A Low Key Weekend for Two (and with family) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

 Michigan’s Upper Peninsula transports me to another time and place. The hills, cliffs and waterfalls aren’t anywhere to be found below the bridge and towns like Grand Marais where we stayed have a small town charm where you leave your doors unlocked at night and easily make friends with other tourists. (So much so that they invite you back to their incredible log cabin mansion rental.)

We drove up last Thursday and left on Sunday–a long weekend that didn’t seem long enough! Read on for my favorite things to do and see in a couple towns in the UP:

Grand Marais

Grand Marais is where Matt spent many childhood summers and this was my first time visiting. We stayed with Uncle Fred and Aunt Elaine who summer here in a beautiful home just a short walk away from the downtown and even shorter walk to Lake Superior.

On separate occasions, we grabbed drinks and then pizza from Dunes Saloon. They have a small outdoor patio space where we sat the first night–Matt grabbed a beer and I tried their cream soda made in-house. The pizza is good too with an extra thick crust (and cheap!)

We spent one morning checking out Sable Falls, Hurricane River and Hurricane Beach along with the Log Slide Overlook–all places if you’re a first time visitor like me must absolutely see in person.

We took wine to Agate Beach one evening to watch the sunset, which is an absolute must. There’s a ramp leading to a giant overlook making it easy to dredge out to the beach, take a seat and enjoy the views.

For shopping, visit Grand Marais Outfitters and thee Lakes Gift Shop downtown and a few miles down, check out Grand Marais Fisheries Farm and Mercantile. I bought a zip up jacket for my mom from the gift shop and grabbed maple syrup for my step dad from the mercantile shop. I also learned after visiting that you can wander the mercantile property and visit the chickens that provide the fresh eggs you can shop!

Marquette

I’ve covered Marquette on the blog several times since it’s one of my favorite places to visit and this trip we visited a few of my favorite places while making time to visit places I hadn’t yet checked out.

Babycakes Muffin Company is probably my favorite place in town. I’m a sucker for an oversized muffin and iced latte combo, and I always revisit and order it. Matt ordered the sausage quiche which was absolutely delicious.

We checked out the goods at the farmer’s market too. The market was bustling with live music, lots of treats and of course fresh veggies. I bought the breads.

We checked out a few of our favorite shops like Revisions and UP Supply Co. buying little gifts for ourselves to take home, and checked out Black Bird and then Snowbound Books, grabbing a memoir that’s been on my reading list.

We headed over to Presque Isle to wander the beach and black rocks, watching people dive into Lake Superior from the cliffs. One of my favorite places to visit in Marquette!

After that, we craved a beer and headed over to Barrel and Beam, grabbing fruity beers and resting on cozy couches in the beautifully designed and decorated space.

We ended our day trip to Marquette with some snacks from the Marquette Food Co Op. We thought about grabbing burgers from my favorite restaurant the Delft, but we wanted to try something new and grab a lighter meal before driving back to Grand Marais.

They have a large assortment of pre-prepared sandwiches and other food to grab and go (and 40 cent cans of carbonated water!) We sat outside at the patio tables in front of the store and just happened to run into Matt’s good friends Mike and Kate who happened to be visiting from Lansing too!

At the Log Slide Overlook in Grand Marais At Sable Falls, another majestic waterfall up here. Hurricane River Beach is anything but rapid and chaotic. It’s quiet, the water is incredibly clear and such a marvel to explore.e  We always visit the UP Supply Co. when we’re in Marquette! Farmers Markets on Saturdays Revisions is easily my favorite store in Marquette Presque Isle and found a grumpy couple to snap our pic! If I go to a brewery, it has to be Barrel and Beam. Great beer, beautifully designed and decorated!