Travel Planner
“Fall in the Eastern U.P.”
Episode #1912 Travel planner
Time to go back to Tahquamenon Falls and take a long hike on the Lake Superior shoreline. We include a color tour of an ancient Indian burial ground.
Sault Ste Marie
Location: Sault Ste. Marie is located at the northern end of I-75 in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Exit 392 enters onto the I-75 Business Spur at the city limits, and Exit 394 enters onto Easterday Avenue in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
Sault Ste. Marie is one of the most popular vacation destination in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for some very good reasons. With year round recreational activities, historical sites, the world-famous Soo Locks, Tahquamenon Falls, and spectacular lighthouses, forests and waters. And don't forget there is some of the best fishing on the St. Mary's River. There is always something to do in “The Soo”.
Museum Ship Valley Camp
Location: Corner of Johnston Street & Water Street - Sault Ste Marie, MI
Phone: (906) 632-3658
Open: May - October
Explore an actual Great Lakes freighter! The Museum Ship VALLEY CAMP offers more than just a tour of her deck. Housed inside her massive cargo holds is a 20,000 square foot museum with over 100 exhibits including the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial & Exhibit, four Aquariums and Crews' Quarters.
- Museum Ship Valley Camp [Sault Historic Sites]
Tower of History
Location: 326 E Portage Avenue - Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906) 632-3658
Open: May - October
Rising 210 feet above Sault Ste. Marie, the Tower of History gives visitors a 360 degree view of the entire Sault area from the Sault Locks and the St. Mary’s River to the Canadian wilderness. An express elevator whisks visitors to the top for a panoramic view of up to 1,200 square miles, including the Sault Locks, the St. Mary’s River, and the Canadian wilderness.
- Tower of History [Sault Historic Sites]
LSSU Center for Freshwater Research and Education
Location: East End of Cloverland Electric Cooperative Hydroelectric Plant - end of Salmon Run Way, Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Phone: For a Tour Appointment Call (906) 635-1949
Formerly the Aquatic Research Laboratory (ARL), the Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE) Fish Hatchery is a student ran hatchery, located on the St. Marys River. Here, CFRE has been rearing Atlantic Salmon for over 30 years, giving students a hands on aquaculture experience year round. The research lab facilities are open to the public and we are happy to accomodate anyone who would like a tour. When you visit us on the beautiful St. Marys River you will witness the various stage of rearing fish -- from egg collection to hatching of the offspring -- and then you will see full grown fish in our tanks. Our students at the laboratory will show you the research projects they are working on and you will also be able to talk with the professors conducting their own research. Everyone is encouraged to tour our facilities -- whether you are with a tour group, a class, or a prospective student.
- CFRE Fish Hatchery [Lake Superior State University]
- CFRE Fish Cam [Lake Superior State University]
The Antlers Restaurant
Location: 804 East Portage Avenue - Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906) 253-1728
Hours: Open Daily 11:30am - 8pm
The Antlers, in Sault Ste. Marie, has a storied history that worth checking out, including legends of ghosts. Part of the legend of the restaurant includes all the various antlers, animals ranging from deer, antelope, bears, big cats and even fish. They also have a set of boat whistles, horns, and bells that get played frequently to the delight of our customers. Kids love it, with antlers to wear and everything to see, including a huge mounted polar bear.
Soo Locks Boat Tours
Location: 515 East Portage Avenue - Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906) 632-2512
Open: May - October (Check Website for Full Schedule)
Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours provides an educational tour of historic Sault Ste. Marie and an engaging experience of passing through the Soo Locks. Proudly operating since 1959, Famous continues the tradition of highlighting history and attractions for a relaxing and memorable experience for locals and visitors. Our yellow and blue boats, the Nokomis and LeVoyageur, accommodate 150 passengers and feature a full snack bar with beer, wine and hard seltzers.
Soo Brewing Company
Location: 100 West Portage Avenue - Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906) 259-5035
Hours: Mon-Thu 12 Noon - 9pm | Fri-Sat 12 Noon - 10pm
Soo Brewing Company / 1668 Winery produces beers and wines that the people of Sault Sainte Marie can be proud of – that meets and exceeds the highest standard, our own. Our products are unique and innovative, yet hold true to the old-world traditions of our ancestors. We keep our prices affordable, allowing everyday people the opportunity to enjoy great hand-crafted beers and wines. Come and hang out, listen to some music, have some lively conversation, and enjoy a cold fresh beer – freshest beer in Sault Sainte Marie!
