The Upper Peninsula has a rich history of innovation and ingenuity. One of the best ways to discover the area’s fascinating past is to visit the local heritage sites, museums and historical landmarks.

The Ontonagon Historical Society and Lighthouse is at the western base of the Keweenaw Peninsula, making it a great place to start your history tour. The site pays homage to the mining, lumber and agriculture industries, which played vital roles in the area’s settlement. Visitors can climb all the way to the top of the lighthouse for a great view of Lake Superior and the Copper Country.

Pay a visit to Old Victoria Restoration, a collection of turn-of-the-century homes of miners from the Victoria Mining Company. See how the miners lived and worked in the 1890s by taking a guided tour of the site, which is open throughout the summer.

There are several options for dining as you make your way through the Porcupine Mountains and Ontonagon County. Be sure to try the famous pasty, a U.P. specialty.

The Coppertown Mining Museum features various exhibits dating back to prehistoric times. While in Calumet, check out the Copper Country Firefighters History Museum, a fire station built in 1898, where vintage firefighting tools and photos of 1930s-era firetrucks on sleigh runners are on display.

The Upper Peninsula is known for being rich in natural resources. See how one mine owner used those riches to show off his own at the beautiful Laurium Manor Mansion, a 45-room house adorned with rare and luxurious materials from floor to ceiling.

Looking for lodging? Book your summer stay today in the Porcupine Mountains and Ontonagon County.