Great Northern Leg 3: Detroit to Milwaukee

Victorian mansions dot the neighborhoods of Detroit, so it makes sense that you should get to stay in one! The charm and character of the Inn on Ferry Street is in a perfect location, has clean and elegant rooms, and provides excellent service.

Maize and Blue Deli is a favorite among Michigan locals and visitors alike. This deli serves up the biggest sandwiches you've ever seen. Plus, they categorize their equally huge menu by your preferred type of meat (and they offer 8 different types of pastrami sandwich). Be prepared to share, or have tons leftover for the road!

If you've got a sweet tooth, visit The Parlour in Jackson, MI. Step back in time at this retro-inspired ice cream shop that's been treating people to sweet treats since the 1940s! You can't go wrong with a classic hot fudge sundae, but if you're really hungry, they have a massive, 21-scoop behemoth that's free if you eat it in under an hour. Beware of brain freezes!

As the story goes, three surveyors came from California to St. Ignace to do so surveying in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the 1950s. However, they stumbled across an area where their equipment seemed to go haywire; nothing would sit evenly, and they felt lightheaded. They eventually realized that they had stumbled upon a Mystery Spot. Experience the mind-bending phenomena for yourself, and check out their mini-golf, human maze, and zip lines while you're at it!

St. Ignace / Mackinac Island KOA: Located right where beautiful Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet, this KOA is surrounded by the beautiful Northwoods and water all around. During the day you can walk the beaches, hike a trail, fish, and take a free ride to the ferry that takes you to Mackinac Island, a true Upper Peninsula experience, and at night, you can relax at your cabin or campsite and enjoy a round of putt-putt or a dip in the pools. It's open seasonally, between May and October, so it's perfect for your summer adventure. (KOA)

The Museum Ship Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie is an old Great Lakes freighter that's been turned into a massive museum with over 100 exhibits! There's also an observation tower where you can take in the views of the bustling shipping channel. What better way to learn about the history of Sault Ste. Marie than here?

Want to include a little more learning on your family vacation? Or maybe you're just interested in the odd and interesting? Either way, make a stop at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. This institution displays artifacts from shipwrecks located in the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve, a famously dangerous area for ships to pass through. They even have the bell from the wreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, one of the most famous sunken ships in the Great Lakes. Not only is the museum a great experience, but there is also a real lighthouse and a killer view of Lake Superior! It's open May through October and tickets cost $13 a person. (KOA)

Michigan boasts tons of awesome waterfalls, and the Upper Tahquamenon Falls are no exception. This park has inspired tons of people too, from poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to hipster singer Sufjan Stevens. At this point in the trip, you might be asking yourself something like, "Why on earth are there so many waterfalls here?" It's because this area is known as the Munising Formation, and it's home to plenty of hard sandstone and lots of streams, which wear away the rock into bubbling, babbling waterfalls. The Munising Formation spans from Tahquamenon Falls to Laughing Whitefish Falls, both of which are well worth checking out, especially Tahquamenon Falls State Park. It is open year round and features 25 miles of hiking trails and the impressive Upper Falls, which are nearly 50 feet tall and are more than 200 feet across. A restaurant and gift shop is located here as well, so take advantage and spend an afternoon exploring and soaking in the beauty. (KOA)

Golf, putt-putt, swimming in the pool, ice cream socials, and movies projected on a big screen during nice weather are just a few of the fun things Newberry KOA has to offer. Kick back and relax while taking in the beauty of the Upper Peninsula with a night here in a cabin or at an RV or tent site. No matter what kind of trip you're looking to have, the Newberry staff will be sure to meet your needs! Plus, the campground is in a great location right near some of the coolest spots in the U.P., so it's just as convenient as it is accommodating! (KOA)

There's no better road trip stop than a nostalgic classic ice cream parlor. A landmark and local favorite established in 1926, Chet and Pat's Olde Fashion Ice Cream Parlour also has a full dining menu in addition to fountain favorites. You can also order banana splits, a special sundae for nearly every ice cream flavor, and pie. Expect huge portions, so be careful of brain freezes! (KOA)

Sable Falls: On the eastern side of Pictured Rocks, keep the adventure going by visiting more waterfalls! A visit here is worth the 100+ steps down to the falls... this is one natural feature that you don't want to miss. They're especially picturesque after a rainfall! Fun fact: the 1856 shipwreck "Superior" currently lies at base of the falls! (KOA)

Next up is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Along this gorgeous lakeshore, you'll find sand dunes, caves, waterfalls, and more. Whether you're exploring on foot or on a kayak, you won't find a more memorable lake landscape. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the most jaw-dropping natural settings in America... after one visit, you'll know what we're talking about. Hike around, take one of the three boat tour options or kayak this 40 mile stretch of Lake Superior. Don't miss out on a visit to Miner's Castle, the most famous of the dramatic and popular lakeside cliff and rock formations. The cliffs are streaked with colored minerals like iron, copper, and manganese, and that's what gives this landmark the name "Pictured Rocks". The photo ops are seemingly endless! (KOA)

Kitch-Iti-Kipi (Big Springs): Given the name "mirror of heaven" by Native Americans, Michigan's largest natural freshwater spring spews out 10,000 gallons a minute and earns a top spot as one of the area's most popular tourist attractions. Inside of Palms Book State Park, you can walk right onto the observation deck and watch the emerald bubbling spring through the see-through floor, or take a ride on the rope-powered, glass-bottom ferry across the spring and check out the fish below! (KOA)

Fayette Historic Townsite: From 1867 to 1891, right in the Upper Peninsula between Escanaba and Manistique, the iron ore town of Fayette was a bustling community. Today, it's a well-preserved ghost town. Give yourself plenty of time to go through the 20 historical building and multiple scenic overlooks and enjoy the tour through the town's eerily interesting past. There's even a five-mile hiking trail that winds you through forest and to the beach! Feeling extra adventurous? You can even scuba dive in Snail Shell Harbor at certain times of the day! (KOA)

The Stonehouse & Carport Lounge provides a casual fine dining experience that is unique to the U.P.! This hidden gem has something for nearly everyone. The Stonehouse serves up freshly caught local fish, an extensive woodfire menu, and even salads worth raving about. The dark, steakhouse atmosphere and up-to-date menu will keep everyone happy. The Carport Lounge is the cocktail bar attached, where you can relax with a drink and enjoy the evening. (KOA)

Lakenenland Sculpture Park in Marquette, MI is free and open 24 hours. This wonderland filled with whimsical sculptures by a local welder is absolutely enchanting. You can fish in the pond, cook s'mores over the fire, or enjoy the live music they have on occasion.