Michigan Vacation Getaway

Michigan is not just the same as every other state in the United States, it offers a Michigan Vacation Getaway on a peninsula that 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. This unique opportunity to travel the peninsula and actually set foot into three of the Great Lakes and get some wine and cheese in Wisconsin makes for the Michigan vacation getaway that will be remembered for years to come.

The Keweenaw Peninsula is a rocky forested finger sticking out into Lake Superior. Here there were copper mines that supplied most of the country's copper to build the electric grids of most of the country. There were fabulous ornate houses built in such communities as Houghton and Calumet with the profits made from the copper mines. These mining creations are long gone since the closing of most of the mines in the early 1920's but the memories live on in the communities.

The area also hosts the Mineral Museum of Michigan known as A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum. Here you can see one of the finest collections of minerals in North America. Nature created some awesome mineral deposits that would be the envy of any artists. There is 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.)

You will also have the opportunity to visit Hancock while on the peninsula. Hancock has the Finnish American Heritage Center. The center is on the campus of Finlandia University and houses the Finnish-American historical archive, a museum, theater, art gallery and the Family History Center.

Also outside of Hancock is the Portage Lake Upper Entry Light which is located at the end of the break wall at McLain State Park. It is a 50' square steel tower that was built in 1950.

Eagle River will take you to another Light House, the Eagle River Lighthouse on the south bend of the Eagle River. This lighthouse went into operation in 8154 and concluded its service in 1908. What happened to this old lighthouse? It became a private residence.

Eagle Harbor has its own lighthouse. This facility is located at the west end of Eagle Harbor. The brick structure was built in 1871 and is now part of the Keweenaw County Historical Society's Light Station Museum Complex. It is open to the public for viewing.

There is so much to see and do in Upper Peninsula of Michigan that you will want to return time after time to this beautiful place to just see part of what is available and meet some of the people that make the area so special. Walk in the forests, search out some of the old mines, take a drive through the quaint villages and visit some of the lighthouses. It will certainly be a trip you will remember and wish to repeat.