4 Best Places to Stay in Upper Peninsula, Michigan + Hotels

Ready to spend some unmissable days exploring the great outdoors? I’m sure you are, but first let’s do some planning and learn all about the best places to stay in Upper Peninsula, Michigan! 

After thorough research, I found the best towns in this region for tourists and the top hotels (for all budgets) in each of those places.

In short, Houghton is the best place to stay in Upper Peninsula, as that’s where you’ll find some of the most exciting attractions and great hotels. But definitely check out the other towns too. 

I’d also recommend booking your hotel here in advance as this is a popular holiday destination! 

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you want to book your hotel right now, then check out this list with some of the best hotels in Upper Peninsula Michigan:

Here’s a map that will help you visualize all the areas where to stay in Upper Peninsula Michigan that I’ll talk about in this post:

1. Houghton – where to stay for the first time

Located on the shores of Lake Superior in the Keweenaw Peninsula, this university city offers non-stop fun no matter what time of the year you’re visiting! 

During the winter months, you can try skiing, snowboarding, skating, and when the weather turns for the best, everyone heads to Lake Superior for boating and picnics.

All the outdoor activities, the city’s rich mining history, and the multitude of restaurants make Houghton one of the best places to stay in Upper Peninsula Michigan for first-time visitors or people who want to see other parts of the Keweenaw Peninsula, like Copper Harbor (map). 

NOTE: If you just want to stay in one of those towns without visiting other parts of the Peninsula then you can manage without a car as you can use buses to get to different places. However, if you’re planning to explore all the forests and lakes and do a whole road trip then I’d highly recommend renting a car. Without one, you’ll spend a lot of unnecessary time traveling around only by public transport and some places may not even be reachable by bus. 

Back to Houghton now! You can start your adventures on College Avenue (map), where you can admire the stunning architecture and old houses. That’s where you’ll also find plenty of restaurants, breweries and pubs where you can grab some drinks and a yummy meal! Suomi Home Bakery & Restaurant (map) is a great spot. 

You should also check out the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum and the East Houghton Waterfront Park (map) where you can admire the stunning views!

Other accommodation options in Houghton

Things to do in Houghton

• Spend a fun day at East Houghton Waterfront Park
• Visit the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan
• Head to Lake Superior (map) for some ice-fishing 
• Enjoy the views of the Porcupine Mountains
• Have dinner at Suomi Home Bakery & Restaurant
• Try cross-country skiing near the Michigan Tech Campus
• Learn more about the town at Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw
• Try the traditional pasties at Roy’s Pasties & Bakery (map)

2. Marquette – the best place to stay in Upper Peninsula for families

Are you traveling with your family to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? Then you’ll definitely want to check out this town that has something for everyone and which is located a 2h drive away from Houghton.

Marquette is home to waterfalls, mountains, museums, and stunning sites where you can catch the most spectacular sunsets near Lake Superior!

PRO TIP: If you are traveling to Marquette between August and April you stand a high chance of catching the Northern Lights! So definitely check online to see when they might make an appearance. 

That small-town charm will make you fall in love with this place. And, when you’re not out there hiking or exploring the mountains, you can head to the town center where all the restaurants, cafes, and shops are located. 

There you’ll also find some fun attractions like the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, the Lower Harbor Ore Dock (map), the Marquette Regional History Center and the Ellwood A Mattson Lower Harbor ParkWhat’s great about Marquette is that you can engage in all sorts of outdoor activities that will suit the kids as well. You can explore Presque Isle Park (map) and hike in tons of different places near the town, like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the Hiawatha National Forest (map).

Other accommodation options in Marquette, MI

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If you need more accommodation options in Marquette, then you should also check out the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. Located near the Northern Michigan University and Al Quaal Recreation Ski Area, this hotel offers an indoor pool, hot tub and a sun terrace.

Things to do in Marquette

• Go skiing with the kids at Marquette Mountain Resort (map)
• Visit the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum
• Catch a sunset near Marquette Harbor Lighthouse (map)
• Try fishing at Lake Superior
• Chill on the beach at Ellwood A Mattson Lower Harbor Park
• Learn new things at Marquette Maritime Museum
• Take a trip to Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore (map) in Munising, MI

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3. Iron Mountain – where to stay for outdoor activities

Want to spend most of your time skiing, golfing and trying all sorts of outdoor activities? Then Iron Mountain is the best place to stay in Upper Peninsula Michigan for you. A 2 hour drive away from Houghton, you’ll find this city named for the valuable iron found nearby.

Back in the 1800s, the town was home to many immigrants from all over the place who came to work in the iron mines. That’s why you’ll come across many international cuisines, restaurants, and unique local attractions while you’re visiting.  

Pine Mountain (map) is one of the city’s most essential attractions. It’s known as the world’s most incredible ski-jumping hill, holding a record for the tallest jump in the World Cup. 

If you are visiting around the end of February and you want to see some really cool ski jumpers, definitely head there! You can learn more about the event on this website. 

