Any must see areas in Northern Michigan & Great Lakes?

Talked with cousin this a.m. who lives in UP Michigan. They got snow last night and getting cold. Bring warm clothing...it's also getting close to their hunting season up there.

I was born/raised in UP. Awesomely beautiful country.

Oh, ah, "ya", don't forget to have Blue Moon Ice Cream.

Happy camping.

Well, The list is pretty good, but I would add that you plan at least a day in Saulte Saint Marie. There are two good campgrounds on the river.

When you get to town, have someone go into the visitor center and look at the schedule on the board. It is always wrong, but it is close. Be in the peanut gallery to watch them flush at least one real ship through the lock. There used to be four but there are now really only two and the 1006' ships can only use one.

Be sure to get into the Valley Camp. This takes a lot of walking and climbing, but you get to see a lot about my world.

There is a great historical set on Water Street that most people miss.

The tower is a ho-hum and the River of History Museum is OK if you are museum people.

If you plan to cross into Canada, READ THE RULES FIRST. No firearms, limited alcohol. A DUI is a felony on Canada and if you have one on record it can be an issue.

AND - You will need a passport or equivalent to re-enter the US.

Matt

Cross the border at Sault Ste Marie and take the TransCanada Highway around lake Superior back to Minnesota. Make sure you stay at Lake Superior Provincial Park and Sleeping Giant Provincial park. Take lots of pictures on the TransCanada between Sault Ste Marie and Wawa and stop to see Kakabeka Falls before you cross back over.

X2! We just did this exact route this summer. Sleeping Giant is spectacular. There is a website dedicated to this route here.

Do a Google search for `______ tourism' and put the area, town, province, etc. in the blank space.

I agree with all of the postings but want to again mention stopping at the Soo Locks. I thought it was neat experience to see the freighter go through the locks. Boats don't go through all of the time so it's a good idea to coordinate your visit with a time when a boat is passing through. It takes about 30 minutes but was very neat to see. Believe it or not, my children did not care for this at all. It was too slow of a process for them (and perhaps being Michigan natives seeing a freighter is not a novel experience), but all of the adults enjoyed it and sometimes, just sometimes, kids have to wait for what the adults want. ;-)

Just fyi- each year is different, but we were in the UP last July. It was 38 degrees at night and we wore gloves and made hot chocolate. Also, when we stayed at Tahquamenon Falls the mosquitoes were horrendous; even came into the sealed closed camper. Bring a gallon of bug spray and winter clothes.

Have a great trip.

Many roadside or short distance in waterfalls throughout the upper peninsula. All of the above - Lake of the Clouds, Soo Locks.

GoinThisAway wrote:
I'll add Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Tahquemenon Falls State Park, and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.

Wow, tall order. Way too many cool things to list. The above listed, plus Kitchi-Ti-Kipi (big spring), Porcupine Mts State Park and Copper Harbor in the U.P. In Minnesota - Duluth waterfront/canal park, 8 state parks going up the north shore of Lake Superior along Hwy 61 also know as The North Shore Scenic Drive National Scenic Byway. - great waterfalls and Lake Superior Views all along the way from Duluth to Canada. Gunflint Trail north of Grand Marais. Plus lots more.

I'll add Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Tahquemenon Falls State Park, and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.

Grand Marias MN

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a pretty area worth a visit.

Also, Mackinac Island is nice.