Day 5: Tahquamenon Falls & Paradise

Head over the bridge and drive north to Paradise, and explore the upper and lower Tahquamenon Falls. drive up and walk or hike into the falls or take a narrow gauge railroad through thick forest to a 21 mile riverboat cruise to the rapids, 1/2 mile above the Upper Tahquamenon Falls. This tour is a must do for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. Visit the Oswald Bear Farm in nearby Newberry.

View the fury of Lake Superior at the the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and visit the Whitefish and Crisp Point lighthouses. Stop at the Centennial Cranberry Farm and enjoy nature at the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory.

A must drive for viewing fall colors and wildlife. Biking, hiking and snowmobile trails abound along the route.

Places of Interest:

Tahquamenon Falls State Park
41382 West M123, Paradise, MI 49768
Phone: 906-492-3415
Open year-round. Entry fee charged.
One of the largest waterfalls west of Niagara is located in Michigan’s largest state park, the 38,496-acre Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Tahquamenon Falls consists of The Upper and Lower Falls. The Upper Falls is 200 feet wide and drops nearly 50 feet. A paved pathway leads from the parking lot through old growth forest to an observation platform. After you have explored the Upper Falls, you can take the 4 mile trail along the river to the Lower Falls or you can drive to the Lower Falls. The Lower Falls consists of a series of five smaller falls surging around an island. It can be viewed from the riverbank or the island, and can be reached by rented rowboat. Tannin leached from Cedar, Spruce and Hemlock trees is what causes the water to be a golden color, which makes for spectactular winter photographs. The more than 30 miles of trails in the Park are open to hikers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. Wildlife are occasionally seen in the park, which has one of Michigan's largest old-growth forest stands.

Centennial Cranberry Farm, Whitefish Point
Visit the oldest working cranberry farm in the state. Owned and operated by the same family since 1876. Enjoy a tour of the bogs, fresh cranberries and a new gift shop. Open for tours between the hours of 12 noon and 6 p.m. every day from Memorial Day Weekend through October 31st. Established in 1876.

Whitefish Point Lighthouse, Paradise
111 Ashmun, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone: 906-635-1742
One of the first lighthouses to guide the mariners as they traveled this very treacherous area of Lake Superior, it is still guiding them safely around Whitefish Point today the Whitefish Point Light Station, established in 1849, is open everyday May 1st to October 31st. The attached Keepers dwelling, built in 1861, has been fully restored and is open for tours. This light has shined unfailingly for almost 150 years except for the night when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank.

Crisp Point Lighthouse, Paradise
Crisp Point Light Historical Society
P.O. Box 229, Paradise, MI 49768-0229
Phone: 906-492-3206
Established in 1904 at the site of the Crisp's Point Life Saving Station. You can walk along the sandy beach and climb the tower on weekends.

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Paradise
18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, MI 49768
Phone: 888-492-3747
Website: www.shipwreckmuseum.com
A tribute to ships lost on the lakes is located on Whitefish Point on the Upper Peninsula. A must see when visiting the UP. See the bell from the Edmond Fitzgerald.

Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Paradise
Whitefish Point, Paradise, MI 49768
Phone: 906-492-3596
Website: www.wpbo.org
Among the leading observatories in the country, offering a unique glimpse at the spectacular migration of Hawks, Loons, Eagles, Falcons, and many Song Bird species. Interpretive Center, Gift Shop, bird walks and educational programs.

Toonerville Trolley & Boat Cruise
Phone: 1-888-77 TRAIN
Depot: 906-876-2311
Website: www.visitnewberrymi.org/toonerville/trolley.html
An authentic narrow gauge railroad takes you 5 1/2 miles through thick forest, the habitat of bear, deer, moose, gray wolf, and many types of birds. At the end of the trolley line is your first view of the beautiful Tahquamenon River, where the riverboat is boarded for a 21 mile cruise down the river to the rapids 1/2 mile above the Upper Tahquamenon Falls. This 6 1/2 hour "Wilderness Tour" is by way of narrow gauge train (35 minutes each way) and Riverboat Trip (2 hours each way) with a stop of one hour and fifteen minutes for nature hike to view the Upper Tahquamenon Falls. Food, Beverages and Restrooms available on the boat. The ONLY trip to Tahquamenon Falls. This tour is a must do for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.

Garlyn Zoological Park, Naubinway
Only 40 minutes west of the Mackinac Bridge on US-2. See live cougar, bear, wolves, river otter, camel, wallaby, patagonian cavy, reindeer and more. Feed can be purchased to feed many of the animals. Natural park-like setting. Gift shop. Kids love it! And it's fun for the whole family! Open 7 days from April 1st until September 30th, 11am until 7pm/7 days in October and weekends in November, 11am until 5pm.

Oswald's Bear Ranch, Newberry
Phone: 906-293-3147
Website: www.exploringthenorth.com/oswald/bear.html
See bears in three natural habitats. Cubs, 23 large bears. $10 per car. Open 10am-6pm. Memorial Day weekend-September 30.