With pristine shorelines and several dedicated recreation areas along Lake Superior, Munising if a family vacation paradise. For the perfect beachside cottage or cabin in the woods, visit FlipKey where you’ll find a property to suit any budget.

About Munising, Michigan

Located on the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Munising is a small town with a population of just 2,500.

The name Munising comes from the Ojibway (Chippewa) language and means “near island”, which refers to Grand Island—a 35-mile long 8-miles wide National Park—just a half mile offshore.

Nestled in the Hiawatha National Forest, Munising is the gateway to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Grand Island National Recreational Area.

The nearest big settlement and the largest on the Upper Peninsula is Marquette, a town of 21,000 inhabitants just a 40-minute drive away.

Primarily a hunting and fishing vacation destination, the lands around Munising attract people to the beaches in the summer and to the cross-country ski and snowmobile trails in winter. During the fall the area is popular as the foliage changes color with magnificent rusty hues.

What to do in Munising, Michigan

Local attractions include the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore where you will discover multicolored sandstone cliffs and miles of lakeshore beach. About the size of five Manhattan Islands, you can reconnect with nature by bird watching and fishing in secret trout streams.

The area around Munising has many lighthouses. Normally associated with the northern rocky coast of New England, this may come as a bit of a surprise until you understand how important shipping used to be on the Great Lakes. Today, the lighthouse men are long gone but the towers remain with tours available to explain their fascinating histories.

For birders, a must-see is the Seney National Wildlife Refuge—a summer breeding ground for migratory birds and a reintroducing ground for Bald eagles and common loons.

In Munising, you will find outfitters renting out boats and kayaks as well as tour operators offering excursions to places only accessible by watercraft.

Top travel tips for Munising, Michigan

Munising is a destination with four distinct seasons. If you are not planning to drive there from the mainland, Sawyer International Airport, near Marquette, has daily flights to and from Detroit, Minneapolis, and Chicago.

Despite its reputation for being a summer lake playground, the Upper Peninsula is a winter wonderland that receives over 200 inches of snow. For a spectacular treat, go night skiing on Mount Bohemia for views of the Northern Lights.

With not too many gas stations on the Upper Peninsula, keep an eye on how much fuel you have in the tank and top up whenever you can.

“Once visited, never forgotten” is how locals like to describe the Upper Peninsula of Michigan—a natural paradise full of outdoor adventure. Whether you are looking for a summer rental or a winter escape, FlipKey has a wide range of rental properties to suit all tastes and budgets. Start looking, today!