Autumn in the UP – Tour FULL: Call for Waitlist! 1-800-758-6877

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Join us as we journey to a land less traveled. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is affectionately known as the UP. It is an area we seldom visit, only because it is not really on the way to anywhere, unless you are going there! With captivating names like Lake of the Clouds, Silver City, Copper Harbor, Porcupine Mountains, Eagle Harbor, Big Bay, Bond Falls, Au Train, Keweenaw Point and Pictured Rocks, it has to be good! 

The Upper Peninsula is a quiet, undisturbed land of numerous waterfalls, clear bubbling streams, whispering mountains, picturesque bays, historic lighthouses, abundant wildlife, and ocean-like vistas of awesome Lake Superior. All of this is hosted and presented by the friendliest folks you have ever met, who proudly call themselves, “Yoopers!” By the way, the “Yoopers” tell us that this time of year (Mid September) is the best time to experience the UP. 

Because the UP is a vast and varied place, this tour will focus specifically on the least known and traveled, western region of the Peninsula. 

If you’ve always wanted to explore the UP, this is your trip!

Day 1 – Home to Ashland, WI

Departing the Twin Cities, our first stop is a lunchtime favorite, Norske Nook in Rice Lake. You’ve never seen such a variety of incredible pies in your life! With our tummies satisfied, we continue north through scenic northwoods Wisconsin to the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center. Touting “Your Best Adventure Begins Here,” this world class center features wildlife viewing, water fowl and bird viewing. Plus it has interpretive exhibits, a 5-story observation tower and an easy boardwalk trail through Cedar and Tamarack Wetlands. An early arrival at Hotel Chequamegon affords us plenty of time to enjoy this beautiful setting right on the shores of Lake Superior. Included dinner is served at the hotel waterfront dining room! A perfect evening to relax and enjoy the sunset over Chequamegon Bay.

Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Hotel Chequamegon 

Day 2 – Ashland to Houghton, MI

A timely start is necessary this morning as we lose an hour on the clock when we enter Michigan. Traveling through Ironwood, the Ottawa National Forest and Watersmeet, we arrive at Bond Falls. There are more than 300 waterfalls in the UP, but Bond Falls is often described as the most picturesque of all. It is particularly attractive because you can easily view it from below, above and all sides. You will have ample time to photograph and explore this magic place. We then make our way along the backroads to Silver City where an included lunch is served once again on the delightful shores of Lake Superior. Lake of the Clouds is a perfect name for our next destination. Tucked away in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Park, you are able to look down on this alluring wilderness scene. What a view! Our drive now takes us right along the sometimes thundering shores of Lake Superior to Ontonagon and then more wilderness travel into the Keweenaw Peninsula to Houghton. Dinner is on your own with the evening at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 3 – Houghton to Marquette, MI

Following breakfast at the hotel, our adventure starts immediately with a panoramic view of the city of Houghton and the Portage River. This is “lake effect” snow country with over 300 inches a season! While we (hopefully) won’t see any today, we will definitely see evidence of it at Snow Gauge Park. You will be absolutely blown away at this snow depth marker alongside the road. Eagle Harbor, tucked into the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior, is proudly protected by Eagle Harbor Lighthouse. If you love classic lighthouse picture opportunities, have your camera ready! Hugging the shoreline, we make our way along the northern most edge of the peninsula before we begin our assent to the top of Brockway Mountain. As the highest scenic roadway between the Alleghenies and the Rockies, it offers spectacular views of Lake Superior’s rocky coast a thousand feet below. Copper Harbor is as far north as you can go in Michigan. You are definitely not in your neighborhood backyard here and we are certainly rewarded for taking the time to get here. It is lunch time and with few places able to host a coach group, we found a wonderful place! The Mariner North is northwoodsy, cozy, friendly and has amazing food! You’ll love it. Now it’s time to travel some more so we can make our destination later this afternoon. It will be “wall to wall” scenic variety the entire way. The Hampton Inn, a new hotel right on Lake Superior in Marquette, is our marvelous home the next two evenings. With all bayside rooms, “this is the life.” After a full day of travel and exploring, you will appreciate the pizza party we are featuring right at the hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Pizza Party

Hotel: Hampton Inn (2 nights) 

Day 4 – Marquette Area

Witness the sunrise over Lake Superior while savoring a delicious hot breakfast in the hotel dining area. We are joined today by a local expert guide as we tour Marquette, home of Northern Michigan University, the Superior Dome, Presque Isle and a historic ore shipping port. Later we make our way along the backroads to the out-of-the-way village of Big Bay. (Side note: While driving this route researching this tour, two wolves crossed right in front of us on the roadway!!) Big Bay is the home of Thunder Bay Inn and a hamlet rich in history and lore. While we enjoy lunch at this quaint and curious Inn, Duke, the Innkeeper, will share the fascinating past of this storied place. Interestingly, the classic movie “Anatomy of a Murder” was filmed here telling the story of a real life event in this small town. Amid the forested ravines of the Marquette Iron Range, the Michigan Iron Industry Museum overlooks the Carp River and the site of the first iron forge in the Lake Superior region. We have the privilege of visiting this iconic site, getting a first hand look at the iron ore mining industry that is such an integral part of the fabric of the UP. We have a very special treat planned for your dining experience this evening. See, even a little mystery in a non-mystery trip!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 5 – Marquette to Iron Mountain, MI

Another great breakfast overlooking the bay begins a leisurely morning. A mid-morning departure affords you time to enjoy your beautiful lakeside accommodations one last time. The Brownstone Inn is our destination for an early lunch featuring delicious fresh caught whitefish. You’ll love the Brownstone with its genuine back-in-the-day feel and “home cooked service.” And now for the feature of the day, an afternoon narrated cruise of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Extending over 40 miles east from Munising along the Superior coast, two-hundred-foot-high cliffs dominate the Pictured Rocks. The cliff faces are a continually changing tapestry of red, brown, black, turquoise, green and yellow stripes stretching down to Superior’s jade-green waters. The cliffs have been eroded into interesting arches, caves and pillars with descriptive names such as Chapel Rock, Lovers Leap, Miners Castle and Spray Falls. This is a golden opportunity to experience this hallowed place. Departing Munising we travel the autumn splattered backroads to Iron Mountain. Dinner is enjoyed at Romagnoli’s Restaurant near our hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Comfort Inn

Day 6 – Iron Mountain to Home

After a convenient hot breakfast at our hotel we depart on our journey home, which is not without interest since our travel takes us through the delightful northwoods country of Wisconsin. Lunch will be on your own. No trip through Wisconsin is complete without a cheese stop, so an intriguing afternoon experience awaits you at the Holland Family Cheese complex near Thorp, WI. The Holland Family are the makers of award winning Marieke Gouda. Milking parlor and cheese making observation are featured along with cheese sampling and shopping. This stop is the complete “Cheesy Stop!”

Included Meals: Breakfast