Although it’s hard to beat the views from Pine Mountain, there are a couple more places in this town where you can get a fab view like Millie Hill Bat Viewing Park (map), the Samuel Bassett Viewing Platform (map) and the City Park (map). 

Other accommodation options in Iron Mountain

Things to do in Iron Mountain

• Enjoy a game at Timberstone Golf Course (map)
• Go for a walk in Iron Mountain City Park
• Catch a sunset on Millie Hill
• Visit the Menominee Range Historical Foundation Museum
• Spend a fun day at Pine Mountain Ski Hill
• Head to Lake Antoine Park (map) for some relaxing 
• Take a trip to Tahquamenon Falls State Park (map) to see the waterfalls

4. Saint Ignace – the best place to stay for tranquility

If you want to relax during this holiday and do nothing more, then Saint Ignace, which is a 4h drive away from Houghton, is the place for you!

Here you can forget all about the daily activities, disconnect, and just enjoy the beautiful nature!

Located near Lake Michigan (map) across Mackinac Bridge (map), Saint Ignace offers hiking spots and some historical sites as well, in case you want to learn more about the town. 

Right across from the city, you’ll find Mackinac Island, which you can reach by jumping on a ferry from Saint Ignace. The island is actually a state park and it offers plenty of activities like horse-drawn carriage tours and bicycle rides along the lakeshore. If you’re planning to spend a night or 2 there, here’s a post on the best places to stay on the island. 

Back in Saint Ignace, you can visit some museums or just head to the downtown area and explore around. 

You should definitely stop by the Museum of Ojibwa Culture at Old Mission Saint-Ignace, visit the Wawatam Lighthouse (map) and explore the gorgeous Straits State Park (map).

Other accommodation options in Saint Ignace

Things to do in Saint Ignace

• Go for a walk in Straits State Park
• Enjoy the views of the Mackinac Bridge
• Visit the Museum of Ojibwa Culture
• Take the ferry (map) to Mackinac Island
• Have dinner at Village Inn of St. Ignace restaurant (map)
• Catch a sunset near Wawatam Lighthouse
• Take a trip to Sault Ste. Marie to visit Soo Locks Museum

BONUS: Best campgrounds in Upper Peninsula Michigan

Is there anything better than camping by a lake or somewhere else in the great outdoors? Luckily for you, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has tons of unique places where you can go camping and I’ve made it my mission to offer you a list with some of the best ones!

NOTE: I’d recommend calling the numbers you see on the websites I link rather than booking online (for those that you can book online) since some of the websites are a bit confusing. 

• Au Train Beach Campground – this campground offers tent sites, safari tents, yurts, tipis and RV sites. Located in Au Train the campground offers all-inclusive packages, firepits, outdoor charcoal grills, a picnic table, restrooms, showers and a common area. 
• Agate Beach Park – set 25 miles Southwest of Houghton on Lake Superior, this campground has 25 sites for tents, rustic toilets, and picnic tables. 
• Anderson Lake West State Forest – located on the banks of Anderson Lake, this campground offers 13 sites for tents, small trailer and large trailer spots too, vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. This site doesn’t take reservations and it works on a first-come-first-served system. 
• Beaufort Lake State Forest Campground – set in Marquette County, on the shores of Beaufort Lake, this campground has 7 tent sites and some small trailer sites, vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. 

FAQs about lodging in Upper Peninsula Michigan

🗺️ What is considered Upper Peninsula Michigan?

The Upper Peninsula, often abbreviated as the UP, is the Northern and more elevated of the two major pieces of lands that make up the Michigan state.

🤩 What is the prettiest part of the Upper Peninsula?

Houghton and Marquette are the prettiest parts of the Upper Peninsula Michigan. Both towns offer a wide range of activities like fishing in Lake Superior, hiking and skiing. 

🤔 Is Copper Harbor worth visiting?

Yes, Copper Harbor is not too far from Houghton, and it’s a great place to visit if you enjoy spending time in nature. Plus, the views of Lake Superior are great from there. 

🌆 Are there any cities in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?

Yes, Marquette is the biggest city in the Upper Peninsula, near Lake Superior, and it’s a great place to visit with the family as it offers a wide range of activities, plus some really nice hotels, like Hampton Inn.

🏞️ What is Copper Harbor known for?

Copper Harbor is known as the gateway to Isle Royale National Park and there are daily passenger ferries to the Isle Royale Queen.

Final thoughts

What a dreamy place! 

I hope that this guide on the best places to stay in Upper Peninsula Michigan helped you decide which town and hotel to pick for your holiday!

I’d recommend booking your hotels in advance for this destination as it gets lots of tourists eager to explore the great outdoors of Michigan! 

If you’re still not sure which hotels to pick, here are my top 2 favorite ones, both set in Houghton: 

As always, I’m still around if you need any help! Just drop me a comment below with your questions and I’ll answer as soon as I can. 

Safe Travels, 

Victoria

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