Ultimate Michigan UPPER PENINSULA Vacation Guide | Map | Attractions | Best Places To Visit, Waterfalls, Attractions, Road Trips, Things to Do, Pictured Rocks


Ultimate Michigan Upper Peninsula Guide to Everything!  Plan your Upper Peninsula vacation! Waterfalls, Top Attractions, Best Things to Do, Road Trips, Pictured Rocks and more!  | By: Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com | Updated: August 13, 2024

If you are planning an Upper Peninsula Michigan vacation or looking for the best places to visit in Upper Peninsula Michigan, you will love this guide! As local Michigander's, Chris and I have been to these locations and are excited to share them with you!

We list lots of Upper Peninsula attractions and fun things to do, so keep reading!

How This Is Organized: Since we have SO MUCH INFO to share with you on the upper peninsula of Michigan, we decided the best way to organize this jam packed Michigan Upper Peninsula guide is by the categories of:

  • Best Upper Peninsula waterfalls
  • Incredible Upper Peninsula hiking trails
  • Breathtaking places to visit in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
  • Highly recommended Upper Peninsula boat tours
  • Scenic Upper Peninsula road trips
  • Top Michigan Upper Peninsula Cities, Places and Fun Things to Do


Michigan Upper Peninsula Map

We created this Interactive Michigan Upper Peninsula Map as a visual aid to help you organize your trip and make the most out of your Michigan Vacation.  

Click on this Google Map link so you can use it while driving.

How to Use the Interactive Michigan Upper Peninsula Map:

  • Click on the plus and minus in the bottom left corner to zoom in or out of the map.
  • Click on the icons for a link to things to do, best places to visit, best restaurants and hotels.
  • Click on the map to drag and move it to view surrounding areas.
  • In the map Header, click on the rectangle in the upper left of the map to see a menu of all the Michigan cities. Click on anything that looks interesting to see where it is on the map. To hide the menu, click the rectangle in the header. 
  • In the Header, click on the "square" icon in the upper right side to expand the map for better viewing. 

Michigan Upper Peninsula Waterfalls Guide

Our massive guide, 45 Upper Peninsula Waterfalls and Jaw-Dropping Scenic Spots to Visit This Summer (All Year!) is a great place to start.

It's jam packed with maps, tips and photos to inspire a spectacular Upper Peninsula road trip. 


Visit Tannery and Memorial Falls (The Twin Falls)!

When visiting the Munising area, we always have to hike to the Tannery and Memorial Falls as they are so beautiful! Perfect to visit on your Upper Peninsula Michigan vacation.

Read more about Tannery and Memorial Falls:



Visit Tahquamenon Falls!

    While visiting the Michigan Upper Peninsula, you absolutely must visit Tahquamenon Falls! Hike the trails, shop, oar your own boat, take a dip in the water and snap tons of photos!
    These outstanding Upper Peninsula waterfalls are absolutely breathtaking during the springs, summer, fall and winter. So many fun things to do in the upper peninsula!
    Read more about Tahquamenon Falls State Park:


Wagner Falls Is One of the Best Waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula

Wagner Falls, located in the UP, are a must-see. There is a short flat walk along a lovely curving boardwalk that meanders through a beautiful wooded area.  Very easy to access and so photogenic!

Read more about Wagner Falls:


Ultimate Michigan Upper Peninsula GuideUltimate Michigan Upper Peninsula Guide

Munising Falls is a Fabulous, Easy to Get to Waterfall in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

The beautiful Munising Waterfalls is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It's one of our favorite Upper Peninsula Waterfalls that we always have to visit when we are on one of our UP roadtrips!

Read more about Munising Waterfall:


Best Hiking Trails in Michigan's Upper Peninsula


If you love hiking, you will definitely want to check out the scenic trails (some leading to waterfalls) in our hiking guide.

Read all out Hiking in Michigan's Upper Peninsula:


Top Places to Visit in Upper Michigan

Whitefish Point

We love to visit Whitefish Point on a lovely day so we can tour the Great Lakes Ship Museum, explore the grounds, go up in the lighthouse and so much more! 

Read all about Whitefish Point:


Visit Kitch-iti-kipi


Kitch-iti-kipi, located in Manistique, could seriously be the highlight of your summer! You can take a floating raft across this natural springs and see the hundreds of huge fish swimming below the surface of the crystal clear water.

Read all about Kitch-iti-kipi:

See the Cut River Bridge Located in Naubinway, Michigan


We always have to stop at the Cut River Bridge to stretch our legs and go for the scenic walks under the bridge, along the Cut river and along Lake Michigan's sparkling shoreline.

Read all about the Cut River Bridge:

 

Eben Ice Caves

This winter, be sure to see the incredible Eben Ice Caves located near Munising Michigan! It's definitely a Michigan attraction that should be on your Michigan Bucket List!


Seney National Wildlife Refuge - Fabulous Wildlife Drive


If you love nature, water and wildlife drives, you will absolutely love the Seney National Wildlife Refuge.  You will see lots of birds, turtles and wildlife as you drive this scenic drive past ponds and meadows. 

Read more about Seney National Wildlife Refuge:


Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore


Just as iconic as Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks is a MUST SEE when visiting Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  You can see the breathtaking rocks by car, boat or hiking.  

