20 Attractions to Explore Near Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial

Whitefish Point Lighthouse is a historic Michigan landmark located on the remote and rocky shores of Lake Superior, this lighthouse has played a crucial role in maritime navigation since its construction in 1849. The stunning structure stands 45 feet tall and its light has been seen by many vessels navigating the nearby waters over the years. It is also home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum which holds many artifacts related to shipwrecks.

The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory provides one of the most tranquil bird watching spaces in the world. Located on Lake Superior’s rocky shoreline, this expansive observatory serves as a stopover for birds that migrate through its lands each year. From May to July, the Observatory offers weekend bird-banding demonstrations where visitors can get up close and personal with our feathered friends. The Observatory also offers fun educational days for youth.

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is a great place for the whole family to explore the rich history of the area. The museum offers visitors a chance to dive into stories about 19th and 20th century shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, with exhibits and artifacts from notable wrecks throughout the series of lakes. There are also interactive elements such as life-size recreations that put guests at the center of exciting accounts from disaster on Lake Superior - both educational and entertaining.

Vermilion Point Nature Preserve, protected area spans 499 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, foxes and bald eagles. Covering a full mile of shoreline along Lakes Huron and George, the area can be explored on a series of boardwalks that wind through the well-maintained trails. The preserve offers spectacular views and scenery no matter where you turn; its vibrant wetlands host a wide selection of birds and plants that change with each season.

Crisp Point Lighthouse, is a picturesque structure with a powerful past. Built in 1904, it was utilized to warn ships of the treacherous shoals that surrounded Lake Superior. The beloved lighthouse has been preserved with careful renovations throughout the years and changed from manual operation to automation in 1971. Today, visitors can enjoy striking views of Lake Superior from atop the 128-foot tower and learn French River's lighthouse history through guided tours.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a breathtaking sight that must be seen to be believed. Spanning 50,000 acres of land and featuring nearly 4 miles of the Upper Tahquamenon River, the park is home to a set of colossal waterfalls over 200 feet wide and more than 20 feet high. Not only does it offer spectacular views; there are plenty of hiking trails for visitors to explore as well as a multitude of opportunities for recreational fishing, camping and exploring nature year-round.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park lays along the Eastern Upper Peninsula shoreline and includes over 50,000 acres of trails, forests and campgrounds that offer guests a unique and extraordinary opportunity to explore the scenic beauty of nature's finest features. The highlight of this park is the majestic Tahquamenon Falls - which are 300-foot cascades that drop off to a five mile stretch of river ending in the vast expanse of Lake Superior.

Tahquamenon Falls Lower Falls is a sight to behold. Located in the majestic Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Lower Falls is a beautiful and powerful waterfall that cascades from the Tahquamenon River. Spanning more than 200 feet across with a drop of nearly 50 feet, it is easily one of the state's most impressive natural attractions. Visitors can rent boats to take them right up to this awe-inspiring wonder or simply stand back and admire its majesty from land.

Tahquamenon Falls is a stunning natural wonder that should not be missed. Consisting of two sets of falls - the upper, featuring a single 50-foot drop and the lower, with a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island - the falls are fed by the larger Tahquamenon River. Surrounding the area there is lush vegetation and plenty of wildlife to observe. Visitors have claimed to see river otter and deer around these parts.

Two Hearted River is an idyllic area for camping and fishing, providing visitors with a true back-to-nature. Consisting of two branches that come together to form the larger river, One and Two Hearted Rivers attract anglers from around the world in search of steelhead and trout. Aside from its wealth of wildlife, there are numerous sights for those who choose to explore by foot or canoe. The area’s breathtaking views make it the perfect place to relax and take in the beauty of nature.

Point Iroquois Lighthouse built in 1870, it was originally lit with an iron-framed, fourth-order Fresnel lens made of 1,008 hand-cut prisms and silvered glass panels that displayed a white light every 12 seconds. Since then the lighthouse has withstood the surges of Lake Superior year after year while faithfully protecting passing ships. It was fully automated in 1933 and then featured various colors of lenses over the years before the current white lens was installed in 2012.

Muskallonge Lake State Park is definitely a destination to add to anyone’s vacation wish list this summer. Spanning over 500 acres, there are plenty of activities available at the park from hiking and biking trails, to kayaking and fishing opportunities on the crystal-clear waters of Muskallonge Lake. With 12 rustic campsites located directly on the pristine beach it is perfect for overnight camping trips with friends or family members.

Muskallonge Lake is a stunning and pristine lake that boasts beautiful woodlands, crystal clear aquamarine waters, and hundreds of miles of shoreline. This popular recreational area abounds with outdoor activities such as biking, fishing, canoeing, snowmobiling and camping. Wildlife sightings are plentiful here with deer, foxes, otters, bald eagles and other birds frequenting the shorelines.

The Sault Ste. Marie International Railroad Bridge is an impressive achievement of engineering and construction. Constructed in 1957, the bridge spans a staggering 4,075 feet across the St. Marys River between Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It's not only used for train traffic but also snowmobiles each winter - making for a thrilling ride! Spanning two different countries and an expansive body of water was no small feat.

Soo Locks is a historic marvel of engineering. This complex network of locks and canals allows freighters and other vessels of different sizes to travel between Lake Huron and Lake Superior - waterways that differ by 21 feet in elevation. A total of four locks stretches for one mile along the Saint Marys River, with each equipped with gates that open to allow passage from one lake to another. Operated by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers since 1881.

Soo Locks Park is a sight to behold. Located on the St. Mary's River, the park doesn't just feature one of the most impressive engineering feats in history - the Soo Locks themselves - but also offers a wide array of recreational activities for the whole family to enjoy. Enjoy a picnic under towering hardwoods and evergreens, take a leisurely stroll along paved trails, or just enjoy watching airplanes soar overhead from the local airfield.

The site of the Sault Ste. Marie which was the first permanent settlement in the state and was founded by French Canadian Missionaries in 1668. Other historical sites include Fort Brady which was built during the War of 1812 to protect Sault Ste. Marie from possible British attack and later served as a base for fighting against indigenous tribes; the Nledo Zip Line, used by Native Americans to send messages between local congregations.

Museum Ship Valley Camp is a one-of-a-kind experience located in the Chippewa County area of Michigan. This unique museum ship takes visitors on an intriguing journey through time, with hundreds of historical displays telling the story of the steam freighter Valley Camp's more than 70 year history. From amusing stories of life aboard the ship to old images taken from Detroit’s golden age, there is something within this museum for every eager explorer.

The Tahquamenon Logging Museum is a must-visit destination for any fan of the state’s industrial history. Here, visitors can get an intimate look at life in the Upper Peninsula’s bygone logging era, along with its tools, clothing and culture. With interactive exhibits highlighting different aspects of logging work, a recreated lumber camp and the museum’s sawmill and shingle mill preserved from the 1800s, there’s plenty to learn and see here.

Frenchman Lake is a water paradise that has something to offer everyone. A fisherman's dream, the lake boasts some of the best walleye fishing in the area while its crystal-blue waters provide sought-after activities like boating and water skiing. For those looking for more low key recreational activities, Frenchman Lake is home to a hike along its serene shoreline which is adorned with spectacular autumn foliage making it an excellent spot for biking and photography too.