Munising - the Perfect Weekend Getaway in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

A pretty little town on the south shore of Lake Superior, Munising is nestled among northern hardwood forests, waterfalls, white sand beaches and the sandstone cliffs known as the Pictured Rocks. Quiet and friendly, with a population of less than 3,000, Munising is the perfect place to escape the rat race. During the summer months when most of the country is sweltering beneath a blanket of heat and humidity, Munising enjoys mild temperatures and a cool Canadian breeze.

There are so many things to see and do, you could easily spend your entire two-week vacation exploring Munising and the surrounding area. But if you're strapped for time, like most of us are these days, consider a long weekend getaway in Munising. You'll be glad you did.

Getting There

From Chicago, it's a 7-hour drive north through Milwaukee, Green Bay and on to Marinette before crossing the state line into the Upper Peninsula.

From Detroit, it's a 7-hour drive north on I-75, crossing the Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula. You'll come across the famous Seney Stretch before driving into Munising on M-28.

If you prefer to fly, Sawyer International airport is 30 miles from Munising and rental cars are available at the airport.

Lodging Options

Options are many and range from tent and trailer camping, to Mom and Pop motels, rustic cabins, bed and breakfasts and chain hotels. Reservations are a good idea, especially during July and August.

Tourist Park Campground, located 3 miles west of Munising, offers showers and electricity and is convenient. However, it can be crowded in July and August. It sits right on Lake Superior with a beautiful beach, but state highway M-28 is very close and can be noisy.

Bay Furnace Campground is located 5 miles west of Munising in the small village of Christmas. Like Tourist Park, it is convenient and accessible. Very pretty with good size sites right on Lake Superior. No showers or flushing toilets. Water is available from hand pumps. Within easy walking distance from the Kewadin Casino, Foggy's Steak House, and the Christmas Mini-Mall which serves delicious hand-dipped ice cream.

If you're a bed and breakfast kind of person, check out the beautiful Pinewood Lodge and the AuTrain Lake B&B. Both are located in the small village of AuTrain, an easy and very scenic ten-minute drive from Munising.

Other lodging options can be found on the Munising Visitors Bureau website.

Things to See and Do

Your first stop should be the visitor center that is jointly operated by Hiawatha National Forest and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. There's only one traffic light in Munising. When you see the traffic light, just look around and you'll see the visitor center - located at the junction of M-28 and H-58. Here you can pick up maps and information about local hiking trails, biking trails, camping, waterfalls and more. Recommended stops include Munising Falls, Sand Point Beach and Marsh Walk, and Miners Castle. If you're up for something a little more strenuous, consider the day hike to Chapel Rock and Beach. If you like to be on the water, kayak, canoe and pontoon rentals are available in Munising and nearby AuTrain.

You'll definitely want to take the Shipwreck Tour in a glass-bottom boat. The shipwrecks you'll see have been incredibly well preserved by the cold water of Lake Superior and the boat captain provides entertaining and informative narration. Along the way, you'll also see the Old East Channel Lighthouse and the rock formations of Grand Island. Eagle sightings are also common. The 2-hour tour runs several times a day during the summer months. Fares are $27 for adults, $11 dollars for children 12 and under, children 5 and under ride for free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.shipwrecktours.com. Be sure to take a jacket or sweater. The air is a lot cooler out on the lake.

Just a few steps away from the Shipwreck Tour parking lot, you'll find Muldoon's Pastie Shop. Upper Peninsula natives, known as Yoopers, love their pasties. The pastie (prounounced PAST-ee) is a meat pie made for one consisting of ground or chopped beef cooked inside a pie crust with carrots, potatoes, and onion. The locals eat it with ketchup or butter, but gravy is also available.

If you really enjoy the boat tour, you'll probably also enjoy the Pictured Rocks Cruise boats that leave the Munising pier several times a day. Prices are slightly more than the Shipwreck Tour but well worth the cost to get a close up view of the famous sandstone cliffs.

While you're downtown, stop in at the Falling Rock Café for a cup of fresh brewed coffee or hand dipped ice cream. Local and visiting musicians perform at the Falling Rock every Saturday night. Children are welcome.

If you're in a shopping mood, check out the Hen House on Munising Avenue (right next to the Dairy Queen.) The Hen House offers a fabulous variety of gifts and decorative items in addition to melt-in-your-mouth homemade fudge. Who cares about the calories? You're on vacation and you're gonna do a lot of hiking, right?

Yes, there's lots to do in Munising but don't forget to RELAX! Spend some quiet time on the gorgeous white sand beaches. You haven't really seen a sunset until you experience a Lake Superior sunset.

Where to Eat

While in Munising, you'll want to try the fare at Dogpatch, a local restaurant serving "scrumptious vittles." The food is good and the atmosphere casual but charming.

For dinner, you don't want to miss the fresh white fish at the Brownstone Inn, located 12 miles west of Munising on M-28, just across the road from Lakeshore Superior. Built in 1946 from local rock, the Brownstone offers creative fine dining and attentive service in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The owners, Jeff Van Bremen and Deb Molitor, have been operating the Brownstone for over fifteen years and have built a fine reputation with locals and visitors alike. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends (906-892-8332).

Foggy's Steak House on M-28 in Christmas (between Munising and AuTrain) is another great option. Foggy's offers a full menu but their specialty, of course, is their steaks - you can grill your own or they'll grill it for you.

Things to Bring With You

You'll want your camera to capture some of the beautiful views. The weather can be cool, especially at night. So bring some clothes for laying and rain gear, just in case. A hat, sun screen and insect repellant are all good ideas.

With comfortable lodging, friendly locals, quality eateries and surrounded by glorious natural beauty, Munising is the perfect place to relax, catch your breath and regain your sanity before you have to return to the rat race. Thank goodness for long weekends!