What Does Slow Travel Mean in the Upper Peninsula?
Life moves fast — often too fast. At home and work, life feels like a nonstop race from one obligation to the next. The noise, the pace, the stress — it’s often overwhelming, exhausting and way too routine. You deserve a break … not just a vacation, but a reset. Now.
Slow down, even for a few days, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This is a traveler’s sanctuary, where you can breathe deeply, reconnect with yourself and rediscover what it means to truly feel free. Let the U.P. help you press pause and restore your spirit.
Jutting into three of the world’s largest freshwater seas — Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior — the Upper Peninsula is a place of wild beauty and quiet wonder. Hike through vast forests. Paddle untamed rivers. Explore centuries-old historic sites and towns. Feel the thrill of adventure and immerse yourself in the stillness of nature.
This is the perfect place to experience life in the slow travel lane.
How to Do Slow Travel Right
To fully enjoy the U.P., plan to take it slow. Forget the crammed itinerary — the rushing from one attraction to the next, adventure layered on adventure, sightseeing, shopping, dining, drinks and even squeezing in hotel workouts. That pace? Leave it behind.
The U.P. stretches for 320 miles between Ironwood and Drummond Island. Don’t try to see it in one trip. Choose a region, minimize how far you will travel while there and savor a few unforgettable stops each day. Let your vacation become a collection of moments that will remain in your heart and spark a longing to return to this slower life again and again. Here are some tips to make it happen.
Pick a Basecamp
Choose lodgings where you can settle in for at least two nights — because packing and unpacking is not restful. Give yourself time to breathe, explore and unwind.
You will find your perfect base, whether you dream of a waterfront hotel where the waves lull you to sleep or a peaceful motel just steps from a trailhead leading miles into forests, up towering mountains and alongside thundering waterfalls. Want to mix serenity with a fun-loving vibe? You can find that, too, at amenity-loaded hotels in our larger college or resort towns.
Some favorite hubs for day trip traveling are St. Ignace, Sault Ste. Marie, Munising, Marquette, Houghton/Hancock, Copper Harbor, Ontonagon, Ironwood, Iron Mountain, Menominee, Gladstone, Escanaba and Manistique. But there are lodgings closer to your itinerary choices as well.
Plan Your Day Trips
When you pick where to stay, check out the attractions and wilderness adventures within a two-hour radius to create fun day trips. Prioritize quality time over quantity so you can take in the natural beauty, thrilling recreation, local foods, rich culture and traditions that await. Limit your stops to two or three so there’s time to nourish your wanderlust and explore the unexpected, quirky and amazing side trips that pop up along the way. And in the U.P., they will!
Not sure where to go? Ask the staff at your lodgings for recommendations or someone at the table next to you in a restaurant. People are friendly and happy to share their favorite places.
Savor Every Bite on Your Plate
As part of your day trip planning, choose locally or regionally owned restaurants, sweet shops and bakeries, craft breweries, cideries, distilleries and wineries. Choose chefs that specialize in foods made with local ingredients, adventurous blends of flavors or recipes handed down for generations. Many of our coastal and inland lake towns offer waterfront views and decks with regional live music performances. Sit back and enjoy every morsel.
Eating slowly has its perks — from consuming fewer calories and feeling fuller longer, to improved digestion, weight loss and more meaningful conversations with your travel companions.
What if your food destination is busy? Order takeout and relax at a nearby park for a picnic.
Suggestions for the Best Places to Eat in the U.P.
Laid Back Ideas for Traveling Slow in the U.P.
Top Choices for Spring and Summer
Go Waterfall Chasing
You can see the best waterfalls in Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. With the U.P. being home to hundreds of them, several will fall along your trip trajectory. Each waterfall offers breathtaking beauty in every season, so pick a few to explore now and plan to return throughout the year to see more. But if you have to pick just one time to go, spring is the best time for waterfalling. Melting snow and ice, along with spring rains, awaken even the smallest falls. Standing near any of these roaring cascades is both invigorating and deeply calming — a perfect way to refresh your spirit.
Paddle the Au Train River
Drift along the Au Train River, where wildlife sightings — including loons and deer — are a given. Pack a picnic for a riverside stop and soak in the tranquility.
Rockhound Along Lake Superior
Explore Great Lakes shores for Lake Superior agates, glowing Yooperlites, colorful puddingstones and agates, intriguing fossils and countless other wonderful finds. This serene activity lets you connect with the U.P.’s ancient history.
Hike the Porcupine Mountains
There’s no speed hiking in the Porkies. These trails demand time and immerse you in the last great wilderness in the Midwest. Stop often to admire old-growth forests, Lake Superior vistas, Lake of the Clouds and serene waterfalls.
Stand in the Shadows of Century-Old Lighthouses
Make plans to drive along the Great Lakes Coasts to find dozens of lighthouses, several of them continuing to guide ships and boats safely into harbors and around dangerous shoals. Whether you hike to these towering beacons or take a boat tour, you can get close to them and often tour inside.
Stargaze at Keweenaw International Dark Sky Park
Night falls slowly in the U.P. during summer. Lay a blanket at this certified Dark Sky Park and lose yourself in constellations, meteor showers and even the Northern Lights when conditions are right.
