Day Itinerary
7 Activities
Day 3
139 mi0.4 mi
Explore Tahquamenon Falls
Leave Munising, Michigan, in the morning to head out to Tahquamenon Falls. On the way to the falls, make a stop off at a scenic log slide once used to chute lumber during the early boom of the logging industry. Continue your way to Tahquamenon State Park, where you will hike to spectacular waterfalls and take a rowboat through smaller cascading falls, getting up close and personal to their amber-tinted streams.
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0.7 mi
5 min
08:3045 min
Gallery Coffee Company
A coffee shop featuring a renovated space with tin ceilings, reclaimed hardwood floors, and walls adorned with large-format photos of the Upper Peninsula.
There are limited breakfast options in the area, but the Gallery Coffee Company is a little hidden gem that provides breakfast pastries, old-fashioned sandwiches, and warm coffee. Inside, the historic building has been refurbished and there is a photography gallery. Admire local photography and sip on a cold brew. 🅿️ Street parking is available.
There are limited breakfast options in the area, but the Gallery Coffee Company is a little hidden gem that provides breakfast pastries, old-fashioned sandwiches, and warm coffee. Inside, the historic building has been refurbished and there is a photography gallery. Admire local photography and sip on a cold brew. 🅿️ Street parking is available.
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42.8 mi
1 hr 10 min
10:3030 min
Log Slide Overlook
A scenic overlook located west of Grand Marais, offering interpretive exhibits about Michigan's logging history and stunning views from atop the dunes.
Stop off on your ride east at the Log Slide Overlook. In the late nineteenth century, the upper peninsula was subjected to extensive clear-cut logging to bring lumber to the growing Midwest cities. The log slide was a large wooden chute from the top of the dunes to the water, where the logs would be collected and loaded onto ships for transport to the sawmills. Today, the original log slide is gone, but the steep sandy hill still remains.
You will park your car in the designated parking area and then take a quick hike to the overlook, which offers one of the best scenic overlooks of the lakeshore. Be careful on the slide! It looks easy to walk down, but the walk up proves treacherous — we recommend avoiding the urge to run down the hill. 🅿️ On-site parking is available.
Stop off on your ride east at the Log Slide Overlook. In the late nineteenth century, the upper peninsula was subjected to extensive clear-cut logging to bring lumber to the growing Midwest cities. The log slide was a large wooden chute from the top of the dunes to the water, where the logs would be collected and loaded onto ships for transport to the sawmills. Today, the original log slide is gone, but the steep sandy hill still remains.
You will park your car in the designated parking area and then take a quick hike to the overlook, which offers one of the best scenic overlooks of the lakeshore. Be careful on the slide! It looks easy to walk down, but the walk up proves treacherous — we recommend avoiding the urge to run down the hill. 🅿️ On-site parking is available.
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79.5 mi
1 hr 30 min
12:301 hr
Tahquamenon Upper Falls Parking Lot
A massive and naturally colored waterfall, known as “Root Beer Falls,” accessible via an ADA-compliant path with additional steps for closer views.
You made it to the falls! Park at the Tahquamenon Falls Trails parking lot at the entrance to the trail which leads to the Upper Falls. Tahquamenon Falls State Park spans nearly 50,000 acres of undeveloped woodlands. The waterfalls sit as the park's centerpieces, which include the dramatic Upper Falls standing at 50 feet tall, and the thrilling Lower Falls that cascade around an island in the Tahquamenon River. No, the amber-colored water is not mud! Tannins leached from the cedar swamps drain into the river, causing this rust color. Consequently, the Upper Falls are nicknamed “The Root Beer Falls.”
You will first stop at the Upper Falls, taking a quarter-mile trail to reach them, that loops through wooded forests and blooming plants. You will then reach the rushing waterfalls and can climb the 93 steps down to the viewing platform to get up close and feel the mist on your face. Spend time admiring these dramatic, thrashing falls, which are some of the largest waterfalls lying east of the Mississippi!
Please note that you'll need a current Michigan Recreation Passport, whether you're a resident or non-resident, to access the park. 🅿️ On-site parking is available.
