Fla to UP ideas for 2015

[FloridaNative49]

We're in Fla. Recently retired with more time for RVing. Would love to hear about your UP adventures. We're very familiar with E coast, some out West, and NC/Smokies but know little about Central US. Looking to plan 2015 trip to UP and whatever along the way? Best months? Thnx in advance for any help.

[johnsonbert]

All of the places mentioned are great sites, both in the UP and in the lower part of Michigan. The weather in September can vary, but would normally be long sleeve shirt weather. The trees will be starting to change in September as a rule. There have been years where it has been colder than normal in September and snowed some, but would be unusual. Lots of places to stay and things to do up there. Enjoy the trip. St Ignace is a very historic area and a good jumping off spot for Mackinac Island. Hope this may help Happy Trails Bert.

[Laman]

This is timely info. for me also but let me ask a question. I will be attending a shooting competition in Holton Mi. the third week of Sept. but would like to visit the UP the two weeks before but what about the weather, cool, cold, in between? I love the cold but my wife not so much, any hints? However if the fall colors are in that would sell her not matter the temperature.

[Dog_Trainer]

The Mi. UP is a unique experience. June through august is a good time to visit but you will need some bug /mosquito protection. We will be up there in 3 weeks for 3 weeks. If you have not experienced the color of the maple trees changing then it can take your breath away but that is a late September early October trip. If you truly enjoy the out of doors the UP offers a great deal of hiking and nature adventures. Other posters have pointed out some of the highlights. I will ad a trip to Mackinaw island where no cars or buses are allowed you can spend a day or week exploring by foot, bicycle or horse. Take in the the Mighty Mac ( our 5 mile long expansion bridge connecting the upper and lower peninsula) There are an abundance of waterfalls set along beautiful streams and rivers that empty into lake superior or lk. Michigan. Copper harbor has a great amount of history and you can see how the Copper and Iron ore business shaped the region. There are tours of old copper and iron ore mines throughout the area. You might even experience a spectacular northern lights show on a summer evening. Many small to medium casinos dot the routes some have quite nice RV parks and all will at least let you dry camp. Lk. Gogebic is the UP's largest lake with a state park on the shore a nice place to chill out. The last time I went across that area I watched a big Wolf come across the road and saunder up a power line. Marquette has quite a nice area to explore and learn about the missions, fur trade and early life in the UP. There are moose, black bear, wolves, deer , eagles and other animals that you may be fortunate enough to spot. Many state and national forest campgrounds for a more primitive type camping experience along with Michigans several State parks with many good sites many with water access. Charter fishing along the top of Lk. Michigan on Big and little Bay de noc can get you into some good Walleyes. Really there is so much to do and see if you love the out of doors you can come back time after time. I have been going up to the UP for 50+ years and still I am looking forward to this years trip. BTW if you get there at the right times you can pick and enjoy wild Blueberries (mi. huckleberries) , strawberries and my favorite Blackberries.

[Biocruiser]

I was born and raised in Michigan - there are some great ideas above on the UP. We are headed there later this summer. I also highly recommend the Petoskey and Traverse City area - lots to do there:

Rent a boat on Torch Lake or one of the other "chain of lakes"
Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes - one of of my favorite National Parks with amazing views
Drive the Tunnel of Trees near Harbor Springs
Take in the wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula with great views of Grand Traverse Bay
Golf on one of the great courses in the area
Have some great pie at Traverse City Pie company
Bike on the Little Traverse Wheelway

If you want to try out a high end Class A RV resort - we like Bay Harbor Signature and will be trying out Hearthside Grove this summer. Both are among the best in the country (but pricey!).

[FloridaNative49]

Great ideas! Keep'em coming.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Island Resort & Casino in Harris MI has small RV park very reasonble. Hwy 2.
Don't miss: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum - Whitefish Point
Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit
18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, MI 49768
Soo Locks Sault St Marie - watch ships.
Mackinaw Bridge and Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island.
Kentucky: Corvette and Cadillac Plant in Bowling Green tour.
Detroit: Henry Ford museum and tour the Ford Truck plant in Dearborn.

[Richert]

Go to the UP and have fun, we did a 3 week tour up there a couple of summers ago, needed more time. Go to the Soo while there and ride through the locks, try eating some "pasties" not sure if it is spelled correctly. All the places JoeH went are fun, not all of them are in the UP. Just be sure and take insect repellant, black flies and mosquitos also live in the UP, I think they have the humans outnumbered 10,000 to 1!!!
We are going back again this summer.

[JoeH]

We drove up there from the Tampa area 3 years ago. Did pretty much what dewey02 listed. Mackinac Island, Soo Locks,Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks,etc. Also spent time at Sleeping Bear Dunes and several other interesting places like Traverse City ,Petowskey and others. We were up there in July and August . The weather was pleasant. .

[FloridaNative49]

Awesome, thanks!

[dewey02]

I lived in the UP for several years. It is a GREAT place to visit.
Here are some ideas:
* Mackinac Island - just off the bridge as you cross from LP to UP. great place, no cars, just horse drawn buggies, great fudge, sit on world's longest porch at the majestic Grand Hotel.
Soo Locks - Eastern UP. See Saltwater ships come through the St. Lawrence Seaway through the Great Lakes.
*Tahquamenon Falls - in central UP. Beautiful Falls.
*Kitchi-Ti-Kippi - crystal clear natural spring. You wouldn't expect to see down 100 feet to bottom and see fish that far below you.
*Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - take the boat ride on Lake Superior, its the only way to really see the pictured rocks, but also explore the park and lighthouses on foot.
*Porcupine Mountains State Park - in Western UP. see lake of the clouds.
*Bond, Falls, Agate falls - in Western UP.
*Keewinaw Peninsula & Copper Harbor - NW UP. Beautiful Area.

Visit this website for more ideas: thingstodointheUP.com

[FloridaNative49]

Sorry guess the Upper Peninsula is not as big a deal as I've been led to believe..... That we were the only people who haven't been there. Definitely looking for Central USA (er, United States of America) ideas, up thru Michigan, and perhaps cross over to Canada.

[johnsonbert]

I am going to take a wild guess that UP is the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but I could be wrong. In the area around the great lakes, it is commonly referred to as the UP. Just guessing, hope this may help, and there may be another region referred to by those letters also. Have a great day, Happy trails Bert

[ferndaleflyer]

me to---I still speak English as taught in American schools.....UP is what the sun does in the morning--on a good day!

[2bzy2c]

Maybe my west coast is showing, but what is UP?