Posted: 6/5/2010 8:30:58 AM EDT
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gonna go in about a month .
Any must see's ?? or Places to avoid ?? Planning on Sault st marie and tahqamonan falls . Heard Muskegon was nice for the trip back . What are the rules for canada and passports ?? I have mine but not sure if we all will . Thanks |
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What are you looking for in a vacation? Are you camping and want to hike, or would you rather stay in motels? You could drive the whole of the U.P. camping and have a good time but it might take a while. Farther to western U.P. from Detroit than it is to Washington D.C. for us.
Ste.St. Marie has the locks and tons of tourists trinkets to buy, but don't miss out on eating a meal of broiled whitefish. Don't remember the name of the place, but one restaurant has the condiments in a lake freighter wooden replica on the tables. For sure take the boat tour of the locks, it's fun. Tahquamenon Falls is a nice walk and picturesque. Lots of touristy things, take the railroad for extra fun. Did it as a kid so I don't remember much, but kids love that kind of thing. If you have the time and money, take a trip to Mackinac Island (hint: no matter how it's spelled it is pronounced "Mack-in-aw") and rent a bike to tour the island and stop by the fort for the kids. They can burn up some energy running around the walls and cannons. Google it to get ferry prices. It will cost you some bucks, being an island without motor vehicles, you can't just drive away to find a cheaper restaurant. Ferry's run pretty constantly. Buy some fudge for the friends and family back home. For some reason most think it's the greatest thing in the world. Canada does require a passport, but don't have any DUI convicted folks with you, Canada only allows them if you've paid the bribe before you arrive (you can get in if convicted but it costs). Might want to check the official Canadian site for better info on entry. Good fishing in Canada, but know the laws/rules they have. They love to hit your wallet for anything in violation. One rigged rod per person only (friend got nailed for having a second rigged rod to use if he lost the lure or wanted to use a heavier weighted line). Last time I was there was a couple years ago for a bear hunt. Border guards checked everything in the van and trailer and didn't worry about being neat or replacing bungee cords on the coolers in the trailer. Kept me away from the guys doing the check by going through the paperwork and serial number on my rifle. DON'T even think of bringing a handgun with you into Canada. Only thing in the sister city of Ste. St. Marie, Canada that I've ever stopped at was the float plane museum. It was pretty neat and it was worth the stop for me. |
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Check it out and see if anything here peaks your interest http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Peninsula_of_Michigan
Copper Harbor and the fort up there would be worth seeing, watched them fire off the cannons last time we where up there. Make sure you get some smoked White Fish, good stuff  , and if you hit it right you can go pick thimble berries.
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Go to the fort in Mackinac City as well as doing the island. The falls, Soo Locks etc are a must do.
If you have time go over to the pictured rocks national lake shore in Munising is pretty interesting. http://www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm |
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I'll second the Antlers suggestion. It's a great stop for tourists and the food is good enough I went there when I was a local. (Lived in the Soo for 6 years.)
If you are interested in Great Lakes shipping I'd recomend the museum ship Valley Camp Bugs aren't too bad as long as you wait until July or later to venture into the back country. If you are looking for beaches, Naomicong (sp?) Point and Pendills Creek (across from the Pendills Creek Nat'l fish Hatchery) are very nice. Both are west of the Soo but before Tequamenon. I can give you better directions if either of these appeal to you. If you desire to travel into Canada I can also help as I have relatives on the Canadian side and vacation every year now on the Canadian Soo side of the border. If you are heading to Mackinaw in early Aug. you might check to see if your timing meets with the Wooden Boat Festival in Hessel. Some of the nicest wooden boats from far and wide will be displayed. |
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Well it s gettin closer and we have been thinkin of maybe skipping Mackinac island to save a day and go to copper harbor ? Also Soo and maybe canada , White fish point/bay and the falls . We'll have to see just how much time we have . May spend the nite in Canada ( SOO ) just to say we did then head west . Probably do Picture rock as well .