Read more about Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:


Outstanding Boat Tours in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Rip Tide Ride in Munising Michigan, (Upper Peninsula)Rip Tide Ride in Munising Michigan, (Upper Peninsula)

If you would like a more in-depth look at Pictured Rocks and the shoreline (other than by hiking or driving), you absolutely must take a Pictured Rocks boat ride that launch from Munising Michigan!  We highly recommend these boat tours listed below.

Read more about the Rip Tide Ride and Pictured Rocks Cruises:

  • Rip Tide Ride: We really REALLY enjoyed our exciting Rip Tide Ride around Grand Island.  There were lots of high powered turns and fun galore!  You will have tons of chances for photos along the way.
  • Pictured Rocks Cruises - What a fantastic boat tour! You will be wowed with the incredible rock formations, caves and waterfalls on this trip!


Ultimate Upper Peninsula Road Trip

So guys, we found some great Upper Peninsula sights and spots over the past few years that we absolutely love. Check it out!

Read more about our highly recommended Ultimate Upper Peninsula Road Trip:


Top Michigan Upper Peninsula Cities, Places and Fun Things to Do

Visit Manistique Michigan!

(be sure to visit this page, there's at least 2 full days of activities and additional map of things to see in this area)


Munising: Your Guide to Spectacular Pictured Rocks, Waterfalls, Lighthouses, Boat Rides, Beaches and Ruins Galore! 


Munising Michigan has so much to offer, like lighthouses, boat cruises, beaches, waterfalls, ruins and hiking!  You will be shocked to learn there is so many awesome things to do in the upper peninsula!

Visit our official Munising page for: 

  • Bay Furnace Ruins
  • Rip Tide Ride
  • Munising Front and Rear Range Lighthouses
  • Where to eat in Munising

Visit Escanaba!

You need to visit Escanaba! Lots of places to tour, eat and stay!

Read all about Escanaba:


Houghton Michigan: Home of the Quincy Mine Tours, Isle Royale Seaplane, Ranger III, Scenic Waterfalls!


Houghton Michigan is an incredible Upper Peninsula city to visit during all our seasons. There's hiking, waterfalls, mine tours and so many things to do and see!

Houghton MI is the departure city for Michigan vacationers headed to Isle Royale National Park.  You can board the Isle Royale Seaplane and the Ranger III in Houghton.  

Read all about Houghton:

Houghton Michigan: Best Things To Do in the Upper Peninsula | Quincy Mine Tours, Isle Royale Seaplane, Ranger III, Restaurants, Waterfalls, Hotels


Have You Toured the Soo Locks and Sault Ste Marie?


See how the incredible Soo Locks work!  Then, see the Best Things to Do in Sault Ste Marie


Visit Beautiful Copper Harbor in Michigan's Upper Peninsula!

Visit Beautiful Copper Harbor in Michigan's Upper Peninsula! See waterfalls, great views, a scenic lighthouse and so much more on this Copper Harbor road trip!


Marquette Upper Peninsula: Home to Scenic Waterfalls, Ore Docks, Shopping and Lighthouses!


We love visiting Marquette! The oar docks are so incredible to photograph and we love touring the lighthouses, waterfalls and downtown.  There are great places to eat, relax and explore in Marquette. 

Read all about Marquette:


Let's Visit Drummond Island

Drummond Island Rugged ATV Adventure: Largest Closed  Loop ORV System in Michigan + Great Kayaking and Bird Watching!

See Incredible Isle Royale National Park

Pin This Michigan Upper Peninsula Page!

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What is the prettiest part of the Upper Peninsula? Not rated yet
We are visiting with my family this fall and hoped to see some scenic spots to take family photos. Thank you! C Answer Hi Casey, YEY! We love …

What is Michigan Upper Peninsula known for? Not rated yet
We wondered what the top things were in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We are open to any ideas. Answer Hi Rebecca, Michigan's upper peninsula …

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We will be visiting the UP this year and wondered what are the main attractions I shouldn't miss. Thanks so much! Answer Hi Terrance, YEY! We …

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Sherry Trautman Bio Picture

About the Lead Author | Sherry Trautman

Thanks for stopping by!

Our Words of Wisdom: “Never follow anyone else’s path. Unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path, then by all means follow that path.”

"Sherry & Chris"

We're Sherry and Chris the founders of one of Michigan's most comprehensive and Top Travel Blogs!

    Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander, Sherry's journey began in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan led her to St. Joseph during her formative years, and further to Kalamazoo for her higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and Fine Art from Western Michigan University. Her career initially blossomed in Battle Creek, where she contributed significantly to aviation, marketing, and the art industry.

    In 2018, Sherry, alongside her husband Chris, embarked on a passionate endeavor with the inception of Travel-MI.com. This venture was not just a business but a full-time commitment to exploring and celebrating the diverse landscapes and communities of Michigan. Together, they tirelessly traverse the state, curating unique experiences, capturing stunning visuals, and weaving engaging narratives that showcase Michigan's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty. From her early experiences in different Michigander locales to her extensive professional background, Sherry's life and work epitomize a deep-rooted expertise in Michigan travel, making her an authoritative voice in this niche.

Sherry & Chris are at the Inn at Bay Harbor and looking out at the lake.
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