Best Weekend Trip From the Twin Cities
Life in the Twin Cities area is filled with so many exciting things to do. From visiting the Minnehaha Falls to enjoying a game at Target Field, you’ve got an array of options to keep you entertained when you’re spending time around home. Living in Minneapolis and St. Paul also comes with the additional benefit of living close to some of the most impressive indoor and outdoor attractions in the world. In fact, you’ll find that heading to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula towns only takes a couple of hours, which leaves you the rest of the weekend to enjoy adding these sights and attractions to your trip.
Drive Along the Black River Scenic By-Way
Road trippers need to know that this by-way is packed with scenic photo opportunities that can extend your time on this drive, but every extra minute is worth it. Along the scenic by-way, you’ll find the Black River, which originates in Wisconsin and takes you into some of the most historic Upper Peninsula towns.
The highlight of driving along the Black River is the opportunity to see multiple breathtaking waterfalls, including Rainbow Falls, which is the final waterfall on the river before it enters Lake Superior. To take in the final view of the falls, you can stop at Black River Harbor and take a short walk across the suspension bridge to the trailhead. The Harbor also offers lake and pond fishing along with backpacking trails to round out your time off the road.
Check Out the Apostle Islands Lakeshore
These islands are technically in Wisconsin, but they are just a short drive away from your favorite towns in the Upper Peninsula, which makes this an excellent stop to plan for along your route. The islands aren’t accessible by car, which means that you’ll want to take a ferry to Madeline Island. If you enjoy watersports, then you can also rent kayaks to paddle your way through the water, and hike-in campsites are available for the truly adventurous. If you’re planning a trip in the winter, then get ready to view the sea caves’ beauty, which turns into a dramatic scene of sparkling icicles for you to enjoy.
Plan to Stop and Refresh In Ironwood
This city has the unique distinction of being named one of the best cross-country ski destinations, which brings people from all over the world to come here and visit the beautiful mountain trails. For a weekend trip, you can opt to bring your skis, or you might just choose to spend your time wandering around this town to soak up its friendly atmosphere. Ironwood has several hotels that are all located within walking distance of restaurants, a theater, and an antique shop.
Many people choose this city as a place to relax and refresh after an exciting day on the ski course trails and slopes and other nearby excursions. If you are the type to enjoy adding unique adventures to your weekend bucket list, you can add a Stormy Kromer factory tour to your itinerary and even get fitted for your cap. Or, you might want to take a picture next to the Hiawatha Statue, which is another iconic roadside attraction to add to your list. If you are bringing kids or pets along, head to one of these nearby amenities to let everyone stretch their legs and have some fun in the sun.
- Iron King Dog Park
- Downtown City Square
- Longyear Park
- Norrie Park
- Miners Memorial Heritage Park
Catch a Thrill at Copper Peak
When you are on a weekend trip, it might make the most sense to check out local attractions near the city where you are staying. Copper Peak is located in the Upper Peninsula and is just a short drive away from Ironwood’s local parks and eateries. Here, you’ll find one of the world’s largest ski-jumping hills that provides non-skiers with the opportunity to check out a view from its observation deck. The deck sits 1180 feet over Lake Superior and gives you a view that expands 40 miles in each direction on a clear day. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or want to capture an aerial view of the Upper Peninsula, you will leave Copper Peak with an even deeper appreciation of the beauty surrounding this part of the state.
Spend Some Time in the Porcupine Mountains State Park
After spending a couple of hours in the car or on a plane, the prospect of exploring 60,000 acres of natural rustic beauty is likely to sound pretty good. With plenty of room to stretch your feet, you can maximize every minute of your short weekend vacation. The Lake of the Clouds and the Presque River corridor are the two most popular attractions here, and you can easily spend a day taking in scenic views, including gorgeous waterfalls, towering trees, and cliffs.
The Porkies, as the locals like to call it, also has an 18-hole disc golf course that you can enjoy at your leisure. Or, you can choose to see the fall colors Upper Peninsula style by taking a chair lift for a sky-high view that you won’t get from the roadside. If winter sports are your thing, then you can make reservations to go skiing or snowboarding at the Winter Sport Complex. The Porcupine Mountain State Park truly is an adventurer’s paradise that gives you plenty of ways to spend your time in the Upper Peninsula.
Whether you fly or take a road trip to the towns in the Upper Peninsula, you’ll want to remember to do a little pre-weekend vacation research. Taking a moment to check out the local town’s guide helps you to stay in the loop about the latest events so that you do not miss a thing. In addition to checking the weather and packing for the climate, make sure to leave a little extra time on your itinerary to allow yourself to wander as your heart desires. You never know when you might fall in love with a scenic view or want to plan a side excursion that heightens your enjoyment of the trip. Visit Travel Ironwood for more information about the area.