What To See and Do in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Upper Peninsula of Michigan with Kids: What We Loved, What We’d Skip, and What Surprised Us

After nearly five years on the road, it takes a lot to impress us—but this summer, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) truly delivered. From crystal-clear lakes and charming towns to overpriced fudge and surprisingly underwhelming waterfalls, here’s a full recap of our family’s U.P. adventure: the good, the not-so-great, and what we’d absolutely do again.

🚲 Mackinac Island: Magical but Bring Your Wallet

This was a bucket-list stop—and it came with bucket-sized receipts. 🧾

We took the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island, which cost our family of five $171 round-trip. Once on the island, we rented bikes (nearly $300 total) and set out to ride the 8-mile loop, which was absolutely gorgeous. We stopped at Arch Rock, took photos at the overlook, and even made time for a visit to the Grand Hotel—which charges a $10 entrance fee per person (so another $50).

Oh, and of course, you can’t leave Mackinac without fudge. That was another $40, and dinner added $110 to the tally.

👉 Our Honest Take:

• It’s beautiful, clean, and feels like stepping into another era.

• The bike ride is unforgettable.

• But unless you’re planning to stay overnight, one day is plenty—and be prepared for it to be expensive.

🍦 Sault Ste. Marie: A Hidden Gem We Almost Skipped

We made a last-minute decision to stop in Sault Ste. Marie, and it ended up being one of our favorite spots. We found a campground right on the water, which gave us beautiful views with the cargo ships going by after passing through the locks.

Across the street, we discovered Zac & Mac’s Ice Cream, which offers $2.50 two-scoop Tuesdays (um, yes please!). It was so good that we made a detour to Frankenmuth later in our trip just to try it again. (Spoiler alert: they don’t honor the Tuesday deal there, but it’s still worth visiting!)

We also loved walking over to the Soo Locks to watch massive freighters pass through. It was totally free and genuinely fascinating—especially for kids! Go around sunset and walk up the stairs at the overlook!

🧭 Family Highlights:

• Budget-friendly ✔️

• Ice cream lovers, rejoice ✔️

• Campground with waterfront access ✔️

• One of the most surprising stops of the summer

💦 Tahquamenon Falls: Pretty… Overrated?

It’s hyped. It’s heavily photographed. It’s called “Root Beer Falls” because of the brown water color. And after visiting… we honestly wouldn’t recommend it.

We drove out for a day trip and found the falls to be underwhelming compared to other Midwest and PNW gems. If your time is limited in the U.P., we’d skip this one.

⚓ Shipwreck Museum: Interesting, But Pricey

We love history and maritime stories, so we visited the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum near Whitefish Point. Tickets were $50 for our family, and while the museum was nicely done, it just didn’t feel worth the cost for what we got out of it.

If your kids are older or into shipwrecks, it might be a hit. But for us? It wasn’t a must-see.

🌊 Log Slide Overlook: The Showstopper

Located just outside Grand Marais, the Log Slide Overlook absolutely blew us away.

The short hike leads you to a steep sand dune that drops into the bluest, clearest water we’ve ever seen outside of Hawaii. On a sunny day, it genuinely feels like Kauai—without the airfare.

📸 Tip:

Bring your camera and time it for golden hour. It’s the perfect place for family photos or just sitting in awe of nature’s beauty.

🛥 Pictured Rocks: Gorgeous, But Choose Your Adventure Wisely

We did the official Pictured Rocks boat tour, and it was beautiful. The sandstone cliffs, turquoise waters, and unique formations are something special.

But… if we could do it over again, we’d:

• Rent our own boat to explore at our own pace, OR

• Use our paddleboards and stay close to the beach

It’s still worth visiting, just consider what works best for your family and comfort level on the water.

One of the highlights was catching the Northern Lights. We woke the kids up in the middle of the night to go take pictures on the lake! 

🧭 Final Thoughts: Our Upper Peninsula Itinerary Recap

✅ What We’d Do Again

• Sault Ste. Marie

• Log Slide Overlook

• Pictured Rocks (DIY style)

• Mackinac Island (with a tighter budget)

❌ What We’d Skip

• Tahquamenon Falls

• Shipwreck Museum (if you’re on a budget)

🙌 RV Travel Tips for the U.P.

• Consider beefing up your suspension — the roads are rough - but especially around Detroit!

• Watch for weather — sudden storms can make paddling or boating risky

• Pack layers — it’s cooler near the water, even in summer

• Plan ahead for ferries and rentals — things book up fast in peak season. If you do the boat ride, get there an hour early and sit on the top right.

Whether you’re planning your first trip to the U.P. or returning for a second round, we hope our honest family recap helps you plan a smoother, more magical (and hopefully less expensive!) trip.