There's no question about it--the Upper Peninsula is filled with wonder and beauty tucked away in every town, like little gems waiting to be found.
The landscapes are breathtaking, the stories and histories are rich, and the people are friendly as a next-door neighbor. The myriad of towns that make up the U.P. provide visitors and locals alike with the chance to explore and become filled with wonder. With so many towns to choose from, we'll tell you a little bit more about three towns we think are unique, amazing and well worth your time.
Majestic Munising
Nestled on Lake Superior's cascading rocky shore is Munising--home of
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, shipwreck tours, and approximately 2,300 residents.
Munising Visitors Bureau president and
Days Inn general manager Cori-Ann Cearley says the unsurpassed beauty of Pictured Rocks draws thousands of visitors every year.
The park has many notable landmarks including an 80-foot waterfall, Chapel Rock, Miners Beach (Kid Rock fans will recognize this from his
Born Free music video), and Miners Castle--one of the most popular areas of Pictured Rocks.
"Pictured Rocks is majestic, unforgettable, and awe-inspiring," Cearley says. "The soaring sandstone cliffs paint a picture with Mother Nature's brush stroke that even the most skilled artist could never replicate."
Don't let the word "rocks" in Pictured Rocks fool you. Munising is also home to
17 waterfalls, multiple
lighthouses, and various sandy
beaches.
Alger Underwater Preserve (visible via a glass bottom boat
tour or
scuba diving),
Grand Island National Recreation Area, and
Hiawatha National Forest are also big draws for visitors to the area, especially during the summer, Cearley says, although Munising draws visitors all year long, from snowmobilers to ice climbers.
"In the fall we have spectacular color and in the winter we host Ice Fest every year which is a huge ice climbing festival--actually the biggest one in the Midwest. Our area is famous for its ice formations," Cearley says.
If you want to visit Munising during a festival, there are a few noteworthy ones you may want to check out in addition to
Michigan Ice Fest including Pictured Rocks Day in mid-June,
Rocktoberfest in October, and a brand-new event, the
South Shore Paddle Board Challenge in September.
After spending some time in the great outdoors, Munising also offers a variety of quaint shops for visitors to meander through including
Frozen Flamingo, The Gift Station, Das Gift Haus and The Hen House as well as tasty restaurants that serve up food for hungry visitors like
Sydney's Restaurant and Johnny Dogs. If you want a combination of a restaurant and gift shop,
Dogpatch Restaurant has you covered. Their
gift shop is filled with memorable items including jewelry and handmade gifts while their restaurant serves up dishes like country breakfast, steaks, pizzas, and so much more.
Cearley encourages those who have never visited Munising to come and check it out.
"If you have never been to Munising before you are missing out on one of only four national lakeshores in our whole country with a beauty and vista that is truly breathtaking," she says.
When planning your trip, Cearley recommends spending four or five days in the area at the very least. But, if you can only make it just for a day or two, well, that's okay too.
Natural Newberry
Nestled in the eastern portion of the U.P. in Luce County, sits the
Moose Capital of the state--Newberry, population approximately 1,500.
One of Newberry's draws is the popular nearby
Tahquamenon Falls State Park, home to a massive waterfall, which trails only behind Niagara Falls as the biggest waterfall on this side of the Mississippi. Beyond the waterfall, the park provides hours of family outdoor fun through a variety of recreation opportunities from hiking on 40 miles of trails, fishing on one of 13 lakes, or camping on one of many sites throughout this nearly 50,000-acre park.
While visiting, you may be lucky enough to catch sight of one of the many creatures that call the park home, like bear, moose, wolves and more than 100 varieties of birds, says Jomay Bomber,
Newberry Area Chamber of Commerce director.
"If you want to get out in nature, come our way. We have so many experiences that are available to enjoy the beauty God made and slow down your pace. This is a real vacation experience," Bomber says. "We are not commercial in nature--we are simply in nature...we have adventures for everyone."