Any good mom and pop motels or good eats small local restaurants besides Antlers ?? Thanks . As they say go where the locales go . |
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Well it s gettin closer and we have been thinkin of maybe skipping Mackinac island to save a day and go to copper harbor ? Also Soo and maybe canada , White fish point/bay and the falls . We'll have to see just how much time we have . May spend the nite in Canada ( SOO ) just to say we did then head west . Probably do Picture rock as well .
Any good mom and pop motels or good eats small local restaurants besides Antlers ?? Thanks . As they say go where the locales go . |
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Mackinac is very worth your time, and packs a lot of bang for your buck. Renting bikes for a couple hours makes it easy to see a large part of the island, and don't be afraid to get lost. But, you won't be disappointed by going up the Keweenaw Peninsula and spending time along any of the towns on Lake Superior up there, as the whole peninsula is beautiful in the summer. That is quite a hike from Mackinac Island, though - easily 6+ hours - and going more than 64 mph on the state roads WILL get you pulled over.
Edit: I would personally skip the Soo and go to Mackinac Island and the Keweenaw Peninsula (Copper Harbor) if that's all you have time for. |
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If you go into Canada make sure you leave your firearms in the states. The entire eastern side of Lake Superior running straight north from Sue Saint Marie is fantastic. Canada allows camping right on the waters edge. Many spots look like Big Sur in California without any buildings or population to speak of. Lots of off shore islands and the sun sets are out of this world. Mountanous from around 35 to 40 miles north of the US/Canadian border all the way to where the road cuts to the west.
The ship wreck museum is definetly good on our side of the big lake. Camping along the National Lakeshore is great too. Lake Superiour's waters are unbelievably clear. It's not unusual to see the lake floor from shoreline over 100 yards out. Coldest lake in the world judging by my limited time in the water. If a big storm rolls in stand as close as you dare to the waters edge, fourteen foot rollers will rock your world. |
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Quoted:
we plan to do Mackinaw island , too . Copper harbor may be a bit too far west . Looks neat though . Whits fish point is supposed to be neat . Maratime museum there ? Didn't see if you are camping or staying in motels. If camping, there are lots and lots of secluded rustic NF and SF campgrounds, many right next to the beach. Definitely walk on the beach at whitefish point, see the museum, see Tahquammenon falls, both upper and lower. Two hearted river is a nice canoe trip, state forest campground at the mouth, good fishing. Antlers in SSM is one of the places to eat. Go down by the locks, see the display they have there. When you drive from SSM to the falls go by way of 6 Mile/Iroquois/Lakeshore through Brimley, by Point Iroquois light, and the south end of Whitefish bay. I always enjoyed a walk on the beach at Pendills creek that you will pass. Other places kind of but not really nearby ... Kitchitikipi spring, Fayette ghost town, loaf of bread sized cinammon rolls at the Po' Boy restaurant outside of Newberry, Seney wildlife refuge. You can find some darkness at 3am on the beach at Vermillion. Nearest street light is 11 miles away at whitefish point. Blew me away when I looked at the sky and it was blue with stars. The northern lights also came out that night, with green beams shooting straight up from the water of Lake Superior. Looked like sunbeams at sunset, except green, and it was dark. |
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I think you'll find a full day at Mackinac Island is worth your time and money.
Beautiful countryside and lake shore in CA both to the north (chippewa falls) and to the east, but you need the better part of a day to do this. For your return trip I wouldn't stop at Muskegon ... try Traverse city area instead. |
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HEY !! We just got back and had a Blast .
Did the Soo , Mackinaw city , Tomanquah falls and hit a lovely beach at Pictured rocks Minors beach and at Minors castle saw a Bald eagle . Also went to the Big Springs st park . Wow that water was Crystal clear . Had the White fish twice . it as awsome . lake superior was super clean . went to 3 great lakes beaches . Way cool . thanks guys wanted to do more but ran out of time and money . |