Central Upper Peninsula Travel Guide
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): MyMichiganBeach
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2020
The central part of the Upper Peninsula is a place for outdoors and fun. You can explore the region’s hiking and biking, or kayaking and snowmobiling, depending on the season.
As with much of the Upper Peninsula, it’s a place for people who love the outdoors. Those times of fresh air, cold chills of Winter, cool Spring water, and the warmth of the Summer Sun.
Whether gathering ‘round the fireplace in the Winter, exploring the tributaries in the Spring, or tracing the back paths of the woods for exploration in the Summer, the Central Upper Peninsula has everything travellers need – so let’s explore!
Every trip-minded person needs a roadmap, an itinerary. That’s where we come to help you.
Explore the Central Upper Peninsula
The areas to check out in the Central Upper Peninsula are Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee, and Schoolcraft.
Each of these areas is a place with a specific history and a particular palette of provisions for the excited, or even the weary tourist.
Visit Alger
Alger is a county with a population of about 10,000 people circa 2010. It broke off the Schoolcraft County (at the bottom of the guide) in 1885 and named after a lumber baron, Russell Alexander Alger.
It is home to the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. It has three national protected areas including Grand Island National Recreation Area, part of Hiawatha National Forest, and Picture Rocks National Lakeshore.
Things to Do in Alger
- Camping
Some of the most enjoyable activities throughout the Upper Peninsula are camping. It’s a time to go out with family and/or friends and experience the great outdoors.
- Hiking
Keeping in one place all the time in the forest wouldn’t be the same without some time to move around a bit, luckily, there’s plenty of places to hike including the Grand Island National Recreation Area and Hiawatha National Forest, or along the Picture Rocks National Lakeshore.
- Mountain Biking
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is on the shore of Lake Superior. It has views of the shorelines of Munising and Grand Marais. There’s 47 miles to explore of waterfalls, sand dunes, and rock formations. In 2005 alone, it received nearly 500,000 visitors.
Forest and Lakeshore
- Grand Island National Recreation Area – Grand Island National Recreation Area is a part of the Hiawatha National Forest, in fact. Lots of tourists come through here. Some of their biggest or more fun things to do: camping, hiking, mountain biking, even trapping. Let us know if you see any black bears!
- Hiawatha National Forest – Hiawatha National Forest is named after a Mohawk chief of the same name who brought confederation to Five Iroquian nations. It is a popular place for camping tourism. As well, it has a number of lighthouses along its shores, certainly, worth checking out.
- Picture Rocks National Lakeshore – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is on the shore of Lake Superior. It has views of the shorelines of Munising and Grand Marais. There’s 47 miles to explore of waterfalls, sand dunes, and rock formations. In 2005 alone, it received nearly 500,000 visitors.
Eat in Alger
Alger’s got food for everyone. Whether for the healthy in spirit or for those with a partying self who likes spirits, it’s all there for the eating, and drinking:
Where to Stay in Alger
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Alger, check out some of the inns:
Visit Delta
Delta comes from the Greek letter meaning “delta” to indicate a triangular shape of the original count. A former county incorporative of parts of Dickinson, Iron, Marquette, and Menominee.
As of the 2020 census, there were more than 37,000 people, which is more than many of others, a bit more hustle and bustle.
It contains Hiawatha National Forest, as well as the Hannahville Indian Community and the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
There’s so much hidden in Michigan to explore. Delta is no different.
Things to Do in Delta
- Camping
Delta has some of the best golf courses in the world with four of them ranking in the top fifted best in the Upper Peninsula. trails.
- Car Show
It has a great car show called the Cruisin’ Klassics Classic Car Show. At the show, you can explore some of the areas best classic cars.
- Golfing
Delta has some of the best golf courses in the world with four of them ranking in the top 15 best in the Upper Peninsula. trails.
Forest
- Hiawatha National Forest – The Hiawatha National forest contains a number of distinct wilderness areas: Big Island Lake Wilderness, Delirium Wilderness, Horseshoe Bay Wilderness, Mackinac Wilderness, Rock River Canyon Wilderness, and Round Island Wilderness. In each of these areas, you may have the wonderful opportunity to discover timber wolves, golden eagles, moose, hawks, even wild turkeys! It’s a wonderful place for the experience and the novice outdoorsmen in its richness of presence and colorful sense of life.
Eat in Delta
Delta as some great places, including a grill and pantry to delight any palette:
Where to Stay in Delta
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Delta, try these inns and plaza:
- Hilton Garden Inn Lansing West
- Wild Goose Inn
- Crowne Plaza Lansing West
Visit Dickinson
Dickinson Dickinson was named for U.S. Postaster General Donald M. Dickinson in 1891. It was made from some parts ofIon counties, Marquette, and Menominee.
As of 2010, its population was 26,168. One of the bigger populations of people shown compared to many of the other areas in Michigan.
It can seem as if there aren’t many parks here, because there aren’t; however, one of the charms of Dickinson is its variety of other places.
Including, for example, the WWII Glider & Military Museum. Something any history buff would enjoy. Even if you absolutely must enjoy the outdoors, there’s still plenty of rivers, inland lakes, Piers Gorge, or the Pine Mountain Ski Jump to keep those oudoors appetites satisfied.
Things to Do in Dickinson
- Ski
One of the fun activities while in Michigan, of course, is the use of the immense landscape, forests, rivers, gorges, and more, to be part of the outdoors. With its mountainous regions, including the Pine Mountain Ski Jump, Dickinson has great spots for skiers.
- White Water Rafting
Piers Gorge is a destination spot. As part of its attraction, many people go to hike and then white water raft. Check it out!
