Things You Should See Along Lake Superior Shoreline from Michigan

Where to Travel in Northern Michigan

Our family took a tour along Michigan’s Lake Superior shoreline.  We had not been past White Fish Point in all the years we’d been on to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.    Our trip started  from Wisconsin and we worked our way East. We found some hidden gems along the drive.  There are beautiful beaches and parks to see as well. This article is more on the the places to see along Lake Superior.

Things are different up here.  If you are used to a fast pace, lots of stores, businesses, people and restaurants.  It’s the opposite here.  There is more stretches of road lined with trees. The roads are 2 lanes, one going each direction.  The roads twist and turn and aren’t always paved.  It’s easy to go off your course.  GPS doesn’t always work and cell service is not always be reliable.

You trade all of this in for the views of the roads less traveled.   If you meet a few cool locals along the way, it makes the trip even better.

Michigan’s Lake Superior shoreline

We started our trip along Lake Superior from the Keweenaw Peninsula.  Once known as “Copper Country”, there are many old mine ruins of a long gone booming industry.  You will find beautiful shores and hidden gems along the road, making it worth the drive. Fill your tank, bring some snacks and let’s get started on where to stop and enjoy.  Houghton is the home of the Michigan Technological University.

Here you will find the hidden gem of Houghton- Hancock.  Beautiful architecture in the bridges and building.  Lots of shopping downtown and the food.  We could have ate all our meals at Victoria’s Kitchen. Well worth the stop.

In Hancock, outside of town on M-41, you will find the Quincy Mine & Hoist. You can go on tours of the mine and tour the grounds.  We did not stop at this mine for a tour, but I read they do underground tours of the mine as well.

Jacob Falls – Eagle Harbor, just south of the Jam Pot on M26.  There is a small place to pull off the road and take a photo making it easy to get on and off the highway.

Jampot – Eagle Harbor 6500 State Highway M26, Eagle Harbor – This is worth the stop.  The Jampot is a organic bakery run by happy monks.  Here you will find jams, cookies and other baked goods.  Plan to come in early if you can and be prepared to stand in line.

Michigan’s Lake Superior shoreline – see, stop, do

Marquette

There are so many great things to see in Marquette Michigan. Home of Northern Michigan University.  There are great bakeries here.  Awesome hotels downtown, like the historic Landmark Inn. Downtown has great food.  Check out the local Jilbert Dairy for your ice cream cravings. We enjoyed several of our meals at Donkers.  Donker’s restaurant is upstairs and their general store is downstairs.  The Huron Bakery, I miss their baked goods and huge eclairs.

Lakenenland Junkyard, Marquette

Check out the Lakenenland Junkyard.  You can walk or drive through this sculpture park.  View the junkyard filled with unique sculptures made of metal and junk  Location: 2800 M-28, Marquette

Pictured Rock – Munising

Take a tour by boat, kayak or by foot and see the stunning views.  We took the tour via boat.  I recommend sitting on the right side of the boat on top for the best pictures going there.  When the boat heads back, you do see on the left too for photos.  If you have the arms to take a kayak, I’m sure it is stunning as well. Be sure to check the weather and dress appropriately!

Michigan’s Lake Superior shoreline – all things ships

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum & Point Iroquois Lighthouse, White Fish Point

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is located at the same place the Point Iroquois Lighthouse is at in White Fish Point.  You check tour inside the lighthouse.  Walk up to the shore of Lake Superior and enjoy the view.

Soo Locks Park and Visitors Museum, Sault Ste. Marie

The Soo Locks Park allows you to watch the ships go from Lake Superior to the other great Lakes.  The locks are a system that change the level of water up or down, depending on the direction that the ships are going.  It’s pretty cool to watch. You are right there by the locks.  A must visit if you have not seen this before.

Museum Ship Valley Camp, Salt Ste. Marie

Take a tour of an actual Great Lakes Freighter.  This ship has 20,000 square feet of museum space. Weather permitting you can tour the deck.  See the artifacts recovered from the Edmund Fitzgerald.  Plan to spend at least an hour, if not more on your self guided tour. Location: 501 East Water Street, Sault Ste Marie.

Now it’s your turn which direction will you visit these stops, on your own tour along Michigan’s Lake Superior shoreline?

Check out these other spectacular things to see in Michigan.