Upper Peninsula Weekend Adventure (Friday‑Sunday)

Day 1: Friday – Drive & Check‑in

Morning: Pack the car, grab snacks, and enjoy a quick breakfast before hitting the road. The drive from Detroit promises scenic views as you head north toward the U.P.

Afternoon: Depart Detroit at 3:00 PM and travel ~6.5 hours, stopping for a lakefront dinner in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. Cross the iconic Mackinac Bridge and continue to Sundown Lodge, arriving around 9:30 PM.

Evening: Check in, unwind by the fire, and enjoy light snacks or music under the starry Upper Peninsula sky.

Day 2: Saturday – Kitch‑iti‑kipi & Pictured Rocks Adventure

Morning: After a hearty breakfast, drive 1 hour to Kitch‑iti‑kipi (the Big Spring) in Palms Book State Park. Spend about an hour on the self‑guided raft admiring the turquoise waters and snapping photos.

Afternoon: Head 1.5 hours to the Pictured Rocks area, stopping for lunch in Munising at the Falling Rock Café. Explore Munising Falls, the iconic Miners Castle Overlook, and hike to Miners Falls. If time permits, take a Pictured Rocks boat cruise for a close view of the cliffs.

Evening: Return to Sundown Lodge for dinner, a bonfire, and perhaps some stargazing before a restful night.

Day 3: Sunday – Mackinac Island & Boyne Mountain

Morning: Pack up early, check out, and drive 2.5‑3 hours to the Mackinaw City ferry dock. Board the ferry (15‑20 min) and arrive on car‑free Mackinac Island by 10:30 AM.

Afternoon: Wander the island on foot or bike, visiting Fort Mackinac, Arch Rock, and enjoying a fudge tasting. Lunch at the Fort Mackinac Tea Room offers scenic views before catching the 2:30 PM ferry back to the mainland.

Evening: Drive ~2 hours to Boyne Mountain Resort, ride the chairlift to the SkyBridge Michigan and watch the sunset over the valley. After dinner at Everett’s, begin the 4.5‑5 hour drive back to Detroit, arriving around midnight.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Kitch‑iti‑kipi – Approx. 1 hour – $5 (parking)
• Munising Falls – Approx. 0.5 hour – Free
• Miners Castle Overlook – Approx. 0.5 hour – Free
• Miners Falls – Approx. 1 hour – Free
• Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise – Approx. 2 hours – $30 per person
• Ferry to Mackinac Island (round‑trip) – Approx. 1 hour total – $20 per person
• Fort Mackinac – Approx. 2 hours – $15 per person
• Arch Rock – Approx. 0.5 hour – Free
• SkyBridge Michigan (with lift ticket) – Approx. 1 hour – $20 per person

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra night at Boyne Mountain for skiing or a spa day, or explore the Tahquamenon Falls region on a fourth day. To shorten it, skip the optional boat cruise at Pictured Rocks and the evening drive back on Sunday, staying overnight in Mackinac City and returning to Detroit the next morning.