Upper Peninsula Trip Guide

If you're considering a trip to the UP, you should know that your cell phone may not work all the time and that you’ll hunt in vain for a Starbucks anywhere outside the college town of Marquette. But you’ll also find a place where the Northern Lights electrify the winter sky and the trails and shoreline are inexhaustible.

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point.

Visitors might spy moose on Isle Royale National Park.

Tannins turn Tahquamenon Falls a rich brown color.

The hike to Montreal Falls near Copper Harbor.

What to do

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum The bell from the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald draws most people to this Whitefish Point museum, located on the shore of Lake Superior. (888) 492-3747; shipwreckmuseum.com [1]

Isle Royale National Park Visitors to this breathtaking oasis might spy moose, wolves and otters. (906) 482-0984; nps.gov/isro [2]

Keweenaw National Historical Park Sites related to the UP’s copper-mining boom days dot the Keweenaw Peninsula. (906) 337-3168; nps.gov/kewe [3]

Marquette Maritime Museum and Lighthouse The museum is on the small side, but the affordable lighthouse tour is a great way to get a glimpse of a keeper’s lifestyle. Seasonal. (906) 226-2006; mqtmaritimemuseum.com [4]

Munising Bay Shipwreck Tours Boats cruise past a lighthouse or show shipwrecks through glass viewing wells. (906) 387-4477; shipwrecktours.com [5]

Northern Waters Adventures An outfitter leads guided day and overnight kayaking trips along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. (906) 387-2323; northernwaters.com [6]

Seney National Wildlife Refuge A 150-square-mile mosaic of wetlands, bog and forest draws more than 200 bird species. Explore by car, canoe, foot or bike. See reviews and ratings. [7] (906) 586-9851; fws.gov/refuge/seney [8]

Soo Locks Boat Tours Vessels lock through and cruise the busy international harbor in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan’s oldest city. (800) 432-6301; soolocks.com [9]

Tahquamenon Falls State Park The region’s largest waterfall stars at this park 73 miles west of Sault Ste. Marie. Dine at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub. See reviews and ratings. [10] (906) 492-3415; m [11]ichigan.gov/tahquamenonfalls [12]

Washington Street Browse Marquette’s boutiques and galleries. (800) 544-4321; t [13]ravelmarquettemichigan.com [14]

Where to eat

The Antlers Taxidermic creatures fill the walls of this Sault Ste. Marie landmark; regional faves fill the menu. (906) 253-1728; sooantlers.com [15]

Jean Kay’s Pasties This eatery in Marquette is the place to go for straight-up tasty meat-and-rutabaga pasties. (906) 228-5310; jeankayspasties.com [16]

Randall Bakery Sample UP pasties at the old-time lunch counter in Wakefield, south of the Porcupine Mountains. See reviews and ratings. [17] (906) 224-5401

Where to stay

The Landmark Inn Guests choose from 62 individually decorated rooms at this classy restored downtown Marquette hotel. From $154. (888) 752-6362; thelandmarkinn.com [18]

Mountain View Lodges On the east side of the Porcupine Mountains, comfortable cottages include kitchens, fireplaces and screen porches. From $170. (906) 885-5256; mtnviewlodges.com [19]

For information: Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association (800) 562-7134; uptravel.com [20]
Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau (800) 338-7982; keweenaw.info [21]
Marquette County Convention and Visitor Bureau (800) 544-4321; t [13]ravelmarquettemichigan.com [14]
Sault Ste. Marie Convention and Visitors Bureau (800) 647-2858; saultstemarie.com [22]

Tags:

Upper Peninsula [23]

Michigan [24]

Travel [25]

Michigan Trip Guides [26]