Need help with Upper Peninsula of Michigan
 

We are thinking of changing some of our vacation plans around and thought maybe some fodor friends could assist.

Originally, we were going to salmon fish in Manistee and then stay the remainder of the week in Boyne Falls.

Now, we are talking of still doing our fishing trip in Manistee, but after fishing driving on up to the UP and across Michigan to Wisconsin and coming down through the Dells or the Doors (or whatever that peninsula is called). I do know that The Dells and Door County are different.

We will fish on October 9th and be on vacation until the 15th. Is this too late in the year to go to the UP? Would 2 days be sufficient to see and do things there?
What about lodging? Any just killer places to stay while there?

The real icee is an outdoorsman...now, I love it, but get nervous that we will have a blizzard in October or some such thing!

Any advice on lodging or eats or things to do or see in the UP is certainly appreciated.



i'2

The fall colors are pretty much done in the interior UP at that time (around October 15). If that is important, you should stick to the Lake Superior shoreline, where the relatively warm water temp slows things down. It is beautiful in the Keweenaw Peninsula at that time.

Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is a nice place, on Brockaway Mountain. There are several places to stay in Copper Harbor as well.

All of the central/western UP is beautiful. You may get a little snow at that time, but probably not a blizzard.

The Dells are OK, as is Door County. Both are touristy for my taste. I follow the Kauai posts on this site, so if the north shore is your place, you will like the UP better.

Thanks pinkie! Had not even considered going to the Keweenaw Peninsula, but it certainly is appealing and now a consideration.

Ok, now we will drive north from Manistee to get to the UP. Is it worth it to drive all the way to Whitefish Point? We do want to do the Tahquamenon Falls while in that area, don't we? Then we were thinking of heading west to The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and staying a night in Munising. I saw where the Holiday Inn Express-Lakeview seemed to be in a great location...and I also saw Sunset Motel on the Bay which appealed to me. Or......should we keep driving?

Now, I just have this sneaking feeling that the real icee is going to want to cast a fly somewhere else along this route. You know any good fishing places or guides to recommend?

We took our first trip to northern Michigan 2 years ago, but never made it to the UP except to go to the Soo Locks which we loved.

Now, pinkie, please don't rat me out to the K9's, but we thought Northern Michigan and those Great Lakes were pretty danged close to being as grand as Kauai........

Any info you can send my way will be more than appeciated!!!!!

i'2

Last year DD and I drove to Houghton on October 9 to see DS at school. The colors in the Keewanaw were GORGEOUS. Color varied between the Mackinaw Bridge and Houghton.

If you go to Tahquamenon Falls, Whitefish Point is a short detour. You may hit the end of some bird migrations at that time. The lighthouse at the point has overnight accommodations.

The Holiday Inn is only about a year old and does have a sweeping view over the bay and to Grand Island.

Some things may be closed in the UP but hiking and fishing are always on somewhere.

We had a few slushy flurries last year on our drive up, but the rest of the time was clear blue skies.

Thanks for the info SuzieTrue. You were a big help to me when we went up 2 years ago. And, I thank you again.

Now, driving from North Georgia, how would you suggest we go to Manistee? Last time we went I-75 to 23 and then somewhere we cut over to 127. I was thinking this time, we might want to go Lansing, Grand Rapids and then up the coast. Is that a good way or not?

Going across US 2 toward Wisconsin, the colors will last longer than anywhere else in the UP, particularly toward Escanaba. (Lake Michigan is wamer than Lake Superior) Weather is never certain, but it should be pleasent.

For a pleasent stop, consider visting Seul Choix Pointe Light near Gullive.

Keith

Definitely yes to Tahquamenon Falls. If you have time at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, 12-Mile Beach is beautiful (rough road though).

There's not much in Munising. If you have time, there are a lot more food/lodging choices in Marquette. Tommy's Restaurant is really good, inexpensive, casual food.

If you have more time after the Keweenaw, go west to Porcupine Mountains and Black River Harbor (lots of waterfalls). These are beautiful areas.

Sorry, I can't help you with fishing advice in those areas.

You might want to get "Hunt's Guide to Michigan's Upper Peninsula." They have a website.

Hope you have a good trip, and maybe the snow will hold off. Snow squalls over Lake Superior seen from the top of Brockaway Mountain are a pretty sight, though.

iceeu2,

Definitely try the Lansing to Grand Rapids then north drive. You will hit some pretty spots on US 31 north of Muskegon.

Suzie

I am getting so excited now. Have checked out numerous websites and don't think we can wrong anywhere in the UP. Keep the ideas coming.