Kewadin Casino
Location: 2186 Shunk Road - Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone: 1 (800) KEWADIN
Whenever you're in Michigan's UP you're never far from a Kewadin Casino experience. Whether you are staying on the premises or dropping in for entertainment, you will be captivated by the bright lights, and the cha-chings coming from winning at the slot machines. If you prefer, there also are table games, bingo and keno in the casino, as well as great food in the Rapids Lounge and Dream Catcher Restaurant. Visitors come not only for the great gaming but to see some well-known performers in the Dream Makers Theater. From live entertainment to gaming promotions and events, there's always something going on at Kewadin.
Spectacle Lake Overlook / Mission Hill Cemetery
Directions to Overlook: From the intersection of M-28 and I-75, drive west 7.5 miles on M-28 to M-221. Turn right (north) on M-221 towards Brimley, and drive 2.5 miles until M-221 ends at Lakeshore Drive. Turn left (west) and drive 5.3 miles on Lakeshore Drive to Tower Road. Turn left (west) on Tower Road and drive 1.4 miles to the overlook. The road is paved to the overlook, but is only one lane wide going up the hill. The overlook is at the right at the end of the pavement.
The view from this overlook is something you will not soon forget. From this place, visitors can view Lake Superior, the Saint Mary's River, Spectacle Lake, the western shore of Canada, and beautiful hardwoods mixed with towering pines.
- Spectacle Lake Scenic Overlook [Hiawatha National Forest]
Native American Burial Ground
Location: Lakeshore Drive between South Pond and Lake Superior - Bay Mills, MI
Along Lake Shore Drive in Bay Mills is a more ancient Old Indian Burial Ground. A unique feature of this preserved site is that many descendants of the families buried here still reside in Bay Mills.
- Historic Michigan Tribal Burial Ground Threatened By Coastal Erosion [MLIVE News Story]
Point Iroquois Light Station
Location: 12942 W Lakeshore Drive - Brimley, MI
Phone: (906) 437-5272
Point Iroquois Light Station is located along the scenic Lake Superior shore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The lighthouse museum reveals the stories of the lightkeepers and their families through family album photographs, antiques, and artifacts. Learn about the fourth order Fresnel lens that could project a light for sixteen miles. Climb the 72 steps to the top of the tower for a picturesque view of Lake Superior. Observe the freighters traveling through Whitefish Bay as you walk along a cobblestone beach in search of agates. Browse through the book shop, which offers a wide selection of historical readings about the Great Lakes. Step back in time and visit the west wing exhibit. The assistant keeper's apartment is restored to the way it looked in the early 1950s.
- Point Iroquois Light Station [Hiawatha National Forest]
- Point Iroquois Light Station [Visit Sault Ste Marie]
Whitefish Point Light / Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
Location: 18335 N Whitefish Point Road - Paradise, MI 49768
Phone: (888) 492-3747
Open: May - October
Whitefish Point is located at the extreme southeastern end of Lake Superior. It is a critical turning point for all vessel traffic entering and leaving this largest of all the Great Lakes. The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, but there was no money for restoration. In 1980, Whitefish Township approached the fledging Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society for assistance in preserving this important property. The Society obtained a License from the Coast Guard in 1983 to commence museum operations; opened the first exhibits in 1985; and opened the present Shipwreck Museum Building in 1987.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Location: 41382 W M-123 - Paradise, MI 49768
Phone: (906) 492-3415
Open: Year-Round
Located in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula, Tahquamenon Falls State Park offers over 48,000 acres of wilderness to explore, with the mighty Tahquamenon River running through it. Many visitors are drawn to the famous Upper Falls, which at 50 feet tall and 200 feet wide is Michigan's largest waterfall. The Lower Falls, located 4 miles downstream, are equally beautiful with multiple viewing opportunities.
- Tahquamenon Falls State Park [Michigan DNR]
- Tahquamenon Fall State Park - Map [Michigan DNR]
Grand Marais / lake Superior Brewing Company
LAKE SUPERIOR BREWING COMPANY
Location: 14283 Lake Ave - Grand Marais, MI 49839
Phone: (906) 494-2337
Welcome to the Lake Superior Brewing Company, the place to be when you're in Grand Marais. From our handcrafted beers to our delicious brewpub cuisine, we know you're going to want to come back again and again. Nestled near the shore of Lake Superior we know that our unique atmosphere is unparalleled. Steeped in the history of a harsh environment and life in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the LSBC reflects bygone days while blending in its own contemporary identity.
Sable Falls
Location: One Mile West of Grand Marais, MI on Alger County Road H-58
Sable Falls tumbles 75 feet over several cliffs of Munising and Jacobsville sandstone formations on its way to Lake Superior. The first viewing platform to the falls is down a staircase with some 170 steps. The .5 mile trail to Lake Superior beach is a nice walk. Pets are not permitted on this trail.
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Sable Falls [National Park Service]