Sunset cruises on the Isle Royale Queen IV
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Enthusiastic narrator-skippers Don, John, and Ben Kilpela are longtime residents who know so much—about Great Lakes shipping, local history, ecology—that they can extemporize most effectively, never resorting to memorized scripts. Their 149-passenger Isle Royale Queen IV goes to Isle Royale and back each day. The 1 1/2-hour evening cruise gets out onto Lake Superior to chase ships and to watch the sun set. Ship-chasing begins by scanning the radar to see what freighters are nearby, then choosing one to chase. Having a faster ferry gives a better chance of pulling up to a ship. Drawing up close to a big ocean-going vessel (they are called "salties"), with its six-story superstructure picked out in lights, is spectacularly memorable - like something from a Fellini movie. After a radio chat, visitors learn what the ship is carrying and where it's headed. A salty could be carrying sunflower seeds from Superior, Wisconsin, to Europe.
The ferry dock is next to the Copper King motel in the center of Copper Harbor. To reach it from U.S. 41, turn north just east of the Minnetonka Resort. (906) 289-4437. Leaves at 8:30 p.m. beginning July 4, 8:15 beginning July 15, 8:00 beginning Aug 1, 7:45 beginning Aug 10, 7:30 Aug 20-25. Cost: $20/adult, $18/seniors, $15 ages 5-14.
Return to Copper Harbor
POINTS OF INTEREST
Scenic Drive from Copper Harbor to Eagle River. Good candidate for the most wonderful summer drive in Michigan is this Lake Superior stretch between Eagle River and Copper Harbor. ... more
Studio 41. A stunning gallery highlighted beautiful works in copper and wood ... more
Lighthouse Overlook on Copper Harbor. A spot with a grand view of the lighthouse, especially near sunset, and a trail among cedar and pines. You can sit on the big red rocks by the water and read or sketch. ... more
Copper Harbor Lighthouse. The memorable 1866 lighthouse museum and interpretive trail show the site's importance in geology, Michigan history, and shipwrecks. Part of Fort Wilkins State Park, it's reachable only by boat. ... more
Copper Harbor shops. Some of the U.P.'s most interesting shops for crafts, gifts, minerals, and books are here in Michigan's remote, northernmost village. Jewelry, books, photography, and gifts: stoneware, agates, greenstones, rockhound supplies, bird's eye maple, fleece, and distinctive fashions. Year-round general store and Laughing Loon gifts and books. ... more
Keweenaw Adventure Company & Harbor Kayak Paddle. Gear, guides, lessons, and tours for mountain biking and kayaking in a great setting for both ... more
Sunset cruises on the Isle Royale Queen IV. An inspired 1 1/2-hour cruise out onto Lake Superior, chasing freighters and watching the sun set. ... more
Hunter's Point, Agate Beach & Copper Harbor marina. An exceptionally delightful walk takes you out the rocky northern side of Hunter's Point and back along the bay side. ... more
Brockway Mountain Drive. The highest highway between the Rockies and the Alleghenies offers glorious sunsets, soaring hawks, and a splendid view of the Keweenaw's rocky shore. ... more
Lake Manganese and Manganese Falls. Near town, a beautiful, clear trout lake with a long, sandy swimming beach, near a striking waterfall in a ferny canyon. ... more
Estivant Pines. 300-500-year-old white pines abound in this never-cut 500-acre sanctuary with a 2.3 mile hiking trail ... more
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