Spring Guide to Visiting Houghton

It's a sure sign of spring as the snow and ice melt off the Portage Canal and sunshine illuminates Houghton's tall, sandstone buildings on Shelden Avenue. Waterfront walks spin to life with laughter and activity and forests awaken with green life peeking above diminishing snow. Sunshine, snowmelt, snow flurries (and more snowmelt!) create the symphony of springtime in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Grab your waterproof boots and greet the day with early spring adventures in Houghton - the small town gem at the heart of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.

Spring in Houghton brings a mix of temperatures and conditions - but one guarantee is that it'll always be a blast! (Photo: Lily Venable)

Head Outdoors for Spring Sunshine

In Houghton - the "Gateway to the Keweenaw" - spring brings endless opportunities for those craving days closer to nature. 

Outdoor destinations like the Nara Nature Trails and Boardwalk and the Michigan Tech Trails offer nature lovers everything from riverside woodland wandering to wide open skies and rustling wetlands. Much of the forest remains snow-covered into early spring, making snowshoes a viable option for those looking to venture into the more insulated snow-covered trails. As the snow melts, the wooden Nara Boardwalk provides a launching point for quiet outdoor enjoyment. 

Early spring snow still makes for great sledding and snowshoeing - especially at Nara! (Photo: Lily Venable)

Feeling the call of Lake Superior’s grandeur? As the snow melts mid-late spring, the access road to Stanton Township’s Breakers Beach will open up. At the very end of Canal Road, past the good eats at Schmidt’s Corner, seek out unique black stamp sand and swelling rolls of Lake Superior.  The breakwall, hence the name “Breakers”,  creates a marvelous duality of calm flowing water to and from the Portage Canal against Superior’s thrilling power. Here you can easily spot the Keweenaw Waterway Upper Entry Lighthouse and McLain State Park! Watch the sunset over the lake with a s’more - just be sure to utilize the park’s fire rings. Grab a bundle of locally split firewood at the stands along Canal Road and be sure to extinguish coals and remove food debris after the fire!

Watch the last of winter's slush melt away at Breakers.

Warmer weather brings back Ray Kestner Waterfront Park, a waterside play area on Lakeshore Blvd. It features beachside volleyball, picnic tables, a field area, and an impressive wooden play structure boasting multi-story slides and jungle-gym climbing!

While Houghton and the Copper Country gear up for the kickoff of Keweenaw farmers market season in June, you can get your farm to table fix in the cutest way possible. Set near the Pilgrim River Forest,  BigGoat Farm welcomes a springtime bounty of kids (the furry kind)! Visitors can schedule 30 to 60 minute sessions to interact with goats and in the spring meet babies! Enjoy goat snuggles and sample seasonal farm offerings with this unique and thoughtful Houghton farm experience.

Learn from the BigGoat crew - spring is about soaking in the warm sun with your pals. (Photo: Lily Venable)

Rainy Day Play

With unpredictable conditions, springtime can be the best time to explore indoor experiences. While you’re jaunting around downtown, in snowfall or snowmelt, stop by these spots to warm up and save any rainy day.

The Keweenaw Peninsula, the northern tip of the Copper Country, is a haven for “rockhounds” on Lake Superior. Scattered with unique stones like greenstone, Jacobsville sandstone, agates, and of course copper, you’ll feel like a geologist in training. The A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum offers a central location to view and learn about everything you see in one place. The museum is the largest of its kind in the Great Lakes Region, and is Michigan’s official mineral museum. The blacklight room is full of spectacularly glowing rocks (called Yooperlites!) and is a favorite for little travelers and the young at heart! A robust collection of local Copper Country copper mining artifacts and copper specimens make for rich insights for our history-minded friends. 

See these specimens first at the Seaman, then get inspired to search for your own!

Black Ice Comics & Books is a must-stop for superhero and Star Wars fans. Grab some ice cream or drip coffee while checking out comic books and dabbling in the fun and nerdy selection of goods and decor that this gem of a spot offers! Black Ice features comics and novels by local and Michigan authors, so if you’re looking for a new trailside read or the kids are craving a new and exciting comic recommendation, be sure to head to this indie bookstore!

Every occasion calls for an ice cream treat - even if we're still in snowpants! (Photo: Lily Venable)

As natural ice depletes, visitors and locals alike flock to the MacInnes Ice Arena to get one last taste of icy fun. The multi-purpose skating rink is great for hockey-lovers, hosting hockey games, recreational skating, ice hockey and figure skating programs for all ages, and private event rentals. Hockey super-fans and history buffs can visit the Dee Stadium’s History of Hockey Museum, the birthplace of professional hockey, to get immersed into the tales of Northern hockey culture.

