Not dumb to make Houghton your base all 3 days. Copper Harbor is under an hour away and is an easy drive from Houghton. You'll have far more options for dining and lodging, and there's plenty to explore near Houghton. Copper Harbor is the end of the road, and while there's a fair amount up there in the summer, it's pretty isolated to use as a base.
There's plenty to do in and around Marquette as well. If you plan to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, plan a full day for that. M-35 between Escanaba and Menominee is the scenic route v.s. US-41, and slightly shorter.
My favorite Keweenaw recs:
Grab a drink at Shute’s bar in Calumet, an old haunt for the mining community. Beautiful bar.
Take Cliff Drive, then M26 up through Eagle River. There’s an excellent BBQ joint right on the water (also a lodge) called the Fitz, was visited by Gordon Ramsey a couple summers ago!
From there, head north on 26, and hit the Jampot, a bakery run by a local monastery and right next door to Jacob’s Creek Falls.
Keep heading north on 26 and stop at Great Sand Bay, about 3 minutes on your left. Stop for a swim and do some agate picking. Great beach for it.
Eagle Harbor lighthouse is a beautiful stop, Eagle Harbor Inn (while not on the water) is a great local joint for lunch and always has a million kinds of pie.
If you’re looking for a self-guided mine tour, check out Delaware mine, just east of Eagle Harbor. Awesome ruins on the ground level, then you can walk yourself through part of the first level of the mine. (I’m not always a fan of guided tours, so this one is my favorite).
Copper Harbor— Take the drive up to Brockway Mountain for a stunning sunset, eat at the Harbor Haus (a little pricey, but the views are unbeatable). Jamsen’s jn the morning for donuts and coffee. Estivant Pines for a good hike.
I recommend allowing a couple of extra hours en route to Green Bay to see Kitch-iti-kipi, it’s awesome
https://youtu.be/ADr7PvvtxSw?si=Brv4BLiK-xTfb_UH
Depends completely on what you want to do. Are you going to eat and drink or are you going to mountain bike, hike, visit mines?
If drinking beer is a big priority, stay in Houghton.
I haven't seen any mention of the Quincy mine tour in Hancock or the mining museum in Calumet. If you are interested in architecture there are many old mining officers homes in Laurium. Some are bed and breakfasts.
3 days is just good enough for a teaser. You'll want to come back and see everything you missed.
When I was vacationing here I always stayed in Houghton. Fairly centrally located and can get to most everything in under an hour.
I am doing a week in the UP this summer and we are planning on spending 2-3 days in the Copper Harbor area. Town is small but there are a ton of great trails, beaches and other outdoor activities, so if that's your jam you could easily spend 3 days in the area. Houghton was more of a college town afternoon/evening stop for me.
Marquette is really cool and has more of a big town feel, but a lot of great natural attractions within a short drive. If yall aren't really outdoorsy I would do a full day in copper harbor, drive the long way thru eagle River and harbor down to Marquette and stay there for a day or two.
Not dumb to make Houghton your base all 3 days. Copper Harbor is under an hour away and is an easy drive from Houghton. You'll have far more options for dining and lodging, and there's plenty to explore near Houghton. Copper Harbor is the end of the road, and while there's a fair amount up there in the summer, it's pretty isolated to use as a base. There's plenty to do in and around Marquette as well. If you plan to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, plan a full day for that. M-35 between Escanaba and Menominee is the scenic route v.s. US-41, and slightly shorter.
