UP Cultural Tours: Top 5 Picks for an Authentic Experience

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, sometimes called the UP, really is a special place. The landscapes, they’re pretty spectacular, and there’s so much history packed into every corner, you know? Exploring the culture there can really open your eyes to a totally different side of the Midwest, too it’s almost like going back in time, that’s for sure.

1. Soo Locks Boat Tours: Witness Engineering and Maritime Heritage

The Soo Locks Boat Tours, they offer something way more than just a simple boat ride; it’s more of a floating lesson in history and engineering. As you cruise the St. Marys River, you go through the very same locks that gigantic freighters use, that is something, isn’t it? They’ll explain how these locks work, that allow ships to move between the different water levels of Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes; so that you understand the huge impact that it all had, and still has, on industry and transportation.

These tours, that take about one and a half to two hours, usually, really give you some up-close peeks at the Canadian and United States shorelines. The guides, that are generally quite entertaining, usually share stories about the locks, the ships, and the characters who were involved in this part of the world, it’s pretty neat. Very often, too it’s almost a little cold out there, so grab a jacket; in some respects it depends on what time of year it is. Read our full review: Soo Locks Boat Tours Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Soo Locks Boat Tours)

2. Mackinac Island: Horse-Drawn Carriages and Victorian Charm

Mackinac Island, well, that feels more like stepping straight into a movie set from the 1800s than anything else, that it does. Once you get off the ferry, that’s it for cars; that too it’s almost amazing really, and all you’re going to see is horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, and people walking around enjoying themselves, you know? The pace is relaxed, that’s for sure, and the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves, that adds a unique, almost nostalgic, feeling to the island atmosphere.

Carriage tours, that are offered by several companies, are a seriously great way to get to know all of the important historical landmarks, that are worth seeing. A bunch of the tours include stops at Fort Mackinac, which is a really great place to spend some time at, that’s true, and Arch Rock, a really striking natural limestone formation. These tours, that also share stories about the island’s history, often talk about its role in the fur trade and also about the American Revolution. It sounds educational, but that too it’s enjoyable at the same time; still, don’t eat too many of those fudge samples, okay? Read our full review: Mackinac Island Horse-Drawn Carriages Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mackinac Island Carriage Tours)

3. Copper Peak Adventure Ride: A Thrilling Slice of Mining History

Copper Peak, just outside Ironwood, really is something that manages to be both thrilling and historical, right? Initially built as a ski flying jump, the Adventure Ride, that brings you to the top, it’s so much more than just a ride to the top of a big hill. The tour guides, that tend to be really informative, like your local experts, tell stories about the region’s mining past, and also about all of the daredevils who attempted to ski jump off this gigantic structure.

That trip to the top, that involves a chairlift ride and an elevator ascent, that’s very memorable; but it’s the observation deck, it provides some amazing views of the surrounding area, very seriously worth the trip for. If you’re feeling brave, that is, they allow you to walk out onto the actual ski jump platform – and from there the view is absolutely spectacular, too it’s a little crazy at the same time. This destination, that mixes history with, just a little, adrenaline, provides a one-of-a-kind experience, definitely. Read our full review: Copper Peak Adventure Ride Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Copper Peak Adventure)

4. Kitch-iti-kipi (The Big Spring): Nature’s Stunning Showcase

Kitch-iti-kipi, it is in Palms Book State Park, and that too it’s sometimes just called “The Big Spring.” The tour, it is very low key, involving a self-operated raft that takes you across the spring, and that too it’s kind of magical. That clear, turquoise water, it makes it totally easy to see the ancient tree trunks and the constantly moving sands down below the surface.

It’s more of a visual treat than an active tour, that’s certainly something; still the local stories around it make it worth learning about, because the locals, that often speak to some really good details; well they often share some great insights about its past. The clarity of the water, that lets you watch the underwater life in its natural setting, it can be seriously mesmerizing; still remember your bug spray, it’s a pretty important piece, alright? Read our full review: Kitch-iti-kipi Big Spring Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore Kitch-iti-kipi)

5. Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum: Stories from the Deep

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, that is at Whitefish Point, is a spot for remembering the many ships that went down on these seriously big lakes. The museum, that’s near the famously hazardous Shipwreck Coast, gives you, like your up-close view, of artifacts from several shipwrecks; especially the Edmund Fitzgerald, which is maybe the most talked about.

You can explore exhibits, that include recovered items, that talk about the hard lives of sailors and the dangers of navigating the Great Lakes. They can do tours of the light station, that is connected to the museum; very, very good option, right? Those tours can show you the vital role the lighthouse played in assisting boats and avoiding tragedy. This place, that combines history with maritime lore, it gives you some real thought about the lake’s past, arguably more than other ones on the list. Read our full review: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Visit the Museum)