roadtrip – Ultimate Travel Adventures

Wonders of the Upper Peninsula

If you came along for leg one of our epic Michigan fall road trip, you know that we explored mainland Michigan, affectionately known by locals as “the Mitten.” Today our Michigan road trip takes us to the Upper Peninsula, known to locals as “the U.P.” The Upper Peninsula is a wilderness wonderland, with spectacular natural scenery everywhere you look. It’s also well-endowed with history. In this tour, we’ll cover both types of attractions in the U.P.!

Sault Ste. Marie and Paradise/Whitefish Point

Start your U.P. portion of your Michigan road trip in Sault Ste. Marie, where you can watch the spectacle of the Soo Locks. Then make your way to Whitefish Point, where you can explore the U.P.’s fascinating history at the Shipwreck Museum. Browse through the museum to see artifacts of Michigan’s seafaring history. The curators here have done a brilliant job of telling Michigan’s story in an engaging and interesting way. This is no stale museum! Then tour the historic lighthouse on site, well staged to take you back in time. Take a peek at the museum shop – there’s a good assortment of treasures here. And before you head out, dip your toes in Lake Superior, right outside! The nearby town of Paradise is a potential stop for dinner or an overnight stay.

Tahquamenon Falls

No visit to the U.P. is complete without what is, at least in my opinion, the most spectacular natural site of all. That is the powerful and breathtaking Tahquamenon Falls in Paradise. Give yourself plenty of time to stroll or hike here. There are hiking paths as well as a boardwalk around the area for easy walking that allows you to get multiple views of this spectacular sight! Some steep stairs that get you up close and personal with the falls may be intimidating to some. But it’s your choice whether to navigate them or not. You can get amazing views either way! The brownish color of the water is due to the copper content. The rocks and soils are rich with minerals up here in the U.P., especially copper.

Munising and Pictured Rocks

The charming town of Munising, and in particular Pictured Rocks, is second on my list of must-see sights in the U.P. during your Michigan road trip. This town itself is cute and quaint: your quintessential Norman Rockwell “Main Street.” It’s also a great town to pick up a Pasty. That’s a U.P. specialty: a kind of meat pie you can enjoy with your hands for a snack, or order on a plate loaded up with gravy for dinner. Poutine is popular here too – a dish my Canadian friends are likely to recognize, with french fries, cheese curd, and gravy. But the best reason to visit Munising are the Pictured Rocks. You can take a cruise to see the rocks here, or rent a kayak and head out on your own. Here you’ll see pine trees growing out of sheer rock walls, spectacularly striped-with-color rocks, and fascinating rock formations! This is a seasonal attraction available spring through fall only.

Mining Town of Calumet

Calumet is famous for its mining heritage, and you can check out the Mining Museum here to learn more. It’s also another nice quaint little town, with a giant train track snowplow and some…. interesting architecture… Take a drive down some of the side streets and you’ll see what I mean – like the house in the photo above. Start your visit here at the National Park Service’s information center at the Keweenaw National Historic Park. There are many interesting artifacts here on view for free, and you can talk with the park rangers about the things to see not only in Calumet but the surrounding Keweenaw area. The Hungarian Falls, a few minutes from Calumet, for example, provides an excellent scenic detour.

Copper Harbor

The town of Copper Harbor is another highlight of any Michigan road trip. There’s an abundance of activities to enjoy here, and I recommend staying at least one night, if not more. Brockway Mountain is a good place to start! You can drive your car to the top of the mountain for spectacular views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. (As you can probably imagine, the views during the fall season are particularly impressive!) After getting your bearings on top of the mountain, head back down and head for Manganese Falls and Montreal Falls, and perhaps go for a hike. Check out the iconic Copper Harbor Lighthouse. And then head on over to Fort Wilkins Historic State Park to see an old fort complex from 1844, during the Copper Rush. If you really want to get away from it all, you can take a ferry from Copper Harbor to the United State’s least-visited National Park, Isle Royale National Park. It’s remote, on an island off the U.P., not accessible by car. Facilities on the island are limited, so making reservations ahead is a must.

More Michigan Road Trip!

If you missed Part One of this road trip, the “Mitten,” or mainland Michigan, you can read it here: EPIC Michigan Road Trip Part 1.

Another great resource for planning the ultimate Michigan vacation is Pure Michigan, the official tourist site for the State of Michigan.

And be sure to visit my YouTube channel to see the full video tour of the road trip itinerary, including maps! Thanks for reading! Be sure to leave a comment below – have visited Michigan? Would you be interested in planning a trip there now?

Aerial view of american countryside landscape. Farm, red barn, cows. Rural scenery, farmland. Sunny morning, spring summer season

The Ultimate Fall Michigan Road Trip!

Fall is by far the BEST Time of year to take a road trip in Michigan! The apples are ripe at the orchards, the weather is cool and comfortable, and the leaves on the trees are starting to burst with vibrant color. It is truly a sight to behold, and there’s so much to do on your adventure! (Please note that this post is NOT sponsored by any of the places mentioned here. I just really enjoyed them and wanted to share my experience!) Welcome to Part 1 of my two part blog post on my epic Michigan fall road trip itinerary. I have a full video tour of the trip here, with maps!:

EPIC Michigan Fall Road Trip on Ultimate Travel Adventures on YouTube

Apple Picking Pleasures in Fennville!

