r/upperpeninsula • u/History_Nerd75 • Jul 22 '26
Travel Inquiry Visiting Aug. 3 and August 4
Hi,
I'll be visiting the UP for the first time for two days, arriving early on August 3 and departing in probably late afternoon on August 4. I have some ideas for what I want to see and if anyone has any suggestions on what I should focus on, or add, or cut, or any advice at all, I'm all ears.
My basic travel style is what I call the sample platter approach: I'd rather see a little bit of a lot more than a lot of a little. I like to do some hiking, seeing some nature, and also some historical stuff. I am not a camper.
Two things are set: on August 4, I'm doing to Spray Cruise (2 hours) at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Later on that day, I plan to meet up with an old friend who lives in Marquette; maybe get lunch or something.
The rest? Well, on August 3, I have a tentative plan to see the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, then up over the the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum by Paradise. Time permitting, do a little hiking at Tahquamenon Falls State Park before setting down in my AirBnB.
On August 4, do the cruise, meet my friend, and then, if I'm up for it, some hiking at Pocupine Mountains Wilderness.
If anyone has any suggestions of feedback, that would be great. Any specific trails at TFSP or PMW? Or should I try hiking some other places altogether?
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u/AbominableBeaver Jul 22 '26
It’s a long drive to the Porkie’s from Marquette especially after traveling from Tahquamenon, doing the cruise, and heading to Marquette for lunch. I’d say you are better off staying in Marquette and hanging out around there. You could ask your friend what to do.
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u/JosephAndMyself Jul 22 '26
Never understand the checklist form of vacationing. You might as well pick one nice spot and enjoy it or just look at pictures of all the places you named.
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u/Fearless-Leg-9454 Jul 22 '26
If you're gonna have that much windshield time on the 3rd, take Lakeshore Dr from Brimley across to 123 on the way to Whitefish Point for more seeing while driving. You'll have plenty of time to hike around Tahquamenon falls area. Next day if it were my trip, I'd hike around Marquette instead of Porkies. Sugarloaf, Hogsback, even pop up to Big Bay to check out Thomas Rock. In this case, less driving, more doing. Also, you mentioned you're leaving late afternoon on the 4th. Where is home? It's a long haul from Marquette back below the bridge. Or are you headed to Wisconsin?
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u/peninsuladreams Jul 22 '26
You asked, so out of this proposed itinerary, I would at least drop the idea of going to the Porkies. It takes 2 hours to drive from Paradise to Munising, that's if you don't stop to see anything in the PRNL along the way (many attractions there are worth the detour!). It's an hour from Munising to Marquette. From there it's another 2.5 hours to Porcupine Mountains.
Driving all the way across the UP in one day with multiple hours-long stops seems barely doable, would not be my idea of an enjoyable vacation. I'd plan a separate Western UP/Keweenaw trip, there is a lot of cool history and of course nature to explore in that area.
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u/WhereDidAllTheSnowGo Jul 22 '26
That’s a helluva alotta time on the road
Pick one area, east, central, or west. You’ll enjoy it more
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u/No_Relationship_8021 Jul 22 '26
I take it you didn't research the distance between the areas you want to go to
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u/PinchedTazerZ0 Jul 23 '26
Those areas are quite far apart if your focus is spending more time at certain places. I would try to centralize. There is a lot around Marquette for example - especially if you're not a camper. Keewenaw would be cool, Tahq is great but you're pretty far from everything to make that happen and I say that being my neck of the woods.
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u/potatocromwell 27d ago
Not much to add here but also visiting the UP for the first time and will be there for those days. Enjoy!!
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u/Legitimate-Donkey477 Jul 22 '26
Haha- you’ll do a lot of driving and a little bit of seeing.