Eastern U.P.
Around Eastern U.P.
Photo: Tim Kiser · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Michigan · 34k people
Eastern U.P.
“Sunrise Side”, “Eastern U.P.”
Where the forests meet the Great Lakes.
Lake Superior bluePine greenAutumn orange
Welcome to the Eastern U.P., where the lakes are big and the winters are real. Whether you're here for the waterfalls, the fishing, or just to escape the hustle, you'll find a friendly bunch and a slower pace. Grab a pasty and settle in.
Clubs for Eastern U.P.
No clubs for Eastern U.P. yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Eastern U.P.. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Eastern U.P.. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Mackinac Bridge The iconic suspension bridge linking the U.P. to the Lower Peninsula.
- Tahquamenon Falls State Park Home to the massive Upper Falls and the rustic Lower Falls, a must-see in Luce County.
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Colorful sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and beaches along Lake Superior near Munising.
- Mackinac Island Car-free island with Victorian architecture, fudge shops, and Fort Mackinac.
- Kitch-iti-kipi A 40-foot-deep natural spring in Palms Book State Park, viewed from a raft.
- Grand Island Scenic island off Munising with cliffs, caves, and a lighthouse, accessible by boat.
- Outdoors Hiking Pictured Rocks
- Outdoors Kayaking along the shoreline
- With kids Hike to Tahquamenon Falls
- With kids Take the ferry to Mackinac Island
- Evenings Small-town taverns
- Evenings Community events
- Locals love Lighthouse parks
- Locals love Waterfall trails
Through the year
- Mackinac Island Lilac Festival June June celebration of lilacs with parades, music, and trolley tours on the island.
- St. Ignace Car Show June Classic and custom cars line the waterfront in downtown St. Ignace every June.
- Pictured Rocks Days July Munising's summer festival with boat tours, hiking events, and local craft vendors.
- Manistique Waterfront Festival July July celebration with a parade, live music, and family activities along the harbor.
- Tahquamenon Winterfest February Newberry's winter festival featuring snowmobile races, ice sculptures, and a polar bear dip.
The Eastern U.P. has a harsh, snowy winter and a mild, short summer. Locals embrace the seasons, with snowmobiling and ice fishing in winter and water sports in summer. Best: Summer (June–August) is the prime time for lakes, hikes, and festivals, with mild days and cool nights.
Talk like a local
- “Yooper”
- A person from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
- “U.P.”
- The Upper Peninsula itself.
- “Pasty”
- The meat pie with rutabaga, a local staple.
- “Eh”
- A filler word used at the end of sentences, similar to Canadian 'eh'.
Getaways
- Marquette Big-city amenities, breweries, and the scenic Lake Superior shoreline.
- Escanaba Gateway to the U.P. with a lively waterfront and the U.P. State Fair.
- Sault Ste. Marie Watch freighters pass through the Soo Locks and explore the historic canal.
- Petoskey Charming downtown with shops, and the famous Petoskey stones on nearby beaches.
Local flavour
Rooting for Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans
Eat and drink
- Pasty A meat and vegetable pie brought by Cornish miners, now a U.P. staple.
- Whitefish Fresh from Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, often smoked or pan-fried.
- Mackinac Island fudge A sweet treat famous from the island, but enjoyed throughout the region.
- Thimbleberry jam Made from wild berries that grow in the U.P., a local delicacy.
- Smoked fish A traditional way to preserve and enjoy the catch.
Where people go
- Lighthouses Historic beacons along the Great Lakes, like the one at Whitefish Point.
- Waterfalls Tahquamenon Falls and other cascades in the state parks.
- State parks Vast protected areas for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
- Small-town main streets Charming downtowns with local shops and diners.
- Ice fishing shanties Temporary huts on frozen lakes in winter.
- Snowmobile trails Extensive groomed trails that connect the region in winter.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaEscanabaMichiganWhere the north woods meet the bayMarquetteMichiganWhere the north woods meet the big lake.PetoskeyMichiganWhere the Great Lakes meet the pines.Traverse CityMichiganWhere the cherries meet the lakeTip of the MittMichiganWhere the lakes meet the pinesIron MountainMichiganWhere the Northwoods meet the iron rangeMarinetteWisconsinWhere the Menominee meets the baySault Ste. MarieMichiganWhere the big lake meets the locks.
Mackinac, Alger, Schoolcraft and Luce counties, MI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.