Houghton-Hancock

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

Travelers coming from Green Bay or 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 old red sandstone buildings lining the 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 central Wisconsin, Minnesota, or the Western UP will take M26. The first thing you will see will be the Walmart on the right, and an eroded cliff on the left. Like US-41, M26 crosses the lift bridge.

• 🌍 Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX  ^IATA) (The airport is located about 5 miles north of Houghton/Hancock). has a few flights each day from Chicago although they tend to be fairly expensive. To get to Houghton, there is an Avis car rental on-site and Neil's Cab service is also an option. 

• 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. Starting in 1885 as a mining college, Michigan Tech has expanded to all facets of engineering and sciences. 
• 🌍 A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum. One of the great North American mineral museums. 
• Rosza Performing Arts Center. A modern theater featuring plays, performances and speakers nearly every weekend. 
• Winter 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. 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 (formerly Suomi College). The Upper Peninsula's only private university. It is a very small campus with around 600 students enrolled. 
• 🌍 Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw. (updated Oct 2019)

Houghton-Hancock is mostly known for its cross country skiing. 4 local cross country trail systems groomed for both skating and striding are in the area. Mt. Ripley is open to downhill skiers and snowboarders, and is owned by Michigan Tech. Downwind Sports and Cross Country Sports are good places to rent equipment and ask about trails and waterways.The Breakers and McLain State Park are the closest access sites to Lake Superior. 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.

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 five screens in the Rogers Cinema 5 theater, which is located in the Copper Country Mall.

• Rogers Cinema 5. Five screens located in the back of the Copper Country Mall on M-26. 

• Copper Country Community Art Center, ☏ +1 906 482-2333. Has unique arts and crafts for sale and changing monthly art exhibitions, 126 Quincy Street in Hancock 
• Rhythm Skate Shop. A beautiful new shop in downtown Houghton on Shelden Ave catering to skateboarders and snowboarders. (updated Oct 2019)
• Copper Country Mall (Located on M-26 going South from Houghton.). Has a number of national chain stores, although there is a fairly high vacancy rate. (updated Oct 2019)
• North Wind Books of Finlandia University. Unique and hard to find books as well as FU merchandise. 
• Michigan Tech Bookstore. And University Images, 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. Hiking and camping equipment and rentals 
• Cross Country Sports. Specializes in bikes, skis and other outdoor equipment. 
• The Bike Shop. Bike shop in downtown Houghton specializing in all types of bike and related goods. They also carry disc golf supplies. 

Pasties are the most famous food in the Copper Country but there are a number of restaurants offering unique and high quality foods.

The Upper Peninsula has a long drinking tradition, and the neighborhood bar is common here.

• Best Western - Franklin Square Inn, 820 Shelden Ave, Houghton, ☏ +1 906 487-1700. Great views of the bridge and Mont Ripley. 
• 🌍 Holiday Inn Express, 1110 Century Way, Houghton, ☏ +1 906 482-1066. Newer hotel, decent continental breakfast. 
• Ramada - Hancock, 99 Navy St, Hancock, ☏ +1 906 482-8400. 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 you're looking for them. Nice place, good restaurant and bar in the hotel. 
• Budget Host Inn, 46995N US Highway 41, Houghton (Located on US-41 in Pilgrim before Houghton), ☏ +1 906 482-5351. Very cheap and you notice it, but it gets the job done. 

• 🌍 Portage Lake District Library. (updated Oct 2019)

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