'''Houghton''' and '''Hancock''' are a pair of small towns in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan, and home to Michigan Technological University and Finlandia University. Although separated by a canal, they are connected into a single community by a unique lift bridge.

Get in

The two main routes into Houghton and Hancock from the south are US-41 and M26.

Travelers coming from the central or eastern Upper Peninsula will likely travel on US-41. You'll know you've arrived because you'll suddenly find yourself surrounded by large modern university buildings, sprawling parking lots, and fraternity houses; you're on the campus of Michigan Tech. Keep driving to reach downtown Houghton, where the architecture transforms into a tightly-packed small town business district, overlooking the canal. US-41 then crosses the lift bridge into Hancock, which climbs the ridge on the north side of the channel.

Those arriving from the Western UP will take M26. The first thing you will see will be the Copper Country Mall, on your right. Like US-41, M26 crosses the lift bridge.

Houghton County Memorial Airport, [http://www.houghtoncounty.org/], has a few flights each day from Minneapolis although they tend to be fairly expensive. The airport is located about 10 miles north of Houghton/Hancock. To get to Houghton, there is an Avis car rental on-site and Neil's Cab service is also an option.

Get around

'''Walk'''

Houghton-Hancock are very small cities and are easily accessed by foot, although some some streets can be very steep.

'''Taxi'''

Neil's Cab (906 482-5515) operates a few taxis in the area and the City of Houghton operates a shuttle service [http://www.cityofhoughton.com/info-transit.php].

'''Car'''

For exploring the area, a personal car would be best. Car rentals area available at the airport.

The road names can be confusing as the same road can have different names in different areas. Coming into Houghton, US-41 is called College Ave after Michigan Tech, and then changes to one-way Shelden Ave in downtown Houghton, crosses the bridge, veers left and up the hill before it turns left onto the one-way '''Yooper Loop''', a rather challenging piece of road on the south side of the lift bridge, where Memorial, Montezuma, and Shelden meet. Go slow, but don't stop and remember to check your blind spot if you need to go onto M-26.

See

  • '''Portage Lake Ship Canal''' bisects the two cities. Running along Portage Lake and the canal is a rails-to-trails pathway which caters to bikes, rollerblades, runners/walkers, as well as snowmobilers. The canal itself resembles an arctic fjord, with steep slopes on either side.
  • '''The Portage Lake Lift Bridge''' is a unique bridge acting as the gateway to the Keweenaw Peninsula to the north.
  • '''Michigan Tech University''', [http://www.mtu.edu] Starting in 1885 as a mining college, Michigan Tech has expanded to all facets of engineering and sciences.
  • '''Seaman Mineral Museum''', [http://www.museum.mtu.edu/] One of the great North American mineral museums.
  • '''Rosza Performing Arts Center''', [http://www.rosza.mtu.edu] A modern theater featuring plays, performances and speakers nearly every weekend.
  • '''Winter Carnival''', [http://www.mtu.edu/carnival/] Occurs in early February each year. Huge snow statues, fried twinkies and giant snow speakers courtesy of the fine young minds at MTU.
  • '''Quincy Mine''', [http://www.quincymine.com/] A remnant of the mining era of the past, this is the best place to learn how the mining was done and a tour of the mine is available.
  • '''Finlandia University''', [http://www.finlandia.edu] Northern Michigan's only private university, Finlandia (formerly Suomi College). It is a very small campus with around 600 students enrolled.
  • Do

    Houghton-Hancock is mostly known for its outdoors activities which requires a little bit of travel. The Breakers is one of the closest access sites to Lake Superior. It is located 30 minutes west of Houghton. Swimming anywhere on Portage Lake can be refreshing in summer, as is canoeing or kayaking. Fishing is a popular activity both on Portage lake and the many nearby lakes. During the long winter months Mt. Ripley is open to skiers and snowboarders, though the Michigan Tech-Owned facility is hardly a resort. Downwind Sports [http://www.downwindsports.com/] and Cross Country Sports [http://crosscountrysports.com/] are good places to rent equipment and ask about trails and waterways.

    Houghton is also the home port for the Ranger III, a 125 passenger National Park Service ferry ship that takes passengers to and from Isle Royale during the summer months.