Visit Fish Houses for Freshwater Catches
The Great Lakes and inland waters of the Upper Peninsula offer up some of the tastiest fish for cook-your-own meals and picnic snacks. Visit fish houses like Frazier’s Fish House in Naubinway, Vanlandshoots & Sons Fish House in Munising, Thills Fish House in Marquette, Peterson’s Fish Market/4 Suns Fish & Chips in Hancock and many others along the U.P.’s Great Lakes coasts.
How to Travel Slow in the Fall and Winter
See the Best Fall Colors in the U.S.A.
The U.P. is repeatedly voted the Best Place to See Fall Colors by USA Today readers, and when you take any of our 10 fall color tour routes from September to October, you will agree. These are the ultimate slow travel moments. Go ahead and stop often to get one more photograph. With every turn, there is a better shot!
Gather fresh vegetables, apples, pumpkins, cider and forever memories
The U.P.’s farmers’ markets and farms are a fall color feast this time of year, too. Bring home just-harvested soup vegetables, juicy tomatoes, the best-tasting apples and cider and colorful flowers. Have some fall family fun winding through corn mazes or picking pumpkins to carve or decorate your porch. These are experiences you will pass on for generations.
Don’t Be Afraid to Hike Spooky Trails
Fall is not only a popular time to be wowed by brilliant leaves, but it’s also the season for some spine-tingling explorations of our woods and ghost towns. No one has yet to confirm whether remnant spirits await, but you can decide on these Upper Peninsula creepy hikes.
Immerse in Marquette’s Culture and Recreation Adventures
Spend time in the U.P.’s largest city, Marquette, a cultural hub for all ages. Get to know the region’s rich Finnish heritage. Attend classical symphony and regional folk, rock, jazz and indie music concerts. Don’t miss the storytelling nights, live theater and comedy performances. Learn the region’s colorful history housed in local museums and join in special events and festivals. Every visit, taste your way in search of your favorite local beers, spirits, cocktails, wines and ciders — the foods handcrafted by local chefs are amazing finds, too. Then, burn those calories hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, paddling and more.
Cross-Country Ski on Groomed and Pure-Freedom Trails
The U.P. boasts rights to being a premier destination for cross-country skiers, no matter what their levels. Glide or skate along miles of groomed trails — or carve paths through pristine snowy scenes from Ironwood to Drummond Island. Peacefulness will do your heart and mind good.
Snowshoe in Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Explore snow-laden trails leading to the majestic frozen Tahquamenon Falls. Take your time along the five-mile stretch between the Upper and Lower Falls, where the serenity of the wilderness will wash over you.
Go Dog Sledding
Join local mushers for an exhilarating, yet intimate, dog sledding adventure. Unlike hurried tourist setups, this experience emphasizes bonding with the dogs and appreciating the snowy expanses.
Reel in Tasty Catches on Lake Gogebic
Settle in a heated shanty on Michigan’s largest inland lake. Chat with locals, enjoy the silence of the frozen expanse and see if you can reel in a trophy walleye. Another favorite winter escape for anglers — whether seeking solitude or camaraderie — is the frozen Bays de Noc near Escanaba.
Explore Eben Ice Caves’ Frozen Beauty
You will have no desire to rush when hiking or snowshoeing to see these natural formations. Stop often to take in the icy sights and sounds. Remember to bring a camera — you will use it often.
Five More Tips for Taking Slower Vacations in the U.P.
1. Take Self-Guided or Guided Tours
Instead of rushing through attractions, join guided tours or outfitters that provide deeper insights into the region's history and culture. Add stops along the Keweenaw National Historical Park, a carriage ride or haunted ghost tour around Mackinac Island, Lake Superior shipwreck tours and dives, attend living history programs at Fort Wilkins or Fayette Historic State Park and Townsite and backcountry adventures on Isle Royale National Park.
2. Visit Quirky and Only-in-the-U.P. Roadside Stops
The U.P. is a treasure trove of must-see stops that will make you smile, marvel and hunger to see what other unusual places this wonderful peninsula holds.
3. Relax in Authentic Finnish Saunas
The Finnish have the corner on how to unwind after a day of exploring. They sit in a hot sauna. Luckily, you do not have to travel overseas to rejuvenate your body and mind in authentic Finnish bathhouses. Deep relaxation awaits in this land of transplanted Finns.
4. Digital Detox
No longer just a fad, unplugging from your devices has restorative wellness benefits. Slow and silent travel pair perfectly together and you would be hard-pressed to find a better place on the planet to do both than in the U.P. This peninsula is the gateway to tranquility, inner peace and feeling deeply alive. Cross over the Mackinac Bridge or the Wisconsin border and you will almost instantly feel the refreshing silence and wanderlust spirit wash over you. Here is where to find quiet and practice stress-relieving mindfulness. We look forward to sharing our silence with you soon. You, your family and co-workers will be glad you did.
5. Travel Sustainably And Safeguard Our Remarkable Land and Water
Want to help minimize harming the environment? Just visit Michigan’s wildly beautiful Upper Peninsula and you will want to do all you can to protect it for you and generations to come! These eight easy-to-do suggestions will help safeguard our beloved lands, fresh air, waters and wildlife.
Plan Now Your Slow Travel Adventure to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
The only thing we encourage you to hurry is making plans for your immersive, unrushed travel experiences in the U.P. From budget-friendly to luxury hotels, you'll find accommodations that let you relax and recharge between adventures. Don’t wait — lock in your travel dates now. Need advice about what to do in specific areas? Reach out to us and we’ll help you create an unforgettable slow travel experience in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula!
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