Need some UP touring advice! (restaurants, nice places, etc...)

[Willh]

So everyone knows I just moved to Calumet, Michigan last summer from northern Maine.

I'm very new to the area.

But...next week my mother is coming to visit me and my wife for about a week. She's never been here and because we are so new up here...we're still up in the air on places to take her - whether it be for dinner, breakfast, lunch, anything. Also just nice places in general. During the past 7 months my wife and I haven't really explored too much as we're saving up money for my schooling (getting a teaching certification soon to teach secondary education english/lit or bio/chem...have degrees in both.)

So, more clearly: we're looking for some good suggestions on places to go out to eat, places to visit for scenery, etc, that are particularly accessible for vehicle in winter, etc.
Even if you think it's obvious or goes without saying, please suggest anything.

Some places I like already include the Michigan House restaurant here in Calumet and Connie's Kitchen for pasties...and that's about it so far as my wife and I have tried, lol (saving money...)

My mother isn't picky at all and enjoys everything from old fashioned food to asian/indian food. I know she's going to love pasties.

Thanks again everyone! We really want to give her a good experience because my wife and I love this place more and more and more and have every intention of staying here and making a family.

Thanks!

~ Will

PS - I'm referring to anywhere in the UP within like 3ish hours one way of the Keweenaw.

 

[mezz]

Well, long time no hear dude! You kind of dropped off the radar for a while. Glad to hear that you're still with us, LOL! You've been MIA for a while. Nonetheless, I'm not real sure about what exactly you might be looking for by way of dining or ambiance, but, you may consider taking her to th Eagle River Inn in Eagle Harbor, the Bear Belly Bar &Grill in LacLaBelle, the Mariner Inn in Copper Harbor, The Waterfront in Hancock, Quincy's in Dollar Bay, the Library in Houghton, The Loading Zone II in Lake Linden, the Copper Mine in Tamarack, the Hut in Kearsarge, Denali in Lake Linden, so many choices beyond my suggestions. Glad to hear that you're still here.-Mezz

 

[byr 13]

well, long time no hear dude! You kind of dropped off the radar for a while. Glad to hear that you're still with us, lol! You've been mia for a while. Nonetheless, i'm not real sure about what exactly you might be looking for by way of dining or ambiance, but, you may consider taking her to th eagle river inn in eagle harbor, the bear belly bar &grill in laclabelle, the mariner inn in copper harbor, the waterfront in hancock, quincy's in dollar bay, the library in houghton, the loading zone ii in lake linden, the copper mine in tamarack, the hut in kearsarge, denali in lake linden, so many choices beyond my suggestions. Glad to hear that you're still here.-mezz

yep they are all good

 

[bayfly]

Carmelita's in Calumet for great mex. Also you said state the obvious so next Friday night send off for CopperDog downtown Calumet. Simply amazing. One of the neatest events I have ever attended. Stay for the fireworks. And you can follow up to Copper Harbor on Saturday.

 

[garyl62]

Great to see you back! We were wondering how you were doing when all the snow hit in Dec and if you were getting tired of moving it?! Mezz has hit all the highlights, I'd add Ambassador in Houghton or Geno's in Hancock for pizza, but the loading zone has good stuff too. A little higher end steak place is Pilgrim River Steakhouse in Houghton. Maybe not for mom, but there is a newer burger place in Hancock called Racer's Burger Bistro. Don't expect much for the setting, but expect to have a great messy burger with almost any topping you'd want. As far as getting out to see things, Bond Falls just east of Paulding is a place everyone thinks is great in all seasons.

 

[frnash]

Glad to see you're still here Willh, we thought ya fell in a snowbank, not to be seen again until June or so! (Or was it the recent meltdown that freed ya?)
Don't stay away so long!

… Geno's [sic] in Hancock for pizza …

Umm, that would be Gino's, see (click →) Discussion Board | Miscellaneous | Wolf | #74.

---

Willh: For some local "touristy" local heritage things:

1. (click →) The Calumet Theatre[SUP]1[/SUP], 340 Sixth Street, Calumet.
   It looks pretty innocuous from the street, but go inside and take the tour. You'll think you were transported back to Ford Theater in Washington, DC in President Lincoln's day! Stunning!
   
