Michigan UP Lake Superior Circle Tour Travel Planner
Tahquamenon Falls to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Michigan Upper Peninsula Travel

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Paradise & Whitefish Point (see pictures & more info here)

It is 12 miles from Tahquamenon Falls to Paradise. A worthwhile side trip is 11 miles north to Whitefish Point. There you can tour the Lighthouse and shipwreck museum, walk the sand beach, watch for big ships heading to or from the Soo Locks, and visit the Whitefish Point bird observatory. Figure at least an hour for this side trip – more time if you do the formal tours.

Paradise to Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan
Chamber Website: www.saultstemarie.com

From Paradise take Hwy 123 South 11 miles to the intersection with South Shore Drive. There go east, running largely along the lakeshore of Whitefish Bay. After approximately 30 miles you will encounter Bay Mills Casino & Resort. There is an RV park here, a marina, hotel, dining and casino gaming.

Restaurant Review – Bay Mills Casino

In 2005 we stopped for dinner at the Casino. A very popular place with a large restaurant overlooking the lake. We secured reservations at the restaurant and retired to the lounge next door. Poor service in the lounge where it was obvious the staff were not getting along with one another. In the restaurant, we opted for the Smorgasbord dinner. Food was lukewarm as if it had been sitting for some time. One of the few times I did not finish my meal – which is rare for a lifetime member of the clean-plate club! Waitress was un-attentive. Had to flag her down just to get the bill. One plus, however, – the price was reasonable. *1/2

Golf Course and RV Park

Although we were dissatisfed with our restaurant experience, a few years later we stayed at the RV Park and played their golf course and both were a positive experience. Both were good values and on the two occasions we have stayed there have had decent service at the RV Park and the Golf Course.

After arriving in the community of Brimley, take 6 mile road east to I-75 that runs north into Sault Ste. Marie.

Recommended places and things to do in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan:

  • The Soo Locks Park where you can see the locks & get an up close view of the huge Lake Superior Freighters as they pass through the locks.
  • Soo Locks Boat Tours and Dinner Cruises
  • St. Mary’s River History Museum
  • Michigan & Soo Visitor Information Center at the Base of the International Bridge
  • Crossing the International Bridge into Canada – Provides an aerial view of the river, the locks, and both cities
Soo Locks Viewing Platform
From the Soo Locks Viewing platform, you can view small and large ships (some 1000 feet long) passing through the locks between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

If you are headed into Canada it would be wise to gas up on the Michigan side as US prices are generally better.

Get Acquainted with Current Passport Regulations – There are new requirements for motor travel between the United States and Canada.

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