Top Things to do in Upper Peninsula
Top Hotels in Upper Peninsula
- 1. Best Western Sault Ste. Marie
- 2. Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront
- 3. Island House Hotel
- 4. Mission Point Resort
- 5. Grand Hotel
- 6. Holiday Inn Express Munising-Lakeview, an IHG Hotel
- 7. Holiday Inn Express Houghton-Keweenaw
- 8. Sunset Lodge Escanaba
- 9. Inn on Mackinac
- 10. Bicycle Street Inn & Suites and Waterfront Collection
What to do and see in Upper Peninsula, Upper Peninsula: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Upper Peninsula, United States including Mackinac Bridge, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Miners Castle Rock, Presque Isle Park, Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring), Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Arch Rock, Soo Locks, Mackinac Island State Park.
Restaurants in Upper Peninsula
1. Mackinac Bridge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,350 reviews
Linking Michigan's two peninsulas, this mighty bridge has a total length of five miles.
Reviewed By GoAlong2 - Seattle, United States
We went over the bridge once in the evening and then in the afternoon a few days later. The bridge towers high above the straits separating Lake Michigan from Lake Huron, and is several miles long. There are viewpoints along the shoreline at either end of the bridge. We stopped at on on the St Ignace side at a gift shop with a viewing platform. The speed limit on the bridge is 25 mph, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the view while driving over. The toll is $4 each way for a passenger car. There are two lanes in each direction with the center lanes made of steel grating which makes a humming sound as you drive. The outer lanes are paved. At night the bridge is lit with lights, for a good evening view. With its tall support towers and long suspension span (longest in North America) the bridge is an engineering marvel that connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan.
2. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,081 reviews
Park located on the shoreline of Lake Superior encompassing cliffs, dunes, waterfalls and lakes.
Reviewed By 211charissek - Troy, United States
To actually see the pictured rocks you must either rent kayaks to get close up and personal, or take the boat tour.The double tiered boat gives you sensational views of the magnificent turquoise, orange, brown, copper, pink colors within the stones sculpted and worn by the seas of Lake Superior. The backdrop of the turquoise water is reminiscent of the pacific ocean and is a sight to behold.
3. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 597 reviews
Consists of 60,000 acres of lakes, forests and rivers.
Reviewed By TUrbanik - Clawson, United States
Wanting to take in some fall color while staying relatively close to home my wife and I decided to spend a week kicking around in the Upper Peninsula (Michigan). We’ve spent a fair amount of time on the east side of the UP but not a lot over on the west. So this time we set out for The Porcupine Mountains, located in Ontonagon, Mi. Some 60 miles from Ironwood which sits on the MI/WI boarder. Never having spent anytime in the Porcupine Mtns. (Porky’s as I have heard some refer), and only having two days to do so, we wanted to take in as much as possible. First off we tent camped at Union Bay campground, which is modern with all the amenities. They have a variety of available sites that range from rustic to modern. I recommend checking with the ranger station to get a map. They will also help steer your visit. With limited time I suggest hitting Lake Of The Clouds, Summit Peak and Presque Isle River. These three spots give you a good sense of what the park has to offer, and from there you can branch off to focus on what really strikes your interest. While there are many trails to explore, there are trails for each skill level and ability. All the trails are well marked with trail markers. Most are a combination of foot trails, boardwalks and stairs. Lake of the Clouds offer breath taking views, Summit Peak also offers great views with the addition of a watchtower, and Presque Isle River takes you on a hike along either shore, (take a short suspension bridge to the footpath or use the boardwalk on the near side), to view some beautiful waterfalls all the way to the mouth of the river as it empties into Lake Superior. Our visit was in mid September so crowds were minimal, but families, couples and singles were present. Weather was unseasonably mild. Would advise coming prepared for anything , as the UP can be unpredictable. Good Hiking.
4. Miners Castle Rock
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 838 reviews
Reviewed By cristipayton - Lowell, United States
The walk to the lookout is easy, just a few hundred steps from the parking lot and the views of Lake Superior and shoreline are STUNNING!
