Many travelers do not consider traveling to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula between peak fall color and the first lasting snow, but there’s something special about this time of year. It’s quiet and calming. You’ll sleep better, think clearer and feel invigorated. It makes you want to spend more time outdoors and immerse yourself in the fresh air and open space. It’s refreshing and restorative.
Here are five reasons you and a companion will love the U.P. in November:
1. Go Outside and Play!
Late fall is the perfect time to get outside and explore. Hike forest trails surrounded by quiet beauty or head to the water to fish for steelhead and walleye. Ride miles of single-track mountain biking trails that wind through hardwood forests and over rugged terrain, a signature U.P. experience.
When the gales of November roll in, Lake Superior turns into a freshwater surfer’s dream. Waves can rise eight feet or higher, creating conditions that draw surfers to the lake. Even from shore, it’s a thrill to watch. After a storm passes, walk the beaches to hunt for agates, beach glass and other treasures newly revealed by the waves.
2. Be Wowed by Stars and the Northern Lights
In the U.P., there is less light pollution so the nights are darker. That’s why on a clear night, you will be mesmerized by all of the stars, planets, and nebulae you can see overhead.
Want to see the Northern Lights? Late fall is one of the best times to watch the shimmering green, purple, red and orange light dance across the horizon.
The show doesn’t happen every night; the solar winds and Earth’s atmosphere have to be just right. But when they are, head to an open area along Lake Superior away from town lights. Some of the darkest skies are at Keweenaw International Dark Sky Park in Copper Harbor. This is the U.P.’s first designated dark sky park and the third in Michigan. Headquartered at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, the public can visit the park at night all year round without staying at the lodge. Our Northern Lights page offers suggestions for viewing locations, tips on what to bring and where to find Northern Lights forecasts.
3. Fascinating Stories, Beautiful Art and Music
The U.P. offers fascinating stories and outdoor experiences that connect you to its history and culture.
In the Eastern U.P., stroll St. Ignace’s Waterfront Huron Boardwalk to see interpretive markers about the region’s past, or visit the nearby Museum of Ojibwa Culture and its outdoor exhibits. In Sault Ste. Marie, watch massive freighters glide through the Soo Locks from the viewing platforms until ice makes the Great Lakes impassable.
In the Central U.P., visit Kitch-iti-kipi, the state’s largest freshwater spring, where crystal-clear water reveals a constantly changing world below the surface. A short drive south leads to Fayette Historic State Park, where you can walk through the preserved 19th-century iron-smelting townsite overlooking Lake Michigan.
In the Western U.P., the Quincy Mine in Hancock offers self-guided walks around impressive mining structures with sweeping views of the Keweenaw Waterway. Nearby, the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton displays remarkable mineral specimens and exhibits that trace the region’s mining legacy.
4. There’s a Restaurant Table Waiting for You
Fewer tourists typically translates to shorter wait times for seating. If you are here on a Friday night, ask the locals where to find the best fish fry — chefs in the U.P. vie for bragging rights.
In your travels, choose a restaurant with a view of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan or Lake Huron. The gales of November kick up roaring giant waves and the crisper air combined with the clearer atmosphere creates stunning sunrises and sunsets. Our Eastern U.P., Central U.P. and Western U.P. itineraries list a few lakeside dining options, or read about who dishes up unique U.P. food options. Be sure to check with individual restaurants to confirm when or if they are open.
5. More Hotel Rooms and Resort Cabins are Available
Hotel and cabin rates are typically lower this time of year, giving you more choices and better views. Bring the book you’ve wanted to finish, set aside your devices and spend the evening playing cribbage, chess or euchre. Stay where there are fewer streetlights and traffic sounds, and you’ll sleep deeply.
We would love to see your favorite autumn scenes and adventures! Use our hashtag #uptravel for an opportunity to be featured on our social media, website or in our marketing materials. You can also upload your photos to our Fall Content Collector below.