Travel to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
If you’ve ever been to you U.P., I highly encourage you add this to your bucket list. You can do it all for a pretty good price, and I promise you that you will not regret. I lived in the U.P. for 18 years, then in lower Michigan for three, and now in Chicago. When I tell you there’s no place like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I really mean it.
Here’s where I think you should go, and why:
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island is such a landmark, and it was the second national park in the United States! You can drive to St. Ignace (in the U.P.) or to Mackinaw City, in the lower peninsula. Park your car and take the beautiful fifteen minute ferry ride to the island.
You’re greeted by beautiful horses pulling carriages, the magnificent Grand Hotel, famous Mackinac Island fudge, and so much more.
I recommend renting bikes and biking the island. It’s about 8 miles, and it took me less than an hour (biking leisurely and enjoying the views). Stop for a swim, grab a bite to eat, and take as many pictures as you can. It’s amazing!
Black Rocks, Marquette MI
If you’re in the U.P. at any point, Marquette is a must see. Head to Presque Isle, explore the park, but definitely make a point to stop at Black Rocks at Presque Isle. A lot of people like to jump off Black Rocks into Lake Superior, but I’ve only done it once. Lake Superior is pretty cold.
There’s a lot of great food and sites in Marquette, it’s definitely a city meant for people who like to be outside. Sugarloaf Mountain, Hogsback Mountain, and Presque Isle Park are the best for being outdoors, and Black Rocks Brewery and Portside Inn are my favorite spots to eat. Oh, and Baby Cakes for dessert.
Kitch-iti-kipi
“…One of the most mystical places in the Upper Peninsula is Kitch-iti-kipi, the “Big Spring.” Its ever-bubbling teal-colored water has mesmerizing powers, something the Ojibwa discovered centuries ago. They nicknamed this ancient spring the “Mirror of Heaven.”…”
Kitchitikipi is SO cool. The most recent time I went, we went pretty early in the morning, so they was a light fog over the spring. Honeslty, I didn’t mind that. There were way less people there, and as you can see to the left, everything still looked so beautiful. You can stop here and see the whole thing in under thirty minutes- and you won’t feel like you’re missing anything. I recommend adding this in on your way to another U.P. destination, such as Marquette or Mackinac Island.