When it comes to enticing visitors, nature dealt Munising, situated on the U.P.’s [1] northern coast, a royal flush. The town of 2,350 curves around the belly of protected Munising Bay.
The Grand Island National Recreation Area [2] looms just offshore, in expansive Lake Superior. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore [3] begins at the edge of town and stretches for over 40 miles east. The Hiawatha National Forest (www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/hiawatha [4]) spills across the forests to the south and west.
So, obviously, if you’re looking for outdoor activities, Munising’s got all the right cards. M-28 leads you right to the heart of town, where you’ll find restaurants, mom-and-pop motels, and the ferry dock for cruises to Pictured Rocks [3].
To reach Munising, you can fly into Sawyer International Airport (SAW) (125 G Ave., Gwinn, 906/346-3308, www.sawyerairport.com [5]), rent a vehicle from several major car rental agencies, and head west on M-94. If you’re already driving through the state, you can take M-28 to Munising, whether you’re headed east from Marquette [6] or west from I-75.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/michigan/michigan-s-upper-peninsula
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/michigan/michigan-s-upper-peninsula/the-eastern-upper-peninsula/munising-area/grand-island-national-recreation-area
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/michigan/michigan-s-upper-peninsula/the-eastern-upper-peninsula/pictured-rocks-national-lakeshore
[4] http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/hiawatha
[5] http://www.sawyerairport.com
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/michigan/michigan-s-upper-peninsula/the-western-upper-peninsula/marquette