There Is A Tiny European Village Hiding On The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan

Do you love traveling to Europe as much as we do? Well, one of the great things about living in Michigan is that you can visit some of the “most European” cities in the United States. Michiganders on the Lower Peninsula can also take a day trip to towns like Frankenmuth and Holland and feel like they’re traveling to places like Europe in Michigan. There’s also a town in the Upper Peninsula with Finnish roots so deep that a visit there feels like you’re visiting a European village in Michigan. Read on to learn about Hancock, Michigan.

At first glance, Hancock, Michigan - a community of around 4,500 - may look how you’d expect a small, Great Lakes mining port to appear.

This charming Finnish town in Michigan has a handsome downtown with restaurants, bars, a hardware store, and all the typical service businesses.

But the details in the corners are a bit… different from your typical midwestern town. The Finnish flags offer a clue to what makes the character of Hancock unique.

The park in this European village in Michigan is named for its sister city in Finland.

The city’s street signs in this Finnish town in Michigan are also in two languages.

Finlandia University, founded as Suomi College in 1896, was established to give the Finnish-speaking immigrants of the region a place to seek higher education.

The Finnish American Reporter, a monthly based in Hancock, is an English language journal that compiles news and features of interest for Finns across the U.S. and Canada. The publication adds to Hancock, Michigan feeling like places in Europe.

Then, of course, there are all the Finnish festivals that the town hosts throughout the year.

The Midsommer bonfire hosted in this European village in Michigan is always a popular event.

The bonfire is a lead-in to the summertime Juhannus festival hosted by the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock.

Among the other annual Finnish events in Hancock, Michigan are Festival Ruska in the fall, Finland Independence Day in December, and, sometimes, St. Urho’s Day in March.

The January Heikinpäivä is probably the year’s biggest celebration, though.

With food, music, and cultural demonstrations, this is the best time to immerse yourself in Hancock’s Finnish culture. Don’t worry - some of the events hosted in this Finnish town in Michigan are indoors.

And any time you visit Hancock, Michigan, you can always pop into Nisu Bakery and Cafe for a taste of Finland.

When you visit Hancock, be sure to stay in this European village in Michigan and explore the Upper Penisula for a while. For example, there’s much to learn about Michigan's mining history. You'll also be impressed by the area's tremendous natural beauty, including deep forests and stunning Lake Superior shoreline. We suggest referring to AllTrails for local hikes worth exploring too,