I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) with my mom in July. This was a special trip, as my mom, 71-years old, was born in the UP and wanted to visit the area “one last time.” So we made a mother-daughter trip, and spent the week exploring this beautiful area. We spent time in Munising, Houghton and Copper Harbor, and Marquette, all major points of interest when you consider a visit to the UP.
I’m sharing the details from our trip so you know how to spend one incredible week in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula!
Map of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
First, let’s take a look at a map of the Upper Peninsula to get oriented. We traveled from the Cincinnati area, and crossed the mighty, 5-mile long Mackinaw Bridge between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace to enter the UP as we headed to our first stop, Munising. From Munising we traveled to Houghton, which was a great location to explore the Keweenaw Peninsula, including Copper Harbor at the very top. From Houghton we traveled back to spend time in Marquette before we headed home.
Your Upper Peninsula Itinerary
Depending on where you are coming from, you can hit these locations in any order! Also, keep in mind my 71-year old mother was able to do all the activities I share with you, including some short hikes!
Munising, Michigan
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Our first stop was Munising, right on magnificent Lake Superior. One of the biggest highlights in Munising is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where multi-colored sandstone cliffs rise up to 200 feet above the lake and extend for miles and miles. This is a great place to hike, enjoy both rocky and sandy beaches, and get out on the water.
We stopped at the Munising Falls Visitor Center to get my passport book stamped, and walked the paved short trail to Munising Falls. My mom had warned me about the bugs during this time of year (mid-July), and luckily we were prepared with good bug spray because a few mosquitoes did harass us as we enjoyed the falls.
Afterwards, we drove to Miner’s Castle overlook, and did another short walk to enjoy the lower view. The crystal clear water was stunning when the sun came out–nothing like the mucky lakes of the mid-west! We also went down to sandy Miners Beach and saw people preparing to paddleboard.
One of the top things to do in the UP, especially if you visit the Pictured Rocks/Munising area, is to take a boat tour to see the Pictured Rocks from the water. If you have time, I would say the boat tour is an absolute must-do!
We booked the Sunset Classic Cruise, but you can take this narrated boat tour throughout the day. We arrived around 7:00p and were very disappointed as it poured rain while we waited to board the boat and as we left Munising Bay. Luckily the boat has a fully enclosed area so you can stay dry and warm.
However, the sun did eventually did come out as we approached the amazing cliffs! At times we even enjoyed double rainbows. Once the rain stopped everyone went to the top of the boat for even better views from the open-air seating.
I think the pictures speak for themselves, but the Pictured Rocks boat tour was 100% worth it!
Grand Island Tour
What else can you do in Munising? You can take a short ferry ride to explore Grand Island!
Located just a half-mile from the mainland, Grand Island is another perfect place for history and nature lovers to check out (hike, bike, kayak, etc.). No one lives full-time on the island so it has a very remote and primitive vibe. There are many historic buildings built by those who established and lived on the island years ago.
One easy way to explore Grand Island is the four-hour bus tour where a guide will take you to different points of interest on the island and explain the island’s history. During the tour we were able to see great views of the lake, go into historical buildings, visit a cemetery, and even take a couple short hikes that led to amazing views. The tour was well-worth the price, which included the ferry fee.
If you visit Grand Island be sure to bring your own food and water (always take my Nalgene bottle!) because there are no provisions on the island. Also, be sure to bring bug spray. The mosquitoes were ferocious and would dive bomb into our clothing to bite us!
If you want to take the Grand Island bus tour, check out the tour schedule and consider booking in advance to secure your spot as it does book up!
Keweenaw Peninsula
Cinnamon Rolls in L’Anse
After a great time in Munising, we packed up and headed to Houghton. This was an exciting drive full of anticipation.
Why, you ask?
We planned to stop at Hilltop Restaurant near L’Anse to enjoy the largest cinnamon roll I have ever seen! My mom grew up enjoying the cinnamon rolls from Hilltop, and this was one of her top must-do’s on our UP trip. She was thrilled to enjoy a cinnamon roll (we split one, it was that big!). So if you’re into cinnamon rolls (and other delicious baked goods) plan to stop here for a sweet treat!
Houghton & Copper Harbor, Michigan
We stayed at a hotel in Houghton as a base to explore the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula. While in Houghton, I highly recommend Suomi for breakfast or lunch, and then walk along the waterfront.
Protip: Did you know you can take a float plane from nearby Hancock to Isle Royale National Park? I did not but I almost tried to make a visit to Isle Royale work when I found out!
For our time in Copper Harbor, we visited with my mom’s aunt and cousin who she hadn’t seen in over 30 years! We drove by my mom’s house she grew up in, and did a lot of driving to see spots she remembered. We enjoyed walking around the Calumet Visitor’s Center, which has a ton of history and information about the area and mining industry from years past.
Our most memorable day though was driving scenic 26 to Copper Harbor, stopping at Brockway Mountain (seriously, take a chair and soak in the view) and many other pull offs along the lake. My mom’s aunt was able to go with us that day, which only made it more special.
