Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula in Four Days

To the uninitiated, the Upper Peninsula’s deceptively large size can come as a shock. Visiting the U.P. with too little time can be a real disappointment. The solution is a well-planned four-day getaway. If you have only a few days and are arriving from the Lower Peninsula, follow this plan to take in the highlights of the eastern U.P. Make sure to have your passport on hand, and don’t look at the odometer!

Each of the 385 rooms in the Grand Hotel is decorated differently. Photo © Lembi Buchanan/123rf.

Day 1

Get the lay of the land with a leisurely carriage tour past the Grand Hotel, St. Anne’s Cemetery, and Skull Cave.Arrive on Sunday night and stay at the Boardwalk Inn in St. Ignace. Start your first day with the complimentary breakfast, then take Shepler’s ferry to Mackinac Island to visit Fort Mackinac and the Governor’s Residence. Get the lay of the land with a leisurely carriage tour past the Grand Hotel, St. Anne’s Cemetery, and Skull Cave. If you’re more athletically inclined, rent bicycles from Ryba’s and go on a power ride along Lake Shore Drive, which rings the island’s perimeter. Grab a quick dinner on Main Street, catch the ferry back to St. Ignace, and top it off by taking in a sunset cruise on the Star Line, which offers a narrated tour of the lighthouses at Mackinac Point and on Round Island, and culminates with a view of the Lake Michigan sunset.

Mackinac Island

Day 2

After breakfast, head out early on I-75 north to U.S. 134. Continue on to DeTour Village—as far east as you can go on the mainland peninsula. After strolling through the frozen-in-time hamlet, catch the ferry to Drummond Island for a relaxing 18 holes at The Rock on South Maxton Road. Head back to DeTour for a sumptuous meal at the Port of Call Restaurant. Book a night’s stay at the Spring Lodge Cottages in Les Cheneaux, which offer a tranquil view of the water.

Day 3

After breakfast at Fisher’s Restaurant in DeTour, continue on I-75 to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan’s oldest city. Although there’s plenty to do here, you’ll certainly be able to satisfy your curiosity—and spend a whole day—taking in the majestic locks. Begin at the visitors center to learn about this marvel of engineering before boarding one of the new luncheon cruises offered through Soo Locks Boat Tours, where you can enjoy a buffet lunch while experiencing the transition between Lakes Superior and Huron. After the cruise, cross over the International Bridge to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and visit the interesting Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. Return to the American side for dinner at Freighters, and enjoy the panoramic view of the locks. Check into the storied Ojibway Hotel for a good night’s rest.

Near the Lower Falls in Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Photo © Le Do/123rf.

Day 4

Begin your day, appropriately, at the Cup of the Day on Ashmun Street for a good strong shot of caffeine along with a hearty breakfast. Take Highway 28 west to Highway 123 north before reaching Tahquamenon Falls State Park, home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North America. Plan on experiencing the falls up close—either by hiking the nearby trails or by canoeing the Tahquamenon River. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget. From the park, check into the Paradise Inn, located in its namesake town. Spend an afternoon unwinding, and have a delightful meal at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub before retiring. And don’t forget to make plans for next year.

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Excerpted from the Third Edition of Moon Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.