How to Get the Most Out of Time in Michigan

[CarnationSailor]

My wife and I are planning a trip to the Midwest from the Seattle area next June. The purpose is primarily to visit family in central Illinois and see sites going and coming. However, we also want to spend about 15 days seeing the sites of the upper Midwest (Michigan/Wisconsin). Since this may be the only time we get to the Midwest, we want to spend the time exploring the best areas. (No little ones so only interested in senior adult activities and places.)

We have been told that Michigan's Upper Peninsula (UP) is a "must see", and my wife wants to see Door County, WI.

After a little research, I came up with this:

5 days in Straits State Park (to see Mackinac Island & other sites on the southern part of the UP)

5 days in McLain State Park (to see Keweenaw Peninsula & other sites on Lake Superior)

5 days in Door County, WI

Is this a good plan?

Are there any "must see's" in lower Michigan since we have to drive thru it anyway?

Would we be better off to pick one stop on the UP (instead of two) and spend 10 days there?

Thanks

[rexlion]

Anybody driving through Ishpeming, if you happen to run into Gary Garceau, tell him he still owes me that money he borrowed when we were NMU roomates in '76! 😄

[tatest]

What interests you?

Coming from Michigan (first 22 year plus 3 more later) and visiting often, my highest priority is the Detroit area, and revisiting The Henry Ford (Museum and Greenfield Village).

I like Mackinac Island (visited three times), the Marquette area to see the Iron Range and forests, the Keweenaw (copper mining country), but I'm a geologist and you might not be.

I like the Interlochen area for the arts camp and proximity to Traverse City, a major destination for Michigan Yuppie culture.

I like sitting on one of the tens of thousands Michigan lakes with my kid sisters, watching sunsets and drinking their wine.

My sisters like going to the beach, I don't. But if you like going to the beach, there are many natural wave-built beaches on 2400 miles of shoreline. The water can tend to be cold for those who like their beaches in the Caribbean style.

There are no "must sees" in the Midwest, in the sense of uniques natural wonders like Yellowstone. Most places of interest depend on your interest.

In Wisconsin, I like Baraboo, for a special geologic feature (the quartzite syncline) and the circus museum. Other people go to the same area for the theme parks at The Dells.

Timing means something. Much of what is popular in the summer may not be open from late October until May, and the resort areas most popular in the winter can be pretty dead in the summer, except for sporadic special events like holding rock concerts or Frisbee tournaments at otherwise closed ski resorts.

[DaYooper]

Things could still be cool in June areas of the UP may still have ice on Superior in May, so be warned.

If you're coming up from Illinois hit the Door, I still want to see it then you could hit a variety of places traveling along the Lake Michigan side of the UP including Big Springs, Fayette State Park and onto St Ignace. We had friends stay at Straits SP and they said it was real tight. Others here seem to like Mackinaw Mill Creek south of the bridge.

The Soo is nice but you may not have the time, I've met many that like Aune Osbourne on the St Mary's, with the ability to watch freighters from your site and up close. Soo Lock Tours and Museum Ship Valley Camp.

The falls is nice, Whitefish Pointe, and I am partial to Crisp Point Lighthouse since we have volunteered there in the past, but that is too adventurous for some.

Pictured Rocks is a must, Grand Marais is on the eastern end and Woodland Campground is first come first served city campground with water, electric, and cable, no sewer. Small town with a couple of restaurants, not much else but a town we enjoy.

Munising is on the western end and has much more in the way of stores. Munising Tourist Park has some full hookups and sites right on Superior. I believe there early reservations started Oct 1 for 2016.

If you like to kayak, checkout Michigan Paddling or Uncle Ducky's on Facebook, they run 2 for 1 specials in January or February and you can kayak along the Rocks. Makes for a much more personal and up close experience compared to the boat tours. June could be tough due to weather and temps.

I think Mclain State Park is a fine choice and has beautiful sunsets. Great base camp to explore the Keweenaw and surrounding areas, Copper Harbor can be visited in a day with your short schedule from Mclain. Houghton also has a campground on the Portage Canal that may have full hook ups but without the sunsets.

If your into hiking stop at Porcupine Mtns, if not you can easily stop in and see the Lake of the Clouds overlook and stop along the western end along the Black River and see some of the falls, a real beautiful area too.

Keep on trucking and hit the Apostle Islands, I haven't been there as of yet but read some good threads on camping in Wisconsin and possibly the Duluth area.

Enjoy

[2gypsies1]

garmp1 wrote:
We also are thinking of a trip to that area, probably April-ish of '16.