5. Presque Isle Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 942 reviews
Reviewed By 936timl - Edwardsburg, United States
The whole family did it - 17 & 15 yr old boys and a 10 yr old daughter - even Mom & Dad! Really cool and safe jump from about 20 feet into the crystal clear (and refreshingly chilly) Lake Superior waters near Marquette, MI!
6. Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 535 reviews
Reviewed By romanekj - Lansing, United States
Palms Book State Park’s Kitch-iti-kipi is Michigan’s largest spring. Kitch-iti-kipi is an Ojibwa word said to have many meanings, including The Great Water, The Blue Sky I See, and The Roaring Bubbling Spring. Kitch-iti-kipi is 200’ in diameter, 42′ deep and delivers 16,000 gallons of crystal clear water per minute. The water stays at 45 degrees year round. You can ride the observation raft for a beautiful view across the spring. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the floating dock was closed for a long time but, since people kept breaking the locks, it was opened very recently. Looking down the center of the raft, you can see the bubbling spring doing its work. Large trout seemed to be everywhere, but no fishing is allowed. A must see!!! #puremichigan #summer2020 #nofilter
7. Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,681 reviews
Located in the upper peninsula area of Michigan with wonderful wildlife and waterfalls.
Reviewed By 812marke - Burlington, United States
I was recently at Tahquamenon Falls on a Tuesday afternoon when passing through the U.P. I was not able to make it to the falls on my last visit to the U.P., so I definitely wanted to get there on this trip. I was not disappointed, and the falls were incredible! The Upper Falls are beautiful and only second to Niagara Falls in terms of water flow east of the Mississippi River. I only had time to see the Upper Falls on this visit, but these clearly seem to be the more popular. They are pretty easily accessible, as the walk is only about 1/4 mile from the parking lot, and you can hear the falls pretty much right away when you begin the trail. There are lots of stairs, however, if you choose to see other vantage points of the falls. I enjoyed spending about 2 hours here, and it was cool to see these falls from a variety of vantage points. It was kind of busy on the day I visited, as the weather was beautiful, but I still enjoyed myself. There was also a nice gift shop to browse on the premises, and there was a small restaurant, but I ate lunch prior to my visit. I enjoyed Tahquamenon Falls, and this is another beautiful landmark in the U.P.!
8. Arch Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,662 reviews
Natural rock bridge soaring 149 feet above the Straits of Mackinac appears to be suspended in midair.
Reviewed By S60WIannal
We reached the arch rock at first by horse carriage tour and then returned to visit this beautiful site by bike and kayaking. You have to climbed up some stairs to reach it and take turns to do photos but it's worth it.
9. Soo Locks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,634 reviews
Reviewed By AuntieM64
There is a viewing platform that is 3 levels tall right next to the Soo Locks so that people can see the freighters upbound - going west on the Great Lakes or downbound - going East on the Great Lakes. There is a phone number that you can also call to find out the schedule of the next ships to arrive. The town of Sault Ste. Marie is not a very big place and the viewing platform is right on the main street of the town with motels and restaurants right near it. I was watching ships arrive and depart for about 3 hours and saw many different classes of boats and ships. It is a unique experience if you have never seen something like this before, and wonderful for children and is absolutely free - but you and your purses and backpacks will be searched before being allowed into the enclosed area.
10. Mackinac Island State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,917 reviews
Michigan's first state park. This is Mackinac Island State Park, a landscape characterized by high limestone bluffs, beautiful vistas of sparkling water, vibrant forests, and mystical geological formations. With automobiles banned since 1898, here exists a quieter way of life away from interstate noise of cities. Over 80 percent of Mackinac Island is within Mackinac Island State Park—free of charge and open year round—where you’ll discover the true natural gems of Mackinac. Whether visiting this island parkland by foot, bike, horseback, or carriage, these many majestic geological wonders and unique historical monuments are visual treasures found only here—on the island sacred to the Ojibwa and Odawa Great Lakes Indian tribes. According to them, this is where life began. You’re invited to discover why. This is Mackinac.
Reviewed By danjfrank25 - Chicago, United States
Such a beautiful place to spend a couple days. Weather riding the 8.5 miles on a bike around the perimeter of the island or taking a carriage ride up to Fort Holmes (highly recommend Sam if you can get him), It’s very easy to relax and have a good time here