We start our tour in Fennville, on the west coast of the mainland. Or as Michiganders refer to it, the “mitten.” Crane’s Orchards has a wide variety of apple types, and you can pick-your-own. There’s no comparison between fresh-picked apples on the orchard and supermarket apples! I was blown away by the difference when I tried these! Fresh-from-the-tree apples are sweeter, jucier, and tastier. And besides that, it’s fun to pick your own! You know you’re getting the best quality ones. Also, you can get a mixture of only your favorite types! So stock up for snacks, and baking!

Apple-Picking Primer

The staff give you a sack to fill at the entrance. You pick whatever combinations of apples you want, in any quantity. You’re free to roam the grounds on your own. Or you can hitch a ride on a cart or tractor to take you to your apple destination. When you’re done, you place the bag on a scale and pay based on weight. These apples cost even less than in the supermarket, and are far better! Fresh pumpkins and other items are available too. Once you’re done, it’s time for a delectable lunch of local specialties, washed-down by some fresh apple cider. And for dessert, you can partake in a flight of pies, or fresh, warm cider donuts! Most orchards also have a corn maze and hay rides too! The website for Crane’s is at Crane Orchards. A trip to an apple orchard is a bushel of fun!

Grand Haven South Pierhead Lighthouse

Before you leave Grand Haven, make sure you make a detour to visit the Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner Lighthouse. This charming beacon was constructed in 1881, and is protected under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. Michigan is a state replete with interesting and historic lighthouses, and this is one of my favorites. Decked-out in fiery-bright red, it’s ready for fall! If you enjoy this one, you may want to plan an all-lighthouse Michigan road trip for next time. There’s plenty to keep you busy! You can learn more about many of Michigan’s lighthouses on the official tourist site, Pure Michigan.

Variety of delicious candy apples covered with white, milk and dark chocolate, caramel and nuts on a stick on display

Tour a Chocolate Factory!

The next stop on our tour is Grand Haven, where you can take a chocolate factory tour at Chocolates by Grimaldi. When I took the tour, it was a mere $4 – and included tastings and a goodie bag, suitable for devouring, at the end! During the tour, I was allowed to walk through the facility while a guide explained the chocolate-making process. During the tour, I got to see the equipment they use in action, and smell the sweet, tantalizing scent of chocolate wafting through the room. You must call them ahead to book a tour, as they are scheduled and limited to small groups. You can get their contact info and learn more about them on their website at Chocolates by Grimaldi. In addition to taking the tour, I found this destination an ideal place for shopping, too… The chocolate is delicious!

Traverse City Overnight Stop

The next stop on our tour is Traverse City. Traverse City is a great place to take a stroll on the promenade by the lake, or do some shopping on Front Street, the main drag in town. It’s dotted with cute, boutique shops selling local crafts, culinary delights, and more. Traverse City has numerous great restaurants and nightlife spots, and is an ideal location for your first overnight stop. It’s the biggest city in Northern Michigan, kind of a de-facto capital up here. It’s most famous for the cherry harvest in July, when the Cherry Festival is held. (Time to start planning another road trip for next year…?) Until then, pick up a jar of local cherry jam or chocolate covered cherries in the shops!

Victorian “gingerbread” houses in Petoskey

Petoskey’s Gaslamp District and Gingerbread Houses

In the morning, it’s off to Petoskey. When you arrive in Petoskey, I suggest a drive through the historic Gaslamp District, with real gas-powered street lamps and century old buildings. Petoskey has been named by Smithsonian as “one of the best small towns in America,” and for good reason. After exploring the Gaslamp District, head over to M-131 by the lake, and turn on the side streets to get off the beaten path. Here you can view the gingerbread-house Victorian architecture of the residential neighborhoods overlooking the lake. Some of the streets in the residential district shut down completely for the winter, and people winterize their houses in plastic, so September may be your last chance to see some of these for the season! House after house here is all decked out in detailed, ornate trim in vibrant colors.

Tunnel of Trees Scenic Route

Before you head off to Mackinaw City, take a detour through the “Tunnel of Trees” along M-119 to enjoy the brilliant fall colors hanging overhead and carpeting the ground. This scenic route got its name from the hanging tree limbs that envelop the road in foliage, creating the illusion of a tunnel. Fall provides by far the most spectacular scenery along this winding road. There’s something innately satisfying about a country drive along scenic byways. Perhaps it’s the fresh air. Or the the freedom of the open road. Then there’s the peacefulness of being away from civilization. Whatever it is, the allure cannot be denied. You’re heading further north, and getting closer to the Mackinac Bridge to the Upper Peninsula.

Mackinaw City and Mackinac Bridge

The impressive Mackinac Bridge is the gateway to the Upper Peninsula, affectionately referred to by Michiganders as the “U.P.” You may be tempted to head up the to the bridge and enjoy the spectacular views of the Straits of Mackinac, but before you do take some time to explore the fascinating sites in Mackinaw City. Two good places to start are Fort Michilimackinac is a trading post established in 1715. Today it’s a National Historic Landmark, and is exquisitely preserved. In addition to the 18th century architecture, you can observe re-enactments by staff in full costume on such things as shooting the cannons, blacksmithing, tending the gardens, and more. Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, next to Fort Michilimackinac, is also worth a tour. It was founded in 1899, and today is open to visitors.

Coming Next Week!

Next week we’ll continue this road trip across the Mackinac Bridge and into the Upper Peninsula. We’ll explore the powerful Tahquamenon Falls, take a cruise around Pictured Rocks, visit a Shipwreck Museum, see the Aurora lights, and more! Thanks for reading, and follow to join me next week for the rest of the itinerary! Check out the video at the top of this post for maps and more information if you are interested in replicating this trip! Please comment below on whether you’re planning any road trips, and what’s your favorite thing about hitting the road for an adventure!