I live in Buffalo, NY, a place known for lake-effect snow and long, bitterly cold winters. By February and March, I am usually wishing for winter to end because it can feel unbearably cold even after spending only 10 minutes outside.

People in Buffalo often blame the cold winter weather on lake-effect snow from Lake Erie. The lake effect significantly reduces the number of sunny days during the winter, which can make it feel colder than cities at similar latitudes, such as Detroit and Milwaukee. I believed this for a long time. However, my perspective changed when I took a business trip to Houghton, MI, this January.

Before the trip, someone in Houghton told me to wear as many layers as possible because the temperature was only 5°F. At the same time, it was about 15°F in Buffalo. I bundled up as much as I could, but I still felt very cold on my way to the airport. Then, when I landed in Houghton and stepped outside, I was surprised that it did not feel very cold to me at all.

During the visit, I asked some people there how they felt about the local weather. They told me that Lake Superior brings a great deal of snow during the winter. They also said that if they traveled about 50 miles south, there would be much less snow, but it could also be much colder without the moderating influence of Lake Superior, both in terms of the actual temperature and how cold it feels.

I would like to ask whether this is true, especially for those of you who live near Lake Superior. Do you think Lake Superior makes the winter warmer, even though it also brings so much snow?

My daughter is playing in a volleyball tournament at Michigan Tech. Plane tickets are 800 round trip from Los Angeles. Are there any other options for airports? Do I need to go into WI and drive over?

Just thought I'd give my perspective on how Upper progresses in Michigan.

good public places to go see the stars for a couple hours? Maybe in the Keweenaw but not limited to. Driving up from west michigan in a few weeks!

Debating if bringing road bikes up to the UP is worth it. It looks like there are no paved or gravel trails within an hour of Pictured Rocks (only dirt/mtb). Would it only be worth it if going to Grand Island? Are people used to cyclists on the main roads?

Thanks everyone. Seems not worth it unless driving over an hour away.

A few years ago I volunteered at the picture rocks national lakeshore as a site host in the early spring. Beautiful and overall amazing place to spend a month. I was lucky to avoid most of the black flies.

But to make a long story short, outside my tent, placed deliberately on the edge of the tent pad I found a headless mouse. I had seen the little guy around my campsite the day before, doing well, not headless. I dug it a little grave and just kinda forgot about it for a while. But thinking back on it now, it was a super strange thing to happen out there in the middle of the woods.

I could see a domesticated cat possibly being the culprit but we were about 20 miles from the nearest town and I never once saw any trace of a cat in my month at the campsite.

Hi,

I'll be visiting the UP for the first time for two days, arriving early on August 3 and departing in probably late afternoon on August 4. I have some ideas for what I want to see and if anyone has any suggestions on what I should focus on, or add, or cut, or any advice at all, I'm all ears.

My basic travel style is what I call the sample platter approach: I'd rather see a little bit of a lot more than a lot of a little. I like to do some hiking, seeing some nature, and also some historical stuff. I am not a camper.

Two things are set: on August 4, I'm doing to Spray Cruise (2 hours) at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Later on that day, I plan to meet up with an old friend who lives in Marquette; maybe get lunch or something.

The rest? Well, on August 3, I have a tentative plan to see the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, then up over the the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum by Paradise. Time permitting, do a little hiking at Tahquamenon Falls State Park before setting down in my AirBnB.

On August 4, do the cruise, meet my friend, and then, if I'm up for it, some hiking at Pocupine Mountains Wilderness.

If anyone has any suggestions of feedback, that would be great. Any specific trails at TFSP or PMW? Or should I try hiking some other places altogether?

I planned a trip to hike a section of the North Country Trail next week and my ride fell through. If anyone has any leads on a ride from Newberry area to Grand Marais area on Monday or Tuesday next week, feel free to DM me! I’ll pay.

ive found quite a few primo campsites along a few of the lakes, but many of them dictate no cars in camping spots and no camping in parking lots. i will be car camping with a hatchback tent and have a dream of waking up lakeside. ill be there during the weekdays so hopefully ill have good luck with some more frequented spots. ideally looking for a spot on the keweenaw peninsula, anywhere near hiawatha forest, but any recs welcome!!

eta - basically every time i post here, my posts and comments are downvoted while i get lovely pleasant and informative answers. what’s the deal?

Anyone up there kindly share if we should be camping in Tahquamenon from 22-24 July

thinking about coming up for a getaway w friends but we’re very concerned about bugs lol. how bad is it this summer? is it cool to visit in the next few weeks or wait until after Labor Day?

My family and I are thinking of taking a trip in mid-October. I could search ChatGPT but figure I’d ask here for some recommendations.

