Houghton and Keweenaw area guidebook

Michelle
Houghton and Keweenaw area guidebook

Favorite local downhill skiing and snowboarding

This place also does adventure tours in the summer - kayaking, biking, and hiking. It is a system of yurts and now has a bar and grill. You can buy day passes to their outdoor Nordic Spa replete with a sauna, steam room, cold pool and hot tub.
22 locals recommend
Mount Bohemia
6532 Gay Lac La Belle Rd
22 locals recommend
This place also does adventure tours in the summer - kayaking, biking, and hiking. It is a system of yurts and now has a bar and grill. You can buy day passes to their outdoor Nordic Spa replete with a sauna, steam room, cold pool and hot tub.
This is an affordable and family friendly ski area with a couple of lifts, a t-bar, and a tubing hill. There are some surprisingly steep runs and a decent set of jumps. It is especially nice to visit when looking for something close to town or when the visibility is too poor to make it any farther than 10 miles in the winter blizzards.
33 locals recommend
Mont Ripley Ski Area
49051 Ski Hill
33 locals recommend
This is an affordable and family friendly ski area with a couple of lifts, a t-bar, and a tubing hill. There are some surprisingly steep runs and a decent set of jumps. It is especially nice to visit when looking for something close to town or when the visibility is too poor to make it any farther than 10 miles in the winter blizzards.

Favorite Nordic Skiing

Hosts a great race in the spring called the Great Bear Chase and is a laid back place to nordic ski with well-groomed trails and loops suited from the beginner to expert. Scenic and peaceful!
29 locals recommend
Swedetown Nordic Ski Trails
56641 Osceola Rd
29 locals recommend
Hosts a great race in the spring called the Great Bear Chase and is a laid back place to nordic ski with well-groomed trails and loops suited from the beginner to expert. Scenic and peaceful!
This place is groomed for classic skiing, so sadly there is no skate skiing but it is quite scenic and peaceful near the creek. In the summer months these mountain bike trails are less busy. Seek out the flow trail that is one of the connecting trails between the two areas. Additional Parking is at Churning Rapids trailhead at Christenson Road off of M-203 about half way between Hancock and McLain's state Park.
7 locals recommend
Maasto Hiihto and Churning Rapids Nordic Ski Area
1601 Tomasi Drive
7 locals recommend
This place is groomed for classic skiing, so sadly there is no skate skiing but it is quite scenic and peaceful near the creek. In the summer months these mountain bike trails are less busy. Seek out the flow trail that is one of the connecting trails between the two areas. Additional Parking is at Churning Rapids trailhead at Christenson Road off of M-203 about half way between Hancock and McLain's state Park.

Epic Midwest Mountain Biking

This place comes alive in the summer months with the dedicated trail crew that makes these well maintained trails a hidden mecca for mountain bike enthusiasts. Stairway to Heaven and the Point Trail phase III are a couple of my favorite runs! Shuttle buses available for those who just want to cruise downhill and avoid the climbs. Rentals and knowledgeable staff at this shop. Kayak tours available as well.
13 locals recommend
Keweenaw Adventure Company
155 Gratiot St
13 locals recommend
This place comes alive in the summer months with the dedicated trail crew that makes these well maintained trails a hidden mecca for mountain bike enthusiasts. Stairway to Heaven and the Point Trail phase III are a couple of my favorite runs! Shuttle buses available for those who just want to cruise downhill and avoid the climbs. Rentals and knowledgeable staff at this shop. Kayak tours available as well.

Sightseeing

Many informative and fun tours of this historic mine that will get you fired up about the local history of the area!
60 locals recommend
Quincy Mine
49750 US-41
60 locals recommend
Many informative and fun tours of this historic mine that will get you fired up about the local history of the area!
This is the closest state park with access to Lake Superior. There is a breakwall, lighthouse, campground, cabins, and concession stand during the summer. In the winter you can snowshoe or boot in to see the frozen wave landscape and blinding ice, which feels a bit otherworldly.
42 locals recommend
McLain State Park
18350 M-203
42 locals recommend
This is the closest state park with access to Lake Superior. There is a breakwall, lighthouse, campground, cabins, and concession stand during the summer. In the winter you can snowshoe or boot in to see the frozen wave landscape and blinding ice, which feels a bit otherworldly.

National Park

Closest National Historic Park details rich details of the areas past boom years during the Copper Mining days!
13 locals recommend
Keweenaw National Historical Park Headquarters
25970 Red Jacket Rd
13 locals recommend
Closest National Historic Park details rich details of the areas past boom years during the Copper Mining days!

Food scene

Great views, craft beer and whiskey bar, bbq and reasonable prices. Call for reservations on weekends especially as it does get busy. Fourth of July celebration with music and fireworks at this Lake Superior beachfront spot as an alternative to Copper Harbors festivities.
57 locals recommend
Fitzgerald's Restaurant
5033 Front St
57 locals recommend
Great views, craft beer and whiskey bar, bbq and reasonable prices. Call for reservations on weekends especially as it does get busy. Fourth of July celebration with music and fireworks at this Lake Superior beachfront spot as an alternative to Copper Harbors festivities.
Cozy during the holidays and they brew a couple of their own craft beers.
31 locals recommend
Michigan House Cafe and Brew Pub
300 6th St
31 locals recommend
Cozy during the holidays and they brew a couple of their own craft beers.
Known for their pizzas, subs, and fish bowl liquor drinks, and unique ambiance including ceiling decor.
52 locals recommend
Ambassador Restaurant
126 Shelden Ave
52 locals recommend
Known for their pizzas, subs, and fish bowl liquor drinks, and unique ambiance including ceiling decor.
Only attempt to eat here if you have plenty of time and want a relaxed pace of service during the busier MTU weekends. Enjoy the dining experience, views of the canal and don't be in such a rush....
14 locals recommend
The Library Restaurant
62 Isle Royale Street
14 locals recommend
Only attempt to eat here if you have plenty of time and want a relaxed pace of service during the busier MTU weekends. Enjoy the dining experience, views of the canal and don't be in such a rush....
German themed restaurant and bar on Lake Superior’s shores where if your timing is right you may witness the staff doing the can-can dance to welcome the isle royal queen islanders. Reservations recommended!
33 locals recommend
Harbor Haus Restaurant
77 Brockway Ave
33 locals recommend
German themed restaurant and bar on Lake Superior’s shores where if your timing is right you may witness the staff doing the can-can dance to welcome the isle royal queen islanders. Reservations recommended!