Sitting at the top of the world (or at least the U.S), this city is a gem for all types of…read morerecreation, shopping, food and craft beers. Winters can be tough (way too much snow for me) but the winter sports people love it. Skiing, snowmobiling and four wheeling trails everywhere. I even saw a guy kite surfing on Lake Superior in March (Crazy)! For me, summer and fall is when this city shines. Tons of beaches... if you dare the chilly lake water. Hiking trails for miles. And it's all beautiful! Don't miss the trees in fall! The city is full of cool restaurants, many that specialize in fresh fish and local craft beers. Places in and around Marquette you have to see... Presque Isle Park. Sunsets are spectacular. Jump off the cliffs at Black Rocks, and catch a free concert among so many other things. St Peters Cathedral. Just amazing! Downtown. Many unique shops and restaurants. Great local shopping. Northern Michigan University. Check out the Superior Dome. Lakeshore Trails and beaches. City is literally surrounded by trails and the beaches go on for ever. Nearby Pictured Rocks and waterfalls. Quick drive to Munising, and you can hike to waterfalls or take a cruse or paddle boat to see the magical Pictures Rocks from the lake. No matter what time of the year, there is something for you to see and do. Marquette is great... and this is tough to say... Lake Superior is even prettier than Lake Michigan (but it's close)! Oh yeah... I think there is at least one dispensary per 500 people in this town... if that floats your boat!

I. Love. This. Town…read more I don't even know where to begin, first off I gotta give a shoutout to Marquette's own Elizabeth G. for giving me the inside scoop on some of the spots to hit. Top notch recommendations for sure! Between the food, historic architecture, trails and the old ore dock... this town kinda stole my heart while I was here. There's so much history here, it's crazy. Remies Tavern has pics of it back in the 50's and prior, the Vierling building has been standing over a hundred years, The Delft... c'mon now! so classic! and wow the city hall is just gorgeous! I loved everything on Washington St. pretty much. If we're lucky enough to come back for a bit longer I'm definitely bringing some of my hiking and maybe camping gear. Now I wonder if the hotel allows pups

I wanted to highlight this Canyon Falls and Gorge area located 15 miles south of L'Anse, Michigan…read more It's a quick roadside attraction situated right off US 41. I happened to be driving US 41 north towards Houghton, MI and ultimately to Copper Harbor, MI taking the ferry out to Isle Royale National Park. But along my journey I happened to notice signs for Canyon Waterfall and immediately thought to myself...I have to see what this waterfall is all about! After visiting and loving all the incredible falls in the town of Munising, MI right along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore I confess I've turned into an addicted waterfalls enthusiast! Funny, just a side note...while on my Michigan to Minnesota summer travels this past year, I found a whole new perspective for appreciating waterfalls. When given the opportunity to witness a potentially majestic falls area...I'm a sucker, sign me up, lol. There's something about them I find quite fulfilling. Sorry for going off on this tangent, but for those out there who want to witness some of the best waterfalls in the United States...I can't recommend the Columbia River Gorge area enough just east of Portland, Oregon. It's epic! Back to this Canyon Falls and Gorge area. You must be thinking...why did I only give it 3 stars? Yes...unfortunately the falls here were just okay. They weren't impressive. And as much as I was hoping they would be...the ambiance and setting didn't give me that humbling moment I was hoping for when discovering this place on a whim. To give some background details about being here... When I arrived, the parking lot was relatively quiet during morning time back on May 31, 2021. I was practically the only person here around 9am. You have to hike or shall I say walk a little to get to the falls and gorge. The parking lot is where the trailhead begins. I want to use a quick excerpt of what you can expect to find here. This is according to https://www.michigan.org/property/canyon-falls... "Canyon Falls is an impressive and easy to visit falls, and the gorge is quite impressive by Michigan standards. A scenic trail along the Sturgeon River to a series of rapids and small waterfalls before you reach Canyon Falls. "Grand Canyon of the UP". The river slides nearly 30' over a large chute of smooth black rock into a box canyon". Now of course, this michigan.org website will put the description of Canyon Falls and Gorge into the best light. But I'll explain some of the real moments from my visit... The hike is easy to traverse, about 1 mile each way. There's no elevation while hiking. When I finally arrived at the falls there's just a tiny platform area for you to stand upon to admire the surroundings. And overall, I kind of questioned...this is it? I guess I was a little disappointed but at the same time I didn't have the highest expectations considering I had never heard of this place to begin with. It was a struggle taking a few photos because for this morning time when I was visiting, I was looking straight into the sun with shadows and glares in the background. I never captured the most efficient looking pictures. I'd suggest if you do stop on by here, to come in the afternoon time when the sun will be at your back. But as you can tell with my photos, looking at the waterfalls were overly sunny on one end whereas the pics taken going away from the falls came out naturally more photogenic. From this little vista point section, it appeared that this observation point was the endpoint of the hike. Oh well, it wasn't meant to be. Still, I'd say I hung out at the falls and gorge for maybe 20 minutes before turning around and hiking back the 1 mile to the trailhead parking lot. And while hiking you venture through the woods of the forest. Overall, the conditions were pleasant for being the last day in May. Overall, I'd just suggest tempering your expectations when coming here. It's sort of a good midway point to take a quick break while driving from Munising towards Houghton, about a 140-mile road trip. Lastly, by looking at Google Maps it shows that these Canyon Falls and Gorge are part of a bigger Canyon Falls Roadside Park possibly good for more sightseeing and exploring even with a campground. Though...I am not sure about this, I am just assuming. For myself, I wanted to view what these falls offered and at least it gave me a chance to stretch my legs for an hour or so. Alright this is Canyon Falls and Gorge just outside Baraga, MI in L'Anse Township, Michigan.