While at the park you are sure to get thirsty and Bomber recommends checking out
Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub, where locals and tourists alike go to regain energy for a new day of adventure or to unwind after a day of fun in the outdoors.
Sprawling beyond Tahquamenon Falls State Park, the Newberry area also offers a nice variety of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and for those who just want to get up off the couch and do something different on a Saturday afternoon. Whether you hike through the wilderness, kayak on a bubbling river, or grab your camera and try your hand at nature photography--you will find it all here.
If animals pique your interest, then local attractions such as
Oswald's Bear Ranch and
Nature's Kennel are a must on your trip to the Newberry area, Bomber says.
"Nature's Kennels Sled Dog Adventures is an experience waiting to happen," she says. "In the winter you can
mush your own sled dog team and in the summer visit the over 150 dogs at their kennel."
If you'd rather rev up your engine than rely on a dog for recreational transportation, the Newberry area is friendly towards
all-terrain vehicles and off-road vehicles as they are welcome on county roads and many trails including the 36-mile
Two Hearted Trail and the
Newberry-Rexton Motorcycle Trail, which spans 54 miles.
If you are planning a visit to the Newberry area in the near future, you may want to try to coordinate your visit with one of the unique festivals that take place here including the
Logging Museum's Lumberjack Days in August, the
Newberry Oktoberfest in the fall, and nearby winter carnivals throughout the chillier seasons.
No matter what time of year you visit, on your way out of town make it a point to stop at U.P. Trading Company for some gifts to take back home to remember your visit to Newberry.
Captivating Copper Harbor
If you've never ventured past Houghton to Copper Harbor, located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, you may want to start making plans to make the trek up to one of the most beautiful places in the Upper Peninsula.
People visit
Copper Harbor for a variety of reasons. Some come for the endless
recreational opportunities including biking, hiking, camping, and fishing while others come to visit nearby
Isle Royale National Park.
All in all, these reasons can be combined into one: "To be in nature and get away from the city life," says Amanda Wais Rogers, local author, year-round resident, and outdoor enthusiast.
"If you have never been to Copper Harbor, you wouldn't understand," Rogers says. "You just have to see it for yourself, and you'll be hooked. Serenity fills your soul."
Copper Harbor attracts both beginner and experienced
birding enthusiasts as herons, loons, eagles, songbirds, geese, and other waterfowl are common in the area.
Those who would rather fish than watch birds can participate in the
Longest Day Fishing Tournament, held each June, and runners can take on the
Run the Keweenaw races in July or the
Copperman Triathlon in August. Of course, there are also special events that include food and drink like
Bell's Beer Copper Harbor Trails Festival and the annual
Copper Harbor Chili Cook-off, both held in September.
While you may want to try to spend most of your time outdoors during a visit to Copper Harbor, the area is full of delicious dining options including
Pines Restaurant for breakfast,
The Mariner North for lunch,
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge for cocktails and
Harbor Haus for dinner.
Rogers suggests spending time at the various quaint shops throughout town, although if you visit during the colder months you will find that most all, except for the
Laughing Loon, are closed for the season.
For first-time visitors Rogers recommends taking a drive up
Brockway Mountain,
touring the lighthouse via ferry and enjoying the beauty of
Manganese Falls, although the list can go on and on.
Those who visit may never want to leave.
"Copper Harbor is all locally owned businesses," Rogers says. "Only 90 people live here year-round. It is surrounded by water at the tip of the peninsula. It is a community. We have little to no crime. It makes you happy just to be here."
To learn more about Copper Harbor, view
Rogers' blog or check out the
Copper Harbor website.
Have any photos, stories or tips about any of these U.P. towns? Share them with us on our
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Julia Woehrer is a freelance writer, photographer and Internet content manager. She attended the School of Art and Design at Northern Michigan University where she concentrated in photography and minored in journalism. She volunteers at a local no-kill cat shelter and enjoys spending time with her cats, Bella and Macy.