UPside of Life: Welcome to the Emerald City of Manistique

There aren't a lot of towns in the Upper Peninsula that have the view Manistique does, that's for sure.

This gem of a city is located on the shores of Lake Michigan, nestled on U.S. 2 between Escanaba and St. Ignace. Just one glance out over the sparkling waters of the Great Lake and it doesn't take long to realize that Manistique is the perfect setting for so many things.

Take, for example, a vacation or snowmobiling or even some hunting and fishing--Manistique not only has plenty of places to stay locally, but plenty of things to see and do as well.

For lodging, the town offers your normal selection of locations like the Comfort Inn or the Holiday Inn Express. For a bit more of the local flavor, however, visitors will most likely want to hit up the Star Motel, which is the only hotel that has direct access to the lake and 20 rooms. The prices aren't too shabby either, even in the "heavy" tourist season.

Manistique also offers some great little sights to see as well. Downtown is quiet and cozy with a nice selection of non-chain stores to visit, like Traders' Point, which features a bookstore and an antiques mall.

Visitors can also take a walk on the boardwalk, which goes two-miles along the Lake Michigan shoreline and has several places to stop and have a picnic. The view alone is worth the stroll. Or take a fairly short drive northwest to Palms Book State Park to get a look at Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan's largest freshwater spring with crystal-clear views into a natural beauty.

For a look into Manistique's past (like many towns in the U.P., it tends to center around the logging industry), take a stop in at the Imogen Herbert Historical Museum.

If your stomach starts grumbling while you're in town, then head over to one of several tasty places to eat.

Marley's Bar and Grill offers up some great homemade soups and chili and even a boiled hamburger. Everything is served up on pie tins. Just make sure to bring cash--credit cards still aren't accepted here.

Teddy's Bistro & Pub offers some of the best walleye you're going to get in the Upper Peninsula and they offer up a pretty tasty rack of barbecue ribs as well.

Want something sweet? Grab some pie over at the Upper Crust Café (which is also a bookstore), which also offers up some pretty darn good sandwiches at decent prices.

One surprise is the Cedar Street Café, which is nestled right downtown and features some outstanding selections. Bruscetta on a menu in Manistique? Tomato basil pita gyro? An apple turkey sandwich? You bet--and it's all darn tasty. Don't forget to try a sticky bun, too.

Manistique has a ton to offer and it's in an ideal location for those traveling pretty much anywhere in the Upper Peninsula from east to west. It means some extra time if coming from the Lower Peninsula to places like Marquette or the Keweenaw Peninsula, but it's definitely worth the detour.

It's an emerald of a town with great views, great shops and great people, no matter what time of year you decide to visit.

Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of UP Second Wave and a full-time freelance writer. His favorite thing to do in Manistique, besides fishing, is grabbing a bite to eat at the Upper Crust. He can be reached via email.