more gorgeous scenery in Upper P. This was our first visit to the Upper P and everything is as…read morescenic as we'd heard. There are lots of lovely waterfalls but this was the first we saw that had the stunning gorge and rock formations. Not the typical billion stairs to see but the trail is a bit more rugid than several of the previous. some of the boards in the boardwalk were loss for uneven, roots and rocks on the trail. so you had to be careful as you walk. the walk was peaceful scenic and the sound of rushing water was just lovely. there were bathrooms but not the flushing kind so i decided to wait till our hotel. But walking the trail with the sound of rushing water didn't help the urge to pee lol. Hope to return sometime in the fall.

Living in munising for over 20 years I have a lot to say, however I will keep it as simple and…read moreshort as I can. So we will make it a game for all of you to sum up my review. :) we are at 5 stars and we will take away a star whenever something is neglected. 5 Star?- Munising is Gorgeous, it is one of the most pretty places on earth, however City Members and over priced Business make this a very demanding place not just for locals. You can have a pretty face, however what is the point if your ugly on the inside. for that reason it loses a star 4 star? The people overall are okay as far as people go, however the cost of food makes it hard for people to live in munising, people who pass by will be spending way more money also, however munising does not grant any special local discounts making it very hard to enjoy life in this town. Overall this town is too focused on money, rather then proper expansion and comfort with locals and business, example we have over 8+ coffee business in a town of 4000. 3 star? Now I do not hate this town, there is so many amazing things to see, however there is no entertainment what so ever, no theater, the bowling center is always on its own, no arcade, no real goat carts, not even a lazer tag anymore, looking at trees and lakes are wonderful however family and loved ones might want a step back and enjoy that indoor activity once in awhile. No indoor pool, no YMCA, they do have a gym however, sorry about your window, they are nice enough thou :) 2 Star? Wow we already are at 2 stars, they could of been better, however there is no Uber, Door dash, the bus system is okay, schools are great, however with the lack of support from the city many locals are forced to just endure, many places are closed for winter, making it very boring and hard to enjoy life in munising, even the bus has hard time finding workers for children to be picked up after school. Sometimes even needing the public transports help. There is no support for food delivery which would help older people and the sick and disabled. So that is a huge loss. 1 Star? I do not think it is a 1 star , honestly even due to the bad drug out break, it has got a bit better, however the locals are not the only one to blame , it is the city and the lack of attention to the above things I mentioned, I truly think if they just took the time to expand business , add entertainment, discount locals, add food delivery for Locals, organize business, (8+ coffee shops be crazy XD) they would start seeing a change for the better , however with how things stand this city is not a nice place to live, and is very expensive to visit . (Why do I still live in it then? because my family is here and I go where they go) Enjoy your stay and always beware the cash grab places... Enjoy the sites !

If staying in the Upper P .. Munising is a great place to stay a couple days. .. has alot of stuff…read morein or nearby to check out. Very close to castle rock, boat tour .. we did the riptide and loved it .. water falls, some free street art.. some restaurants .. free nature sancturary. huge sand cranes were walking beside the road .. they are huge. I guess they mate for life. check out muldoon for the local fav ... Pasties .. it's like a pot pie. very filling and the dessert ones are yum.

I love a lighthouse and Eagle Harbor's does not disappoint. The building was closed for the season…read morebut walking around the grounds and enjoying the gorgeous views of Lake Superior during peak fall foliage was a very enjoyable experience. Even if you can't go inside it's worth a visit. Just take a look at my pics for a taste. But it's so much better in person!

Eagle Harbor is a charming red lighthouse along Lake Superior in the Copper Harbor / Keewinaw…read morePeninsula area. If you're in Eagle Harbor...well, it's one of the only things here to see. We were greeted by a friendly lighthouse volunteer who gave us the lay of the land. Admission is $5 per person and supports the upkeep of the lighthouse. There's a small (one room) museum with gift shop, outlook point and another small museum in addition to the lighthouse. The lighthouse volunteer was very engaging and informative and let us wander the space. Be sure to take a few photos of the exterior!

Beautiful falls but no signs to get to them. Walk down a trail about a half mile from when you…read moreturn on to Golf Course road. You will come to a old run dam that looks like a waterfall. Go to your right up stream up a small incline and walk down the trail with river on your left.

