Silly Escapades

The plan · Michigan, USA · 7 days, 6 nights

7 days in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, from Detroit

The route we actually drove, cleaned up so you can copy it: what to book, how long to allow at each stop, where to eat and where to sleep.

Driving
1,192 mi · 25.9 h
When we went
Oct 9–15, 2026
Pace
Easy pace, very little hiking
Download route (GPX)Read the story

The GPX file opens in Google My Maps, Gaia, OsmAnd and most GPS apps, one track per day.

Before you go

  • Book ahead: the ferry to Mackinac Island and the Pictured Rocks cruise. Cruises often sell out, and you should arrive 30 to 45 minutes early.
  • Michigan state parks, including Tahquamenon Falls and Palms Book (Kitch-iti-kipi), need a Recreation Passport for each car.
  • The Mackinac Bridge charges a toll for each car. Check the current rate before you go.
  • Mid-October is late season. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sleeping Bear runs roughly mid-April through November, and some seasonal lodging closes by mid-November.
  • Easy on the legs: the Upper Falls has accessible viewing platforms on a paved path, a carriage tour covers Mackinac Island without much walking, and Pictured Rocks is best seen from the boat.
  • Long driving days: 3 to 5 hours on most days. Plan lunch stops, and use Tim Hortons and gas stops as leg-stretch breaks.
  • Pack rain gear: it rained on 3 of our 7 days.

Day 1 · Friday, Oct 9

Fly to Detroit

Fly in

Eat

McDonalds

Sleep

Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit/Airport-Romulus (where we stayed)

Or: Dearborn Inn, Autograph Collection (historic hotel)

Day 2 · Saturday, Oct 10

Detroit → Frankenmuth → Mackinaw City

318 mi · 5.8 h driving

  1. Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

    Greenfield Village next door is a separate ticket with a reduced fall schedule, so check its dates before planning both.

    WebsiteTickets & hoursGreenfield VillageMap

  2. Shopping @ The Henry Ford
  3. Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland

    It's a store, so there are no tickets, and parking is free.

    WebsiteHistoryMap

  4. River Place Shops and the Holz-Brücke

    Visit FrankenmuthCovered bridgeMap

  5. Mackinac Bridge

    There's a toll for each car; check the current rate on the Bridge Authority's site. At the 45 mph limit the crossing takes about 7 minutes.

    WebsiteMap

Eat

Tim Hortons · River Place Shops · N'Orlins · La Crepe Du Jour · Taco Bell

Sleep

Holiday Inn Express Mackinaw City (where we stayed)

Or: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island (splurge) · Bridge Vista Beach Hotel (with kids)

Day 3 · Sunday, Oct 11

Mackinac Island → Soo Locks → Newberry

125 mi · 2.5 h driving

  1. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours

    The easiest way to see the island without much walking.

    WebsiteTours & ticketsHistoryMap

  2. Magnet from Mackinac Island
  3. Shopping from Northwind Gifts, Mackinac Island
  4. Soo Locks

    The viewing deck is right beside the locks, so you can watch a freighter go through from a few yards away.

    Visitor centerAbout the locksMap

  5. Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry

    WebsiteTicketsMap

Eat

Murray Hotel · Doud's Market · Joanns · McDonalds · Buffalo Wild Wings

Sleep

Quality Inn & Suites Newberry (where we stayed)

Or: Whitefish Point Light Station, Crew's Quarters (one of a kind) · Tahquamenon Suites Lodging (suites near the falls)

Day 4 · Monday, Oct 12

Tahquamenon Falls → Munising

109 mi · 2.4 h driving

  1. Tahquamenon Falls, Upper FallsAllow about 2 hours

    Easy for parents: three accessible viewing platforms on a paved path about a third of a mile from the lot. The 94 steps to the brink are optional. A Recreation Passport is required for each car.

    Park websiteMap

  2. Tahquamenon Falls, Lower FallsAllow about 1.5 hours

    The first accessible viewpoint is about 100 yards from the parking lot, with a half-mile boardwalk beyond it.

    Park websiteMap

  3. Shoes from Family Dollar
  4. Miners CastleAllow about 1 hour

    NPS pageMap

Eat

Tahquamenon Upper Falls · McDonalds · Subway

Sleep

Holiday Inn Express Munising-Lakeview (where we stayed)

Or: Sunset Motel on the Bay (on the water)

Day 5 · Tuesday, Oct 13

Miners Castle → Pictured Rocks → US-2 → Mackinaw City

192 mi · 5.2 h driving

  1. Pictured Rocks Cruises, Spray FallsAllow about 2 hours

    Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. Cruises often sell out, so book ahead.

    WebsiteFares & scheduleMap

  2. Shopping @ Pictured Rocks Gift Shop
  3. US-2 along Lake Michigan

    Northernmost pointMap

  4. Kitch-iti-kipiOur detour

    Go early or late in the day to beat the line for the raft. It's in Palms Book State Park, so a Recreation Passport is required for each car, the same as at Tahquamenon.

    WebsiteMap

Eat

Tap 21 · Fox's Pizza

Sleep

Holiday Inn Express Mackinaw City (where we stayed)

Or: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island (splurge) · Bridge Vista Beach Hotel (with kids)

Day 6 · Wednesday, Oct 14

Mackinaw → Petoskey → Charlevoix → Traverse City

179 mi · 4.8 h driving

  1. Sleeping Bear DunesOur detour

    Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a 7.4-mile loop with a string of overlooks. The Lake Michigan Overlook sits about 450 feet above the water. The drive is open roughly mid-April through November, until 30 minutes after sunset.

    WebsiteMap

Eat

The Villager Pub · Kilwins · India Garden

Sleep

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Acme-Traverse City (where we stayed)

Or: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa (resort) · Park Place Hotel (historic, downtown)

Day 7 · Thursday, Oct 15

Traverse City → Detroit → fly home

268 mi · 5.3 h driving

  1. University of Michigan, Ann ArborOur detour

    Campus parking is limited on weekdays, so use a public parking structure in downtown Ann Arbor and walk to the Diag, or visit on a weekend when it is easier to find a spot.

    WebsiteMap

Eat

Tim Hortons · Chipotle · McDonalds

Miles and drive times are routed on OpenStreetMap and include the detours we added. Prices, hours and seasons change, so check the links before you go.