Courtesy of Midwest Living magazine

Deep woods laced with streams and waterfalls sweep across 300-plus miles of mostly wilderness, Michigan’s northernmost territory, and three of the Great Lakes almost surround it, inspiring four seasons of compelling outdoor activities. Parks protect vast stretches of this ruggedly beautiful landscape, including renowned Tahquamenon Falls State Park, home to the largest waterfall between the Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls, and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan’s largest with 90 miles of trails and some of the region’s highest peaks.

The rock castles and dunes of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a mecca for hikers and kayakers, rim Lake Superior, while lightly used beaches edge Lake Michigan.  Marquette, the UP’s largest city, Sault Ste. Marie, site of the world’s busiest lock system, and other towns are evolving into cool bases for exploring this country, even as they hold on to rich mining, shipping and logging heritage.

Ferries travel from St. Ignace at the UP’s southeast tip to Mackinac Island, a lovely remnant of the Victorian era where no cars are allowed. The aroma of trademark fudge wafts among the island’s gingerbread-trimmed downtown shops, as the white-columned 1880s Grand Hotel looks down from a bluff. Mackinac Island becomes even more appealing during the Lilac Festival each June.

Featured Destinations include: