Michigan Upper Peninsula cabins are the best way to experience the relaxation and serenity a Michigan vacation has to offer. Visitors staying in Upper Peninsula vacation homes have the fortune of being in a state with one of the longest coastlines, and many of the homes are at the doorstep of over 23 historic lighthouses overlooking Lake Superior. With Michigan being the only state that uses annual state grants from local preservation groups to save and preserve their lighthouses, such care and maintenance does not go overlooked.
Point Iroquois Lighthouse
Visiting Point Iroquois Lighthouse is like taking a step back in time. Located at the point where Lake Superior runs into St. Mary's River, the Lighthouse was built in 1855, about 200 years after the Ojibwa Indians massacred an invading Iroquois army, giving the land it's name. The Point remained busy for over 100 years as a home for the keepers, a school for local fishermen's children and as a lighthouse for the St. Mary's River and Soo Locks. Shut down in 1962, the lighthouse is now open to visitors, offering them a beyond breathtaking view at the top and a historical walk through of the interior of the attached house.
Whitefish Point
Opened in 1849, Whitefish Point Light is one of the first lights on Lake Superior and continues to be active today. It overlooks the entrance to the treacherous Whitefish Bay, eerily nicknamed the "Graveyard of Ships." Over the years, Whitefish Point has seen its fair share of ships go down after taking the hard hit of the cold winds and weather patterns of Lake Superior's "Shipwreck Coast." Having been restored several times due to continuous weather damage, you can't help by be amazed by the stamina and shape this old lighthouse is in.
Copper Harbor Lighthouse
Copper Harbor Lighthouse is the most northern lighthouse in the state of Michigan. It is a great place to visit while on vacation, because it offers a regular tour schedule, an attached Lake Superior history museum and an amazing view from the top. Built in 1848, the lighthouse was almost immediately washed away by the area's unfortunate weather patterns. The new construction was built in 1866, and was set back farther on the coastline to prevent such quick decay again. Today, the lighthouse is still in operation, using a system of range lights designed to safely guide ships into the busy harbor.
The best way to see all of the Upper Peninsula's historic lighthouses is by joining a local tour. Starting at Copper Harbor or Point Iroquois Lighthouse will put you at either end of the Lake Superior coastline and will most likely provide you the best tours. Visit Vamoose.com to find vacation homes near the upper peninsula lighthouses in Michigan. You can search by location, price and amenities.