Iron Mountain, Michigan is one of the largest cities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the county seat of Dickinson County.
It was named Michigan Main Street Community and served as a gateway to Michigan's Upper Peninsula from Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana.
By 1879 there were settlers in town, and Iron Mountain was named for its proximity to a cliff deeply covered in iron ore.
The population of this mining town increased after the discovery of this valuable iron ore nearby.
Residents made Iron Mountain a city in 1887 and a city in 1889; According to the 2010 census, the city has 7,624 inhabitants.
Iron Mountain offers many attractions: verdant forests, rushing rivers, abundant wildlife, downtown charm, sporting events, festivals, tourist areas, shopping and dining, and much more.
Steeped in history, with a particular focus on the town's mining origins, the city offers plenty of things to do at any time of the year.
If you want to further explore what Iron Mountain has in store for visitors, check out this list of the best things to do in town.
Visit the Church of the Immaculate Conception
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is a beautiful Italian Renaissance style structure with a distinctive hexagonal bell tower and stained glass windows.
It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1979 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
In 1890 Italian immigrants came to work in the Iron Mountain mines and built a stave church near the present church known as "The Italian Church".
The original church burned down in 1893.
In April 1902, Father Giovanni Sinopoli di Giunta quickly organized a community on the Eisenberg to finance the construction of a new building and drew the plans himself.
The priest and his devoted parishioners raised $4,000 and the laborers began building the church while working in the area's iron mines.
This beautiful church was built in five months, created by many hearts and hands.
This church commemorates the pride and goodwill of Iron Mountain Italians towards their neighbors.
Admire the WWII Glider and Military Museum
Even if you're not a history buff, you're sure to find something fascinating at this military museum.
As the name suggests, the museum features a collection of CG-4A model gliders built by Ford Motor Company for the US Army - more gliders than any company in the country built during World War II.
There are old newspapers, photos, documentation and a film that takes you through the construction of this glider in nearby Kingsford, as well as personal stories from glider pilots and pilots in action during the war.
Other aircraft, some replica and some refurbished, are also on display, along with ¾-size models.
Also on display are relics from Nazi Germany, a collection of wartime photographs, restored wartime vintage cars and a wide range of military uniforms from the Civil War to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Finally, there are military and general plaques honoring those who served and a display of the names of those whose donations and talents went into the upkeep and furnishing of the museum.
Admire the Cornish Pump Engine and Mining Museum
Among many engineering marvels, this museum houses the Chapin Mine Pumping Engine, built in 1889.
It is the largest steam pump ever built in the United States and was officially named one of the largest machines in the world by the History Channel.
Its titles include a National Historic Site, a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, and a Michigan Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Iron Mountain's Chapin mine was one of the wettest mines ever operated in a cedar swamp, and the Chapin mine pump engine helped solve this ore recovery problem at the site, increasing productivity and reducing accidents .
The museum also has the largest collection of underground mining equipment in the state of Michigan.
Here you will see ore carts, haulers, draglines, drills, jackhammers, pumps, buckets for transporting ore, miner's transport carts, a boiler and more.
Learn about Iron Mountain's mining history as you explore the museum grounds.
Iron Mountain City Park-Spaziergang
Take a deep breath and relax in this beautiful wooded city park.
Enjoy plenty of outdoor recreation on this 69-acre property with extensive amenities and something for everyone.
Pack a picnic and socialize in the expansive picnic areas with BBQ grills, let the kids burn off steam in the playground with its sandpits and swings, and enjoy walking among wildlife on the trails.
If you are a sports enthusiast there are several leisure facilities: petanque courts, a soccer field, two tennis courts, a skate park or snow track and a cross-country skiing area for the winter.
Learn to play bocce ball, a very popular sport on Iron Mountain, and maybe even watch the residents compete.
You will also find an enclosed deer habitat to pet and feed these gentle animals.
The park is a popular center for local activities and a good place to spend free time on Iron Mountain.
Leia na Dickinson County Bibliothek
You might want to take a reading vacation while taking a break from exploring.
Then the Dickinson County Library has got your literary needs covered!
This library was established in 1902 with a gift from Andrew Carnegie, who determined that the library and its branches would continue to serve the needs of the county.
This branch of the Iron Mountain Library is an iconic facility, a custodian of local history containing a wealth of photographs and documents about Iron Mountain and the Menominee Range.
It is an iconic fountain with old books, manuscripts and texts about famous people where a genealogical society meets every month.
In this library there are resources such as author talks, literary talks, book launches, reading programs for all ages, book clubs and many others.
The library also has digital resources such as historical DVDs and documentaries, e-books and an impressive web database.
Check out the Historic Menominee Mountain Range Museum
The Menominee Range Historical Museum is considered one of Iron Mountain's best kept secrets.
It is a collection of more than 100 exhibits depicting life on the Menominee Iron Range in the late 19th century.ºCentury to early 20th centuryºCentury.
Upon entering the museum, you will be greeted by a country shop and see its stock of early 20th-century necessities.ºCentury.
Other exhibits include a Native American diorama, trading post, real estate agency, hunting lodge, logging tools, and historical relics from the starting area.
There are areas that have survived from everyday life in the 19th century, such as a dentist's office, a doctor's office, a pharmacy, a watch shop and a barber shop.
Find relics such as ancient musical instruments, a crank washing machine, a collapsible bathtub, mechanical benches and many other items that will complement your journey into this era of history.
Enjoy a show at the Braumart Theater
Sit back and watch a show unfold before your eyes as you walk past the Braumart Theater.
