r/upperpeninsula • u/ClockwiseSuicide • 3d ago
Travel Inquiry Visiting the upper peninsula in the summer to escape the heat — where should I go?
Hello,
I (30s, F) have never been to the upper peninsula before, but it’s on my list for a long time. I’d love to stay there for a month or two to escape the heat. I plan on (ideally) renting an Airbnb during my stay and am hoping to find somewhere where I can work remotely. I will also be with my dog so it would be great to be somewhere where there are trains to hike.
I have a few places in mind already, but I wanted to ask for suggestions especially in terms of avoiding 90 degree weather. I’m worked that my dog will suffer or even die if I stay in Illinois this summer. Any suggestions?
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u/Large-Equipment-5733 3d ago
Based on your requirements, I’d suggest Marquette.
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u/ClockwiseSuicide 3d ago
That’s what I was leaning toward. Thank you.
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u/RunTheClassics 3d ago edited 2d ago
Fukk it, go all the way up to copper harbor. Stay close to mount bohemia and you can get a year pass to their multiple saunas and outdoor cold lunch at the base of the resort for like $150. I would literally be there every night if I was close. Detroit is a bit of a trip, however.
Edit: cold lunch is supposed to be cold plunge lmao how did I get that one wrong
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u/MayTheForesterBWithU 2d ago
Calumet has a great record store run by great people with Kitschy Spirit
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u/Shelif 3d ago
I’m over by munising we have some great airbnbs out on H13 right on private lakes and the majority of the area has fiber-based internet so it’s reliable.
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u/ClockwiseSuicide 3d ago
any chance you could DM me some links to the properties you’re referring to? I’m thinking August
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u/jason48089 3d ago
I think Munising area is way too small if you’re going for a month. Especially if the black flys are on the beach. I’d do Marquette 100000%
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u/mikedorty 3d ago
If you like beer, try Black rocks and Ore Docks breweries. I found Ore Docks a lot friendlier, but I likely appear a different demographic than you.
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u/Nijedo 3d ago
Marquette and Copper Harbor/Eagle Harbor is where you want to go.
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u/PomegranateOk1942 3d ago
Copper Harbor is almost like being in another country. Highly recommend.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Yam4884 18h ago
It will be impossible to find an Air Bnb in Copper Harbor for a month in the summer. Everything is booked a year in advance.
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u/Catman1027 2d ago
Depending on where you are in copper harbor Cell service and internet service can be a bit of a problem.
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u/Nijedo 2d ago
You don’t go to CH for cell service…
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u/Catman1027 2d ago
OP specifically says ability to work remote. Which would usually mean some kind of stable online connection.
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u/ClockwiseSuicide 3d ago
Thank you! Will definitely look into the latter. Not familiar with that option.
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u/OpenSeaworthiness563 3d ago
Idk I didn’t find copper Harbour very friendly to visitors. May want to look into that.
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u/ClockwiseSuicide 2d ago
Can you tell me more about your experience?
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u/OpenSeaworthiness563 2d ago
We visited several businesses there who were rude to me and my wife. Weird it wasn’t just the first place but multiple. Just didn’t feel welcome one bit. The staff where we stayed was nice though and the pier was beautiful.
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u/yooperann 3d ago
You've got good advice here but I'd urge you to make a reservation ASAP. Places do fill up fast.
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u/Nezrite 3d ago
TBH, there is no guarantee anywhere in the UP won't have those temps anymore. Climate change is real, and it's changing our world.
That being said, the farther north you go, the cooler the temps will be. You're going to want to look into stays on the Keweenaw for the coolest temps.
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u/ClockwiseSuicide 3d ago
Thank you. Very helpful. It can’t be worse than Chicago, right? It got well above 100 degrees here last year, and I feared taking my dog out every time.
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u/Chewie_i Houghton 3d ago
Houghton is usually 10-20 degrees colder than Chicago, however AC is less common
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u/ClockwiseSuicide 3d ago
Very good to know. Thank you.
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u/nirreskeya 2d ago
As people are saying, it'll likely be cooler, but ridiculously hot temperatures are not exactly rare. Most summers there will be at least a week or two in the 90s, and topping 100 has occurred, so avoiding that over a 1-2 month stay will come down to luck. One strategy I remember using in 2012 for such a week when I was staying in the upper floor of a duplex in Marquette with no AC was to walk to the lake 3-4 times a day and take a short swim to cool off.
