Margarita and Brunch Cruises from Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

Although not marketed as leaf-looking tours, these weekend food-and-drink social outings give those onboard a two- or three-hour fall tour with a captain. Those desiring some socializing and an adult beverage with their leaf-looking can pair those on the 96-passenger capacity excursion yacht.

“About mid-October, you see the foliage change,” said Jamie Fields, who manages catering and special events for Margaritaville. After summer has faded a new ambiance emerges around the lake. “I like getting out when it’s cooler,” Fields said. As temperatures fall, colors brighten the last two weeks of October, even on the south end of the lake. “In late October everything on the lake is beautiful in my opinion,” Fields remarked.

The Saturday evening Margarita Cruise floats from the resort cove up toward Port Royale in Forsyth County. On the 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. cruise, the setting sun adds to the twilight palette on the water. Those on board can relax with as many as six margaritas or other bar drinks and dine on nachos, shrimp cocktails and barbecue sliders. The Sunday Brunch cruise travels down toward the dam, showing off the lake’s deep hue reflecting the changing leaves. It features “bottomless Mimosas” plus a breakfast buffet. Both cruises can be booked at MargaritavilleResorts.com.

Photo: by Alan Hope