   
2. (click →) The Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy Street, Hancock. (A part of Finlandia University, which was founded in 1896 as Suomi College. Finnish people developed the attitude of “sisu” or “persistence and determination” during the early years of their country’s formation. It is with this steadfast attitude that Suomi College was established. After years of hard labor in the Upper Peninsula mining and lumber camps, Finnish immigrants began to dream of a better life for their children and future Finnish-American generations. They found their answer in Suomi College. It is the only remaining university in North America founded by Finnish immigrants.)
   
   (Incidentually, note also that all of the street signs/names in Hancock appear in both English and Finnish.)
   
   
3. (click →) Kaleva Cafe, (est. 1918) 234 Quincy St, Hancock. (Pannukakku (Finnish Oven Baked Pancake) served Every Saturday!)
   
   
4. (click →) Suomi Home Bakery & Restaurant, (est. 1967) 54 Huron St, Houghton. Get the "Pannukakku" (Finnish Oven Baked Pancake), or the Finnish French Toast (made with "Nisu"!) for breakfast! And grab a loaf of Finnish Cardamom Coffee Cake[SUP]2[/SUP] ("Nisu") to take home.
   
   
5. (click →) Lindell Chocolate Shoppe, (est. 1922) "Where Grandpa Took Grandma", 300 Calumet Street - M-26 Lake Linden.
   
   
6. (click →) The Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum,[SUP]3[/SUP] (Homesteaded in 1896 by the Finnish immigrant family headed by Herman Hanka.) 13249 Hanka Road, Askel. MI.
   
   
7. (See private message!)

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[SUP]1[/SUP] The Calumet Theatre Tours:
Self-Guided Tours during box office hours only Call the Box Office at (906) 337-2610 for availability.
Guided Tours (by appointment only) Tours last approximately 45-60 minutes. Tours limited on days of performance and by volunteer availability.

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[SUP]2[/SUP] (But not as good as my grandma's — they're stingy with the cardamom!)

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[SUP]3[/SUP] Hanka Homestead Tours:
This may not the season for regular tours, but possibly available by appointment, call (906) 334-2601 or (906) 334-2575. Otherwise "for future reference".

---

 

[skidoolouie]

Welcome back

 

[Willh]

lol, sorry for disappearing!

Got really busy this past winter with work, studying, exploring the area, etc. I still check by to read on a nearly daily basis, lol.

Thanks so much for the suggestions, btw! I already copied them down and am going to do some checking on them online as well as driving to check on ones near by.

And re: too much snow? No way! December was -perfect-
January had way too little and February is shaping up the same. Still - doing better than pretty much anywhere else. I hate these thaws we keep having...but I've poured over daily historical data for so long that I know this is a major fluke up here.

But yeah - I love it up here. I fell in love with the area in the Summer and Fall - and now I've fallen in love with the winter and I'm a hardcore winter/snow lover.

I've never wanted a truck with high clearance and 2 snowmobiles more than now. For people who like winter - the UP has to be the best kept secret. Growing up in the northeast you either wanted snow and the coast so you would pick Portland to Bar Harbor...or you wanted mountains and snow so you would pick Saranac Lake to Stowe, Vermont over to Conway/Sugarloaf/Rangeley, Maine. Very few people realize that this area up here exists...and you can get that oceanic Acadia National Park vibe...without Martha Stewart and the slew of billionaire mansions...alongside wilderness and close-enough-to-mountains so much easier. AND...with 2-3 times the snow and far fewer thaws! If the snow weenies out east ever discovered this place the winter weather hounds that flock to northern New England, the Adirondacks and the Tug would flood to this area. There's just simply no question that this area crushes the east when it comes to winter weather fun.

I love it here, in case you can't tell. Looking forward to this upcoming storm.

 

[Skylar]

lol, sorry for disappearing!

Got really busy this past winter with work, studying, exploring the area, etc. I still check by to read on a nearly daily basis, lol.

Thanks so much for the suggestions, btw! I already copied them down and am going to do some checking on them online as well as driving to check on ones near by.

And re: too much snow? No way! December was -perfect-
January had way too little and February is shaping up the same. Still - doing better than pretty much anywhere else. I hate these thaws we keep having...but I've poured over daily historical data for so long that I know this is a major fluke up here.

But yeah - I love it up here. I fell in love with the area in the Summer and Fall - and now I've fallen in love with the winter and I'm a hardcore winter/snow lover.

