Want to plan the perfect summer vacation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula? Make the Escanaba area your destination — where affordable fun and value come standard, not extra. This entire area is a water lover’s paradise from sunrise to sunset. With over 200 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline in Delta County, you are never more than a few minutes from enjoying your favorite water sports — swimming, paddleboarding, tubing, water skiing, kiteboarding, building sand castles, spiking a volleyball, soaking up golden rays — and reeling in fish you can brag about back home.

Since this is one of the best beach vacation destinations in the U.P. (gosh, in all of the Midwest), planning your summer trip in the spring has big advantages. Here’s a step-by-step guide: 

Plan Now, Enjoy More This Summer in the Escanaba Area

1. Choose your vacation dates. Escanaba’s summer season runs from mid-June through early September. That’s when our weather and water are the warmest. The busiest times are around the summer holidays — Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Our least crowded times are early June or late August. It’s the peak season for live music concerts, farmers markets, fairs and festivals  — but our biggest draw is the U.P. State Fair in mid-August.
2. Start with a smart budget. The perfect summer vacation begins with a budget that fits your lifestyle. Whether you are a savvy saver or prefer to travel in style,  Escanaba offers places to stay and play that match what you can afford— including plenty of free adventures. As you plan your costs, factor in lodging, dining (or scenic picnics), boating, fishing, off-roading, shopping, entertainment, admission fees, beer and wine tasting — and, of course, ice cream. 
3. Book your summer hotel stay early — in the spring! Rooms fill fast once Memorial Day Weekend arrives, so spring is the best time to lock in your waterfront hotel or inn with the best views and rates. If a bay view isn’t important, there are many cost-conscious choices inland near hiking, biking and ATV trails, paddling rivers, historic sites, shopping and more.
   Find Your Lodgings
4. Pre-build your itinerary. Take time in the spring to talk with your traveling companions about what you want to do together or individually. Here are a few quick reads to help with your planning and, as you read on, a list of favorite things to do this summer.
   
   • Top Five Free Things to Do: includes beaches, art galleries, trails and stargazing
   • Summer Vacation Ideas
   • Nine of the Upper Peninsula’s Best Beaches
   • Wheelchair-Accessible Fun
   • Pet Friendly Destinations
   • Itinerary for Traveling Partners Who Don’t Like Outdoor Sports

Things to Do This Summer in Delta County

A must-include hangout this summer is Ludington Park, one of the most beloved green spaces in the area — and it’s free! Enjoy the perfect place for a beach day or sunset picnic along the Lake Michigan shoreline. This expansive park features a sandy swimming beach, paved walking and biking trails, a playground, tennis and pickleball courts, a disc golf course and a boat launch. On Wednesday evenings, gather at the Karas Memorial Band Shell for uplifting music concerts. Ludington Park is also where you can visit the picturesque Sand Point Lighthouse and the intriguing Delta County Historical Museum. 

Just a short drive north of Escanaba, Gladstone offers more waterfront recreation. The city’s beach at Van Cleve Park is ideal for families with its calm, shallow waters and clean facilities. Kids and teens will love the waterfront playground, basketball and volleyball courts and skate park. Anglers can take advantage of the pier that juts into Little Bay de Noc and fish for trophy walleye, bass and panfish.

Traveling east from Rapid River, the Stonington Peninsula is home to the historic Peninsula Point Lighthouse. Surrounded by forest and shoreline, it’s a serene location for birdwatching, photography and lighthouse climbing. From the lighthouse tower’s top, visitors are rewarded with sweeping views of Lake Michigan. During late summer, thousands of monarch butterflies stop over here during their southern migration to Mexico.

No trip to the area would be complete without a visit to Fayette Historic State Park. On the Garden Peninsula, this once-thriving 1800s iron-smelting town is now a beautifully preserved site. Walk through its many restored historic buildings, all set against the dramatic backdrop of Snail Shell Harbor’s ancient limestone cliffs. Hiking trails, interpretive signs, picnic areas, kayaking and scuba diving make this a full-day destination.

For wildlife enthusiasts, don’t miss the Days River Pathway, just north of Gladstone. With nine miles of trails winding through mixed forest and wetland, it’s a haven for birdwatchers, hikers and mountain bikers. If you want a challenge, see how many of the 300-plus bird species you can spot that live or follow migration paths through Delta County.

Explore Beyond the Bays de Noc

With its central U.P. location and easy highway access, Escanaba is an excellent launching point for day trips to some of the Upper Peninsula’s most renowned natural wonders and historic sites. Enjoy a full day and return for a beautiful sunset, good night’s sleep and delicious breakfast when you wake up for more fun!

One of the shortest trips is Kitch-iti-Kipi, Michigan’s largest natural spring. In Palms Book State Park near Manistique, this crystal-clear spring reveals depths of up to 40 feet. A self-guided observation raft floats visitors over the turquoise waters, where they might spot trout gliding below or even glimpse an otter among the reeds. It’s one of the most peaceful and photogenic natural attractions in the entire Upper Peninsula.

To the northeast, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising offers a full day (or more) of adventure. From dramatic sandstone cliffs and sea caves to waterfalls and forest trails, the area is best explored by a boat tour, kayak or scenic hike along the North Country Trail.

West of Escanaba, the Bond Falls Scenic Site near Paulding is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Michigan. The tiered falls cascade nearly 50 feet and the accessible walkways allow visitors of all abilities to enjoy the view up close.

For geology and history buffs, consider visiting the Iron Mountain Iron Mine, where guided underground tours share stories of Michigan’s mining legacy. Families and individual travelers enjoy the ride on the underground tram and the chance to explore deep into the earth. 

And for those drawn to remote beauty, a longer excursion north to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park promises 90-plus miles of rugged trails, roaring waterfalls, spectacular Lake Superior overlooks and some of the best backcountry hiking east of the Rockies.

See You Soon 

Whether you’re seeking a relaxing beach vacation or an adventurous Upper Peninsula road trip, Escanaba offers exceptional value and unforgettable good times — all within reach if you start planning today. Your best summer vacation memories are waiting for you by the Bays!