Calumet Restaurants

See also Laurium, Lake Linden, Dollar Bay, Eagle River, Hancock, Houghton.

MICHIGAN HOUSE CAFE and BREWPUB
(906) 337-1910; michiganhousecafe.com

The historic bar with fanciful mural at Michigan House.

Good food measures up to one of the Copper Country's most memorable settings, the elaborate and intact barroom of the Michigan House hotel, complete with stained glass, old booths, multi-colored tile floor, original back bar, and scenic mural of Bosch beer drinkers in a biergarten setting.

Tasty, often imaginative food covers a lot of bases, from half a dozen half-pound burgers to wraps to meal-size salads to soups to fresh fish entrées like trout marinated in citrus bourbon ($16.95), grilled in butter, or cedar planked ($18.25). Vegetarian options abound, including the popular walnut burgers. In addition to plated entrées, dinners include bread sticks, vegetable of the day, and a house salad. Owners Tim and Sue Bies try new things, but if they don't sell moderately well, they go off the menu in three months. Panini sandwiches ($7-$9) are favorites; so is Pesto Pasta, made with squash with and without chicken or steak ($9.955 to $13.95). Right now Tim and Sue are keen on sandwiches made with peppadew, a trademarked fruit of African origin that resembles a tomato and a hot pepper. A nice extra: wi-fi internet access. Service is leisurely.

The brewpub makes one "vintage" beer, called Oatmeal Express. Customers seem to like it, because it's selling as well as other draft beers — seasonal brew made here. currently Bell's Two-Hearted, South Shore Nut Brown. The interesting story behind the brew is on the Michigan House's engaging, informative web site. In striving for a hearty, full-flavored beer like Bosch of the pre-Prohibition era, they read up and discovered that coffee and oatmeal were common ingredients then, yet distinctive today. Check the site for occasional weekend entertainment and for particulars and photos of the two UPSTAIRS SUITES with kitchens, sleeping two and four, rented for $65 and $85/night weekdays.

600 Oak at Sixth downtown. Open daily 11:30-9 except closed Wednesday. Wheelchair access: yes, through entrance by bike and ski shop. Family-friendly. Full bar, longish wine list.
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CALUMET
POINTS OF INTEREST

Downtown Calumet. Bustling again, downtown was hopping 24 hours a day when the mining boom was at its zenith, from 1890 to 1913. Today it features Ste. Anne's ethnic museum, lavish historic taverns, plus outstanding shops and galleries: skis, bikes, copper books and gifts, minerals, jewelry, beads, art glass, Ojibwa pottery, beads, and more ... more

Swedetown Ski Trails. One of the most splendid cross-country ski spots in the Midwest has a beautiful setting with a variety of trails ... more

Vertin Gallery. An exceptionally pleasant gallery on the main floor of an old department store features juried works of 130 regional artists ... more

Copper World. One of the U.P.'s most successful gift/visitor/accessories shop has many items of copper and much more Keweenaw-themed things ... more

Coppertown Mining Museum and Gift Shop. Mining aficionados, woodworkers, and those interested in machines, foundries, and labor and Copper Country history won't want to miss this seasonal museum. ... more

Albion Station Glassworks. In an old streetcar station, a glassblower melts recycled bottles to make and sell vases, plates, bowls & carafes ... more

Calumet Theatre and Village Hall. One of the Kewenaw's glories, the elaborate 1899 opera house looks much as it did when touring stars played here in mining days. Authentically restored paintings and ornament. A memorable venue for concerts, films, plays. Tours available. ... more

Ed Gray Gallery. One of the U.P.'s top galleries shows the works of 70 artists ... more

Norwegian Lutheran Church. Norwegian Lutheran Church resembling Old Country architecture, once a wreck, being painstakingly restored. ... more

Calumet's North End. Cheap, often ornate historic storefronts have attracted several original shops: a bookshop/coffee bar, art gallery, dazzling antiques/gems/jewelry store, and the area's best frame shop. ... more

Site of the 1913 Italian Hall Disaster. 73 people, mostly children, died in the stampede that followed when someome yelled "Fire!" in the Italian social hall. It was the 1913 copper strike's defining event, memorialized in song by Woody Guthrie and others, and in story, photos, vivid websites, and a film. ... more

St. Paul the Apostle Church. A magnificentl Catholic church built by Slovenians between 1903 and 1908. Seasonal afternoon tours show off the splendid stained glass, paintings, and altar. ... more

Keweenaw History Center. Built by the wealthy Calumet & Hecla copper company as a community library, this unusual stone-faced building contains office and work areas of the Keweenaw National Historic Park. Some day it will house the Keweenaw History Center. ... more

Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau. Free tourism and history handouts and knowledgeable advice. Booklet and website include all Keweenaw parks and natural areas. A highly recommended stop for anyone spending time in the area. ... more

Shute's 1890 Bar. Legendary U.P. bar from the roaring copper mine boom times. Great interior, classic brick exterior, friendly place ... more

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