You made it to the falls! Park at the Tahquamenon Falls Trails parking lot at the entrance to the trail which leads to the Upper Falls. Tahquamenon Falls State Park spans nearly 50,000 acres of undeveloped woodlands. The waterfalls sit as the park's centerpieces, which include the dramatic Upper Falls standing at 50 feet tall, and the thrilling Lower Falls that cascade around an island in the Tahquamenon River. No, the amber-colored water is not mud! Tannins leached from the cedar swamps drain into the river, causing this rust color. Consequently, the Upper Falls are nicknamed “The Root Beer Falls.”
You will first stop at the Upper Falls, taking a quarter-mile trail to reach them, that loops through wooded forests and blooming plants. You will then reach the rushing waterfalls and can climb the 93 steps down to the viewing platform to get up close and feel the mist on your face. Spend time admiring these dramatic, thrashing falls, which are some of the largest waterfalls lying east of the Mississippi!
Please note that you'll need a current Michigan Recreation Passport, whether you're a resident or non-resident, to access the park. 🅿️ On-site parking is available.
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0.2 mi
5 min
13:451 hr
Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub
A restaurant and brewery in the Upper Peninsula offering a wide range of dishes, including homemade UP pasties and a children's menu.
After hiking through the trail and visiting the falls, stop at the brewery which sits at the bottom of the trail next to the parking lot. This literal pub in the woods serves craft beers and classic grub in a relaxed space with scenic views. Try the whitefish sandwich and sip it back with a cold brew in hand.
After hiking through the trail and visiting the falls, stop at the brewery which sits at the bottom of the trail next to the parking lot. This literal pub in the woods serves craft beers and classic grub in a relaxed space with scenic views. Try the whitefish sandwich and sip it back with a cold brew in hand.
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4.8 mi
10 min
15:002 hrs 30 min
Lower Falls Trailhead
A scenic, ADA-accessible trailhead with paths, a pedestrian bridge, and boardwalks leading to the Lower Falls viewing platforms.
After lunch, drive a bit east and stop off at the entrance for the Tahquamenon Lower Falls. The Lower Falls are a series of cascades that surround a small island. On your walk on the trail, there are rowboat rentals that you can take past and through the falls, then dock off onto the small island to walk around and view more of the falls. Exploring the waterfalls and rocks by rowboat will enchant you will beautiful sounds and views and will allow you to come up close to the falls. Bring your water shoes and bathing suits to splash into the falls yourself for the ultimate experience!
🅿️ On-site parking is available.
After lunch, drive a bit east and stop off at the entrance for the Tahquamenon Lower Falls. The Lower Falls are a series of cascades that surround a small island. On your walk on the trail, there are rowboat rentals that you can take past and through the falls, then dock off onto the small island to walk around and view more of the falls. Exploring the waterfalls and rocks by rowboat will enchant you will beautiful sounds and views and will allow you to come up close to the falls. Bring your water shoes and bathing suits to splash into the falls yourself for the ultimate experience!
🅿️ On-site parking is available.
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11.5 mi
20 min
18:001 hr 30 min
The INN
A gastropub and smokehouse in the Upper Peninsula offering homemade comfort food, in-house smoked meats, and friendly service.
Northern Michigan, especially the Upper Peninsula, is known for its rustic eateries and pubs. On your last meal of the trip, you will eat at a classic rustic gastropub and smokehouse sitting near the eastern shores of Lake Superior. The Inn serves up smoked meats, homemade soups & desserts, hand-cut fries, and makes their own homemade ketchup. 🗓️ Check the opening hours before your visit. 🅿️ Street parking is available.
Northern Michigan, especially the Upper Peninsula, is known for its rustic eateries and pubs. On your last meal of the trip, you will eat at a classic rustic gastropub and smokehouse sitting near the eastern shores of Lake Superior. The Inn serves up smoked meats, homemade soups & desserts, hand-cut fries, and makes their own homemade ketchup. 🗓️ Check the opening hours before your visit. 🅿️ Street parking is available.
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0.3 mi
10 min
20:0030 min
Paradise Michigan
End the day in Paradise, Michigan! It's not tropical, but between the gorgeous lakeshores, natural springs, and waterfalls we think this trip comes pretty close to a tropical vacation — but it's right in your backyard, Detroiters! You can camp near the shore for the night at one of the many lakeside cabins, or book a motel nearby.
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