In Copper Harbor, take the spectacular nine-mile Brockway Scenic Drive that runs atop the spine of Brockway Mountain. On a clear day you can even see Isle Royale, 56 miles away. Photo courtesy of Tim Russell
Where Nature Surrounds You
With the most natural resources in Michigan, the Upper Peninsula offers endless unmatched beauty and outdoor offerings. Towering pines in deep forests give way to thunderous waterfalls and winding rivers. Snow-topped mountains hug fertile valleys teeming with wildlife and wonder. Friendly roadside diners sit along scenic routes; historic lighthouses shine across the waters of three Great Lakes, and museums pay homage to a history of shipping and mining. One visit to this Great Waters region, and you’ll long to return year after year.
All Ages Welcome
Visit Mackinac Island for an exciting tour of the island’s newest attraction, the Wings of Mackinac, an all-glass conservatory filled with more than 1,500 free-flying exotic butterflies. Friendly curators and colorful exhibits let children learn about these colorful creatures (www.wingsofmackinac.com).
The Mackinac Bridge is the one of the world’s most beautiful bridges and the longest suspension bridge in the Americas, with a total length of 8,614 feet. Photo courtesy of the Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau
Experience the wild at Garlyn Zoo in Naubinway where native and exotic animals live in a natural park-like setting with natural trail walkways. See native animals such as bobcats, black bears, cougars, otters and alligators. Exotic animals include the wallaby, ring-tailed lemur and reindeer. Grain can be purchased to hand-feed many of the animals and an on-site gift shop offers a large collection of original animal collectables (www.garlynzoo.com).
Pilot an airplane, climb inside a giant stomach, dig for iron ore in a bulldozer, and forecast the weather on TV at the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum in Marquette. The hands-on exploratory environment was designed by kids to provide interactive fun and education. Kids can practice broadcasting over UPCM radio or repairing car engines (www.upcmkids.org).
Hop aboard an underground mine train for a trip back in time at Iron Mountain Iron Mine in Vulcan. See amazing rock formations and lighted caverns as you travel 2,600 feet through tunnels 400 feet below the earth’s surface. Experienced guides show you how mining was done over 100 years ago and free ore samples are available (www.ironmountainironmine.com).
The Most Outdoor Offerings
With more than 200 miles of fresh water shoreline, more than any other county in the nation, Delta County is the ideal location to find endless water adventures. Enjoy secluded beach strolls or high-energy volleyball on the soft sands, then take a relaxing swim or skim down water slides into the cool waters of Lake Michigan. Gladstone Municipal beach has slides, rafts, a skateboard park and a play area for kids. Portage Point beach sits next to a wildlife refuge that provides natural beauty at its simplest (www.deltami.org).
Experience wildlife in its natural environment at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Germfask. With more than 95,000 acres of protected wildlife habitat, you may see bald eagles, trumpeter swans and sandhill cranes as well as black bears, white-tailed deer, river otters and beavers. Visiting the refuge can be made either via the Manistique River, which flows through the southern portion of the refuge, or by bike on one of the many trails. Canoes, kayaks and bikes are available for rent here by Northland Outfitters (www.northoutfitters.com).
Stretching 120 miles along Lake Superior’s southern shoreline, the Hiawatha Water Trail connects the cities of Big Bay, Marquette, Munising and Grand Marais. Paddlers will travel along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Presque Isle Park and Grand Island National Recreation area. Paddle under multi-colored towering cliffs, inside sea caves, through rock arches, past historic lighthouses and over shipwrecks in clear emerald colored water. Northern Waters Adventures in Munising provides kayak rentals and instructions for day or overnight trips on this breathtaking trail (www.northernwaters.com).
With amazing views of three states, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as the Lake Superior Basin, Copper Peak’s adventure ride in Ironwood is a must see. An 810-foot chair lift takes you 36 stories to the crest of the hill for spectacular views from Michigan’s highest point of 1,782 feet. There is also an 18-story elevator, which leads to the observation platform, and an 8 story stairway to the world’s largest ski jump (www.copperpeak.org).