I've never wanted a truck with high clearance and 2 snowmobiles more than now. For people who like winter - the UP has to be the best kept secret. Growing up in the northeast you either wanted snow and the coast so you would pick Portland to Bar Harbor...or you wanted mountains and snow so you would pick Saranac Lake to Stowe, Vermont over to Conway/Sugarloaf/Rangeley, Maine. Very few people realize that this area up here exists...and you can get that oceanic Acadia National Park vibe...without Martha Stewart and the slew of billionaire mansions...alongside wilderness and close-enough-to-mountains so much easier. AND...with 2-3 times the snow and far fewer thaws! If the snow weenies out east ever discovered this place the winter weather hounds that flock to northern New England, the Adirondacks and the Tug would flood to this area. There's just simply no question that this area crushes the east when it comes to winter weather fun.

I love it here, in case you can't tell. Looking forward to this upcoming storm.

Yep, let's keep the U.P. our little secret. My first visit was Dec of 1991. First summer visit was August 1992 with my girlfriend, now wife of 23 years. She fell in love with it also.

 

[Stack]

lol, sorry for disappearing!

Got really busy this past winter with work, studying, exploring the area, etc. I still check by to read on a nearly daily basis, lol.

Thanks so much for the suggestions, btw! I already copied them down and am going to do some checking on them online as well as driving to check on ones near by.

And re: too much snow? No way! December was -perfect-
January had way too little and February is shaping up the same. Still - doing better than pretty much anywhere else. I hate these thaws we keep having...but I've poured over daily historical data for so long that I know this is a major fluke up here.

But yeah - I love it up here. I fell in love with the area in the Summer and Fall - and now I've fallen in love with the winter and I'm a hardcore winter/snow lover.

I've never wanted a truck with high clearance and 2 snowmobiles more than now. For people who like winter - the UP has to be the best kept secret. Growing up in the northeast you either wanted snow and the coast so you would pick Portland to Bar Harbor...or you wanted mountains and snow so you would pick Saranac Lake to Stowe, Vermont over to Conway/Sugarloaf/Rangeley, Maine. Very few people realize that this area up here exists...and you can get that oceanic Acadia National Park vibe...without Martha Stewart and the slew of billionaire mansions...alongside wilderness and close-enough-to-mountains so much easier. AND...with 2-3 times the snow and far fewer thaws! If the snow weenies out east ever discovered this place the winter weather hounds that flock to northern New England, the Adirondacks and the Tug would flood to this area. There's just simply no question that this area crushes the east when it comes to winter weather fun.

I love it here, in case you can't tell. Looking forward to this upcoming storm.

Café Rosetta in Downtown Calumet has a pretty cool vibe, and I like the HUT in Calumet as well

-Stack

 

[Skylar]

The new Mexican resteraunt in Hancock is getting good reviews. La Cantina it's called. The same family owns the Mexican restaurant here in my home town in Wi. Excellent food!

 

[packerlandrider]

To reinforce or add to the suggestions:

Food
-The Studio Pizza in Hancock is my favorite place in the Kee for pizza (even over the ambassador, gasp) - The Orpheum Theatre (connected to the Studio Pizza) is also a neat place to take in a local show
-Other favorite restaurants of mine include (aside from the already mentioned Michigan House): Henry's in Rockland and Denali Restaurant in Lake Linden
-And yes, Racer's in Hancock has amazing burgers!

Sites
-see frnash's great indoor suggestions, and also add the Calumet Visitor Center (still can't believe how nice some of those exhibits are for free viewing)
-with the warm weather, rivers and streams are opening up - a few roadside waterfalls include: Bond Falls, Agate Falls, Eagle River Falls, Jacobs Falls, Haven Falls
-just the entire drive of M-26 from Eagle River to Copper Harbor is something I take for granted but is always amazing
-the drive along the cliff range in Phoenix
-while they are better when you can explore and climb around, the Redridge Dam and Freda stamp mill ruins are still probably worth visiting if only viewing from the parking area

And yes, the Copper Dog is a pretty big deal next weekend, hopefully the weather cooperates!