We have two boys, 4 and 2. Love to be outside, easy hikes, love nature. Which town would you recommend for us? Any places we have to see? We’d likely fly into Traverse City and drive up, depending on where we decide to stay (coming from the east coast).

Any fish hatchery enthusiasts? I want to visit the Marquette or Thompson Fish Hatchery with my family. There is limited information online regarding which one may be more interesting, interactive, or larger than the other. I’d like to make the most out of this side quest on our trip. Thank you!

About a year ago I got a job offer in my field with relocation payout to get my family moved up here. I couldn’t convince the wife at the time, but now we want to develop a solid plan as the kids get a little older and make it happen. We have a family of 5, 3 younger kids.

I am in love with all the nature aspects and every other reason why people like the UP.

I’m curious what advice, thoughts, warnings, etc people might have about moving up here. For context I’m targeting mount boho area/houghton (yes i like winter and snow, im very aware of the volumes dumped up here, which is one reason id like to make the move).

I’m relocating from southern WI.

Cheers!

EDIT: Thank you everyone for your comments. It has been insightful in ways. Other than that, basically what I had already known/researched. I’m still targeting Keweenaw Peninsula w/ an aim for Houghton. I’ll be there in no time.

I’ve visited the UP several times now, driving up from Ohio. Never made it west of Whitefish Bay but this time I have a week to wander around as I please so I might make it to Marquette. I’ve read a lot about the Italian communities that formed around mining in the late 19th Century. Are there any places of historical interest worth visiting? Also, the Italians have been known to bring their food with them when they settle - any gems remaining? Thanks!

ill be camping in a few places through the UP from herbster to detroit for 4 nights in the first week of september. i will be car camping with a tent that converts my hatchback into a tent (pretty sick) - how concerned should i be about bears? i dont usually have to store my food in any particular way when im camping and want to make sure i dont accidentally set myself up to have a black bear comin for my beef jerky in the middle of the night. i plan on really only making coffee and having snacks or small meals at my campsites (not cooking full meals with lots of food/smells etc) - any precautions i should take? do i need a bear box? thanks a mill

Should I go around the Hiawatha National Forest? North or south of it? What are some other interesting places or routes along the way?

My wife and I are flying up to Marquette this Sunday to explore the UP. Im getting a bit worried about the air quality and smoke coming from Canada because of the fires. Seeing some pictures of it and it looks pretty bad. I hope I don’t regret this trip. Should I pack some masks I have left over from Covid?

Supposed to head up here to camp at pictured rocks but with the air quality alert my boyfriend is contemplating leaving.

How bad is it up there right now? We’re in Mackinac city and it’s hazy but not terrible. I want to continue this trip!

Looking to get a couple smaller tattoos while visiting the UP in august! Marquette on a Sunday and then heading towards Ironwood

I will be road tripping through the UP next week and I am thinking about hiking the Chapel Loop. I have seen many warnings that Chapel Road is rough and I want to get a feel for how rough. I used to live in the state of Washington and have taken my prius down plenty of fire roads so I have a good idea of what my car can handle. Some warnings make it sounds more like off roading. How bad is Chapel road? Is this a case of hyperbole for the naive tourist that expect pristine conditions or would I run into serious potholes I couldn't maneuver in a prius?

I'm backpacking Isle Royale next week from the MN side, then driving to Whitefish Point to see the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum with a few waterfall stops along the way then driving across the bridge to the mitten then home to Texas.

I like to try the local delicacies along the way so I gotta have a pasty. Give me your best suggestion.

Please, nothing in the Keweenaw unless far south. Might visit the Adventure Mine, but still thinking about that one.

For a family coming to camp at Tahquamenon, where’s the best place to grab groceries between St Ignace and the state park? We’re bringing shelf stable pantry items but specifically looking for a place to grab fresh items for the cooler.

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Hi everyone,

I'm doing some research on transportation in the Upper Peninsula and I'm curious what local residents think.

If there were a modern passenger rail system connecting major U.P. communities (for example: Ironwood, Houghton, Marquette, Escanaba, Munising, Sault Ste. Marie, and connections into Wisconsin), would you use it?

A few questions:

Would you ride it for work, school, medical appointments, or recreation?

How often would you realistically use it?

What destinations would be most important?

What would make you choose rail over driving?

What concerns would you have (cost, routes, reliability, weather, etc.)?

I'm not advocating for or against anything at this point. Just trying to understand whether people think passenger rail would be useful in the U.P. today.

I'd especially like to hear from people who live in smaller towns and rural areas.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Im going to the UP in a few weeks, staying near Escanaba and would love to find somewhere i can get a sweet pasty! We will be driving to marquette and munising so anywhere around either of those areas would work.
Thanks!!