Accommodations and Food

The Lakeshore Motel (1257 Lalley Rd., 906/265-3611, www.lakeshoremotelicelake.com [1], $42–68 d) sits on the edge of spring-fed Ice Lake (just east of downtown Iron River [2] on U.S. 2), with tidy motel rooms, some with kitchenette units. This is a great find, complete with a sand beach and boat launch.

The namesake of Alice’s (402 W. Adams St., Iron River, 906/265-4764, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. daily, $8–14) produces Italian specialties just as her immigrant mother did before her, with homemade ravioli and other pasta dishes, gnocchi (Italian dumplings), and soups.

In Iron Mountain [3], the Pine Mountain Resort (N3332 Pine Mountain Rd., 906/774-2747, www.pinemountainresort.com [4], $60–90 d) anchors a full-service ski and golf resort on the northwest side of town, complete with a dining room, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a sauna, tennis courts, and trails ideal for hiking and mountain biking. Choose from standard lodge rooms or condominiums.

Italian is the way to go if you've decided to eat out in Iron Mountain. Homemade ravioli, slow-roasted pork, Italian sausage, Roma red sauce… you’ll find it all in the town’s unassuming Italian eateries. Bimbo’s Wine Press (314 E. Main, 906/774-8420, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, $5–14) dishes out mouthwatering Italian sandwiches like porketta for incredibly reasonable prices.