Winter weekend in Calumet

I recently enjoyed a very wintry weekend in Calumet, Michigan, nestled in the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula, which offers a unique blend of outdoor beauty and rich history. Known for its roots in copper mining, this charming town showcases stunning Victorian architecture and a welcoming community. I was excited to explore the town a bit more in depth, eat a few meals at local restaurants, walk around downtown, check out Lake Superior, and to stay at the historic Laurium Manor Inn, which did not disappoint. I left a mild-weathered Marquette and arrived in a wintry tundra, which is just… the Keweenaw way. 😆 Read on for how I spent a weekend there… which is just a very short list of all the things you can do in the winter in the Keweenaw. Be sure to check out my blog post on nearby winter fun in the Keweenaw too!

LAURIUM MANOR INN

Laurium Manor Inn is located in Laurium, and is a stunning historic bed and breakfast that offers up old-world charm and modern comforts. Once the lavish home of a copper baron, this inn features beautifully historic restored rooms adored with period furnishings, intricate woodwork and stained glass. Guests can relax in the common areas, enjoy a delicious gourmet breakfast in the morning, and explore nearby attractions. I stayed in a beautiful room, which was perfect for a little retreat/reset from exploring in the wintry weather. They offer up a tour you can take at your own pace, and you can read up on the history as well. I’d say… a must-stay if you’re staying in the area!

Breakfast at Laurium Manor Inn is a wonderful experience… rumor is, the best breakfast in the area. Nestled in the historic dining room, there’s a curated menu featuring locally sourced ingredients. We had almond poppyseed pancakes with sausage links, to savory baked eggs with fresh herbs (so good), homemade jam and English muffins, homemade granola, just… yum. And the coffee bar was a beautiful setup with flavored coffees, creamers, teas, you name it. Such a good start to the morning and perfect for fueling my adventures for the day.

MICHIGAN HOUSE BREWPUB

My first meal in Calumet was at the Michigan House Brewpub… an incredibly historic restaurant. What was once a hotel/buffet, this brewpub has lived on this corner since 1895. When you walk inside, you’re instantly met with charm and history, the cafe has a large ceiling mural depicting a happy brew-filled picnic and dated back to 1906. The massive wooden bar, fireplace, tile floors, and restaurant “gallery of old objects” are as original as possible. And the meal itself was wonderful. I sat at the bar, had a delicious (very well-seasoned) burger and fries, and they had cranberry wine. So good! A perfect start to the weekend and some warm grub before venturing outside to the CopperDog 150.

COPPERDOG 150

The Keweenaw hosts a plethora of winter events, but I was excited to check out the CopperDog 150 for the first time! The main event of the weekend and a perfect excuse to visit, it’s an annual dog sled race held in Calumet. The weather was… a bit wild, but honestly, it made the experience that much more unique and fun. It was impressive to see everyone brave the winds and snow and have fun out there, embracing their true Yooper resiliency. They had a street-party ahead of time with music and food vendors, and I huddled near the fire pits with some of the locals. But then the dog sled races began and it was so fun to see the mushers and the (very excited) dogs start their journey up to Copper Harbor! It was just nice to see everyone having a great time and enjoying the experience… from every age group! The sense of community was just so welcoming.

COFFEE, SHOPPING & LUNCH

After a delicious breakfast at the inn on Saturday morning, I ventured into town to explore! I stopped into Keweenaw Coffee Works, which is my favorite coffee shop in the area. I love their options for coffee, great customer service, a welcoming casual vibe and atmosphere, I usually love to post up there for a bit to work and take in some people-watching. After a delicious latte, I ventured next door to Copper World, which is a charming shop that features an array of unique souvenirs to take home, everything from copper items, to apparel, candy, homeware, books, you name it. And after a little shopping there, I headed back into Laurium to have a little reset (and nap) at the inn, and to enjoy my favorite pasty in the UP at Toni’s Country Kitchen. Blink and you’d miss this place, which is part of it’s charm, but it’s a small cozy diner, and I always love posting up in a corner booth to enjoy one of their delicious homemade pasties, complete with a slab of butter on top. The customer service is always so kind, and I always have a great experience here. (Plus… you gotta get some homemade cookies to take home!)

RICH COPPER MINING HISTORY

Calumet feels like stepping back in time, offering a glimpse into its rich Copper Country history through its beautiful historic buildings. The town was an important center during the copper boom in the late 1800s, and you can see the well-kept signs of that lively era in its charming architecture. From impressive Italianate structures to grand brick buildings, each corner of Calumet shares stories of the hardworking miners and the vibrant community that once flourished here. Strolling through the streets feels like walking in a living museum, where the town's rich history and unique character create a gorgeous atmosphere. I parked my car and decided to just walk around to take in the scenery a bit more, and just loved the beautiful buildings and how well kept they are. They have a history center (which I need to check out next time!), but there’s so much history you can see and read about here in this part of the Upper Peninsula.

CALUMET WATERWORKS PARK

I was excited to check out Calumet Waterworks Park, as I’ve never been to Lake Superior in Calumet before! It’s about 5 miles east of Calumet, and spans 16 acres on Lake Superior. The beach here is known for its beautiful stones and agates, and is a great place to do some rock hunting (although, not so much in winter, haha!) There are also fire pits, grills, pavilions, and play equipment for kids. Visiting in the winter is always a unique experience, so I’d love to come back and explore in the summer. But it was very accessible, I was easily able to drive here, park, and take a walk along the beach. A little windy, but you could tell it was gearing up for an epic sunset… I left a little earlier than I should have (it was epic), but thankfully I was able to catch it downtown Calumet (see below!)

SHUTE’S SALOON

Post-beach, pre-dinner, I headed over to Shute’s Saloon, which is located right downtown. An 1890’s saloon, it features a stunning Brunswick stained-glass canopy that overhangs the original backbar. A large mural was painted on the opposite wall of the bar depicting the historic Copper Country during its early mining days. Definitely a local favorite, I love to visit this spot when I’m in town. The service is always so kind, the atmosphere is stunning, and they have lots of options of sweet wine! (Along with anything your heart could desire, haha.) But I sat at a table, played a few games of cribbage on my phone, and ended up watching a movie on the TV, which I found out was an AFI movie I needed to see (it’s my goal this year to watch all the movies on the top 100 AFI list), so I took that as a sign to watch it back at the inn later that evening. (The Bridge on the River Kwai, honestly, loved it.)

CARMELITAS

For dinner, I walked over to Carmelita’s Southwestern Grille for dinner! I must have hit it right at the perfect time, but it was very chill in there, and I was seated right away in a booth… with chips & salsa quickly in hand! And they’re known for their year-round thimbleberry margaritas (a local berry!) and it was so good. I loved it. I’m really glad I tried this place, because despite a few negative reviews online, I had an exceptional experience. The customer service was great, the chicken fajitas were delicious, and again… that margarita was so good! Once I left, the place was bustling with tourists from the CopperDog and snowmobilers, but I’d definitely try this place if you’re in the area/want a delicious meal.