I'm wanting to takea trip to the upper peninsula in Michigan and wondered what the must see sights are. I'll be leaving from Indiana and plan to head straight north to Mackina City. I'm thinking of staying there for 2 days and then heading up to Sault Ste. Marie for 2 days and heading west through Tahquamenon Falls S.P. and on to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I will then come back to Indiana from the Wisconsin side of the lake with a definite stop at Milwaukee to tour the HD plant. I'm thinking of going to Mackinac Island. I'm not wanting to be in a terrible hurry in case we have a day of nasty weather. I will be on my 07 Ultra Classic. I should have several tourism packets coming but I'd like some firsthand knowledge of those who have been there so I know what to definitely see and what to definitely avoid. I'm planning on this being a low budget trip so I may even stay at some campgrounds on the way. Thanks for any info.

 

In July '05 we went right up the middle and stopped in Mackinawfor the night. Nice place, there is a little park on the north end that has great views of the Mackinaw bridge. Would have liked to go over by ferry to Mackinac Island, but was not going to leave w/o the bike.
If you ride over the bridge be prepared for the grating, it's weird and likes to wobble you around a lot. When we went accross we had no choice but to ride the grate, but if I remember right the center lanes had no grating, but were closed to us as they were working on those lanes. If you go accross and then head west on Rt #2 stop at the first scenic overlook on left, I regreeted not doing so because the next overlook is way past the bridge and a lot lower so the visibility is not as good.

 

Thanks for the info. How much is the toll to go across? I'm thinking I might have to go across it a couple of times. I don't know if it is reasonable or rediculous. How long is the bridge?

 

Here ya go:
http://www.mightymac.org/bridge.htm

 

Gonna camp or gonna motel it?

Okay, Once you get north of Saginaw the traffic dies off considerably. Be on the lookout for deer and elk. I hada real unsettling experience on I-75 just north of West Branch with a deer that I could've kicked with my right boot...It was that close to the e-way. I-75 is in decent shape so you shouldn't have any problems with stuff falling off the bike. From my house I can make the bridge in 'around' 5 hours (M14-US23-I75 all 70-80mph roads)...Just depends on if I stop for lunch and/or take breaks along the way.

Mackinac Island....The last time I was on the Island was, IIRC, 1973...A few things to see, but...You're gonna have to leave your scoot on the mainland...There are no motor vehicle on the Island (except for emergency vehicles)...Everything else is horsedrawn, or bicycles. Plan on doing a bit of walking, or paying for a carriage tour...Or, gasp, renting a bicycle. It's probably one of those places that you can take or leave, IMHO. And it is pricey to stay overnite in any of the hotels.

You should really go into Saute Ste Marie and take the locks boat tour. I've done it numerous times...As opposed to going back to Mackinac Island. If you're a gambler there is a huge indian run casino in The Soo.

Picture rocks, Taquamenon Falls, are all good to visit. Once you get to the western portion of the UP, you might also check out Bond Falls...

And...Watch for deer, bears, and now...Wolves. Don't ride at night..

 

mac isl. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. The soo locks are pretty cool and so is Thaquam falls. The western part of the u.p. is the best. Houghton hancock area. Porcupine mts. P.S. thanks to our mole faced gov. bring your helmet and beware you are visiting a police state.

 

Ahhhhhhh....Another happy resident of Jenney's Socialist State.[:@] Oh...And if ya smoke....Bring them with ya []...$5+ per pack thanks to Governor GrandMole (and a full time legislature that loves to single out people for 'special taxes' IE: smokers and drinkers to supplement the general fund)..... Amazing how she and the legislature managed to 'hide' the $900 Million dollar deficit all during the Gubernatorial campaign.

Back on topic....Houghton/Hancock area is nice as is the entire Keweenaw Peninsula...Last time I was up to the tip of the Keweenaw I was a kid (fifty years ago) with my family on vacation. IIRC you could take a tour of a copper mine...It was really spooky when they turned off the lights. LakeSuperior iscold....I mean cold.Don't plan on 'taking a dip'...Unless you're into 'shrinkage'.

As far as camping, there are plenty of State and US Forest Parks inDa UP, (eh)...Along with an equal amount of private ones. Like I posted previously...Don't ride at night. Andsince you're gonna beon the Harley,You're gonna have to be careful about bringing food into your campsite...Bears, and some of the biggest dang raccoons you ever saw are gonna be knocking on your tent...Or trying to tear into your saddlebags.They'll sniff out that candy bar...Trust me..And they'll tear the hell outtayourbike trying to get at it.

 

DJ, I'd recommend you take old 27 all the way north for a scenic ride unless you are in a hurry. You can take it almost to the bridge (have to get on I75 for the last 23 miles). Let me know when you will be near Alma and I'll ride north with you for awhile. Stop in Mt. Pleasant at the Pixie restaurant and have some of their great coney dogs.

 

I did part of the UP from N. Wisconsin a few years ago- Haughton/Hancock is a nice place and the ride up to copper Harbor is worth it-top of the tank along the way b/c there may or may not be a station open in the tiny town of Copper Harbor. Then my favorite part of the trip is to go visit the Lake of the Clouds in the Porkipine Mtns (just west of Ontanogan-west of Houghton Hancock a few hours) Then you HAVE to ride the south park rd-nice curves just the right radius for the big twin to carve thru at 50 MPH-I loved that stretch. It comes out near Ironwood MH. From there, I'd take the back hwys down (south) to Marinette, then over to Green Bay via Oconto and stay on the lake side (from Marinette take A south to Ocaonto, Then "S" down to 41 outside of GB-nice rds). If you have time a quick jog up hwy 54 to Sturgeon Bay or the Door County ( From Sturgeon Bay, take hwy B or Bay Shore Dr. on the west side for a great low traffic back rd drive).

Okay I wrote enough-good luck to you!

 

Not positive of the date but they close the bridge going to the U.P. so people can walk across it! I think it is around the end of August. We were taking the long way home from the 100th anniv. and had to go another 75miles south to get a room for the night. I spent 2 years in the U.P. while in the Air Force. It is a great place to tour. Winter sucks!!!

Have a great ride.