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Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau
"Ghost Towns of the Keweenaw: Cliff Mine"
writing
July 23rd, 2021
LIKE A DREAM
In 1913, a Canadian immigrant named Norbert Sarazin put down roots in Bootjack, Michigan. In this remote Keweenaw gem, Norbert built a resort that catered to loggers too weary to travel home. Originally named Dreamland Hotel, the Dreamland Restaurant & Bar has lived up to its name as an oasis of food, drink and community for over 100 years...
July 29th, 2021
In National Geographic’s: Uncharted “Michigan’s Yooper Cuisine”, we witnessed famous chef Gordon Ramsay explore the Keweenaw Peninsula as he pursued Upper Peninsula culinary ingredients. Inspired by Ramsay’s quest to become a true yooper, here are our recommendations on visiting the Keweenaw like a celebrity chef.
August 5th, 2021
Trudging through epic morning snowstorms to make class and late-night study sessions aren’t the only experiences Husky grads share. In preparation for Michigan Technological University Alumni Reunion Weekend, we’ve created a guide to waltz down memory lane.
September 3, 2021
Famous for bountiful strawberry harvests and berry-themed celebrations, the charming community of Chassell is a hub of outdoor fun, food, and historical pursuits! For many who make their pilgrimage to the Keweenaw, Chassell is a welcomed sign that they’ve made it to the promised land. But don’t sleep on Chassell because it’s an untapped SoKe (South Keweenaw) gem. Here’s the scoop to discovering the best of Chassell.
September 24, 2021
When you’re in the Keweenaw in the fall, a simple drive to the store can be a world-class fall color tour. But if you’re serious about seeing as much of the Upper Peninsula’s fall color splendor as possible, we’ve put together an unbeatable road trip with plenty of scenic views, Lake Superior shoreline, and amazing autumn glory. This 160+ mile route clocks in at a mere 5 hours in drive time alone, so buckle in for a full day of adventuring! There are unlimited opportunities to find great sights, food, and attractions along the way, so pick and choose from this list to make your own unforgettable Keweenaw fall road trip!
DRINK LIKE A LOCAL: 5 GREAT KEWEENAW WATERING HOLES
October 15th, 2021
What is it about a little pub tucked away in some quiet place that’s just so darn appealing? Is it the friendly bartender, who’s likely the owner? Is it the history lining the walls – mining photos, dollar bills stuck to the ceiling, vintage local sports jerseys, Bosch brewing memorabilia… Or perhaps it’s the feeling of friendship and community and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. We asked Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula online community where some of their favorite Keweenaw watering holes were, and they did not disappoint!
October 22nd, 2021
The last days of October find the Keweenaw busy with Halloween fun. Folks around town are treated to spooky decorations in shop fronts, smiling scarecrows, and a community lively with anticipation for Halloween events and camaraderie. The surreal, warm autumn that brought us blazing fall color and bluebird days for fall adventuring begin to chill… the leaves fall, the winds bite a little more, and the skies cast grey. Beneath the laughter of Hallow’s Eve revelry, something stirs… The Copper Country is a place where history melds with the unknowable. Those that seek to experience the uncanny in the Keweenaw need not travel far…
November 12th, 2021
There are some nights in downtown Houghton where your dinner plans call for something a little… more. Perhaps a sunset stroll along the waterfront has inspired a little romance… you’re celebrating a personal best after a day on the Tech Trails… or you’re just looking to break bread with friends in a place with a certain atmosphere. Whatever reason finds you near Shelden Avenue, we have sit-down dinner suggestions that will wow both your travel buddies and your palate alike!
January 5th, 2022
Step outside her cozy towns, and it doesn’t take long for the Keweenaw to remind you that she is an untamed land, locked in a 500-million-year battle with Lake Superior and the elements. Tall, sandstone cliff-faces, cut from glacial movement and altered by eons of weather, drop starkly into Lake Superior. Sheer cliffs within the horn of the Keweenaw jut out into the sky. Powerful, churning waterfalls cut into the land… and once the depth of winter falls, chart-topping snowfall and the long chill transform any trickle of water into massive columns of climbable ice.
Curling is considered one of the world’s oldest winter team sports with its roots found in 16th century Scotland where the art was practiced on frozen lochs and lakes. Today, curling is a Winter Olympics darling, and the sport is sweeping across the Midwest (pun intended)!
In a place that regularly averages over 200 inches of snow a year, playing in the snow has become a skill that the Keweenaw has honed to utter perfection. Michigan Technological University’s Winter Carnival, full of snow and ice sculptures, music, and outdoor sports, celebrates the incredible magnitude of Keweenaw snow. Though the event has grown significantly since its inception in 1922, it remains a staple Copper Country winter event.
Keweenaw Dark Skies
The Keweenaw is a place that does nothing in small degrees. The waters of Lake Superior engulf the horizon. Cliffs rocket to the sky. Forested valleys plunge deeply past mountainsides, rolling for miles like a sea. Blazing sunsets and sunrises are dialed to eleven. When night falls, the Keweenaw unfurls a sometimes overlooked gift – the truest, deepest, and darkest skies left in the world.
The CopperDog 150 is a cornerstone Keweenaw winter event. Mushers and teams from around the world come to historic Calumet to partake in the early-March race in Michigan’s northern-most wilderness. The Keweenaw’s extensive snowmobile trails, diverse landscapes, and late winter snowfall create the perfect conditions for a sled dog race while many parts of the Midwest are welcoming spring.
24 Hours in Houghton
So you’ve found yourself in Houghton for a day – lucky you! Whether you’re dropping off your Tech student, or making the town your basecamp of Upper Peninsula adventures, the bustling community of Houghton, Michigan has many ways to enrich your travels. This list will stack the next 24 hours, but don’t be surprised if you’re charmed into planning a much longer stay!
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