Why I Love Living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Jamie Van Buren is a lifelong resident of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She grew up in Hancock, earned a degree in marketing from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, and now resides in Ishpeming Township. She works as the operations manager for InvestUP, an economic growth organization dedicated to advancing the economy in the U.P.
Michigan’s U.P. is far from big-city living, but that’s the point, Van Buren says. And while the region offers a quieter, more laidback lifestyle, it still has all the amenities residents desire.
Jamie Van Buren
Michigan Resident
“There’s more opportunity here than people realize; you just have to look for it,” Van Buren says.
With family nearby, the ability to get a great education, plenty of career opportunities and an abundance of natural beauty and outdoor activities, Van Buren says there simply wasn’t a reason for her to leave the region.
Why do you love living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula?
There are many different trail systems just outside my door, so to speak. I don’t have to go very far. Any direction I go, there are parks, recreational areas and trail systems. There is always something to do. One of my favorite places right here in Ishpeming is Al Quaal Recreation Area. It’s less than a five-minute drive from my house. There are lakes and trails for hiking in the summer, and those trails are groomed in the winter.
What’s your favorite season?
I love the fall colors. You can still kind of do everything you do in the summer but with gorgeous color everywhere. My favorite fall hike is on the Little Garlic River Trail near Negaunee. It’s in Escanaba River State Forest, and it follows the river and even leads to a waterfall. Basically, the temperature is really nice, the colors are good and it’s a great time to be outside.
What makes summer in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula so great?
It gets busier, but there’s a lot going on. The weather is gorgeous, and the beaches are so nice. There is something happening every weekend. The Outback Art Fair and Art on the Rocks Fine Art Show take place around the same time in late July in Marquette, and those are two of my favorite events to go to. You get to be outside, and there are a ton of different, eclectic artists.
Where is your favorite place to go during the summer in the Upper Peninsula?
I love to hike along the Wetmore Landing Shoreline Trail to Little Presque Isle Point. The trail goes on the shore of Lake Superior. It starts at beach level, then goes up higher, then goes back down to beach level, and the views are great. I like to go to the beach, swim, read and just relax by the water. I also like to look for beach glass.
What are the winters like in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula?
We’re used to them and don’t think too much about them. Sometimes, it does feel long when we get a late snowstorm, but that’s really just a small blip in the scheme of things. You can still get out and enjoy it. It’s not something you have to hide from.
What do you do to keep busy during the winter?
I like snowshoeing, and I recently started learning to cross-country ski. A lot of our different trail systems do candlelight nights in the winter, with lanterns hanging from trees or marking the path on the ground. It’s pretty magical, especially if we have fresh snow.
In mid-February, we have a sled dog race that’s a qualifier for the Iditarod, a sled dog race held in Alaska, so the community has events, and we watch the race. There is plenty to keep you busy indoors, too. I recently took cooking classes at Marquette Food Co-op. I love meeting friends at Blackrocks Brewery — we have really great breweries in Marquette — and Blackrocks is a nice place to relax and unwind. I also love getting fancy drinks at the renovated Mather Inn.
What are some of your favorite restaurants in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula?
I love breakfast at BODEGA. They do a lot of their stuff from scratch and like to use local ingredients. That one stands out in its uniqueness. I like 231 West Patisserie for a nice tea latte or coffee drink. I like the salads and sandwiches at The Delft Bistro, and Lagniappe Cajun Creole Eatery is always a good place to check out. During nice weather, most of the breweries bring in food trucks, or you can carry in takeout from nearby restaurants. The breweries are all really great.