miss in Northville:

• Red Dot Coffee Company – sip a maple latte before the drive.
• Garage Grill & Fuel Bar – classic American food inside a restored 1940s gas station.
• Downtown Northville – boutiques like Dear Prudence and Northville Gallery make for a fun browse.
• Maybury Farm – nearby pumpkin patch, hayrides, and barnyard animals for a family-friendly detour.

Cass Benton Hills & Bennett Arboretum

A mile down, you’ll come to Cass Benton Hills Disc Golf Course, one of the oldest and most popular disc courses in Michigan. Even if you’re not tossing a disc, the rolling hills and wooded paths are alive with color.

“Open spaces, large hills, and woods alongside the walking paths make for a scenic walk.” – Aaron Cruz

The adjacent Bennett Arboretum trails are a quieter place to wander beneath fiery sugar maples.

Plymouth

As Hines curves into Plymouth, the road hugs the edge of Wilcox Lake. Park by the pier for mirrored reflections of the leaves across the water. Next door is Wilcox Mill, part of the Mill Run Project aimed at restoring historic mills along the drive.

“I parked at Wilcox Lake and hung out alongside the pier for my first taste of autumn along the water.” – Aaron Cruz

Downtown Plymouth is only a minute away — perfect for a stroll through Kellogg Park, a latte at Espresso Elevado, or lunch at Compari’s on the Park. If you’re craving a classic fall stop, swing north to Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill for fresh donuts and hot cider.

Livonia

This is the crown jewel of Hines Drive. Newburgh Lake stretches for nearly a mile, framed by maples and oaks that explode in color. Multiple parking lots let you pull over for panoramic views, shoreline walks, or a picnic lunch.

“My recommended Hines Drive spot to capture foliage by the water is at the Newburgh Lake Recreation Area.” – Aaron Cruz

Nearby dining options include Thomas’s Family Dining, serving hearty Polish specialties, and Livonia Bakery & Cafe, where you can grab a pastry for the road.

Westland

Farther east, you’ll find Nankin Lake, a peaceful spot with wide water views. On its banks sits the historic Nankin Mill, now an interpretive center with free exhibits about the area’s natural and industrial past.

“It’s a picturesque, old-school grist mill. It now serves as an interpretive center and is open to tour, free of charge, six days a week.” – Aaron Cruz

If you’re ready for a longer stretch of the legs, the Holliday Nature Preserve connects here with miles of wooded trails. For dinner-hour appetites, DeLuca’s Restaurant (Italian) is a longtime local favorite.

Dearborn Heights

Eventually, Hines Drive winds to its end at Ford Road. Along the way, you’ll pass playgrounds, picnic shelters, and smaller pull-offs that invite one last pause before the road spills back into suburbia.

“With the speed limit being 40 mph along the entire route, it was definitely a slow-paced, relaxing drive.” – Aaron Cruz

From here, you’re only a few minutes from Dearborn’s world-class dining. Sit down to dinner at Al-Ameer, a James Beard–recognized Lebanese restaurant, then head to Shatila Bakery for a tray of baklava or pistachio cake to sweeten the drive home.

Extra Fall Stops Near the Drive

If you’ve got more time, these detours are worth adding:

• Three Cedars Farm (Northville): Pumpkin patch, hayrides, cider, donuts, and a corn maze.
• Parmenter’s Cider Mill (Northville): Beloved small-town cider mill with donuts and fudge.
• Greenmead Historical Park (Livonia): A cluster of historic 19th-century buildings with trails and seasonal events.
• Village Theater at Cherry Hill (Canton): Local theater and art gallery for an evening show.

A Full-Day Fall Escape

With boutique shopping in Northville, cider and donuts in Plymouth, shimmering lakes in Livonia, historic mills in Westland, and world-class food in Dearborn, Hines Drive is more than just a road — it’s a full-day fall getaway right inside Metro Detroit.

Whether you’re making it a family outing, a scenic date, or a solo photo adventure, this color tour will remind you just how beautiful autumn in southeast Michigan can be.

Holiday Bonus: Come back in late November for the Wayne County Lightfest, a drive-through holiday lights display along Hines.