On your next holiday or family vacation, add these items to your bucket list to fully Experience Michigan's Paradise !
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| World Class Sunrise at Whitefish Twp Community Center |
Photograph a Spectacular "World Class" Sunrise
If you spend the night at one of our members located on Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay shores, you'll be able to enjoy the comfort of their facilities while taking in this incredible view. Sometimes you can even capture the moon rising over Whitefish Bay. You can also witness this phenomenon sitting on a bench behind the Whitefish Township Community Center.
Many times in the summer, I have witnessed an incredible sunset in the eastern sky as colors reflect off Lake Superior's western sky to the lake and then to the eastern sky. Yes, that's right, a sunset to the east.
Spot Freighters at Whitefish Point
Freighters are the bulk cargo haulers of the Great Lakes. They may haul limestone, iron ore, grain, coal, or salt from the Great Lakes region to industrial areas to the east. Many will navigate through Soo Locks as Lake Huron is at lower elevation then Lake Superior. You'll be mesmerized by their size as they round, Whitefish Point.
Explore Great Lakes History at the Shipwreck Museum
The Edmund Fitzgerald met is fate in 1975. The bell of the Fitz is on display at the
Shipwreck Museum managed and maintained by the Great Lakes Historical Society. The society actually manages two historic properties and conducts research to find, locate and document shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. The museum has the added adventure of the Whitefish Point Light Station, established by Congress in 1849 and still providing service to this day.
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| Rock-Hounding |
Walk Lake Superior's Shoreline to Find an Agate
Rock-hounding is the exploration of many rocks for that one rock that sends a thrill to your senses. Most people like to look at them wet as this accentuates the minerals or colors in the rock. Many will pick up a rock and casting it along with their worries and woes, skip it back into the lake! Keep in mind that much of the shoreline in the Whitefish Point region is private property so be respectful, leave the shore as you found it and any trash you may take in with you, be sure to take back out.
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| North Country Trail along Tahquamenon River |
Hike the North Country National Scenic Trail
The nationally renown 4,600 mile, scenic trail traverses seven states. It connects to the Appalachian Trail, Michigan Iron Belle Trail and meanders through the Paradise region as well as the Tahquamenon Falls State Park. A favorite bit of the trail marked by their infamous blue flags (paint strip on the side of a tree) is along the Tahquamenon River. The picture above was taken in January but the vistas is just as breathtaking in July.
Paddle the Tahquamenon River
The Woods, Tahquamenon River Canoe and Kayak Rental facility offers guided tours for even the most inexperienced paddler. Unfortunately due to the Covid 19 precautions they are not offering any tours in 2020 so, you'll need to add this to your 2021 agenda. But when they do open they offer 1 1/2 hour trips and 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hour trips with experienced guides or maybe you just want to rent the equipment. They can do that too.
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| Tahquamenon Upper Falls from the Southern Shore (Tahquamenon Riverboat Rides) |
Discover Root Beer Waterfalls
The tannin acids in the Tahquamenon River color the river water a stunning amber color which stands out notably at the upper waterfalls, the 2nd largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, hence the popular root beer waterfalls nickname. The 200 foot span of the waterfalls drops some 50 feet into a foam, reminiscent of a really cold root beer. The tannin acids accumulate from the many cedar, spruce, and hemlock trees in the river basin. Visit the Tahquamenon Falls State Park to access the upper and the lower wataerfalls just west of Paradise, Michigan.
Enjoy a Black Bear Stout Ale
Camp 33 hales from the days of logging companies in an earlier time of the Paradise Michigan region. Camp 33 is the local name of the Tahquamenon Brewery and Restaurant located within the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, upper waterfalls entrance. After a hike to the upper waterfalls (.5 miles) along a paved path, the ale is refreshing brew and is a local favorite.
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| Paddle to the Tahquamenon Lower Falls Island |
Rent a Small Boat to a Small Island
The Tahquamenon Falls State Park Lower Waterfalls has a vendor that will rent you and your family a boat to paddle across the Tahquamenon River to an island nestled among five cascading waterfalls. The island has well manicured and maintained trails making exploration easy and fun for the entire family.
Savor the Best, Freshest Whitefish in Michigan
Brown Fisheries has been serving up succulent, fresh Whitefish from Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay for two generations!Located just west of the blinking light in Paradise on M-123, Michigan's Tahquamenon Scenic Byway. Aside from Whitefish, check their specials board, you might find
fresh trout, smoked dips, and
smoked Whitefish chowder. Open for lunch and dinner but when they run out of fish, they close.
Catch a World Class Sunset off Lake Superior at Whitefish Point
Remarkably just 12 miles north of Paradise, you can catch an incredible view of the sun setting over Lake Superior. Take the hawk count walk that meanders behind the Shipwreck Museum to a hawk counting platform. Here you'll catch just a few more seconds of the sun, just before it slips beyond the Lake Superior horizon.
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| Campfire with Moon Rise Over Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay |
Enjoy Family Conversation Around the Campfire!
You are right, a conversation around the campfire is a delight visually and socially. Reflect on the day's experiences and consider the adventures of tomorrow. Indulge in a rich, chocolate s'more while enjoying family stories. Indulge.
Capture Northern Lights Over Lake Superior
The point of a Bucket List is to have goals for the future. Many people have enjoyed the Northern Lights while exploring the Paradise region but they are not an everyday occurrence. Several factors have to be in place, clear skies, dark skies, and atmospheric particles to reflect lights to the night sky. So watch your weather forecasts and consider Whitefish Point to capture the light reflections; but don't be disappointed if there happens to be clouds that night.
There are many other incredible experiences in Michigan's Paradise, please share your favorite with our readers!
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This vacation information is brought to you by the
Paradise Area Tourism Council and their members:
Curley's Paradise Motel,
Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise,
Paradise Inn (Hotel),
Paradise Shores Cabins, and
Vagabond Motel.
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This Hidden Gem series has been a lot of fun. I've enjoyed expanding upon the history of Vermillion Point, the beauty of the Betsy River, the points of interest along the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway and the pleasure one can hike on Paradise Pathways. In the shoulder seasons, Paradise becomes its own hidden gem. Are you writing a book, hoping to catch a glimpse of the "gales of November" on Lake Superior or Whitefish Bay, take a picture of the Whitefish Point Lighthouse? Then book a stay for a few days at one of our member's facilities. They will let you know what is open and other hidden gems in the region! Break the cabin fever during the shoulder season and spend a few quiet days in Paradise, Michigan!
