Experience family fun at the Soo Locks in Michigan’s oldest city, Sault Ste. Marie. Photo credit: Travel Michigan

One of Michigan’s top attractions is found in Sault Ste. Marie … the Soo Locks. The Soo Locks have been referred to as one of the great wonders of the world and is the largest waterway traffic system on earth. Don’t just look at them, take a ride through the locks, right along side the big ships, in a 2- to 4-hour narrated tour or take a dinner or breakfast cruise (www.soolocks.com).

The Mackinac Bridge, also known as the “Mighty Mac” is truly something to see. Connecting the Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula, the suspension bridge spans nearly 5 miles.

Kids love the “Mystery Spot” in St. Ignace … voted Michigan’s #1 unusual attraction by the readers of Michigan Living magazine. You’ll experience optical contradictions and physical sensations that are hard to believe! (www.mysteryspotstignace.com).

Maritime heritage

The waters that extend west from Whitefish Point along the 80-mile stretch of rugged shoreline have earned the ominous title, “Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast.” The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is the only one of its kind dedicated to the perils of maritime transport on the Great Lakes. The bell of the famous Edmund Fitzgerald is displayed in the museum as a memorial to her lost crew (www.edmundfitzgerald.org).

Scuba divers can explore shipwrecks in five underwater preserves in Lake Superior. Not a diver? You can see shipwrecks up close from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat. Captain Lindquist can take you for a two-hour, fully narrated cruise of three shipwrecks on the bottom of Lake Superior near the Pictured Rocks (www.shipwrecktours.com).

The Sand Portage/Piers Gorge Falls, one of 150 waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula, is found on the Menominee River, just southwest of Norway.
Photo credit: Travel Michigan

Nature’s water park

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula boasts 40 lighthouses, 150 major waterfalls, 4,300 inland lakes, and 12,000 miles of streams. It’s no wonder the UP is a destination for people who enjoy “nature’s water park.” There are marinas in most lakeside communities, and opportunities to sail, canoe, kayak or board a raft for special thrills riding the rapids.

The annual snowfall in some parts of the Upper Peninsula can be over 200 inches, drawing snowmobilers from all over the area to enjoy the picturesque scenery from its groomed trails.Photo credit: International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association

Take your bikes or rent them on Mackinac Island and leisurely ride the full perimeter of the island (8.3 miles). Adventurous bikers will find challenging hills and trails through the center of the island.

Bikers take a moment to admire the view at “Lake of the Clouds” in the Porcupine Mountain State Park in Ontonagon.
Photo credit: Raymond J. Malace




Seney National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Today, Seney supports a variety of wildlife, including endangered and reintroduced species. Bald eagles, common loons, and trumpeter swans are regularly seen during the summer months, especially in June and July, when they are raising their young. A great way to explore the refuge is on bike. Bikers are free to roam the 80-miles of trails (www.fws.gov/midwest/seney).

In Marquette, visit Presque Isle Park, a 323-acre natural park that offers refuge to free-roaming whitetail deer and includes trails for hiking, biking or cross-country skiing, and great views of Lake Superior. The Marquette area has over 80 miles of public access sand beaches, with nearby bike paths and picnic areas.

A trip to the Upper Peninsula wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Tahquamenon Falls, in the Newberry area. For a great day trip, take the Toonerville Trolley and Scenic Riverboat Trip. The 6-hour train and boat ride adventure includes a train ride through the wilderness to the Tahquamenon River, then a 21-mile boat cruise to the Upper Tahquamenon Falls (www.visitnewberrymi.org).

Let it snow

Winter is playtime in the UP. Annual snowfalls average from 60 to over 200 inches, making for excellent ski hills, snowmobile trails and cross-country trails. Groomed snowmobile trails connect towns. The area draws snowmobilers from the Lower Peninsula and neighboring states; activities include races, derbies and festivals.

Mushing behind a team of sled dogs is a growing sport. Spectators line up to watch eager dog teams take off down the trails.

Local shopping, local flavor

Wild berries are plentiful in the UP. You’ll find wild strawberries, blueberries, huckleberries, raspberries and blackberries … fill your pail or eat them right off the bush! Mushrooming is at its finest in mid-May when the Morels start to appear. Look for mushrooms in recently burned areas and high-ground stands of hardwoods with plenty of leaf cover. For true local flavor, try a pasty (pronounced PASS-tee). A pasty is a hot turnover made of piecrust and filled with meat, potatoes, carrots and onions; pasties have become nearly synonymous with the Upper Peninsula.

Of course, you’ll find great little stores and art galleries on Mackinac Island, but we dare you to walk past a fudge shop (there are 15 on the island). Nearly every tourist will buy fudge during his or her visit … thus the nickname “fudgies”—a term of endearment for island visitors.

Celebrations

Looking for something out of the ordinary? Visit the Great Lakes Bat Festival in August in Iron Mountain. The two-day family festival features bat experts from around the Great Lakes region, live bats from around the world, and fun activities for kids. (www.michigan.gov).

Since 1949, Mackinac Island has celebrated the arrival of summer with a 10-day Lilac Festival each June. The most beautiful and fragrant time of the year celebrates hundreds of lilac varieties in bloom. Events include parades, a 10k race, picnics and concerts in the park. (www.mackinacisland.org).

The Upper Peninsula State Fair is held each August in Escanaba. Now in its 79th year, the fair continues its tradition of showcasing the region’s agricultural heritage. Visitors will also enjoy concerts, a demolition derby, family entertainment and exciting carnival rides.