Houghton-Hancock

Houghton and Hancock are a pair of small towns in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan, and home to Michigan Technological University and Finlandia University. Although separated by a canal, they are connected into a single community by a unique lift bridge. == Understand == Houghton and Hancock are in the heart of the Upper Peninsula known as Copper County (comprising of Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties) and are the largest population center in the area. Copper Mining began in the area around the 1860s and peaked in the 1920s. While Hancock has lost roughly 50% of its historical population from the mine closures, Houghton on the other hand is growing and the area has since mostly shifted away from copper mining as its primary economic driver, with Michigan Technological University on Houghton's east side, and several areas of scenic beauty in the western Upper Peninsula drawing tourists into the Keweenaw every year. == Get in == The main highways in the area include: US 41 - US 41 comes into Houghton from the south and connects Houghton with Marquette. Though ending at US 41 in nearby L'Anse, US 141 directs Green Bay and Iron Mountain travelers to US 41. M-26 - M-26 enters Houghton from the southwest and ends short of Ontonagon, specifically near Rockland. Final connections to Ironwood is serviced by nearby M-28 while US 45 directs travelers towards Wausau. There is also a nearby airport: 1 Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX IATA) (about 5 miles north of Houghton/Hancock). has a few flights each day from Chicago although they tend to be fairly expensive. To get to Houghton, there is an Avis car rental on-site and Neil's Cab service is also an option. == Get around == === On foot === Houghton and Hancock are very small cities and are easily accessed by foot, although some streets can be very steep. === By taxi === Neil's Cab (☏ +1 906-482-5515) operates a few taxis in the area and the City of Houghton operates a shuttle service. Another taxi service is Copper Country Limo, featuring airport and local transportation. This is a smoke free service. They do local and long distance with a stretch limo also available. Serving the University and Airport. (☏ +1 906-370-4761 or www.coppercountrylimo.com) === By car === For exploring the area, a personal car would be best. Car rentals area available at the airport. The road names can be confusing as the same road can have different names in different areas. Coming into Houghton, US-41 is called College Ave after Michigan Tech, and then changes to one-way Shelden Ave in downtown Houghton, crosses the bridge, and splits into two different directions of M-26 and US-41. The Yooper Loop is a rather challenging piece of road on the south side of the lift bridge, where Memorial (US-41), Montezuma, and Shelden meet. Go slow, but don't stop, and remember to check your blind spot if you need to go onto M-26. == See == Portage Lake Ship Canal bisects the two cities. Running along Portage Lake and the canal is a rails-to-trails pathway which caters to bikes, rollerblades, runners/walkers, as well as snowmobilers. The canal resembles an arctic fjord, with steep slopes on either side. The Portage Lake Lift Bridge is a unique bridge acting as the gateway to the Keweenaw Peninsula to the north. 1 Michigan Tech University. Starting in 1885 as a mining college, Michigan Tech has expanded to all facets of engineering and sciences. 2 A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum. One of the great North American mineral museums. 3 Rosza Performing Arts Center, 1400 Townsend Dr, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-487-1906. A modern theater featuring plays, performances and speakers nearly every weekend. (updated Jan 2025) Winter Carnival. Occurs in early February each year. Huge snow statues, fried twinkies and giant snow speakers courtesy of the fine young minds at MTU. 4 Quincy Mine. A remnant of the mining era of the past, this is the best place to learn how the mining was done and a tour of the mine is available. (updated Jan 2025) 5 Finlandia University (formerly Suomi College). The Upper Peninsula's only private university. It is a very small campus with around 600 students enrolled. 6 Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw. (updated Oct 2019) == Do == Houghton-Hancock is mostly known for its cross country skiing. 4 local cross country trail systems groomed for both skating and striding are in the area. Mt. Ripley is open to downhill skiers and snowboarders, and is owned by Michigan Tech. Downwind Sports and Cross Country Sports are good places to rent equipment and ask about trails and waterways.The Breakers and McLain State Park are the closest access sites to Lake Superior. Swimming anywhere on Portage Lake can be refreshing in summer, as is canoeing or kayaking. Fishing is a popular activity both on Portage lake and the many nearby lakes. Although a far drive from Houghton, the Huron Mountains and Mount Arvon (Michigan's tallest point) are accessible via dirt roads northeast of L'Anse and have a scenic view at the top. Houghton is also the home port for the Ranger III, a 125 passenger National Park Service ferry ship that takes passengers to and from Isle Royale during the summer months. 