50 Bucket List Experiences in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with Kids
If your family loves wild adventures, quirky roadside stops, and making memories you’ll talk about for years, then Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the ultimate playground. On our U.P. road trip with our crew of six, we discovered that every corner offers a new “bucket list” moment—whether it’s jumping into Lake Superior, spotting a bear, or finding glowing rocks at night.
Here are 50 bucket list experiences in the Upper Peninsula with kids—adventures your family will never forget:
Eastern U.P. – Gateway Adventures
Snap a family photo with the Mighty Mac at the Mackinac Bridge Overlook.
Climb Castle Rock in St. Ignace and wave to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.
Defy gravity at the Mystery Spot—kids will giggle the whole time.
Camp under the bridge lights at Straits State Park.
Step inside Native history at the Museum of Ojibwa Culture.
Feel the roar of Tahquamenon Falls—both Upper and Lower Falls are a must.
Climb a real lighthouse at Whitefish Point and walk the rocky beach.
Play shipwreck detective at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.
Watch bears up close at Oswald’s Bear Ranch in Newberry.
Spot wildlife on the Seney Wildlife Refuge auto tour—perfect for little adventurers.
Watch boat travel through the Soo Locks in Sault St. Marie
Central U.P. – Pictured Rocks & Marquette Magic
Cruise past the rainbow cliffs on a Pictured Rocks boat tour.
Stand at Miners Castle Overlook and see the most famous rock formation.
Chase waterfalls at Miners Falls, Munising Falls, and Au Train Falls.
Play on the sandy shore of Sand Point Beach.
Bike or hike Grand Island for a car-free adventure.
Hunt Yooperlites by flashlight on a Lake Superior beach at night.
Walk through a free outdoor art gallery at Lakenenland Sculpture Park.
Float the Au Train River on a gentle tubing adventure with the kids.
Hike up Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette for epic family photos.
Cheer on brave cliff jumpers (or try it yourself!) at Black Rocks.
Circle Presque Isle Park on bikes or by foot and look for deer.
Tour a lighthouse and maritime museum in Marquette.
Indulge in old-fashioned candy and sundaes at Donckers.
Meet the cows and try ice cream at Jilbert Dairy.
Take in a sunset from Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook near Big Bay.
Presque Isle River
Western U.P. – Keweenaw & Porcupines
Ride a tram deep into a mine at Quincy Mine near Hancock.
Drive the Brockway Mountain Scenic Road for sweeping Lake Superior views.
Explore historic Fort Wilkins in Copper Harbor with costumed interpreters.
Stay the night in a working lighthouse at Big Bay Point.
Go chasing waterfalls at Hungarian Falls, Bond Falls, and Agate Falls.
Stand above Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains.
Climb Summit Peak Tower for a true top-of-the-world moment.
Wander to three waterfalls along the Presque Isle River in the Porkies.
Play on Lake Gogebic, the U.P.’s largest inland lake.
Tour the Ontonagon Lighthouse for a dose of Great Lakes history.
Ride the Copper Peak Adventure Lift to the top of a ski flying hill.
Picnic at Black River Harbor where waterfalls meet a sandy beach.
Quirky Roadside Stops & Must-Do Detours
Snap a photo with the Paul Bunyan statue in St. Ignace or Manistique.
Ride the self-pulled raft across Kitch-iti-kipi (Big Spring) in Manistique.
Visit Narnia and find the hidden lamppost.
Tour a haunted lighthouse at Seul Choix Point near Gulliver.
Wander through the ghost town at Fayette Historic State Park.
Try a pasty (the U.P.’s famous meat pie)—kids can split one.
Stop for quirky photo ops at roadside chainsaw sculptures.
Visit the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in Naubinway for something different.
Skip rocks on Lake Michigan beaches along US-2.
Camp at a state park—from rustic tenting to RV-friendly.
Collect stamps in the Michigan State Park Passport.
Catch a Lake Superior sunset wrapped in blankets on the beach.
End the trip with ice cream and one last family selfie—because ice cream is the real bucket list winner.
Final Thoughts
The Upper Peninsula is one giant bucket list waiting to be checked off. The best part? You don’t need to do it all at once. Whether you spend a weekend chasing waterfalls or two weeks circling the whole peninsula, every stop adds a new memory. Our advice: pack snacks, bring layers, and leave room in your schedule for spontaneous roadside surprises.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is expansive, and no kid (or adult!) wants to spend most of their trip stuck in the car. That’s why we strongly recommend breaking the U.P. into multiple extended trips, so you can fully experience the best of each region. Choosing one or two home bases and adventuring out on day trips works especially well. For example, we just spent 10 days camping and road-tripping through just the Eastern and Central U.P.—and still didn’t run out of things to do. While on a previous trip we traveled to the Western UP and spend the majority of the time camping in the remote area.
The U.P. is wild, quirky, and unforgettable—just like the best family adventures should be. Follow Discovering Anew for more family adventure & trip guides.
