Andi’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Visit campus, take in museums (the gem and mineral museum is great!), or enjoy the trails.
15 locals recommend
Michigan Technological University
1400 Townsend DrVisit campus, take in museums (the gem and mineral museum is great!), or enjoy the trails.
Great cross country skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer!
29 locals recommend
Swedetown Nordic Ski Trails
56641 Osceola RdGreat cross country skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer!
A great little beach and a HUGE play structure for the kids. Modeled after the classic game "Chutes and Ladders." There is often live music in this park in the summer, and in the winter there's an ice skating ribbon winding through.
Houghton Waterfront Park & Pavilion
A great little beach and a HUGE play structure for the kids. Modeled after the classic game "Chutes and Ladders." There is often live music in this park in the summer, and in the winter there's an ice skating ribbon winding through.
One of our favorite beaches. It's located on the canal, so it's usually a bit warmer than the big lake. Lots of activities including volleyball nets, play structures, and a large dock for jumping off.
Hancock Recreation Area
2000 Jasberg StOne of our favorite beaches. It's located on the canal, so it's usually a bit warmer than the big lake. Lots of activities including volleyball nets, play structures, and a large dock for jumping off.
This is by far our favorite beach in the summer. It's absolutely stunning out there on Lake Superior. We like to cross the river and camp out over on the far side where there are usually fewer people.
6 locals recommend
Misery Bay
This is by far our favorite beach in the summer. It's absolutely stunning out there on Lake Superior. We like to cross the river and camp out over on the far side where there are usually fewer people.
The trails right behind our house are part of the Nara Nature Park and connect to the MTU trails. There is lots of hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, biking, fishing, and even a great sledding hill. If you'd like to walk a dog from the Humane Society while you're out there, you can do that, too! Across the highway from the chalet are two boardwalks that follow along the Pilgrim River. There's so much wildlife to see and hear out there!
18 locals recommend
Nara Nature Park
47375 US-41The trails right behind our house are part of the Nara Nature Park and connect to the MTU trails. There is lots of hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, biking, fishing, and even a great sledding hill. If you'd like to walk a dog from the Humane Society while you're out there, you can do that, too! Across the highway from the chalet are two boardwalks that follow along the Pilgrim River. There's so much wildlife to see and hear out there!
Quincy Mine
49750 US-41Definitely take a tour of the mine if you can. This is a must-do!
If you're headed up to Copper Harbor, make sure you drive up Brockway Mountain. The views are incredible.
30 locals recommend
Brockway Mountain Lookout
Brockway Mountain DriveIf you're headed up to Copper Harbor, make sure you drive up Brockway Mountain. The views are incredible.
Food scene
Our favorite area restaurant. It's a bit of a drive, but the views along the way are worth it and the food is excellent. It's located right on the greatest of all the great lakes!
57 locals recommend
Fitzgerald's Restaurant
5033 Front StOur favorite area restaurant. It's a bit of a drive, but the views along the way are worth it and the food is excellent. It's located right on the greatest of all the great lakes!
This restaurant is literally at the bottom of our driveway. Talk about convenient! A good steakhouse! Great fries.
13 locals recommend
Pilgrim River Steakhouse
47409 US-41This restaurant is literally at the bottom of our driveway. Talk about convenient! A good steakhouse! Great fries.
La Cantina
101 E Quincy StGreat Mexican food. Just across the bridge in downtown Hancock.
Border Grill
1301 Memorial RoadOne of our favorites- a fast food twist on Mexican food. Delicious!
Great coffee shop. Yummy breakfast food and sandwiches, too.
10 locals recommend
5th & Elm Coffee House
426 Shelden AveGreat coffee shop. Yummy breakfast food and sandwiches, too.
Delicious smoked barbecue dishes. You may want to order ahead - sometimes they sell out!
Baby E’s BBQ
501 West Memorial DriveDelicious smoked barbecue dishes. You may want to order ahead - sometimes they sell out!
Joey's Seafood & Grill
304 Shelden AvenueYummy seafood restaurant located in downtown Houghton.
A great bakery that serves everything you'd think! Located down on the waterfront in Houghton.