Gorge, Mountain, and Museum
- Piers Gorge – An immaculate gorge with a drop called the Mishicot Falls about 8′ high. It has a lovely hiking trail with ledges, so be careful. At the end, you can see the Sand Portage Falls. If you’re into white water rafting, this may be a place for you.
- Pine Mountain Ski Jump – Pine Mountain Ski Jump has some of the best artificial ski jumps in the world, which attracts some of the top jumpers, internationally. If you come at the right time, you can come to see the Pine Mountain Ski Jumping Tournament.
- WWII Glider & Military Museum – You can see a Model A Ford Tudor, a restored WWII CG 4A Glider, a Heiserman Plane, 1930 J3 Piper Cub, footage from WWII, and much more. It’s a sort of 20th century history buffs dream come true.
Eat in Dickinson
Dickinson as a great number of places. Here are some of them:
Where to Stay in Dickinson
If you’re looking to stay overnight or a few in Dickinson, you might want to check out these places.
- Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Norway
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Iron Mountain
- Pine Mountain Ski and Golf Resort
Visit Marquette
Marquette is Marquette started, interestingly enough, with French missionaries from the 17th century. Its development, formally, began in 1844 with the discovery of iron deposits by William Burt and Jacob Houghton.
Its population was on the larger side in the 2010 census at more than 21,000 residents. It sits on the shore of – you guessed it! – Lake Superior.
Its a hub for the shipping of Iron ore. As well, Marquette is a gallery and museum haven.
Things to Do in Marquette
- Gallery Viewing
The artistic and history community of Marquette must be fabulous and richly diverse and integrated into the community, as can be seen with the Oasis Gallery for Contemporary Art. Something any arts and culture person would love.
- Museum Tours
Outside or, maybe, integral to the arts in Marquette, there’s the Marquette Maritime Museum, the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, the DeVos Art Museum, the Marquette County History Museum. All of these provide a sense of a rich, respected history – great for tourists – in Marquette.
Gallery and Museums
- DeVos Arts Museum – The DeVos Arts Museum is part of Northern Michigan University with various exhibitions and programs. It is intended as a place for interdisciplinary thinking and a wide range of perspectives.
- The Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum – The Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum is a hands-on museum for kids. It’s a great educational resource open to children and families, even presenting as a museum by and for children.
Eat in Marquette
Marquette has a great inn, pizzeria, and more, for a tourist to try out:
- Portside Inn
- Aubrey’s Pizzeria and Grill
- Donckers
Where to Stay in Marquette
Its inns and suites are a delight too:
- Hampton Inn Marquette/Waterfront
- Staybridge Suites Marquette
- Landmark Inn
Visit Menominee
Menominee has more than 8,000 people as of the 2010 census. It was the traditional area of the Menominee Indian Tribe.
It was given the English name meaning “wild rice,” which came from a nickname given by Ojibwe neighbours. In short, it was named after the stable of the area.
Despite another small size, its own place as a village and the surrounding areas are marvels to behold.
Things to Do in Menominee
- Walking
If you’re into walking, they have a – literal – walking tour through some of its history in the Historic District Walking Tour.
Some exploration in the downtown of Menominee. There are a number of things to explore, including with an emphasis on the waterfront: a marine, fine dining, a museum, sail-boating, a landmark library, beaches, concerts, an antique car show, and more.
Museums
Menominee Heritage Museum – The Menominee Heritage Museum was formerly the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, which was acquired by the Menominee County Historical Society in 1976. Now, you can learn about immigrants, fur traders, Menominee Indians, and loggers in a former Catholic Church.
Menominee Indian Tribe Cultural Museum – The Menominee Indian Tribe Cultural Museum covers the history of the Menominee, which covered more than 10,000,000 acres of land in the currently named “Wisconson” and “Upper Michigan.” You can learn of the Indigenous peoples of the area with more than 10,000 years of history.
Eat in Menominee
Menominee has some of the more interesting names for restaurants available Delicious food below(!):
Where to Stay in Menominee
Lots of lodges and inns for any weary traveller to sit back, kick off their shoes, and gather some energy from the travails of the day:
- AmericInn by Wyndham Menominee
- Econo Lodge On The Bay
- Best Western Riverfront Inn
Visit Schoolcraft
Schoolcraft has only about 8,214 people or so as of the 2010 census, so counts as a village. It was named after ethnologist Henry Schoolcraft.
It is used for a lot of farm devoted to corn and soybeans. Schoolcraft conduced a number of early surveys in the area. It’s home to many quaint places with its small size, including the Bishop’s Bog Preserve Trail.
Things to Do in Schoolcraft
As with some of the other lovely destinations in Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan, there’s some real neat places to walk around and explore in Schoolcraft.
Two of those, at least, include the Bishop’s Bog Preserve Trail and the Reach Flowerfield Creek Nature Sanctuary. Either can provide a quick exploratory trip with great scenery!
Sanctuary and Trail
Bishop’s Bog Preserve Trail – The Bishop’s Bog Preserve Trail is a beautiful place harboring the orange fringed orchid, the pink ladyslipper, northern pitcher plant, and more. It’s one of those trails you have to see to believe, quaint and majestic.
Reach Flowerfield Creek Nature Sanctuary – The Reach Flowerfield Creek Nature Sanctuary is a component of the Michigan Nature Association to protect Flowerfield Creek. It’s a lovely abundance of Beech trees, and other flora and fauna, including Purple Fringed Orchids, Rosinweed, and Cardinal Flowers. Its acces is by foot, so hope you like walking here too!
Eat in Schoolcraft
Schoolcraft has some great food. Make sure to seek them out:
· Marjo’s West
· Yogi’s
Where to Stay in Schoolcraft
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Schoolcraft, there’s a lot of places, here are a few:
- Courtyard by Marriott Kalamazoo Portage
- The Oaklands
- Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo Downtown
License
In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.in-sightpublishing.com.
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