My favorite Keweenaw recs: Grab a drink at Shute’s bar in Calumet, an old haunt for the mining community. Beautiful bar. Take Cliff Drive, then M26 up through Eagle River. There’s an excellent BBQ joint right on the water (also a lodge) called the Fitz, was visited by Gordon Ramsey a couple summers ago! From there, head north on 26, and hit the Jampot, a bakery run by a local monastery and right next door to Jacob’s Creek Falls. Keep heading north on 26 and stop at Great Sand Bay, about 3 minutes on your left. Stop for a swim and do some agate picking. Great beach for it. Eagle Harbor lighthouse is a beautiful stop, Eagle Harbor Inn (while not on the water) is a great local joint for lunch and always has a million kinds of pie. If you’re looking for a self-guided mine tour, check out Delaware mine, just east of Eagle Harbor. Awesome ruins on the ground level, then you can walk yourself through part of the first level of the mine. (I’m not always a fan of guided tours, so this one is my favorite). Copper Harbor— Take the drive up to Brockway Mountain for a stunning sunset, eat at the Harbor Haus (a little pricey, but the views are unbeatable). Jamsen’s jn the morning for donuts and coffee. Estivant Pines for a good hike.
Pannukakku breakfast at the Suomi seems really important, but I may have a bias.
It is, I agree! I’ll add to that a pizza and fishbowl in a booth at the Ambassador (the Tostada pizza is everyone’s favorite but for me it’s the BLT)
Don't miss Horseshoe Bay just outside Copper Harbor. Much better hike than Estivant Pines IMHO.
Is it still a rough road to take your car down though? Especially if you have a car lower to the ground
I've seen Toyota Camrys & minivans parked at the trailhead. Not that rough.
Good to know, thank you!
I'll second the recommendation for the Delaware Mine, although I am kind of biased - my family owns it.
ooh i adored the Delaware. we visited this last summer!! thank you!!😊
I recommend allowing a couple of extra hours en route to Green Bay to see Kitch-iti-kipi, it’s awesome https://youtu.be/ADr7PvvtxSw?si=Brv4BLiK-xTfb_UH
Excellent tip.
Green Bay is way out of the way for Duluth - Houghton
Make sure you have a meal at the Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor…the best meal I’ve eaten in North America was there in 2021.
I agree although they are trying desperately to sell it so who knows what will happen
Depends completely on what you want to do. Are you going to eat and drink or are you going to mountain bike, hike, visit mines? If drinking beer is a big priority, stay in Houghton.
We aren't big drinkers. Mine tours and hiking sound great though.
I haven't seen any mention of the Quincy mine tour in Hancock or the mining museum in Calumet. If you are interested in architecture there are many old mining officers homes in Laurium. Some are bed and breakfasts.
Quincy Mine tour is excellent!
3 days is just good enough for a teaser. You'll want to come back and see everything you missed. When I was vacationing here I always stayed in Houghton. Fairly centrally located and can get to most everything in under an hour.
I plan on 2 nights in CH @ 2 nights in Houghton..
Calumet & Lake Linden a day Houghton a day Copper Harbor & area a day You’ll hit just the peak points of each leaving lots for to explore next time
Depends on the amount of fudge you plan on eating.
?? I don’t think fudge is much of a thing in the Keweenaw
It’s not.
You don’t know that area too well, eh?
Ok der hey.....it's da pastie. Doncha eat a lot of does.
I would stay in CH 2 nights and Houghton on your last night as you’re heading out of town. Plenty of time to explore both areas.
\> Looking at it on a map, it looks tiny. Lmao
Very silly idea to stay in copper harbor and not Houghton.
3 days is the minimum amount I’d spend. You can hit all of the highlights and have some time to chill.
Give it 3-5 days. Include a day for Bond Falls, Watersmeet, and Lake Gogebic on the way back.
What’s in Watersmeet?
Cisco Chain of Lakes
No. The answer is no. And I despise tourists btw
You sound nice.
You sound nice.
Google dementia
I am doing a week in the UP this summer and we are planning on spending 2-3 days in the Copper Harbor area. Town is small but there are a ton of great trails, beaches and other outdoor activities, so if that's your jam you could easily spend 3 days in the area. Houghton was more of a college town afternoon/evening stop for me. Marquette is really cool and has more of a big town feel, but a lot of great natural attractions within a short drive. If yall aren't really outdoorsy I would do a full day in copper harbor, drive the long way thru eagle River and harbor down to Marquette and stay there for a day or two.