Hidden gem .. weather proof art. walking through the small…read moretown of Munising we happened upon Art in the alley. I'm a fan of publc street art.. More than 60 artists from around Alger County have their work on display. Everything from photography of local tribal dancers to paintings of Pictured Rocks. people just like to walk around during the day, whether they're shopping or at nighttime or during the day.Also on display are 20 art banners from Munising's 4th through 12th grade classes, as well as the "Life of Lake Superior" tile art by area residents and custom designed metal gateways. The Downtown Development Authority says beautification projects like Art in the Alley help people enjoy the city and show off local talent.

When summer comes, it is a unique way to explore downtown w a little touch of local art.read more

The best corned beef hash around! Our server was super attentive and the restaurant was super clean.read more

Every year in mid-August, Iron County's fairground located on a back road north of the Iron River's…read moremain street district comes to life. For those of you who are city dwellers and never went to one of these fairs, let me break it down for you. The primary purpose of a fair is for the locals to compete in numerous categories: the best livestock (pigs, chickens, cows, horses, etc.), the best fruits and vegetables, floral arrangements, crafts (needlepoint or quilts usually), and then all the kids artwork done by the local 4H Club. The exhibit barn is symmetrically designed with a separate wing for pigs, goats and sheep, one for the cattle, one for the horses, and yet another for chickens, rabbits and smaller animals. The upper level is for the fruits, vegetables, crafts, and flowers. The judging area is a circular pen in the center of the barn, with seats arranged all around and an upper level viewing deck. Minus the rides and amusements, you can explore the whole fair easily in an hour. What I admire most are the kids who raised the animals, some of whom are just a few years older than my 5-year old son. You see the kids dressed in their best shirt and jeans, proudly leading their animal into the judging arena. The judge watches the animals and their appearance, their gait, and physical attributes. He then calls out the winners and what he likes about the particular animals. The winners are often purchased by the local grocery stores or meat shops, who display their name next to the market steer or lamb. For the non-winners, he offers advice on what they need to work on for the next year or what he found undesirable about the animals. Besides the competition, there's a carnival too, with all the rides and foods associated with carnivals, right down to the inbred-looking ride operators with bad teeth, fading blue tattoos and permanent sunburns. OK, so the rides are fun, but what better way to tell your kids about the importance of a good education so they don't end up like one of these guys. OK, so some of the rides are fun. This was the first year my 5 year old was able to go on some of them since he's tall enough. Iron County's fair is small compared to the one in Marquette or Dickinson County. However, for the 5 days it lasts, it is a point of pride all around town. On the Saturday night of the fair, the highlight is the Demolition Derby. In the days leading up to the derby, you begin to spot these beat-up junkers parked in driveways and lots around town. Then on the day of the derby, around mid-afternoon you'll see a procession of these cars rumbling towards the fairgrounds. By late afternoon, the town is shut down as everyone is at the fair. And just for a few hours, all the worries of everyday life disappear as the townspeople gather in the grandstand bleachers for the main event.

This place is a joke! Went there to enjoy a birthday celebration and it left us disappointed in…read morewishing we had spent our $250 elsewhere!!! Don't bother complaining about your meal because the owner will just take it into the kitchen eat it and come back and tell you she thought it tasted fine , really? Who does that? I like to spend my money locally, but this is not a place I will ever return to !!!

I'm told that the best Thank You notes are not written the next day. That's what this feels like,…read morefor we had an amazing experience for our 29th (!!) wedding anniversary. We knew a bit about the restaurant beforehand (I stopped in over the summer to buy a gift certificate), but this was our first time dining. We've had family style dinner before and, honestly, we're very open-minded eaters. We didn't even read a menu and let the staff take care of us. It turns out that we were in very good hands. The service is very attentive and friendly. We joked with our server as we learned about the menu and asked questions. It was a perfect mix of information and 'let us show you more.' The restaurant itself is sizeable with a few areas perfect for larger groups. We were seated at a high top, which felt a bit like the cat-bird seat. We were able to see everything and people watch without being rude or obtrusive. Seeing how others reacted to the food - and getting a preview before ours arrived - was fun and informative at the same time. The tricky part of this recap is the fact that the menu is very fluid. I can tell you how amazing the antipasto was - the memory of the caper berries still makes my mouth water - but your plate may arrive with completely different items. The adventure is trying things that either you've never had before or not in this preparation. Simply put, I recommend the prix fixe family dinner. Let yourself be guided by the food and try everything in front of you. That said, we learned that the kitchen makes their favorites on Saturday nights, so you might have a chance to enjoy the silky gnocchi or the sublime orecchiette. Since Strega Nonna offers kitchen courses, I am keeping an eye on the schedule in hopes of recreating something that we enjoyed or learning something completely new to me. The music was very enjoyable and did not impede conversation. It was the perfect backdrop for our food adventure, allowing us to chat about the restaurant and food or simply enjoy the tastes while listening. Thank you to everyone at Strega Nonna that made our anniversary so special. We're thrilled to have you in Negaunee and look forward to taking more 'tours' with your food and fun!