Downtown Iron River
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U.S. 2 bypasses by a block a surprisingly trim downtown. Until it lost its Penney's, downtown was a pleasant shopping district—in contrast, say, to the overwhelming, impersonal retail sprawl oozing east from Iron Mountain along U.S. 2. Small businesses and traditional downtowns are having a hard time holding on in the auto-oriented Upper Peninsula, where people are accustomed to driving long distances to shop. Still, some downtown spots deserve note:
♦ LAUGHING LOON EMPORIUM. "Emporium" means a little bit of everything: jewelry, old furniture, collectibles, glassware old and new, fly-fishing gear, and old fishing lures and mounted fish—just the thing for giving your new cottage an old, rustic look. 212 W. Genesee downtown. (906) 265-6300. Open Mon-Sat 10 to 5 Central Time. Closed last 2 weeks of Feb. Wheelchair access: 3 steps.
♦ The IRON COUNTY CHAMBER of COMMERCE in the A frame overlooking the Iron River. A wide range of helpful area information is provided by a staff who enjoy answering questions about Iron County and the surrounding area. 50 E. Genesee St. in the heart of Iron River, just west of the river. iron.org (906) 265-3822. Open Mon-Fri 8-4 Central Time, Wheelchair-accessible.
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POINTS OF INTEREST
Iron County Museum. Multifaceted museum includes satisfying exhibits on the area's geology, logging, musical and ethnic heritage, life in mines (great video), plus 24 outdoor buildings (10 old log barns, houses, outbuildings), intact Caspian Mine headframe ... more
Downtown Iron River. A trim, pleasant shopping district with an art supply/gift shop/book shop, a combination of shops in an big old department store, a mild-long trail along the Iron River ... more
Angeli's Central Market/Plaza Cinema. A terrific supermarket with quality, fresh produce, something hard to find in the U.P., as well as a good wine selection, meats, ethnic baked goods. ... more
Ski Brule. In a scenic hilly setting is a resort with miles of cross-country skiing trails, two snowboard parks, Alpine skiing, and in summer mountain bike trails, horseback riding, canoeing and tubing ... more
Lake Ottawa Park/Ge Chi Ski Trail. This pleasant Ottawa National Forest park is on crystal-clear, 551-acre Lake Ottawa. It has hiking trails, a swimming beach, fishing pier, and a handsome CCC-era pavilion/bathhouse with fireplaces. ... more
Hiking path to "Treaty Tree" & Mile Post Zero. A short, secluded hike leads to the head of Brule River and the much-contested border between Michigan and Wisconsin ... more
George Young Recreational Complex. Open to the general public, this plush golf course and indoor swimming pool is sited on a 3,300-acre complex bordering 3 lakes. Foxes, deer, and eagles are not unusual sights for golfers here ... more
Wolf Track Nature Trail. A scenic 1.5-mile woodland nature trail with wonderful paintings and text to illuminate one's experience ... more
Pentoga Park. Opened in 1922, this is one of Michigan's very first county parks, located at an Ojibwa burial ground. Take an old 3-mile Indian Lake to the Brule River, fish the deep, 1,100-acre Chicaugon Lake for walleye and muskie, or use the swimming beach and picnic area ... more
First Roadside Table. Michigan was a pioneer in providing pleasant rest stops for motorists, and this 1918 picnic spot may well be the very first ever ... more
Iron River Wi-fi Hotspots. • Intermissions has wi-fi next to Angeli's Foods. West Iron District Public Library has wi-fi. 116 Genesee St. (one block south of US-2) ... more
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here