April is much too early for Michigan, especially the Upper Peninsula. There's still a possibility of snow in May!

[JesLookin]

I'd take one of your Door County days and head into Green Bay & tour Lambeau Field and the Packer Hall of Fame. Lots of football history.

[CarnationSailor]

Thanks for all the great info! Looking forward to getting there next Spring.

[garmp]

Boy, a ton of great info here. We also are thinking of a trip to that area, probably April-ish of '16.
flylipsdaddy, you just created THE MUST GO reason for that locale for our trip: The Gay Bar!!! That just tipped the scales in favor of the UP. Now it's a must.
Thanks all for the info!

[flylipsdaddy]

I never saw Casino's mentioned as all of the ones we visited in michigan had camping available and most were free and some even had electric.In the LP,Greenfield village 1 day,Sleeping bear dunes and area 2 days,Then up to da UP - Mack Island 1 day,in nice weather don't miss Castle rock,incredible view of the area.St Ignace Casino has free camping and some available with electric and you can unhook there and check out the area,the Soo Locks are a day trip from there. Then head west to Taquomenom falls and Whitefish point 1 day.Then to Munising and Pictured Rocks late afternoon,Nice campground there west of town on Lake Superior.The rest has pretty much been covered,Copper harbor area is a 1 day trip and a Cute little campground Right on Lake superior is just North of Gay,Michigan,maybe 15 sites.Stop in the Gay Bar in Gay Mi.and they'll point ya in da right direction.

[2gypsies1]

If lighthouses is your thing, Michigan is the place. We've given tours in Michigan and at other lighthouses and one of our 'trick questions' we ask during a warm-up period with the group is "What state has the most lighthouses"? Surprisingly, Michigan is the answer. Just think of all the surrounding water of both lower and upper peninsula. Most people answer Oregon.

[Parrothead_Mike]

I've lived, traveled, or camped throughout most of Michigan. My favorite areas are NW Lower Peninsula, specifically the Leelanau Peninsula from Manistee (take M-22 north) to Leland/Suttons Bay and then down to Traverse City. This would include Sleeping Bear. Indigo Bluffs Campground near Empire is a good location to visit this area. It is a busier area for good reason.

You can follow US-31 up the coast through Charlevoix and Petoskey to Mackinaw City. Wilderness State Park west of Mackinaw City is an option if you can' get into Straits State Park in St. Ignace. The Island is definitely worth visiting. Also get up to Sault Ste. Marie to see the Soo Locks. We also like Brimley State Park west of the Soo. Tahquamenon Falls (upper & lower falls) near Paradise is very nice.

Further west is Munising. Take the Pictured Rocks cruise. Tourist Park just west of Munising is a nice campground right on the water with views of Grand Island.

For a short stop on the way from Munising west you might want to check out Da Yoopers Tourist Trap in Ishpeming. It's right on M-28/US-41. Corny tourist stuff. There are several state parks along the way to Copper Harbor and Fort Wilkins State Park. The old fort is a very short walk from the campground. A short drive from Copper Harbor along M-26 goes to Eagle Harbor and just south of that is an interesting stop at the Jampot Bakery run by monks. Some delicious goodies can be found here.

The Porcupine Mountains State Park is huge. If you enjoy short hikes and waterfalls this park has them. My favorite, by far, is at the south end of the park near the rustic campground (Union Bay campground is at the north end & has electric). The south end of the park is a bit of a drive from the north end, but if you're down there try to take the hike along the Presque Isle River. You can hike both sides of the river if you have time. Plenty of water falls and virgin forest. In spots you can walk right out into the river on rocks. From there you can hook back up to M-28 and US-2 on your way to Wisconsin.

Happy Travels!

[Pirate1]

..dupe sorry

[Pirate1]

Skip Sleeping Bear and go directly to the UP, after spending maybe a couple days near Mac. I would drive directly from Mac to the Soo, then to Paradise (Tahquamenon) along Lake Superior Scenic Drive. On to Munising. Stay a couple days. Drive up to Grand Marais, see Pictured Rocks. The northwest section of the lower peninsula is higher priced, busier, and not as beautiful as other parts of MI.

[Old_Teacher]

I would suggest a day at the Silver Lake area. Neat sand dunes to hike and a ride in the dunes and along the shore is very scenic. We like the Silver Creek RV resort. Could spend several days in the area. Pentwater is 15 miles north and a neat village. Make sure you go to a "fish boil" while there.

[dbbls]

The Henry Ford museum is the best I have ever seen, and I have seen lot of them.