Spring is also the perfect time to visit the Rozsa Center in Houghton for a mix of music, theater, and dance that’ll shake off the last of the winter frost. The Rozsa Presenting Series brings exciting performances, local talent, and nationally-acclaimed touring acts, to the  stage, culminating mid-spring. It’s a great way to dodge unpredictable U.P. spring weather while soaking in culture! Make a night of it—catch a show, grab a bite in town, and enjoy a little Keweenaw magic. Even after the annual season wraps, the Rozsa Center is home to three art galleries throughout the concourse and the lower level. Here visitors can find artworks and exhibits featuring international, local, and Michigan Tech student artists.

Don’t forget shopping for end-of-season winter gear sales at Chickadee’s or the Surplus Outlet! A walk in Houghton must include perusing shops for Houghton souvenirs and handmade Yooper treasures. It’s a good way to stock up on adventure gear for your next visit!

If you’re traveling with family or kids and everyone needs to burn off energy, check out the Mine Shaft & Rock House for pizza, bowling, and an arcade. Or, try Respawn Tactical Laser Tag where the whole family can engage in action-packed fun!

Eat & Drink

Every traveler needs adventure fuel! Make sure to grab lunch, breakfast or dinner at one of Houghton’s wonderful downtown eateries: Joey’s Seafood, a hot spot with a surprisingly killer burger, The Ambassador, with pizza and cocktails lauded locally and beyond, or Roy’s Pasties and Bakery for Keweenaw-approved pasties! Over by the Nara Nature Park, enjoy authentic Mexican in a trendy dining space at the new La Catrina Cocina Mexicana.

Cheers to spring R&R in Houghton!

The Den and The Library are local picks for elegantly crafted menus and elevated, delicious cuisine. Woodfired dishes are the headliner of The Den, along with exquisite daily creations featuring locally sourced ingredients! If you head to the Library for a meal and a locally crafted brew, make sure you try their truffle fries (one plate is enough to share)!

As the sun shines warm across the sky, the LoHo Social District along Houghton’s Waterfront Trail comes alive. Visitors can sip a beverage while strolling downtown through the city’s waterfront, lit with charming string lights. Participating local favorites like The Den, The Ambassador, and Keweenaw Brewing Company offer great starting points. Start at the KBC’s rooftop patio for a beautiful view of the Portage Canal, grab a drink and then continue your adventure along the Portage Canal. From coffee to cocktail, this accessible paved waterfront is the perfect place to soak up springtime sunshine and good company along the water.

Everything tastes better when you're close to the water!

Early birds should grab a table at Copper Range Depot where you can count on cozy booths, kids menus, as well as savory items like hot chocolate or eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes! Try their hearty shrimp and grits for a comforting meal with a Southern twist. With so many options, the hungry traveler can’t go wrong. Enjoy the train station vibes – paying homage to the building’s original purpose on the Portage Canal.

North meets South in this cozy shrimp and grits dish at the Copper Range Depot! (Photo: Lily Venable)

Spring Houghton Planning Tips

Spring in the Houghton and the Keweenaw at large can be sunny or cloudy, icy or muddy - the best way to have a good time is to be prepared for whatever spring throws at you, whether that’s a warm jacket, boots,, or even snowshoes. (Don’t forget shorts and a t-shirt for the sunny days!) Here are my gear recommendations:

• Bring boots that keep your feet dry. Rain boots or hiking boots are a must for comfort in springlike watery conditions!
• Don’t skip the winter coat, gloves, and hats. In the Great White North, winter conditions can persist until May. It’s still possible you will need winter gear, especially if winter sports are on the itinerary! You may not need it, but on days when the winds pick up, you’ll be glad you brought extra padding.
• Diversify your layers. One day could be warm and sunny, then the next could be covered in snow flurries! Dress flexibly, with sweatshirts or jackets that can be removed.
• Yaktrax. They’re for walking on ice. When the snow melts, creating water on the trails, then freezes again, you have ice. While you may be able to get by without them if your boots have good traction already, Yaktrax give an extra level of security that makes you feel invincible on the trails!
• Speaking of feeling invincible on the trails, snow pants let you slip, slide, and make snow angels, without an inkling of stress about getting wet! Slip some on and go play!
• Snowshoes aren’t required for many of our springtime trails but always a good thing to have in the trunk in case the call of the wild reaches you. Down Wind Sports and MTU Outdoor Adventure Program have rentable gear if you don’t travel with your own!

Whatever you choose to bring or do, having a good attitude and being grateful for the day is the Yooper way! Stay warm and have fun witnessing the exciting turn of the season in Houghton!