Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the perfect friends, family, or solo getaways! Nestled just over the famous Mackinac Bridge is your gateway to the glorious wonders of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. St. Ignace is the best place for your Upper Peninsula getaway because it is centrally located to the top spots to travel to within the Upper Peninsula. Here is how to plan the perfect up north getaway to St. Ignace, Michigan!
Pick the Perfect Date
St. Ignace in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is your destination of choice for great weekly and annual events! Choose from various events that include one of the most recognized auto shows in Michigan, festivals celebrating the area’s rich heritage, and more! In St. Ignace, there’s an event for everyone, so choose a date that caters to your interests the most.
During the second weekend in May, cruise over the Mackinac Bridge in style during the Jeep the Mac event. This event includes admission to the Turtle Ridge Off-Road park that offers 400-acres designed to provide a challenging ride for visitors! For a full weekend of cars and excitement, experience the St. Ignace Car Cruise weekend during the last weekend in June. During the first weekend in August, bring your Mini Cooper and ride over the Mackinac Bridge [and back] with a police escort for the Mini on the Mac event. While you are in town be sure to take in the Straits Brew Bash.
No matter what the weather brings, each season in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offers a unique visit. From Fall’s glorious colors painting the treescapes red, yellow, and orange to Summer’s endless sunshine and activities – St. Ignace is your Northern Michigan destination.
Spring
When spring introduces itself to the Upper Peninsula – the days become longer, and the weather becomes warmer. With the temperatures increasing, the waters start to thaw, and the fish begin to make their way towards the waters of St. Ignace, making for some optimal fishing opportunities! Along with warmer temperatures come unique and rare birds migrating to the area. St. Ignace is a great place for rare bird sightings!
Summer
Summer in St. Ignace welcomes visitors with sandy beaches, beautiful walking and hiking trails, and more! The clean, unsalted waters that surround the area make for optimal beach days with the whole family. As the weather is at its warmest, summer is the best time to visit Mackinac Island that lies just a short 15-minute ferry ride right off St. Ignace’s shores.
Fall
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the fall offers the most glorious views of nature. As the leaves change, the landscape hosts vivid colors of golds, reds, and oranges, making it the best time to take a hike in the Hiawatha National Forest or on the North County Bird Trail.
Winter
As one of the Midwest’s top winter spots, St. Ignace turns into a beautiful winter wonderland once the snow starts to fall. With a variety of groomed snowmobiling trails that lead from town through the forests and along the ice-rimmed shores of the Great Lakes St. Ignace is a winter enthusiast’s dream destination. St. Ignace is nestled between two Great Lakes, which also makes it one of the best ice-fishing scenes for diehard anglers.
Find a Place to Stay
On your next Up North adventure, choose from a variety of unique places to stay in St. Ignace. Choose from Lakeview hotels that are great for families who want to be near the beach, downtown hotels are close to restaurants and shopping, pet-friendly hotels that allow you to bring you’re your furry friends with you on your adventure or hotels nearest to ferry docks for ease of travel to Mackinac Island! For a place to stay that has it all, the Kewadin Shores Casino & Hotel offers accommodations, activities, food, and more – a total one-stop-shop. If you’re more of the outdoorsy type and love to sleep under the stars — choose from any of the five campgrounds in the area.
Pick a Fun-Filled Adventure
Outdoor Activities:
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is one of the top spots for outdoor excursions! Experience the great outdoors in the Hiawatha National Forest or otherwise known as the Great Lakes National Forest. This forest is home to six lighthouses, five wilderness areas, and the Clear Lake Education Center. With hundreds of miles of trails, the forest offers a wide variety of hiking, biking, and ATV opportunities!
Garlyn Zoological Park:
If you’re an animal lover, then you’re in luck! Bring the whole family to the Garlyn Zoological Park to see hundreds of animals like tigers, alligators, camels, and more! The zoo walks allows you stroll through the natural wooded areas on cedar-mulched-lined trails and teaches you about animals from all over the world. You can even feed some of the animals’ deer, goats, llamas, and if you’re lucky – the bears! Once you’ve explored the whole zoo, you can “adopt” your favorite animal.
Come prepared for your next Up North, Michigan adventure with the official St. Ignace Visitor Guide. This guide is your go-to guide for everything you need to plan for your Upper Peninsula getaway. Get your free electronic visitors guide here, or request to have one mailed directly to you!
Your next Up North, Michigan getaway starts in St. Ignace. The city and surrounding areas offer rich history, proximity to the top spots in the U.P., and much more. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for up-to-date information on events, activities, and information.