U.P./Door County Road Trip Suggestions

Wife and I are thinking we’ll take our kids on Road Trip some time in August from South-central MN up through WI to the UP, across to Sault Ste Marie down to Mackinac and then back down the Wisconsin “coast” into Green Bay and up to Door County. On my list are:

Pictured Rocks Lake Shore
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Possibly – a little out of the way to go up the point but would like to see the Fitz stuff)
Soo Locks
Mackinac Island/Bridge
Lambeau Field (just a drive-by is all we need)
Couple days in Door County to check it out
end with a Salmon Charter

For those that have been to these places – how much time would you give them? Especially Pictured Rocks, Soo Locks and Mackinac Island. Also up for Door Country activity recommendations, restaurants/attractions anywhere along the way and Charter recommendations. My boys are 10 and 13 and it will at times be a struggle to keep them from killing each other or mom and I killing them But I think we can do it and put the Griswolds to shame! Thinking maybe 7-10 days and we have some flexibility. But knowing we have to book charters well in advance, we have to time it appropriately.

Appreciate any advice you might have!

Sounds like a cool trip – hauling a camper or no?

No Camper, that’s why I’m looking for time estimates at some of these things as we’re going to try to get hotels booked ahead of time. definitely want to do some hiking at Pictured Rocks, no idea what to expect at Mackinaw Island, and have never been to Door County. Travel time is pretty easy to figure out, just trying to make sure we have enough time to enjoy everywhere we stop and not be hurried. But it’s a busy itinerary, I admit.

Wife and I did this trip many years ago (skipped Door county). Pictured Rocks is worth the trip, give it half day or more. We did the boat tour (it was a bit chilly on the top deck). You can probably do the Soo Locks and Whitefish (Fitz) in a single day. Tahquemon park (not sure I spelled that right) is kind of neat too if you like hiking. Mackinac is a day trip. Load up on fudge then rent bikes and tour the whole island. We also hit the casino in the evening. Though not a packer fan, we also did a stadium tour of Lambeau (before the reno) and the shop next door. Have fun!

Things are pretty wierd in Michigan right now. It might change by summer. That being said the Porcupine mountains is a great place to visit

Making the loop around Door County to see the lighthouses can be a good time. Also a couple of state parks and county parks worth visiting. Dont really have a good idea of a good Charter/guide for open water though

For the charter/guide maybe try IDO’S Adam Rasmussen.

Door county ideas..
Ferry ride to Washington Island is nice.
There is a County Park by Ellison Bay that has fantastic sunsets. You have to walk down a walkway on the edge of a bluff.
Cave Point Park is also something to see especially if the waves are rolling in to shore off Lake Michigan.
Lots of wineries and orchards.
Bike and scooter rentals.
A fish boil.

Thanks for the great stuff so far! I would really like to do a fish boil. Are they like Luaus in Hawaii? are there public ones that you can essentially make a reservation for or is through you place of lodging?

Whatever Charter we go with will have to be one that’s good with kids, although I’m not too worried – I have a 10 and a 13 year old who both love to fish and are very excited to do this. New type of equipment and technique for sure, but they already know how to handle a rod & reel. I just hope I get to see them battle a King or Laker. Was looking at Silver Strike out of Baily Harbor, they seem to fit the bill.

Bond Falls, about 20 miles north of US 2 on 45, if you are in that area. Great stop for the whole family. Kid’s, even teenagers love it there. Figure on 1-2 hrs.

Yeah, I’m a little concerned about how things are going in MI right now. I’m hoping that with the continued vaccinations that by late summer that things are opening back up again. But I know ‘sconnie’s open!

We’ve been to several fish boils, the one I liked best was at White Gull Inn. They only do it on Friday night, open to the public as well as guests. Reservations are a good idea, call (920) 868-3517.

I live 40 miles from the UP. If I head that way I alway check out the waterfalls. 3000+ waterfalls in the UP. Some 70-80′. Bond, Agate and Munising Falls are all great places.

If you want to do Mackinaw Island right spend a night or two there and soak it in. Otherwise its a mad rush. The Island definitely changes when the last ferry to the mainland leaves for the day. It is an entirely unique experience given its history and the absence of motorized vehicles.

Great Trip so many things to see in the U.P. Check out Lake of the clouds in the Porcupine Mountains and make sure to swing by https://copperpeak.net/ on your way through Ironwood.

We did that trip 7 years ago. Really enjoyed it.

This place was pretty cool: https://www.michigan.org/property/palms-book-state-park

We took the ferry USS Badger across lake Michigan on our way back. They do have a smaller, faster ferry if you’re not towing a trailer or have an extra long vehicle.

Garlyn zoo/wildlife park, in UP
Pasties, not to be confused with pasties…

mark-bruzek wrote:

Garlyn zoo/wildlife park, in UP
Pasties, not to be confused with pasties…

Good point. It always amazed me those things didn’t spread farther. Once upon a time there were legitimate pasties in Two Harbors, Mn but they are long gone. I grew up in Michigan and I love pasties. UP is the world wide epicenter of pasties. Another Michigan treat you can easily pick up while there is pickled ring bologna. To this day I still have it shipped in. Mostly in the cold months, which reminds me……..

Just looking at the boats in the harbors/marinas is good for me.

I go out to Door county every summer with some buddies and our FWs. We go to fish and bring our own gear so I can’t help much on charters. If there is a way to move your trip up to July, you may have better luck with the kings, especially if we have an early spring. You’ll find a ton of charters out of Sturgeon Bay and Algoma, but Baileys will have a lot less pressure (you’ll still catch fish there too).

We also do tons of touristy stuff as well on days we get blown off the big lake. As others mentioned, tons of wineries and a few good breweries, a few nice golf courses, very nice beaches on both the Green Bay and Michigan side. Peninsula State Park, Cave Point and Whitefish dunes are all good places to visit. Fish Boil is something fun to try at least once (I’ll second the White Gull Inn, they also have a great breakfast). Lots of cherries and cherry based goodies.

If you’re tripping through WI on the way anyway, check out Amnicon Falls state park, off of Hwy 2 east of Superior. It’s a good 2hrs to half day, depending on what you want. Great place to stop and have a picnic lunch if nothing else. Heading east, Boise Brule is also worth looking into. Further along, Bayfield/Wahsburn and the Apostle Islands is definitely worth an overnight. Much to see and do. Fun shops, hiking, ferry over to Madeline Island(car ferry), you name it. Also a good place to check out a charter trip.