Ontonagon County, MI

Hike, mountain bike, paddle, cross-country ski, snowshoe, downhill ski and snowmobile in Michigan’s largest state park — the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Three must-dos while you are here are getting a mountain-high view of the Lake of the Clouds, seeing for miles from Copper Peak and going waterfalling.

St. Ignace

St. Ignace, Michigan, United States

St. Ignace is Michigan’s second oldest city with spectacular waterfront views, resort-town shopping, dining, lodging and recreation. Stop at the Marquette Mission Park & Museum of Ojibwa Culture to learn more about the U.P.’s treasured Native American Culture & History. From St. Ignace, catch a ferry or airplane to Mackinac Island, an experience like no other in Michigan. Here you will travel back in time and spend hours outdoors taking in the historic sights, island sounds and fudge — oh, so much creamy fudge. The island doesn’t permit cars, so you will get around by foot, bicycle or horse. If you need to narrow your list of what to do, rent a bike and pedal around the perimeter of the island, visit Fort Mackinac — and if you don’t stay over at the Grand Hotel, be sure to sit awhile on their picturesque porch (it’s worth the admission fee).

Alger County, MI

This is an absolute-must-see destination along Lake Superior between Munising and Grand Marais. Pictured Rock’s geologic masterpiece is the mineral-stained sandstone cliffs that give the park its name. They stretch for 15 miles along the Lake Superior shoreline. While there is a list of four-season things-to-do that’s 42-miles long, in good-weather months take one of the Pictured Rocks Cruises or Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours.

Mackinac Bridge

St. Ignace, Michigan, United States

This five-mile suspension bridge, one of the largest in the world, straddles the shores of Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsula. Ask anyone, and they will tell you the views of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are extraordinarily stunning. But it’s the feelings of adventure, freedom and relaxation that well up inside when you arrive in the U.P. that are truly magical — the first time and every time thereafter.

Sawmill Rd
Manistique, MI

Kitch-iti-kipi (Big Spring) in Palms Book State Park is Michigan’s largest natural freshwater spring. It is gorgeous all year round. Ride a free raft (even help propel it) to see deep into the clear water’s ethereal depths.

Mackinac County, MI

The Les Cheneaux Islands are an archipelago of 36 small islands in Lake Huron along the southeastern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In late spring through mid-fall, it is a beautiful place to kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard. Both Hessel and Cedarville are replete with shops and galleries featuring a variety of locally made crafts and gifts! In the winter, these towns are good base camps for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice fishing and sledding. The Antique Wooden Boat Show and Festival of Arts are reasons to come on the second weekend of August.

Luce County, MI

Visit Tahquamenon Falls State Park between Newberry and Paradise. Drive or hike to see the magnificent Upper and Lower Falls.

Marquette

Marquette, Michigan, United States

Marquette is the Upper Peninsula’s largest city. Yet for all of its urban amenities, this city and its surrounding area haven’t minimized their passion for outdoor adventure. Downtown shopping, delicious restaurants, rollicking festivals throughout the year, theater, arts, live music, museums and college sports give this city the familiarity of back home. But outdoors, it is miles of biking, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing trails. There is swimming, sailing, kayaking, cliff jumping, scuba diving, fishing, downhill skiing and so much more.

1400 Townsend Dr
Houghton, MI

There is no couch-sitting in the U.P. where there are lots of winter sports to bring you outdoors. But for the best time ever — fly across the snow behind a team of born-to-run dogs. There are multiple places in the U.P., including at some ski resorts, to go mushing or watch dog sled races.