Upper Peninsula Michigan

[SmithSwede]

This Texan wandered up to Michigan this weekend.  Will spend a week on business in Milford.  Hope to check out the UP next weekend. 

Any tips on places to see?  Restaurants?  I like history, scenic stuff, museums, and simple hearty food.  I forgot my passport so apparently there is no way to get into Canada.

[StuCorpe]

I have a place in Ironwood. MI (on the WI, MI border) and am up here right now and will be for a few more days.  What point in the UP are you at right now, I can probably suggest something interesting not to far away as there is some amazing stuff almost everywhere.  If you get close you can call me (231 946-3034) and I can give you directions.

[StuCorpe]

For example there are over 325 waterfalls in the UP so if you like them they are easy to find.

[SmithSwede]

Thanks very much Stu.  I’m currently in Novi. Have to work here all next week.  But I’m thinking of going somewhere in UP next weekend.  Any tips or suggestions are most appreciated.

[pressureangle]

If you stop in Clare or Mt. Pleasant-

https://copsdoughnuts.com/

[StuCorpe]

OK, you are about 280 miles from the bridge, $4 bridge fare, on the way up you will see some signs for the USCG cutter (icebreaker) museum in Cheyboygan, MI.  Other thimgs in the area below the bridge would be the Fort at Mackinaw City (last exit before the bridge).  There are also some historic sites in the immediate area.  After crossing the bridge there are a few things in the St Ignace area (like Castle Rock), there is also the ferry service out to Mackinaw Island which can be a full day of touring (no motorized vehicles on the Island, only horses and bicycles.  If you go North from there you get to Sault Ste Marie and the bridge to Canada.  If you go West (on US2) you go about 300 miles to Wisconsin.  Or you can go slightly North to join up with M28 West and take that to Wisconsin.  Both ways have many interesting views along the way, like the Pictured Rocks, many waterfalls, much mining (copper and iron) and many other items.  It's a good trip no matter what road you take.

[StuCorpe]

You might take a look at sites like this  https://www.facebook.com/thingstodointheup

[AJ Huff]

Eat a pasty!

-AJ

[Moparnut72]

Agree on the pasty. You will really like it or not some much.  I like 'em.
kk

[kingoffleece]

See Whitefish Point and
Upper Superior Brewing Co

[StuCorpe]

Oh yes, eat a pasty.  I have tried them from over 75 places up here and the best I have found are from Joe's Pasty shop in Ironwood, 2nd would be from Randall Bakery in Randell and third from Muldoon's in Munising.  All excellent places.

[bobrebos1]

I have a brother that lives in Rapid River, Mi.  (By Gladstone Michigan)  Its a nice area and yes....eat a Pasty!

[travelingbyguzzi]

Man, there are a lot of Milfords in the U.S. I am currently in Milford PA.
If you come back thru the Eastern Ozarks, I'll give you a place to stay.


Bill Lovelady         IS
Eskimo Spy

[tonUPRacer]

Some beautiful woods and nature everywhere, riding along Superior is great. Munising, Marquette, Keweenaw Peninsula are highlights, lot of mining history up there. I'm a born and raised Yooper. Watch out for deer, they are everywhere. If you're lucky might see a moose.

[brider]

Ditto on the pasties, I grew up in MI and I still make them to this day. I'm of the "ketchup" camp, others are the "gravy" persuasion. Need to eat a bunch both ways and decide for yourself.

If you cross via the Mackinac Bridge, turn west immediately on rt 2, then north on 77 to Seney, then turn west and enjoy the fabled "Seney stretch" for 26(?) mi of arrow-straight 2-lane, for some reason I really like it. Continue past Munising to follow the south shore of Lake Superior, where there are beaches you can stop at that rival any I've seen in the Caribbean for sand whiteness and water clarity. Temperature is a different matter......

[John Ulrich]

Highway: On the west shore, starting at Petosky,  MI 115 (Tunnel of Trees) Harbor Springs to Mackinac Bridge

https://www.motorcycleroads.com/motorcycle-rides-in/michigan

[Chuck in Indiana]

If you like falls..I do.. this is a beauty. https://www.stateparks.com/tahquamenon_falls_state_park_in_michigan.html
The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Many lighthouses.

[nwguy]

Yes indeed, ride the Tunnel of Trees. If you're into snowmobiles, the best snowmobile museum in the world is the Top-Of-The-Lake Snowmobile Museum in Naubinway, MI. Pics from my visit to in here:

http://nwguy.fun/mc/10k/sm.html

Tunnel of Trees pics:

http://nwguy.fun/mc/10k/14.html

[Tkelly]

Take a ride to Drummond Island ,just across the bridge with a short ferry ride.Camp in the city campground on the water.If traveling west there is an old motel with attached restaurant near Gould city.Pictured Rocks is a beautiful seashore on Superior.

[Tkelly]

Correction,the motel is near Gulliver on Hwy 2.

[PeteS]

I found the most scenic roads follow the lakeshores. In land not so much unless you are into straight roads through pine trees.
No doubt some are interesting but I haven’t found those yet. Mackinaw Island is unique if you have the time, a step back in history.

Pete

[JJ]

Last visited Charlevoix in 1982, during a 6-month ride around the USA and Canada.  Fond memories of this place...

[slowmover]

Don’t miss the Porkies!

[SmithSwede]

Thanks everyone for all your helpful input.  This is such a generous and knowledgeable group!

 I had a fantastic time in the UP last weekend.  Only downside was it was crazy cold—high 40s and low 50s in mid-June.  I guess that’s normal. 

Hit the Tunnel of Trees. 





Then across the Big Mac bridge, which is a pretty amazing thing in its own right.





Went all the way to Paradise. 





I’ve been to Utopia in far south Texas, and now Paradise in far north Michigan.

Whitefish Point. 






The Shipwreck museum was terrific; I spend half a day there.














Hit both the upper and lower Tahquamenon Falls.







Stop for gas often.  Old fashioned manual pumps—pay inside.



 

Then jogged west and southward, linking up with US 2 along the coastline.  Interesting sand dunes along the way.







Oh yeah.  Don’t let your tie straps dangle free and get ensnared into your rear brakes.  Brakes no work, and it takes a while to cut that stuff out !




I didn’t know what to make of smoked whitefish so didn’t try it.  Failed to get a pastie.  Oh well.  Next time I suppose. 

[Tkelly]

Smoked whitefish is the UP equivalent of Texas bbq.

[SmithSwede]

Well then dang it.  I missed out!

[Vagrant]

Simple fix, turn around and go back just to eat.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I didn’t know what to make of smoked whitefish so didn’t try it.  Failed to get a pastie.  Oh well.  Next time I suppose. 

Should have had both. At least you hit the falls and shipwreck museum.