Do you long to travel again, but cautiously? After being cooped-up so long, do you feel like exploring beautiful & authentic places, but with social distancing considerations? Then hop in your own car and join our art-and-nature fall foliage tour of Michigan’s magical and mystical playground where there have been very few COVID cases, the remote Upper Peninsula (U.P.)!
Let Tiny World Tours plan and craft a flexible itinerary of this geographical and culturally unique destination that takes your safety seriously. We’ll organize contemporary art conversations, studio visits, hikes, and meals in places with stunning autumn natural beauty and and down-home charm, while focusing on the safety and fun of our guests.
Your adventure begins on Friday, October 2, at 2:00 pm when we convene and visit Fayette Historic State Park. Afterwards we’ll explore and spend the night on the northern shore of Lake Michigan in the town of Manistique at The Colonial Motel, an immaculately-maintained property that embodies the wonderful optimism and energy of the early 1950’s. We’ll enjoy a welcome dinner with local area cuisine (seated al fresco, weather-permitting).
On Saturday, enjoy leisurely donuts and coffee at the motel, and explore historic Manistique and its surroundings. We recommend a visit to Kitch-Iti-Kipi (Michigan’s largest natural freshwater spring). If you arrive in the morning as it opens, you may even have it almost all to yourself! The Upper Crust Deli in Manistique offers delicious sandwiches for lunch (on your own) and outside seating with a view on the waterfront.
After lunch on Saturday, drive ~3.5 hours Houghton, MI where we will spend the next two nights at The Vault Hotel (swanky!). We will visit historic sites, museums including the A.E.Seaman Mineral Museum, the campus of Michgan Tech, and many places & spaces (some little-known) with great fall views.
On Monday we’ll drive north about an hour to Copper Harbor, the northernmost point in mainland Michigan, and spend the next two nights in charming cabins at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. There are many beautiful and historic sites in this area. As a special treat, we’ll arrange a private tour and dinner at the Eagle Harbor General Store Museum and the Eagle Harbor Social Aid & Pleasure Club, an artist couple’s home/studio.
Our experience will wind down with a night at the charming Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast (about 45 minutes north of Marquette), and then a final night in a hotel on Marquette’s picturesque Lake Superior waterfront. Our tour ends in Marquette on October 9th upon hotel check out (breakfast provided by hotel).
On Thursday October 8th or Friday October 9th we recommend you try to visit Pictured Rocks (on your own).
Although there’s a chance that our final itinerary might change, our tour highlights will likely include the following variety of curated activities, unique lodging, and memorable culinary experiences:
First night at the charming The Colonial Motel in Manistique, MI (#1 accommodations in Manistique according to TripAdvisor). Dinner included and al fresco (weather permitting).
Two nights in a bank that was recently renovated into The Vault Hotel in Houghton (swanky)! Dinner on your own, recommendations provided.
Two nights at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor on Lake Superior, the northernmost mainland point of the state of Michigan + dinner at the the Harbor Haus restaurant (included)
Private visit at an artist home/studio and dinner at the Eagle Harbor General Store Museum and the Eagle Harbor Social Aid & Pleasure Club (included)
One night in a Lake Superior lighthouse adjacent to the Kcymaerxthaere marker for Tumbles of Tlapak (impressively heavy yet recently briefly misplaced)! Dinner on your own, recommendations provided.
Final night at the Marquette Hampton Inn Waterfront. Dinner included, al fresco (weather permitting).
Visit several settings where the celebrated literary and cinema classic “Anatomy of a Murder” took place in Marquette and Big Bay
Visit the Jam Pot Bakery affiliated with Catholic Monastery of the Byzantine Rite, Poorrock Abbey next door with onion domes in Eagle Harbor
Opportunity for a variety of walks / hikes in select UP parks & preserves (with recommendations)
Opportunity to go on a Pictured Rocks Cruise or Kayak Adventure (at additional charge, and pending availability at the time of registration) - NOTE: our recommended kayak option is not especially strenuous, offers social distancing, and close-up viewing of Pictured Rocks.
Opportunity to visit Fayette Historic State Park
Opportunity to visit Calumet and other Keweenaw Historic Sites operated by the National Park Service
Opportunity to tour the historic Quincy Mine in Hancock, MI
Cost per person $1,400 (double occupancy)
Please inquire about single supplement for those solo travelers requiring a private room (if available).
What is included?
Seven nights lodging (Five breakfasts included + one morning’s coffee and donuts)
Four dinners included (at establishments with social distancing practices (and often al fresco)
Exclusive coordinated/curated opportunities including an artist studio private visit/tour
Most park and attraction fees
What is not included?
Personal items
Meals other than the four dinners mentioned above (NOTE: recommendations with descriptions will be provided for you)
Alcoholic drinks
Pictured Rocks Cruise or Kayaking
Maximum tour group size (including tour leader): 10
Tour Registration Deadline: Thursday, September 3, 2020
Although unlikely, this itinerary is subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances / opportunities.
Note: Guests are responsible for providing their own ground transportation. The drive from Grand Rapids to Manistique is about ~5 hours, and Fayette is about 40 minutes further down the road. There is daily air service to Marquette (Delta via Detroit) and Houghton (United via Chicago) and both Marquette and Houghton airports have car rental companies. Tiny World Tours will be delighted to advise pre-trip and post-trip activities based on your interests. There is so much to see and do in the U.P. and the fall foliage is spectacular!
Questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask mark@tinyworldtours.com!
More detailed information will be provided to tour registrants.
Tour Highlights
Michigan U.P. Gallery