I was in awe of the snow-mometer so we had to stop and get some pictures. We stopped at Fort Wilkins for small batch ice-cream (highly recommend Pot Hole if they have it!), enjoyed walking around Hunter’s Point Park for incredible views and small coves along the lake, and saw Bete Gris Beach during a random, isolated thunderstorm.
We finished the day with dinner at Eagle Harbor Inn, only after I snapped a few pictures of the lighthouse.
As we wrapped up our day, my mom was thrilled she was able to see everything she wanted to. I now understood why she wanted to return “one last time.”
Marquette, Michigan
On our way from Houghton to Marquette, we couldn’t help but stop at Hilltop one more time for cinnamon rolls to bring home. Honorable mention to their strawberry rhubarb muffin, too!
Shortly after Hilltop we decided to stretch our legs and hike to Canyon Falls. While the full trail is much longer, we did the short, fairly easy trail to Canyon Falls and then turned around. The mostly flat trail runs along a rocky creek, so there are lovely views as you approach the falls. This was another spot where bug spray came in handy.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Afterwards we finished our drive to Marquette, and then checked into our hotel. The forecast was calling for rain, but we were determined to explore a bit more. We headed towards the Sugarloaf Mountain Observation Decks, which I didn’t realize you actually had to hike to the observation decks. Shame on me for not doing my research!
It was starting to drizzle, but we said, “Oh sure, it’s fine,” and headed off. Well, my mother was certainly a trooper as we climbed one set of stairs, two sets of stairs, and on, and on. AND on. At one point I really thought she was going to kill me. It was a lot of stairs. Slowly we arrived at the top though, and I was proud of her for pushing through. We certainly got our movement in for the day, and had zero guilt enjoying pizza at Vango’s!
Presque Isle Park
The next day it was very cloudy and drizzly, which was a bummer. We did some shopping in downtown Marquette and had lunch at Donckers. Highly recommend their mac-n-cheese and chicken sandwiches. We skipped the yummy-looking candies and ice cream though (too many cinnamon rolls!).
We timed it so that we could drive the Peter White Drive in nearby Presque Isle Park.
The highlight of our visit to Presque Isle was the Black Rocks area, where you can watch people jump into Lake Superior from 10-15 foot cliffs. My mom kept saying, “surely no one is jumping in the water on this dreary day.”
But, sure enough! There were plenty of people going for it! We confirmed the water was cold, and did NOT partake in the cliff jumping.
The area was beautiful, despite the cloudy, gray skies. I can only imagine what it’s like on a clear day. If you are looking for a place to explore near Marquette, check out Presque Isle.
We did a quick stop at Wetmore Landing Beach, but it started to rain so we aborted mission. By this time we were tired and mentally preparing for our trip home first thing the next morning (on the road at 5:18a to be exact!).
We celebrated our successful trip with margaritas and Mexican food at Sol Azteca, overlooking the water in Marquette Bay, a perfect way to end our trip.
When To Visit the Upper Peninsula
If you want to visit during the warmest months, come during June, July, or August, where the average high is around 75 degrees. Keep in mind the bugs (black flies and mosquitoes) can be a nuisance during this time of the year, so pack accordingly.
Our trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was smack in the middle of July. We enjoyed cooler than normal temperatures (mid 60’s, and into the 70’s as we were leaving), low humidity, and a decent amount of clouds and some rain. For us it was perfect to get a break from our hot and humid (hell’s front porch, anyone?) mid-west summer.
I’d love to return with our RV to experience fall in the UP and enjoy the fall colors, which is September through November.
And of course, if you love winter activities and snow, come December through March!
Other Popular Things to Do in the Upper Peninsula
Of course it’s impossible to see and do all the things in one week when you visit the UP. Here are some other places and things to check out that would be high on my list when we return. You may be able to add these into your itinerary based on the time you have or the route you plan to take.
Sault Ste Marie
Experience the gravity fed Soo Locks connecting Lake Superior to Lake Huron in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.
Isle Royale
Check out remote Isle Royale, one of the least-visited US national parks. You can travel by boat from Copper Harbor, or even take a sea plane from the Houghton area.
Visit the Big Spring, Kitch-iti-kipi
Located near Manistique, one hidden gem in the UP is Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s largest fresh-water spring. This is worth a stop (and the parking fee–bring cash) to go out onto the raft where you’ll see crystal clear water coming up from fissures in the limestone below, along with large fish and downed trees. You truly can’t believe it until you see it!
Enjoy a Pasty
One thing you must do while in the UP is try a pasty— filled with beef, potato, rutabaga, carrots, onions and frequently served with a side of gravy or ketchup. I’m a ketchup girl in case you were wondering…
Before our Pictured Rocks sunset boat tour we grabbed pasties from Muldoon’s Pasties in Munising. I grew up eating pasties and will note my mom approved of Muldoon’s pasties (the bar was very high!).
Have you visited Michigan’s Upper Peninsula? If so, let me know your favorite things to do and see.
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