After three or four days of travel in a city, I am happy to get back to the U.P. with a renewed sense of appreciation for the simple things it has to offer. Here's a quick guide to 10 uniquely Upper Peninsula sites, taking you from the Mackinac Bridge at the eastern end of the peninsula to the Porcupine Mountains in the far west. It's farther from Detroit to the Porcupine Mountains than it is to Atlanta, but since you don't have to drive through Ohio, it won't seem nearly as long. And, trust us, there's a heck of a lot more to do and see along the way. Just 15 minutes west of St. Ignace, U.S. 2 reaches Lake Michigan, and for the next 10 miles runs along some of the prettiest sand and dunes in the state.
Access is the key.
No park permits are required. No long walks. Just pull into the parking lane between the highway and beach, walk down the few yards of slope to the sand and take in the panoramic views of shoreline east and west or the great views of the lake to the south. The water is warmer than you might imagine. A sandbar just a few yards away runs parallel to the shore, allowing the water to heat up.