    There are two local movie theaters in Houghton. Some new releases are in theaters immediately while others take a while. There usually isn't much overlap amongst the nine screens in the area.

  • '''Copper Five''', [http://www.google.com/movies?hl=en&near=49931&dq=movies+49931&sort=1&sa=X&oi=showtimes&ct=title&cd=1] Five screens located in the back of the Copper Country Mall on M-26. '''This theater closed in August 2008, but 3 screens are back in operation as of November 21, 2008.'''[http://mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/502761.html?nav=5006]
  • '''The Lode Theatre''', [http://www.rogerscinema.com/showtimes/MICHIGAN_SHOWTIMES.htm] Three screens in a historic theater in downtown Houghton. Fairly small screens, but the seats are new.
  • Buy

  • '''Rhythm Skate Shop''', A beautiful new shop in downtown Houghton on Shelden Ave catering to skateboarders and snowboarders.
  • '''Copper Country Mall''', Has a number of national chain stores, although there is a fairly high vacancy rate as of 2008. Located on M-26 going South from Houghton.
  • '''North Wind Books of Finlandia University''', [http://northwindbooks.com/] Unique and hard to find books as well as FU merchandise.
  • '''Michigan Tech Bookstore''' and '''University Images''', [http://www.bookstore.mtu.edu] The bookstore is located in the Memorial Union Building on Tech's campus and University Images is located up the hill at the Student Development Complex
  • '''Downwind Sports''', [http://www.downwindsports.com] Hiking and camping equipment and rentals
  • '''Cross Country Sports''', [http://crosscountrysports.com/] Specializes in bikes, skis and other outdoor equipment.
  • The Bike Shop. ttp://goridebikes.com. Bike shop in downtown Houghton specializing in all types of bike and related goods. They also carry disc golf supplies.

    Eat

    Pasties are the most famous food in the Copper Country but there are a number of restaurants offering unique and high quality foods.
  • '''Suomi Restaurant''', 54 Huron St, Houghton, MI, (906) 482-322. A little hole in the wall type of restaurant with the best breakfast in town. Be prepared to wait on weekends as it is quite busy and the kitchen sometimes gets backed up.
  • '''Roy's Pasties and Bakery''', 901 W Sharon Ave, Houghton, MI, (906) 487-6166. Award winning pasties and other delicious baked goods.
  • '''Studio Pizza and Ice Cream''', 514 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI, (906) 482-5100?. Great pizza and Jilbert's ice cream.
  • '''Victoria's Kitchen''', 518 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI, (906) 482-8650. Super breakfast and lunch food, vegetarian options, very friendly staff.
  • Drink

    The Upper Peninsula has a long drinking tradition, and the neighborhood bar is common here.
  • '''Keweenaw Brewing Company''', On Shelden Ave in downtown Houghton, look for the reddish purple overhang. Some of the best beer in the midwest.
  • '''Library Restaurant and Brewpub''', Located down the hill from Shelden Ave at the stoplight. Good beer and food.
  • '''Downtowner Lounge''', At the end of Shelden Ave in Houghton right before the bridge. Fun bar although it tends to be on the smoky side inside. If it's open, go on the deck outside for a great view of the lift bridge.
  • Uphill 41. Located right before downtown Hancock after you cross the bridge. This is Houghton-Hancocks's finest dance club.

    Sleep

  • '''Best Western - Franklin Square Inn''', 820 Shelden Avenue Houghton, MI 49931, (906) 487-1700. Great views of the bridge and Mont Ripley.
  • '''Holiday Inn Express''', 1110 Century Way, Houghton, MI, (906) 482-1066. Newer hotel, decent continental breakfast.
  • '''Ramada - Hancock''', 99 Navy Street, Hancock, MI, (906) 482-8400. Although located to the west of the bridge, turn right at the end of the bridge onto M-26 and then take the first right. The signs should be noticeable if your looking for them. Nice place, good restaurant and bar in the hotel.
  • '''Budget Host Inn''', 46995N US Highway 41, Houghton, MI, (906) 482-5351. Located on US-41 before Houghton. Very cheap and you notice it, but it gets the job done.
  • Get out

  • '''Isle Royale'''. Beautiful hiking on a pristine island in Lake Superior. The Ranger III ferry departs from Houghton for around $100 roundtrip.