23 locals recommend
Roy's Pasties & Bakery
305 W Lakeshore DrA great bakery that serves everything you'd think! Located down on the waterfront in Houghton.
Authentic Houghton. This restaurant has really cool, old murals lit up inside and great views of the water through the windows. Most people order pizza (we recommend the tostada and Greek)
52 locals recommend
Ambassador Restaurant
126 Shelden AveAuthentic Houghton. This restaurant has really cool, old murals lit up inside and great views of the water through the windows. Most people order pizza (we recommend the tostada and Greek)
This restaurant has moved around a bit, but hopefully will be staying put in the Continental Fire Company building. We haven't been inside yet (thanks, Covid!), but the food is great! Lots of interesting selections.
6 locals recommend
The Continental Fire Co.
408 E Montezuma AveThis restaurant has moved around a bit, but hopefully will be staying put in the Continental Fire Company building. We haven't been inside yet (thanks, Covid!), but the food is great! Lots of interesting selections.
Great restaurant in downtown Houghton. They brew some of their own beer and have great burgers and fries.
14 locals recommend
The Library Restaurant
62 Isle Royale StreetGreat restaurant in downtown Houghton. They brew some of their own beer and have great burgers and fries.
The Den Restaurant
210 Shelden AveLocated in downtown Houghton. Interesting menu items.
Delicious sushi. They are often closed and can be extremely busy when they're open. Check ahead.
10 locals recommend
Sky Sushi Houghton
401 Shelden AveDelicious sushi. They are often closed and can be extremely busy when they're open. Check ahead.
This is a great restaurant up in Calumet. A good place to stop if you're already up that way or driving through. They brew their own beer. After dinner, head over to Shute's Bar just down the road and check out the old, historic decor.
31 locals recommend
Michigan House Cafe and Brew Pub
300 6th StThis is a great restaurant up in Calumet. A good place to stop if you're already up that way or driving through. They brew their own beer. After dinner, head over to Shute's Bar just down the road and check out the old, historic decor.
If you like German food, this place is for you! Located up in Copper Harbor, it's right on the lake. Yum!
33 locals recommend
Harbor Haus Restaurant
77 Brockway AveIf you like German food, this place is for you! Located up in Copper Harbor, it's right on the lake. Yum!
Toni's makes the best pasties. You can get pasties in a lot of different places up here, but we love Toni's the most!
10 locals recommend
Toni's Country Kitchen
79 3rd StToni's makes the best pasties. You can get pasties in a lot of different places up here, but we love Toni's the most!
The local pub. Beer is sold on tap and in the local stores. They have a great outdoor patio out back in the warmer months, and a fireplace with couches surrounding it for cozying up in the winter. We recommend picking up some food and bringing it in (Pizza Works right next door will also deliver (walk) your pizza orders over).
41 locals recommend
Keweenaw Brewing Company Taproom
408 Shelden AveThe local pub. Beer is sold on tap and in the local stores. They have a great outdoor patio out back in the warmer months, and a fireplace with couches surrounding it for cozying up in the winter. We recommend picking up some food and bringing it in (Pizza Works right next door will also deliver (walk) your pizza orders over).
If you're up in Copper Harbor for the day, you need to stop at Brickside for a beer. They brew the best local beer by far. Quick and easy!
11 locals recommend
Brickside Brewery
64 Gratiot StIf you're up in Copper Harbor for the day, you need to stop at Brickside for a beer. They brew the best local beer by far. Quick and easy!
City/town information
Copper Harbor is beautiful, quiet, peaceful, and definitely will feel like you've traveled to the past. People take it easy up there. Watch out for bikes - they are everywhere up there!
52 locals recommend
Copper Harbor
Copper Harbor is beautiful, quiet, peaceful, and definitely will feel like you've traveled to the past. People take it easy up there. Watch out for bikes - they are everywhere up there!
Calumet has a lot of historic buildings to take in and is part of the Keweenaw National Historic Park. There are lots of signs and walking tours through the village that tell about the old mining days. Stopping for a self-guiding walking tour through the Calumet Theater is a treat.
18 locals recommend
Calumet Township
Calumet has a lot of historic buildings to take in and is part of the Keweenaw National Historic Park. There are lots of signs and walking tours through the village that tell about the old mining days. Stopping for a self-guiding walking tour through the Calumet Theater is a treat.
City advice
Getting around
Cell phones don't always work around here!
You will definitely lose reception the closer to Copper Harbor you get. Likewise, GPS can be tricky. Make sure you have a photo of a map with you.
What to pack
Bring bug spray!
Always carry some bug spray or proper clothing for keeping out bugs when planning to be outside up here in the summer. You never know when they will ruin your trip! Hats with brims are helpful (and if you have a bug net - bring it!) The bugs can be vicious!