Vacation in Michigan, the Perfect Getaway

A Michigan vacation getaway is probably not something you would put at the top of your vacation list, but it should be if you enjoy doing something that you will be able to talk about for years to come. How many of your friends will be able to say they have been swimming in three of the Great Lakes in one summer? Well, here on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan you can do just that. The Peninsula is bounded on the north by Lake Superior, on the east by the St. Mary's River, on the south by Lake Michigan and Lake Huron and on the west by the state of Wisconsin.

Keweenaw Peninsula is surrounded (on three sides) by the water of Lake Superior. In the last century the area was filled with copper mines and wealthy miners that built ornate homes in Houghton and Calumet. In the 20's the mines closed and the prosperity of the region dwindled. During the time the mines were in full production they provided the copper that helped the entire nation become electrified.

Houghton is the home of the Mineral Museum of Michigan on the Michigan Tech campus. The museum, better known as the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, is the home of the world's best collection of crystallized native copper and native copper in crystallized calcite. There are special exhibits including those of native silver, datolite, Lake Superior agates and greenstones (the state gemstone of Michigan).

Stop in at Hancock and visit the Finish-American Heritage Center which is located on the campus of Finlandia University in Hancock. Here you can gain a better understanding of the Finish heritage which is still the largest congregation of Finish heritage in the United States.

The Finnish American Heritage Center is in Hancock located on the campus of Finlandia University. Here you can find information on this influential group that still is a major presents in the Upper Peninsula area.

If you are interested in lighthouses and entry lights then you will want to visit McLain State Park, just 9 miles from Hancock, to see this 50 ft. square steel tower. Built in 1950 the light is the Portage Lake Upper Entry Light.

Another light was provided by the Eagle River Lighthouse on the south bend of the Eagle River just outside of the town of Eagle River. The lighthouse was built in 1854 and had service ended in 1908. It is currently a private residence.

Lighthouses were used to prevent ships from crashing into the shore or rocks. At Eagle Harbor there is the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse located at the west end of Eagle Harbor. The brick structure was built in 1871. How many ships did it assist in getting to port? Maybe the Keweenaw County Historical Society's Light Station Museum Complex society would be able to tell you when you visit the facility that is open to the public.

Now you will want to visit the Upper Peninsula of Michigan just to see the few things that we have been telling you about. But, there are so many more things to do and see. Talk to the locals, visit a lighthouse, take a drive through the beautiful forests or hike to get up close and personal with nature. Check out the old mines, learn about the areas history. It is, without a doubt, a place you will want to re-visit as time allows.