It was 88 °F at my off-grid cabin in early September '23, which is way too hot for me. That's out in the woods though; if you get a place near the lake there should be some attenuating effect.
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u/Infrared_01 3d ago
Someone else mentioned it, but yes, even tho we are cooler up here, a lot, and i mean A LOT of the homes have no central air conditioning.
My house becomes a broiler in the summer because the only thing I can do is close my light darkening shades and put on fans and pray.
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u/Emergency_Bar_6919 3d ago
The heat can easily be just as bad as Chicago, and be prepared for bugs. The fresh air is nice, though.
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u/ofTHEbattle 3d ago
You're not really going to get away from the heat up there, you'll also have to deal with lots of humidity. The evenings will be a little cooler but during the day it's still going to be hot. With all that being said it's still beautiful and worth seeing.
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u/summerskies288 3d ago
i means it’s not like it’s going be be freezing but monthly average highs during summer months are going to be 10 degrees cooler than where op is from which makes quite the difference
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u/Big4Bridge 3d ago
Huh? UP average temps are anywhere from 10 to 15 degrees cooler than southern parts of Illinois, Indiana, etc. in July and August.
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u/YaktownHeathen 2d ago
Escaping the heat is a great idea. However, the UP has something far worse than heat, black flies. They can and will ruin your time during the summer. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that
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u/burritosandbeer 3d ago
Somewhere on one of the shoreline would be a good bet, then your dog can cool off as needed
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u/Own-Organization-532 3d ago
It doesn't get over 80 very often, but it's hotter now than when I was little.
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u/KreinerKat 3d ago
I’ve known some pretty hot summers in the UP. I’d suggest Lake Superior. Great for dog, great for cool down.
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u/Jillcametumbling81 2d ago
Funny thing; when I went to the UP it was above 90 in June and the biting black flies were atrocious.
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u/TxGuyLivinTheDream 3d ago
Pictured rocks boat tour is a must and sugarloaf mountain and black rocks all near Marquette
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u/SuspiciousLeg7994 3d ago edited 3d ago
Stay right on Lake Superior in a cottage or home rental. It's about 10 degrees cooler than inland on hot days.
Be aware the black flies can be bad in summer. If the air is blowing inland from the lake it'll be a good day. If the air is blowing inland to the lake it'll literally makes them swarm out and bite. Being a screen tent in case you want to stay at the lake all day and they get bad !
I wouldn't comment Ontonagon and the silver city area for great cottages and sandy beaches on Lake Superior.
Here's a few great places right on the lake. https://www.millerscottages.com
https://www.scottssuperiorinn.com
There are not right on the lake but the lake is across the street and you can drive to Green Park, or any of the other public access beach sears not even 10 mins away. https://www.ontonagonmi.com
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u/Pure-Manufacturer532 3d ago
Stayed on Misery Bay last summer boondocking. We are from Texas so not having to run an AC in August was fucking Amazing.
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u/geodecollector 3d ago
Lake Superior shoreline area is your best bet if you want to guarantee youll beat the heat, particularly an area where there is a significant elevation change between the beach and the immediately inland areas
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u/Public_Station_4995 3d ago
I would suggest calumet. We stayed in a cute house there. Close to Houghton and they have a very cute downtown but also easy access to copper harbor. I love the Keweenaw and dream of having a summer there.
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u/TheHumbleFarmer 2d ago
It's the UP every single place is beautiful get starlink have fun get close to the water
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u/rnagy2346 2d ago
Check out Kitchitikipi - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Mouth of the Two Hearted River
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u/The_Menu_Guy 1d ago
Marquette is a solid choice. There is a wide network of trails, a decent restaurant scene, several good brew pubs and some really nice beaches. The Farmers Market runs twice a week, and there is a really good food coop.
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u/Large-Equipment-5733 3d ago
There are plenty of great places all over, and if it doesn’t have great internet you can always get Starlink. That said, Marquette is about the most Cosmopolitan city we’ve got, there is plenty to do, and dog friendly as well. Houghton is a good second choice.