1 McLain State Park, 18350 M-203 (west and north of M-203 a few miles outside). A state park. (updated Jan 2025) 2 Takka Portage, 101 Navy St, ☏ +1 906 262-0249, info@takkasaunas.com. M & Th–Sa 7AM–7PM, Su 10AM–5PM. Finnish-type sauna experience. (updated Feb 2025) == Buy == 1 Copper Country Community Art Center, 126 E Quincy St, Hancock, ☏ +1 906-482-2333. Sa 10 AM-2PM, Su M closed, Tu-F 11AM-6PM. Has unique arts and crafts for sale and changing monthly art exhibitions (updated Jan 2025) 2 Rhythm Bike & Board Co, 205 E Lakeshore Dr, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-482-3438. (updated Jan 2025) 3 Copper Country Mall, 47420 M-26, Houghton (on M-26 going South from Houghton.). Has a number of national chain stores, although there is a fairly high vacancy rate. (updated Oct 2019) 4 North Wind Books, 437 Quincy St, Hancock. Unique and hard to find books as well as FU merchandise. (updated Jan 2025) 5 Michigan Tech Bookstore, Memorial Union Building, 1503 Townsend Dr, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-487-2410. and University Images. The bookstore is located in the Memorial Union Building on Tech's campus and University Images is located up the hill at the Student Development Complex (updated Jan 2025) 6 Downwind Sports, ☏ +1 906-482-2500. M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-3PM. Hiking and camping equipment and rentals (updated Jan 2025) == Eat == Pasties are the most famous food in the Copper Country but there are a number of restaurants offering unique and high quality foods. === Budget === 1 Victoria's Kitchen, 518 Shelden Ave, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-482-8650. It features fare inspired by Finnish cuisine and Lebanese dishes. The quality can range from outstanding to middling. Prices are reasonable--a full breakfast is under $2 in many instances. Friendly, fast service. Super breakfast and lunch food, vegetarian options, very friendly staff. 2 Suomi Restaurant, 54 Huron St, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-482-3220. A little hole-in-the-wall type of restaurant with the best breakfast in town. Be prepared to wait on weekends as it is quite busy and the kitchen sometimes gets backed up. Has a neat selection of Finnish dishes. 3 Kaleva Cafe, 234 Quincy St, Hancock, ☏ +1 906-482-6001. W-Su 8AM-2PM, M Tu closed. (updated Feb 2022) 4 Roy's Pasties and Bakery, 901 W Sharon Ave, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-487-6166. Pasties and other delicious baked goods. 5 Studio Pizza and Ice Cream, 426 Quincy St, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-482-5100. Great pizza and Jilbert's ice cream. Also has local art on display. (updated Jan 2025) === Mid-range === 6 Library Restaurant and Brewpub (down the hill from Shelden Ave at the stoplight). Good beer and food, but the service is notoriously slow. The menu is more extensive than many other restaurants in Houghton. (updated Oct 2019) == Drink == The Upper Peninsula has a long drinking tradition, and the neighborhood bar is common here. === Bars & night clubs === 1 Keweenaw Brewing Company (on Shelden Ave in downtown Houghton, look for the reddish purple overhang). Tap Room: M-W 3-10PM, Th-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-8PM. Great place to meet people during the day with an interesting environment. Some of the best beer in the midwest. (updated Oct 2019) 2 Downtowner Lounge (at the end of Shelden Ave in Houghton right before the bridge). Fun bar. If it's open, go on the deck outside for a great view of the lift bridge. (updated Oct 2019) 3 Ambassador Restaurant, 126 Shelden Ave, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-482-5054. Su 4-10PM, M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. The best homemade pizza around. (updated Jan 2025) 4 Douglas House Saloon, 517 Shelden Ave, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-482-2003. A favorite dive bar for students known affectionately as "The Dog". Great for cheap beer, free popcorn, darts and pool. (updated Jan 2025) == Sleep == 1 Hampton Inn and Suites, 820 Shelden Ave, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-487-1700. Great views of the bridge and Mont Ripley. 2 Holiday Inn Express, 1110 Century Way, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-482-1066. Newer hotel, decent continental breakfast. 3 Ramada - Hancock, 99 Navy St, Hancock, ☏ +1 906-482-8400. Although it's west of the bridge, turn right at the end of the bridge onto M-26 and then take the first right. The signs should be noticeable if you're looking for them. Nice place, good restaurant and bar in the hotel. (updated Jan 2025) 4 Copper Country Inn, 46995N US Highway 41, Houghton (on US-41 in Pilgrim before Houghton), ☏ +1 906-482-5351. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Very cheap and you notice it, but it gets the job done, and has been renovated. (updated Jan 2025) 5 Country Inn & Suites, 919 Razorback Dr, Houghton (from downtown Houghton, take M-26 to Razorback Dr, then turn left), ☏ +1 906-487-6700. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jan 2025) 6 The Vault Hotel, 600 Shelden Ave, Houghton, ☏ +1 906-481-1100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Upscale hotel in downtown Houghton renovated inside of a former bank; children are allowed, though you should call to reserve if children (under 18 years of age) are coming (updated Jan 2025) == Connect == 1 Portage Lake District Library. (updated Oct 2019) == Go next == Isle Royale has beautiful hiking on a pristine island in Lake Superior. The Ranger III ferry departs from Houghton for around $100 roundtrip. Laurium and Calumet are another pair of copper-mining based cities in Houghton County, located further north on US 41 and M-26. Marquette; the largest city in the Upper Peninsula and another college town with some iron mining activity, is located southeast on US 41 Porcupine Mountains are located southwest along M-26; near Greenland, keep going straight on M-38 into Ontonagon, where it then becomes M-64. M-64 turns off to the south in Mass City, though the mountains are mainly accessible via 107th Engineers Memorial Highway (Old M-107). While not immediately nearby and not with the entirely same historical background, Sturgeon Bay has a similar geographical position and just as much scenic sightseeing opportunities to the south.