There’s plenty to be said for a peaceful day spent canoeing, tubing, or kayaking upon one of Michigan’s beautiful bodies of water, but who doesn’t long for a unique thrill from time to time? When you’re feeling the need for some outdoor excitement among our state’s natural beauty, venture northward for an unforgettable boating adventure.
Riptide Rides can booked directly out of Munising in Michigan’s breathtaking Upper Peninsula. The boarding location and gift shop sit at 1309 Commercial St.
If you’re searching for a unique and exciting way to experience the splendor of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, this is the perfect excursion for you.
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Each Riptide Ride is part tour, part nature excursion, and part thrilling adventure. Riders of all ages will be treated to incredible views and adrenaline-pumping fun.
During your 90-minute adventure, an experienced guide will combine sightseeing with a handful of jet-powered tricks and spins on the lovely waves of Lake Superior.
Marvel at the colorful cliffs as they jut into the turquoise waters. If you’re lucky, you’ll even have the chance to float directly through some of the rocky formations.
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Snap a few photos of wildlife and vintage lighthouses, then put your camera away as you prepare for an awesome 360-degree spin in the boat! What’s not to love?
Riptide Rides are offered through September, so there’s plenty of time to book your journey. You’ll want to wear a jacket - the water is chilly, and you might get a bit wet!
As you make your way back to shore, you’ll wonder why you ever opted for a standard tour boat during previous trips. Once a Riptide Rider, always a Riptide Rider.
For more information about pricing, reservations, and routes, click here. Have you taken a Riptide Ride during your journeys through Pictured Rocks? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Ogle The Felt Mansion Decked To The Nines On This Holiday Estate Tour In Michigan
Experience the holiday season with a nostalgic tour of the historic Felt Mansion in Saugatuck, Michigan, featuring Christmas decorations and festive events.
The Great Lake State offers a lovely wintery backdrop for the holiday season. Get ready to fall in love with Christmas again when you experience classic Christmas decorations on this holiday tour in Saugatuck, Michigan. You’ll take a step back in time and be filled with nostalgia when you explore this 1920s mansion.
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The Felt Mansion is located on the edge of the Saugatuck Dunes State Park and is a gorgeous three-story brick mansion. The mansion was built for the self-made millionaire Dorr Felt and his family. Mr. Felt's fortune came from his invention of the Comptometer, a mechanical calculator that helped improve bookkeeping for businesses.
Though it was built for the Felt family in 1927, Agnes Felt died just six weeks after the construction finished and Dorr followed her in death a year later. The mansion remained in the family until it was sold in 1949.
The mansion has worn many hats over the years, including a Catholic prep school, a police post, and a prison, which has given it a haunted past. Since then, it has been lovingly restored to its former glory.
Visitors are welcome at the estate to visit the vast grounds and the glorious mansion. You can book a private group tour in advance that lasts around an hour and a half. The mansion also offers self-guided tours that can be booked for the same day and take an hour to complete. The self-guided tours are offered in the spring and summer, along with haunted tours in October where you learn about the mansion’s spooky past.
The most popular time of year to experience a tour is during the holiday season. The Felt Mansion is decked out with 25 Christmas trees that are decorated with the estate’s rich history in mind.
If you choose a guided holiday tour, your guide will share about the renovation process, and you might even hear a ghost story! The tour winds through the home’s multiple levels and visitors must be able to climb stairs to visit the top floors. The main level is accessible, and there is accessible parking available by the front door.
There are many cheerful holiday events held at the estate that is fun for the whole family. Bring the kids along to Winterfest where they can have their photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. For the adults, check out the Taste and Tours event which has live music, local beer and wine, and hors d’oeuvres.
Even the exterior of the mansion looks like a storybook dream with all the merry Christmas lights. Make sure you bundle up for a cold Michigan day and walk the expansive grounds of the estate.
There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than with a magical tour of the Felt Mansion. To see a current event calendar you can view the Felt Mansion website. While you’re visiting, be sure to check out why Saugatuck is one of Michigan’s coziest towns for a winter getaway. Have you visited the Felt Mansion before? Let us know your experience!
Summer is a magical time. This ephemeral season invites us to enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer: natural beauty, time on the water, and memories to last a lifetime. Fortunately, here in the Wolverine State, we don't need to travel far to enjoy all of these things in droves. In fact, the ultimate summer vacation is right here in Michigan. Paddling Michigan is your one-stop shop for an adventure-filled season.
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An absolute fan favorite among residents and visitors alike, this fantastic adventure company offers breathtaking guided kayak tours of Michigan’s Pictured Rocks. Then, after a day of adrenaline-fueled adventures, you can opt for a unique beachfront glamping experience right on the shores of Lake Superior. Without a doubt, this outing has all the makings of an incredible, easy, affordable, and unforgettable vacation. When it comes to the best paddling tours in Michigan, you'll soon discover what makes Paddling Michigan so special.
Are you ready to experience the ultimate summer adventure on one of the prettiest shorelines in the United States?
To get started, let’s take a look at some of the many family-friendly kayak tours they offer and figure out which one is best for you. To be honest, you can't go wrong with any choice you make!
One option is “Paddler’s Choice,” which happens to be the most popular tour offered.
The guided tour is six hours in total, including a one-hour lunch break on a remote beach, and it brings you past Falcon Cove, Bridal Veil Falls, sea caves, the beautiful stained rock walls of the Painted Coves, Kissing Rock, a shipwreck, Caves of the Bloody Chiefs, and the Lovers Leap Arch.
Another tour offered is appropriately named “Taste of the Rocks.” Your guide will lead you past some of the most magnificent and colorful rock formations you will ever see.
This tour is only three hours long and leads you past rainbow-stained cliffs and unforgettable rock formations that make you feel as if time has slowed. Both tours have a sunset time
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slot offering breathtaking sunset views of Lake Superior.
Whether you're a lifelong Michigan resident or simply visiting, you'll agree that Pictured Rocks make the most beautiful backdrop for any adventure.
With all the logistics handled ahead of time, all you need to do is sit back, relax, and glide atop the vast, translucent waters of Lake Superior.
Plus, the knowledgeable and friendly guides will ensure your experience is unforgettable.
After a day of marveling at nature’s beauty on the water, it’s only natural to want to keep the momentum going.
Paddling Michigan has you covered. The Paddler's Village and Au Train Beach Campgrounds offer a unique glamping experience with fully-furnished yurts, cabins, safari tents, and tipis with numerous amenities like fire pits, grills, Wi-Fi, and more. Moreover, both campgrounds include direct beach access to Lake Superior.
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The modern campground is perfect for the outdoor enthusiasts on the go, or, for those just looking for a memorable glamping experience without the hassle of pitching their own tent.
For those arriving at one of the campgrounds with enough daylight ahead of them, the Au Train Beach Campground and Paddlers
Village area encourages guests to immerse themselves in the outdoors by swimming, boating, fishing, biking, waterfall touring (there are over 10 in the area!) or just relaxing and taking in the surrounding serenity.
As the cool evening air sets in and after the grill has finished charring its final portion of dinner, we recommend capping the night with a beachfront bonfire while watching the sun set over Lake Superior.
Offering the most scenic and fun-filled kayak tours in Michigan, this adventure is one you won't soon forget.
So there you have it! If you’re searching for that unforgettable experience to make this summer one of the most memorable yet, make your reservation with Paddling Michigan today. And don't forget to check out the vacation packages that bundle all the best adventures, lodging, and meals in one all-inclusive price! For more information, be sure to check out the Paddling Michigan Facebook Page.
You can also contact the adventure company by emailing [email protected] or dialing (906) 387-1695.