[jrmontag]

I am going to the Soo on the 20th. I am spending the night there and the next day I am going to a testing center to take my licensing exam for physical therapy. I could have taken this exam in several other locations that are much closer but I chose the Soo because I wanted to take a couple days afterwards to cruise around and take a look at the sights.

I've only been to the U.P. a couple times and that was for work essentially so I didn't really get a chance to do any recreational-type activities. One thing I've always wanted to do was see Tahqomenan(sp) Falls so I think I am going to do that one of the days. I am looking for recommendations for this, bearing in mind I am not looking to spend a ton of money.

Another day, I plan on visiting Grand Marais and driving to the Pictured Rocks on that end. Again, any specific recommendations for that area would be great.

[Bydand]

While you are in the Soo, stop by the Valley Camp museum ship. Nice displays, and it also has some stuff from the "Fitz" in it's collection. While going over to the Falls and that area, swing by Whitefish Point and go to the museum there as well. Neither are that much$. Pass on the "Tower of History" in the Soo and spend the $6.50 on some Fudge down on "Fudge Row" or better yet, go out of town to the East and catch a great Burger and Fries from Clydes. Get your food and go to the end of the little park right there and eat while watching the Freighters pass within shouting distance (Just watch your food like a hawk because there are some bold seagulls there thanks to Fudgies feeding the little bastards)

Valley Camp
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, on Whitefish Point
Clyde's Drive-In, Sault Ste Marie

[jrmontag]

How about specific information regarding the falls. Like what would be the best way of going about seeing them? Do you have to join a tour or can you just go around on your own? Is it a far walk from public parking to get to the falls? Do you have to pay just to get inside the park?

Same with Pictured Rocks. Do you have to pay to drive through there? Once you get inside the east end of the park do you have to travel far to get good views or are you 'right there'?

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by jrmontag

How about specific information regarding the falls. Like what would be the best way of going about seeing them? Do you have to join a tour or can you just go around on your own? Is it a far walk from public parking to get to the falls? Do you have to pay just to get inside the park?

Same with Pictured Rocks. Do you have to pay to drive through there? Once you get inside the east end of the park do you have to travel far to get good views or are you 'right there'?

I believe its a small fee to get in to the park if you dont have a state park sticker. We went last year, came from the Soo, up to Whitefish, and to the falls. Dont have to join a tour, just walk the path to the falls. I believe its 10-15 minute walk from parking to the falls. They also have a beautiful place to buy some memorabilia, grab some ice cream, drinks and bite to eat...even a beer. Going from the Soo, to whitefish to the falls is an absolute blast!
We are going up camping near Grand Marais in a week, gonna take the pictured rocks tour.

[YAZ]

Don't forget to visit the lower falls.....

What's the name of the road?

Lakeshore Drive?

Take that west from Brimley to the falls and hit Onaway. There's a little restaurant there that serves perch & whitefish.

Hit the lighthouse in Brimley too. We stopped by and it was closed...the caretaker let us in and we took pics from from the top. Neat 'lil museum in there too. Cool boardwalk on the lake.

My youngest sister was married there on the front lawn. Beautiful place.

[YAZ]

Point Iroquois Lighthouse pictures from scenery & nature photos on webshots

Point Iroquois Lighthouse, just west of Brimley.

[New_Horizon]

Tahquamenon Falls are great, the upper falls is the larger of the two with the brewery at the parking lot, food is quite decent but they are always busy. The lower falls are just as nice you can take a row boat across to the island which has an easy walking trail around it.

Whitefish point is wonderful except at this time of year watch for those stable flies, we've been there when they are so bad we could hardly get out of the jeep.

Grand Marais is one of my favourite places, visit it from the Deer Park side to the east the road starts by Muskalonge lake and is a dirt road but usually pretty drivable. The road to the west heading to the pictured rocks national lakeshore is now paved. You can park at Hurricane river and walk to Au Sable lighthouse either along the path or along the lakeshore the views are beautiful and once there you get a great view of the grand sable dunes.
While in Grand Marais dont forget to grab some whitefish in a basket and a refreshing pint at the Lake Superior Brewing Co. and of course breakfast at the diner Delicious !!!!!

Enjoy your stay

Jan
(missing Mi)

[suydam]

Grand Marais is great. Go see the Grand Sable dunes... they're huge.
Just FYI: While the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore extends to Grand Marais, the actual cliffs that you see in pictures are much closer to Munising.

I would recommend a drive to Munising, a stop at Miners Castle and Miners Falls in the park, and a boat tour of the rocks. The boat tour is probably the best way to see them short of a multi-day backpacking trip along the coastal trail.

I concur with the recommendation to tour Whitefish Point and the museum there as well.

A completely different opportunity is to cross into the Canadian Soo and take the Agawa Canyon train. It's pretty incredible: Agawa Canyon Tour Trains - Algoma Central Railway

[jeeg]

Originally Posted by suydam

I would recommend a drive to Munising, a stop at Miners Castle and Miners Falls in the park, and a boat tour of the rocks. The boat tour is probably the best way to see them short of a multi-day backpacking trip along the coastal trail.

This link show before and after pics of the Miners Castle collapse. Just thought it was interesting and that I would share.

Miners Castle collapse, Cave In