Surrounded on three sides by water, the Upper Peninsula is an angler’s dream. The St. Mary’s River in Sault Saint Marie, which connects both Lake Superior and Huron, is home to salmon, herring, whitefish and perch. (www.saultstemarie.com).
With 125 miles of Lake Michigan’s Green Bay shoreline to the west and the Menominee River to the east, Menominee County offers plenty of fishing. Lake Sturgeon can be found near the Menominee River mouth, especially during their annual fall run up river. You’ll also find small-mouth bass, trout and pan fish. Sport fishes such as king salmon, walleye and steelheads can be found in the deeper waters of Green Bay (www.lakemichiganangler.com).
Historical Beauty, Timeless Traditions
The simplicity of life in the 1800s is still reflected today in Mackinac Island throughout its preserved Victorian architecture, streetscapes and buildings. Horse carriages, bicycles and walking still remain the major methods of transportation. Photo courtesy of Tanya Milostan
Step back in time at Mackinac Island, where horse-drawn carriages and bicycles remain the “modern” modes of transportation. Named Michigan’s first state park in 1895, Mackinac Island remains true to Victorian life in the 1800s. The park covers more than 80 percent of the island and is filled with picturesque trails, scenic overlooks, historical landmarks and beautiful golf courses. You’ll also find plenty of fine-dining restaurants, bakeries, cafes and coffeehouses, as well as unique shopping (www.mackinacisland.org).
This region is home to 54 historic lighthouses, which guided thousands of ships through the rugged waters of the Great Lakes. The Marquette Maritime Museum maintains the largest collection of lighthouse lenses, and offers an interactive pilothouse reminiscent of early lake freighters. Guided tours of the Marquette Harbor lighthouse are available, and shipwreck displays of Lake Superior can be viewed.(www.mqtmaritimemuseum.com)
Located just west of Grand Marais, Sable Falls tumbles 75 feet over several cliffs of sandstone formations on its way to Lake Superior. The first viewing platform is down a staircase with 169 steps, but worth the trip. Photo courtesy of Tim Russell
With more than 200 waterfalls in this region, you never have to travel far for spectacular views of nature’s finest beauty. No two falls are alike, as each one differs in beauty, strength and formation. The National Black River Scenic Byway in Bessemer includes five scenic waterfalls: Great Conglomerate, Potawatomi, Gorge, Sandstone and Rainbow Falls. All have impressive vertical drops of 20 to 34 feet, unique river rock formations and easily accessible by well-marked trails (note: Potawatomi is barrier free and restrooms are available) (www.westernup.info).
Historic Fayette Townsite is located between Escanaba and Manistique in Fayette Historic State Park. This restored iron-smelting company town (1867-1891), was once a bustling industrial community, and is now a preserved museum village. Photo courtesy of Travel Michigan
No trip the Upper Peninsula would be complete without stopping for the original “fast food” of miners and lumberjacks; the pasty (pass-tee). Made with beef, potato, onion and rutabaga wrapped in light, flaky dough shaped in a half-moon; the pasty is a delicious meat pie. Pasties can be found in restaurants and roadside diners throughout this region. Dobber’s Pasties, with two locations, Escanaba and Iron Mountain, offers delicious pasties and will ship them to your home anytime to satisfy your pasty cravings (www.dobberspasties.com).
Winter Wonderland
This region’s abundant snowfall, up to 200+ inches in some areas, offers endless winter activities for all. Head to Big Snow Country in Bessemer, where Indianhead and Big Powderhorn Mountain Resorts offer 470 acres for skiing, snow boarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snow tubing. Now offered are Hill Hopper lift tickets, which allow you to ski and ride at either mountain (www.bigsnow.com).
For those who want to enjoy the winter sports without all the work, try one of the fastest-growing sports, dog-sledding. Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Racing and Adventures in McMillan offers day and overnight dog sled excursions. Lessons are given on the basics of mushing and how to drive a dog team before heading out on trails with your own sled and team of dogs (www.natureskennel.com)
Since the first official Upper Peninsula dogsled races held in 1990, “mushing” has become an increasingly popular sport. No longer just for spectators, dog sled rentals allow you to experience the thrill of a six-to ten-dog team pulling you across snow-covered trails and frozen lakes. Photo courtesy of Travel Michigan
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