Tucked away in the Little Bay de Noc just over the Wisconsin border, Escanaba MI is a small town with a big charm. This little gem in the Upper Peninsula just five hours drive from Chicago offers you the sense of tranquility and reconnecting with nature. Escanaba has everything you need for your weekend getaway.
If you’re like us and love scenic views, this hotel is for you. We’ve stayed at Terrace Bay hotel which is Located right on lake Michigan with a fantastic view of the Lake. The hotel includes an indoor pool, sauna, and a beautiful cabana. There’s also a Biggby Coffee on site so you don’t have to go too far from your room to get some coffee to start the day!
After unpacking and getting settled in, we grabbed food from the hotel restaurant Freshwater Tavern. Aaron ordered the Kalbi Beef Tenderloin while Stella got the Red Thai Curry Shrimp & Scallop; both were amazing! Both of our plates were so mouthwatering we couldn’t help ourselves but order a little bit more. They also make fantastic cocktails! Don’t forget to look out the window and enjoy the scenic view of Lake Michigan and if you are lucky enough you just might get to see the rainbow like we did! We got up and watched the sunrise each morning this small little reminder to embrace the moment and be recentered.
This restaurant is one of the top 20 restaurants in Michigan and It definitely lives up to its hype. The atmosphere in the restaurant was cozy and gave us a Christmas feeling. Order their famous Swedish pancakes with lingonberries and potato sausage, you can absolutely thank us later.
The Upper Peninsula is known for its hiking and trails. This trail is roughly 9 miles long and is considered one of the best in the U.P. Walking into this trail, you experience the silence of the forest as you can hear the wind move in the trees. The fall colors created a beautiful tapestry of nature. Walking through here reminded us of the simpler times when technology didn’t rule our world. We’d definitely recommend coming to this trail to experience this yourself!
Ok!! This one was really one of our favorite things! With Stella been a wine lover, we knew we were in for a treat the minute we’ve stepped foot on the property. This family owned winery was beautiful and their hospitality was amazing. We were lucky enough to have the tasting room to ourselves and oh my did we enjoy it to the fullest! Take your wine on the trellis to soak up the view with fall foliage reminding you to take thing slow, pet the horses and go take a walk in the wine vineyard. They also do offer different seasonal activities such as concerts, snowshoeing and much more. Make sure to check them out, we promise, you won’t be disappointed.
As huge food enthusiasts, we love trying new things and indulging in local culture when we travel! A local delicacy of the area, pasties are meat hand pie that were made popular by the miners in the area in the 1800s. For how easy it was to make and eat, the pasty became a large part of the regional culture around Escanaba. With the history and culture area this food, we had to try it! Aaron, of course, got the pizza pasty (you can never take pizza out of him) and Stella had the veggie pasty. If you need a quick bite to eat, getting a pasty at Dobber’s is the way to go. They also have other pasties such as beef, ham and cheese and a breakfast pasty.
Dine in at Mo’s Pub. If you love great cocktails and bar food, we suggest adding Mo’s Pub on your list!! They also have wide-ranging of beers for you to choose from. Stella ordered their fall cocktail called Cinnamon Toast Crunch which had Fireball, Rumchata and vanilla vodka with Philly Cheesesteak. Aaron got pizza… because of course he would. When our food came out, it smelt and looked absolutely fantastic. If you’re in the mood for a nice cocktail or brew with amazing bar food, you must go to Mo’s Pub!
Let yourself be swept away by the tranquility of the bay on Lake Michigan and the natural beauty of the that surrounds the town. Experiencing peak autumn in Escanaba was a breath-taking experience. Add this town to your list for your next adventurous, yet relaxing weekend getaway. A return visit is definitely on the horizon. If you would like more information about Escanaba finding a hotel and other things to do, please go to Visit Escanaba!