 

[jtm_67]

For a road trip, Marquette way about an hour and a half, The Yooper Tourist Trap in Ishpeming, on US 41 right hand side heading south (look for big chain saw). Michigan Iron Industry Museum between Negaunee and Marquette. Presque Isle for some nice scenery I am not sure if the keep it plowed all the way around anymore. Tino's Pizza in Negaunee is good food pizza and cuddaghi. Stucko's on 3rd street in Marquette good food. Fish fry Friday is great.

 

[sweeperguy]

Lakenenland sculpture park, is pretty cool. Not exactly fine art, but it is fine. Its over by Marquette


About
Picture Gallery
Contact

Hello and welcome to my junkyard!

This website contains some pictures of the sculptures I've built from scrap iron. These, along with many other of my creations, can be found at Lakenenland Sculpture Park, 15 miles east of Marquette, MI on highway M-28, across from Shot Point Road. You may also find it along the snowmobile trail #417. If you are in the area, I hope you'll stop and check it out. It's open free to the public 7 days a week. Hope you like it!

-Tom Lakenen


Here's what some other folks thought about Lakenenland:

Tripadvisor.com Reviews
Hunt's Guide to the UP
Article about Lakenenland on AssociatedContent.com by Trent Sandusky

 

[upbarleyboy]

If prime rib tickles your fancy, the Olde Suffolk Ale House in Ironwood is phenomenal. Only available on Saturday evenings. They also have a Wednesday pasta night that will keep you coming back for more. My Wed favorite....cheese raviolis w/ lemon butter sauce, and a thick grilled pork chop. Sandwiches, pizzas and other casual dining available the other evenings. (I think they are closed on Sunday & Monday so may want to call before you make the drive). Anything you get there is top notch. Kick your feet up by the fireplace in the bar area after dinner for a post meal libation. Great atmosphere, and the owner is a great guy!

 

[jime]

Seaman mineral museum @ michigan tech. check out the web site it was a interesting stop.

 

[indy_500]

Pretty sure nobody mentioned the KBC, wth!

 

[frnash]

… the UP has to be the best kept secret. … Very few people realize that this area up here exists … and you can get that oceanic Acadia National Park vibe … without Martha Stewart and the slew of billionaire mansions … alongside wilderness and close-enough-to-mountains so much easier. …

… [no] billionaire mansions? Well not quite, see:

1. The Huron Mountain Club (Private, very private! By invitation only.)
   See My Michigan: (click →) "The secrets of the Huron Mountain Club".
   See also Michigan Highways: (click →) "M-35: The Highway Henry Ford Stopped".
   See more discussion about HMC at (click →) Past-E-Mail: Cam Notes - 2002: September: Sep 05-02 - Pasty Central". (scroll down.)
   ―
2. Granot Loma, 34,000 sq. ft., 23 BR, 13 BA, 25 fireplaces, for sale, cheap; price reduced! Grab yer checkbook!)
   See Wikipedia: (click →) Granot Loma.
   See also, The Business Insider, Oct. 13, 2016:
   (click →) "Nobody wants to buy the world's largest log cabin — and now the price has been slashed by $20 million".
   [The interior? Nothin short of grotesque, IMO, but nice exterior and acreage. Missing only the private airstrip! ]

P.S.: A great — no, outstanding — read, if you can find it, (it may be out of print) the definitive, twin volume set:
• "Superior Heartland, A Backwoods History" by C. Fred Rydholm. (Priceless!)

Café Rosetta in Downtown Calumet has a pretty cool vibe, and I like the HUT in Calumet as well
-Stack

See: (click →) The Hut Inn, US-41 (58542 Wolverine Street) Kearsarge (a.k.a. Calumet), MI 49913

 

[frnash]

Willh: Check your Private messages!

Willh: Check your Private messages!

 

[Woodtic]

If you have snow shoes or you may be able to rent them? Canyon Falls just south of L'ance. The parking lot is gated but the entrance is plowed out. Room for 3 or 4 cars most of the time. Hard Wood Steak house in Covington has great food if you end up down that way. It's a giant log cabin. If you want to do a nice meal at home? Petersons fish market down the road from you is fantastic . Lake Supierior white fish (fresh), its better than lobster. Bond falls is great in the winter,and only a 10 min easy hike from the plowed road. I know it was mention in another post,I think it's a must see. There are two ways to walk down to it. Just follow the tracks. If you do end up by Bond, Char's has great home made pies. Good food as well.