Page 411 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

MICHIGAN  409

built in 1870. The white wooden British, and American military
structure sits exactly on the outpost through a variety of
45th parallel. demonstrations as well as
multimedia shows.
E Michigan Maritime Museum
260 Dyckman Rd, South Haven. x Upper Peninsula
Tel (800) 747-3810. Open May–late
Sep:10am–5pm daily; off-season ~ @ n Iron Mountain,
hours vary, call ahead. & 7 (906) 774-5480, (800) 562-7134.
∑ michiganmaritimemuseum.org ∑ uptravel.com
O Sleeping Bear Dunes National Soo Locks Boat Tours: Dock #1, 1157 E
Lakeshore Portage Ave, Sault Ste. Marie. Tel (800)
9922 Front St, Empire. Tel (231) 326- 432-6301. Open May 1–Oct 15; call for
5134. Open Park: year-round. Visitor tour schedule. & (children under
Center: Memorial Day–Labor Day: 5 free). 7 ∑ soolocks.com
8am–6pm daily; Labor Day–Memorial
Day: 8:15am–4pm daily. Closed Jan 1, The sparsely populated
Hikers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Thanksgiving, Dec 25. & 7 wilderness of the 384-mile-
∑ nps.gov/slbe
Lakeshore, Lake Michigan Shore (618-km-) wide Upper Peninsula
is dotted with old lumber,
l Lake Michigan z Mackinac Island mining, and fishing towns,
Shore and some of Michigan’s most
* 500. ~ @ n Main St, (800) 454- striking natural attractions.
~ @ n 741 Kenmoor Ave, Grand 5227. ∑ mackinacisland.org Also called the “UP,” this region
Rapids, (800) 442-2084. ∑ wmta.org was first explored by 17th-
The limestone outcrop of century French adventurers,
A major tourist destination since Mackinac Island, covering one of whom, Etienne Brule,
wealthy Chicagoans first came 4 sq miles (10 sq km), sits in established Michigan’s oldest
here in the late 1800s, the Lake the middle of the Straits of community, Sault Sainte Marie,
Michigan Shore is lined with Mackinac, separating the Lower on its northeastern tip.
sandy beaches, 19th-century and Upper Peninsulas. Ferries One of its most popular
resorts, working ports, and that depart regularly from attractions, Pictured Rocks
many scenic lighthouses. Mackinaw City and St. Ignace on National Lakeshore, stretches
The resort town of Saugatuck the mainland are the only way along Lake Superior. Although
makes an ideal base to explore to reach the island, where no accessible by car from Hwy 28,
the shore. A noteworthy attrac- cars are permitted. The principal this 40-mile (64-km) stretch of
tion 20 miles (32 km) south is the landmark here is the 1887 beaches and bluffs can be
excellent Michigan Maritime Grand Hotel (see p423), a classic viewed more dramatically on
Museum, narrating the history Gilded Age summer resort that guided cruises, departing
of fishing, shipping, and has the world’s longest front from Munising.
shipbuilding on the Great Lakes. porch, at 660 ft (201 m). Fort For more rugged scenery, head
Located 200 miles (322 km) Mackinac, overlooking the west to Porcupine Mountains
to the north on US 31, Sleeping harbor, is in the Mackinac Wilderness State Park along
Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Island State Park. This restored Lake Superior. It is known for its
incorporates many ecosystems fort commemorates the island’s forests, lakes, rivers, and a 90-mile
and its signature sand dunes, 18th-century past as a French, (145-km) network of hiking trails.
which tower some 460 ft
(140 m) above the lakefront
beaches and an inland lake.
The park’s ghost forest of sand-
buried trees can be explored
through hiking trails or a 7-mile
(11-km) drive.
The busy community of
Traverse City, 30 miles (48 km)
north of Sleeping Bear Dunes,
is a convenient base to visit
the picturesque Old Mission
Peninsula. A short trip toward
the north along Route 37
provides beautiful views of green
rolling hills, cherry orchards, and
the lake. At its tip stands the
Old Mission Point Lighthouse, Cannon at the British Landing, Mackinac Island State Park

408-409_EW_USA.indd 409 11/2/16 2:46 PM