Travel Planner
“Scenic Byway 2”
Episode #1606 Travel planner
Our tour of the U.S. 2 scenic byway continues as we leave Manistique and continue West to Iron Mountain. Stops along the way include Fayette State Park, Big Bay De Noc and a trip to the top of Michigan’s oldest ski hill.
Thompson State Fish Hatchery
Location: 944 S State Highway M-149 - Manistique, MI
Phone: (906) 341-5587
Enjoy the interpretative programs that provide information on the importance of small tributaries to the Great Lakes, how watersheds work and how a hatchery operates. With both indoor and outdoor rearing facilities the fish hatchery produces a wide range of fish species for both inland and Great Lakes waters. Coldwater species produced for Great Lakes waters include Atlantic salmon (the only state hatchery to produce these fish), brown trout, steelhead, and chinook salmon. Brown trout and rainbow trout for inland waters are also produced at this hatchery. Coolwater species produced at this facility include walleye and northern muskellunge that are used for both inland and Great Lakes waters. Open to the public at no charge 7:30 am to 3:30 pm seven days a week.
- Thompson State Fish Hatchery [Visit Manistique]
- Thompson State Fish Hatchery [Michigan DNR]
Fayette Historic State Park
Location: 4785 II Road - Garden, Michigan
Phone: (906) 644-2603
Fayette was once one of the Upper Peninsula's most productive iron-smelting operations. Located on the Garden Peninsula at Snail Shell Harbor. When the charcoal iron market began to decline, the Jackson Iron Company closed its Fayette smelting operation in 1891. It is now a completely restored village including 22 historic buildings, museum exhibits and the visitor center, which can be toured May through October. The historic site is located in Fayette State Park.
- Fayette Historic State Park [Visit Manistique]
- Fayette Historic State Park [Michigan DNR]
- Fayette Historic Townsite [Michigan DNR]
- The Dock Grill and Bar
Peninsula Point Lighthouse
Location: Stonington Peninsula
Lat: 45.6680 Long: -86.9670
The Michigan historical lighthouse at Peninsula Point was completed in 1865, and the lantern was lighted for the first time. The building consisted of a 40 ft. tall light tower with a beacon lit by an oil lamp and reflectors. Attached to the north side of the tower was a 1-1/2 story brick home for the and his family. The light went out for the last time in 1936. In 1937, the USDA-Forest Service was granted custodianship, repairs were made to the buildings, and public picnic grounds were constructed by the Civilian conservation Corps. The Stonington Grange took over the maintenance of the structure and grounds and in 1949 won first prize in their State contest for their work at the Michigan historical lighthouse. The lighthouse keeper’s quarters burned in 1959, but the brick tower survived and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today visitors can climb the 40 foot circular staircase to find a panoramic view of Lake Michigan. Rest rooms, as well as tables and grills for picnics, are available. The limestone shoreline yields fossils estimated at 400-500 million years old. And Peninsula Point is also a popular spot to enjoy the Monarch Butterfly and bird migration.
- Peninsula Point Lighthouse [Hiawatha National Forest]
Sand Point Lighthouse
Location: 16 Water Plant Road - Escanaba MI
Established in 1867 by the National Lighthouse Service, Sand Point's light has guided ships through squalls and shoals throughout its colorful history. A fire in 1886 destroyed the structure, but the lighthouse was rebuilt and served the sailing public until its decommissioning by the Coast Guard in 1939. Today an electronic club light guides boats into the harbor, and the lighthouse has been restored as a maritime museum.
- Sand Point Lighthouse [Delta County Historical Society]
Piers Gorge
Location: Menominee River at the end of Piers Gorge Road - south of Norway MI
Piers Gorge is a beautiful gorge that has been formed by the Menominee River. It gets its name from the drops that look like “piers” as they fall over rock ledges. These create four sets of rapids. The biggest of the drops is about 8′ high and is named Mishicot Falls. There is a nice hiking trail that runs alongside these ledges and drops. It is well-maintained and runs 1-2 miles up the river. The first and second piers are located a short 1/4 mile hike upstream from the parking lot. After these is the largest drop, Mishicot Falls. There is a nice overlook high above the falls, and you can also get down close to the water if you wish. The last of the Piers is located about 1 mile upstream from Mishicot Falls. This drop is called Sand Portage Falls. Piers Gorge is also a popular whitewater rafting destination.
- Norway, Michigan [Official Website]
- Menominee River Whitewater Rafting [Wildman Adventure Resort]
- Upper Michigan's Piers Gorge [Facebook]
Iron Mountain Iron Mine
Location: W4852 US-2 - Vulcan MI
Phone: (906) 563-8077
In 1956 three Iron Mountain businessmen, Eugene Carollo, Albert Carollo, and James Goulette had an idea for an attraction that would give people a view of iron mining as it once existed. On the site of the East Vulcan mine Eugene Carollo re-discovered an exploratory tunnel, which had not been used since the late 1800s. Guided tours take visitors 2600 feet into the Iron Mountain Iron Mine's drifts and stopes. The only portion open to the public is the exploratory tunnel. A major attraction of the tour is the "big stope" -- a man-made underground cavity that was created by years of mining. Much of the 22 million tons of ore taken from the mine came from this area, that measures 600 feet long, 300 feet wide and a distance of 180 feet from stope floor to ceiling. The Iron Montain Iron Mine is a popular Upper Peninsula tourist attraction that is now known world wide. Underground train tours are conducted daily from 9am to 5pm from Memorial Weekend to October 15th with experienced guides.
Pine Mountain Ski Jump
Location: N3332 Pine Mountain Road - Iron Mountain MI
Phone: (906) 774-2747
The Pine Mountain Ski Jump is one of the highest artificially created ski jumps in the world, located in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Dickinson County. The Pine Mountain Ski Jump is known throughout the world as one of the best jumping hills. Every year The Kiwanis Ski Club hosts the best jumping tournament in the United States. Year after year the top jumpers in the world make their way to Pine Mountain to partake in this historic event. Records in all classes have been set on Pine Mountain; at 140 meters/459 feet, the U.S. record is still held here.
Fumee Falls
Location: US-2 - Quinnesec MI (between Iron Mountain and Norway)
Roadside park off of US Highway 2 offering stairs to the top with a viewing platform of the waterfall, plus picnic spots.