| Welcome
to Michigan's UP and Mackinac Island |
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UP of MI and Sault Ste. Marie/Mackinac Island |
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| At the top of the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan is the Soo Canal, connecting Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The Soo Canal is on the St. Mary’s River at the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, on the border between Ontario, Canada and the United States. The four locks on the U.S. side and one on the Canadian, carry twice the traffic of the Panama Canal. Ocean going freighters and "Lakers" loaded with grain and ore travel through the locks going both up and down the lakes. Foreign flags and names of faraway ports lettered on the sterns of "salties" add a feeling of romance to the locks. | |
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| To the east of the UP lie Sugar, Neebish and Drummond Island. Drummond Island, The Gem of Lake Huron, has traditionally been known for it's outstanding fishing and hunting opportunities. With 150 miles of shoreline and 87,000 acres of wilderness, Drummond Island is perhaps the Midwest's most unique and pristine "Outdoor Adventure". | |
| Mackinac Island stands guard at the Western entrance to Lake Huron and at the bottom of the UP. The Grand Hotel, a massive white building encircled by an intricately-carved veranda stands on the green bluffs of the island. Below is often heard the clip-clop of a horse and buggy because most all motor vehicles are banned. In the summer, yachts fill the harbor and the population swells as visitors enjoy the 19th century atmosphere. | |
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| For an island or water adventure, please contact the following ferry or cruise companies: | |
Narrated tour of the Soo Locks from Sault Ste. Marie, MI |
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| Soo Locks Boat Tours 515 East Portage Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 906-632-2512 http://www.soolocks.com |
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| Ferry from Sault Ste.
Marie to Sugar Island Ferry from Barbeau to Neebish Island Ferry from DeTour Village to Drummond Island |
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| Eastern Upper Penninsula Transit
Authority. 4001 1-75 Business Spur Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783 906-632-2898 |
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| Ferries from Mackinaw
City, MI and St. Ignace, MI to Mackinac Island |
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| Arnold Transit Company P.O. Box 220 Mackinac Island, MI 49757 906-847-3351 www.arnoldline.com |
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| Shepler's Inc. P.O. Box 250 Mackinaw City, MI 49701 231-436-5023 www.sheplerswww.com |
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| Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry 587 North State Street St. Ignace, MI 49781 906-643-7635 www.mackinacferry.com |
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| Ferry from Cheboygan, MI to Bois Blanc Island | |
| Pount Transportation P.O. Box 2 Cheboygan, MI 49721 231-627-2354 www.bbiferry.com |
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| Photo courtesy of Robert Jerstrom | |
