Pictured Rocks or Soo Locks
 

I will only have time to visit one of these. We will be going the 1st week in October. Which should we visit (two gals in our mid 30s).

For me personally, nothing tops the beauty of the Pictured Rocks. The locks are interesting but can be done in 45-60 minutes.

Or less than 45 minutes. Unless you were looking at doing the boat ride through the locks.

These two attractions are so different that there isn't a clear winner. They are in such different categories.

As Suzie said, the Pictured Rocks are very beautiful. The Locks are an engineering marvel, with the freighters going through a few dozen feet away as a big part of the attraction.

You might let the weather make your decision. If it is a beautiful day, do the Pictured Rocks. If it is overcast, cold and windy, do the Locks.

Keith

Keith has it right. If the weather is good you can't beat the Pictured Rocks. Overcase, rain or drizzle go for the Locks.

Also, if you do the Soo Locks, you might also be able to fit in Tahquamenon Falls, which are nearby (well, closer than Pictured Rocks). Gorgeous, especially in the fall, and with the copper-colored water, not like other falls you may have seen. I was just there last week, and with all the rain we've gotten so far this year, they are very full (unlike 2007, which was very dry).

Great photo opportunities too with the falls and the autumn colors, which should still be good at the beginning of October.

Also, if the weather is very windy and the water choppy, the boat rides to Pictured Rocks can't get very close. And you do want to get close.