Tanks for the Memories: Soakin' Up Escanaba
- Lindsay Britts
- Jun 30, 2017
- 3 min read
Getting inspired to do a little cruisin’ of your own? Ready to hit the road for a weekend ride to a place you’ve never been before? We can show you the best trips in your neck of the woods and you won’t even have to stop to fuel up. Each week, we pick a starting city and plan a getaway to some of the most charming, energetic, and just plain fun places that you’ll only need one tank of gas to reach. When it’s all over, you’ll be able to say…. TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
Starting City: Green Bay, WI
Destination: Escanaba, MI Miles: 110 mi
If you live in Green Bay and want a place to venture in the summer that’s not part of your day-to-day but you’re not willing to give up gazing at Lake Michigan, Escanaba is a quick jaunt away to escape your worries but keep sight of the shore.
Escanaba’s motto encourages you to “Soak It Up!” and there are plenty of experiences to absorb. A straight shot northeast, the two-hour journey runs right along the coast of the lake. It is the government seat of Delta County, a county with 211 miles of shoreline, the most of any county in the continental US. The city even sports a Lake Shore Drive, although the traffic there might not be as bad as its Chicago counterpart.
Sitting on Little Bay De Noc, Escanaba was incorporated as a village in 1866 and a city in 1883. The meaning of its name is contested, but some believe it to be taken from an Ojibwa word, “Eshkonabang”, the name of a specific hunting area where red deer frequented. It may also be from a similar-sounding word that means “flat rock”. Several historic buildings are still standing, including the Sand Point Lighthouse that is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Land development has moved it away from the shoreline, but it still stands tall in the minds of the city's residents.
There are several places to lodge close to the blue water. The Sandy Shores Resort offers vacation cottages for multiple nights of stay, while the House of Ludington has an eclectic collection of rooms where you can nest before a long day of beach-going. An attached dining room serves dinner and offers Fish Fry Fridays, bringing local varieties of fish straight to your plate. A nearby restaurant in downtown Escanaba bears a similar name, The Ludington Grill, with several delicious dishes to choose from. (I have the feeling someone named Ludington was a big influence here.)
If you love to fish, there are plenty of freshwater varieties to hook on your line. The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is returning to the bay at the end of July for a regional qualifier, and in October 2018 the city will host the 2018 Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship. Other activities include diving to local shipwrecks, snowmobiling in the winter, and two different types of golf courses: some for the classic game you know and a couple for its newest cousin, disc golf.
Of course, Cruisers will want to visit in the summer months with the return of the city’s Muscle on Main Classic Car and Bike Nights. This event happens every second Wednesday from June to September, and the proceeds of the event go to local charities. There’s food from local restaurants like Cat-Man-Do’s and chances to win raffle prizes, all for a great cause. Imagine enjoying a warm summer evening with a cold beer, a delicious burger, and the gleam of classic chrome reflecting a Lake Michigan sunset!
For a great getaway that lets you enjoy cool waters and even cooler cars, look UP to Escanaba!
STRETCH YOUR LEGS: Off 41 on the border of Wisconsin and Michigan, Stephenson Island Park in the middle of the Menominee River offers a serene place to eat a picnic lunch and learn about the importance of the river to the region at the Logging Museum. Maybe you’ll make it for the Logging and Heritage Festival, complete with its own car show!
LEARN MORE:
Escanaba Downtown
Comments