• Saturday-What'sUP August 23 - 09:13 pm

On the western end of the U.P., the city of Ironwood is a gateway into Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the Welcome Center located there is the perfect place to take a break before continuing on your drive. Deb and Ron Simons recently stopped there to do just that. This definitely is a very welcoming spot, from the sign, to the building surrounded by an interesting rock wall, to the picnic area shaded by large pine and oak trees. Deb's only complaint is that she "loves seeing it when coming to the U.P., but not going out".

The only thing missing from that Welcome Center is a nice piece of polished granite that we can kiss when we arrive. Trying to kiss the asphalt or concrete in the parking lot only results in lips that are rubbed raw. ;-)

Hi, old to the site,everybody needs a U.P. fix once a day, new to the posting.
The only trouble with the welcome center pictured is that you would need about 15 of them because you cross the border so much on the west end of heaven.

Mary's so right. This center is much more welcome to us when we're heading UP. When you leave that spot and you see the green sign pointing right to Michigan and left to Wisconsin, it's really hard to turn left. Maybe some day. I'm much more home sick than I've ever been before, so who knows.

Been to the Ironwood Welcome Center many times in past years, sure is a great place to stop and take a break. Miss going on that way for a ride.

Nice place to stop and relex before going on to the UP. My favorite place? Actually 2 of them. Highway 55 by Lilly, Wisconsin, small road side stop off the highway right by the Wolf River. You can have your coffee or lunch by the rushing waters of the Wolf. It is so peaceful. Anyone ever stop there? Second place is just north of Alvin, Wisconsin where we cross over to the UP and the highway changes to highway 73 as we cross over then Brule River. Right by my wife's Uncle's deer camp. Ah home at last!!!

My very favorite place to stop on my way UP is at one of the primative roadside stops a little west of Munising. I ALWAYS have to stop there and get recharged. It is so beautiful and peaceful. I can close my eyes and go there...in fact that's where I'm going right now....see you later!

Cindy, I think the place you refer to is Au Train. It's just past Christmas. We always make time between the Bridge and Houghton to stop there too! One of the stops has a river. I think every time we've stopped, someone has come down the river in a kayak or a canoe. Kids are also always jumping off the bridge (yikes!) into the river.