Be delighted by live music, 60 Michigan breweries, and delectable food from the area’s restaurants. Or just be delighted by the beautiful Mattson Lower Harbor Park where this festival takes place.
Head to Mackinac City (not the island, for all those non-yoopers out there) from May through September to experience the Jack Pine Lumberjack Shows. Exactly what will you experience? Amazingness. But to be more specific: chopping, logrolling, pole climbing, sawing, and way more.
Head over to The Hilltop in L’Anse for a deliciously fresh, sticky, and large cinnamon roll. No judgment if you eat it all at once.
Winter Carnival is an annual celebration at Michigan Tech University that started in 1922 and has grown to be one of the largest in the nation. Rather than become downtrodden by the infamous amount of snow each year, MTU students choose to celebrate—with snow.
Just remember to bring ketchup.
From the numerous Paul Bunyan statues to the Bishop of Baraga Statue in L’Anse or the Giant Hiawatha statue in Ironwood… there’s something for everyone when it comes to statues here. See the world’s largest Stormy Kromer. Or get wild and see the “Naughty Cow” statue on the side of the rode in Daggett. I’ll leave that one up to your imagination.
You don’t have to leave the lower 48 to catch a dog sled races. Just try to refrain from yelling “MUSH” at every sled that passes.
With so many ski hills to choose from, picking a favorite will be up to you. A favorite among Yoopers seems to be… the one closest to them. Whichever you choose, you will be warmly welcomed (and promptly frozen on the hill).
At Alger Underwater Diving Preserve, divers can scuba through sea caves and intact shipwrecks.
With 13 different breweries across the U.P., you’ll have a hard time running out of options. Copper country’s Keweenaw Brewing Company is the most distributed and for good reason—their beer names. I joke, but the names are seriously great. My personal favorite is the Pick Axe Blonde Ale.
Long story short, Dr. Beaumont studied the digestive system through a hole in a man’s stomach from around 1832-1834. Part of the Mackinac State Historic Parks, the museum is a bit hands on, offering you a chance to dip a string of fake meat into a mannequin’s stomach.
With 10-foot falls and class IV + rapids, this isn’t exactly for the faint of heart. Even the names of these areas, like Hell Hole, scream adventure. If you’re willing to go on a wild ride, you’ll experience beautiful views. Not an adrenaline junky? Don’t worry, hiking the area is just as beautiful and a bit drier.
Mount Avron is the highest natural point in Michigan. Part of the Huron Mountain Rain, it offers a splendid view of the fall colors the Upper Peninsula is known for.
Head over to Black Rocks in Presque Isle Park in Marquette in the summertime for a unique sort of thrill that comes with jumping off tall things, like cliffs. Or go in the fall for a crazy sort of thrill that may take your breath away—simply because Lake Superior is cold! You can also enjoy the scenery if heights aren’t your thing.
Local legend says that the “voice” is a Native American who lost her love to the Great Lakes but continues to call to him when visitors press their hands on the beach.
Preserved and still visible through the clear waters—these shipwrecks are a bit eerie. Guided by history enthusiasts, you’ll know what you’re looking at and some of these boats have glass bottoms so you can get a closer view.
Singling out a specific waterfall in the Upper Peninsula is like asking a mother to pick a favorite child. Each and every one has a unique beauty that you have to see to appreciate. Seriously, here are just a few:
...I could keep going, but I’ll stop and let you get to exploring them all.
A place where the hospitality can’t be beat, the owner cooks and serves the guests and it looks like it’s straight out of the ‘50s—Rosy’s Diner is worth a stop. Pro tip: Try the corned beef hash. You won’t regret it.
Surprised? Yes, the U.P. proudly hosts a rodeo every summer. The Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, so you know it’s legit. Pro tip: For a true small town experience, enjoy the town’s Rodeo parade.
Whether you choose to explore the Eben Ice Caves or the Grand Island Ice Caves—or both—you’ll need to be prepared for a bit of a hike. Every ounce of effort will be worth the smallest glimpse of these magical ice caves.
Some believe the Paulding Light is a ghost, while others think it’s caused by cars passing by. Whatever you choose to believe, this phenomenon is still worth a visit. Pro tip: Go on a night with no moonlight. Maybe tell ghost stories first.
Horrible word play aside, the Mille Hill Bat Cave Trail takes you to one of the largest known concentrations of bats in the Midwest, The Millie Mine. It’s not an actual cave, though, so don’t come expecting Batman. Pro tip: The bats are most active at dusk, especially in September and early October.
If old growth forests, pristine lakes, record-sized pine trees, and a wide range of living things (think endangered plants and animals) sound like your thing, then Sylvania Wilderness is your place.
Kitch-iti-kipi Spring is Michigan’s largest freshwater spring. The water is crystal clear and a constant 45 degrees and why haven’t you gone yet?!
The second largest freshwater island in the nation, Drummond Island is a unique paradise. If you find your way to the island, make sure you find your way to the Fossil Ledges on the north side of the island. No dinosaurs here, but this fossilized saltwater coral bed is still pretty cool.
A drive through a sculpture park full of bizarre animals and other junkyard art? Yes, please.
Because it’s named Echo Lake for a reason. Or just silently observe the beautiful nature preserve and high bluffs with exposed bedrock.
Obviously a tourist destination, most Yoopers are a bit confused by the attraction of the Deer Ranch. That aside – why not see the oldest whitetail deer exhibit around?
Where’s your favorite place in the U.P.? Tell us in the comments below!Les Cheneaux Islands is basically a “choose your own adventure”. Go in the winter and cross-country ski through historic port towns or sail around the islands in the summer. Really, anything’s possible here.