It is the oldest theater on Iron Mountain and is popularly known as "Milwaukee's Finest Pleasure House."
Its mission is to transform the theater into a dynamic cultural arts hub, embracing arts and artists, providing educational, cultural and economic impetus to the city, and providing a social and cultural meeting place for the entire community.
At the theater, see ballets, classical films, Christmas music, cultural festivals, live band concerts, scientific exhibitions, traditional dances, local artists and more.
There is also a special series for your children with talk shows, games and animations.
It's a beautiful historic theater with admirable architecture and a great atmosphere, and you'd do well to spend a family evening at this famous location.
Sair no Sol Blu lounge and taproom
Socialize and meet friends at this atmospheric bar in downtown Iron Mountain.
The building has an interesting history: Constructed of local quarried red sandstone, it was originally part of a commercial block in 1891 and was sold to Iron Mountain in 1990 for use as City Hall.
What was once a bank vault is now a storeroom, adding character and setting to the lounge environment, and the tavern blends the historic and the modern in a unique blend.
The Sol Blue Lounge and Taproom has been busy since 2001 with its signature beers and spirits, signature cocktails and mixes, and live entertainment.
Enjoy a cocktail in good company, sip a cold beer and eat a slice of local pizza served in the lounge.
Watch Green Bay Packer games in HD with a lively crowd or enjoy live music in the lounge's signature acoustics.
The place also offers great discounts for veterans and special private party packages, so be sure to check out the happy hour specials.
Visit the Bat Cave in Millie's Mine
Millie Mine is an abandoned iron mine that is now home to one of the largest colonies of wintering and breeding bats in North America - over a million bats are known to live in this cave.
It has spectacular sunset views, great bike paths and benches to sit on to watch bats and steel railings to avoid accidents.
Surrounding the grounds are beautiful panoramic views of Iron Mountain, hiking trails, observation decks, and comprehensive bat educational plaques.
The best time to see the bats in and out of the cave is April to May or September to October at dusk.
Watch them fly swiftly and silently around the scenic lookout point, and if you're lucky, a cloud of them will fly all the way.
Here you will appreciate bats and their life cycles and how the ecosystem benefits from their presence.
Escape to a Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort
This resort is a premier location for some of the Midwest's best organized ski resorts for all levels of skiers and snowboarders and boasts one of the highest ski jumps.
It holds the record for the highest ski jump in the world and the highest jump in the World Cup, and here you can see some of the most daring jumpers compete.
It is historically known as the "giant pine mountain" and is the venue for the continental cup competition.
Hit the slopes and watch sporting events while enjoying breathtaking mountain views.
In addition to skiing, the resort also offers the Timber Stone Golf Course, an award-winning 18-hole course ranked among the best in Michigan and among the best resorts in America.
The Timber Stone Golf Course is a beautiful combination of nature and golf, with courses nestled among pine trees, lakes, streams and mountainous terrain, offering challenges for players of all skill levels.
Experience unforgettable moments in this unspoilt vacation spot and let the resort meet your needs for an energetic and relaxing vacation.
Pay their respects at the Upper Peninsula Veterans Memorial
Perched atop Pine Mountain is this solemn tribute dedicated to service members on the slopes.
Honors all members of Michigan's 15 counties who fought and gave their lives in the United States Armed Forces.
This memorial honors those killed in various armed wars including the Korean War; First and Second World War; wars in Europe, Vietnam, Japan and Lebanon-Grenada; the wars in the Middle East; and others where veterans gave their lives for their country.
Here you can see five white pillars marking military branches of defence, granite markers with engraved names and commemorative plaques.
In the center of the monument is a flag and at the base of the pole is a time capsule that will open in July 2106, one hundred years after the monument's unveiling.
Don't forget to buy meaningful items and memory stones to keep memory support up.
Honor the veterans of the Upper Peninsula and commemorate their sacrifices at this noble monument.
Relax in Lake Antoine Park
If you're in the mood for a lakeside getaway, this 748-acre waterfront attraction with a small island, a handful of coves, hiking trails, and forested hills is for you.
The campsites have picnic and BBQ areas, a drinking water and toilet station, hot water showers with running water toilets and even a WiFi cafeteria, so you can rest assured of a comfortable stay with your loved ones.
The shores of the lake are a fantastic spot for camping with beautiful views, and the water is great for swimming, tubing, paddling and water skiing.
Cast a line and go fishing, take a boat on the lake, or rent a bike and hike the trails.
If you feel like exercising, there is a volleyball court, basketball court, horseshoe pits and golf course in the area.
Bring the whole family to this park and you'll find a variety of lakeside activities perfect for a weekend camping trip.
Haz-Rafting mit Northwoods Adventures
Northwoods Adventures at Iron Mountain is your one-stop destination for thrills and incredible rafting adventures in Michigan.
It offers a variety of exciting rafting trips, stand-up paddle board and inflatable kayak rentals, and cabin rentals with access to fishing and hiking trails.
One of their most adrenaline-pumping tours is the half-day trip down the Menominee River, where guests are greeted with whitewater rafting and a downstream escape.
You'll ride horseback through thrilling waters, have fun jumping waterfalls, snorkel and paddle with your friends, and have some high-spirited fun on your river cruise.
The guides on your trip are experienced in safety and rescue techniques, know the river like the back of their hand and are always willing to help you choose the experience that best suits your needs.
With Northwoods Adventures you get an exciting dive with one of the best whitewater and rafting guides in the state!
Other activities nearby
Spot wildlife at the Fumee Lake Nature Area
Just 10 minutes from Iron Mountain is this 1,800 acre conservation area with many unique features.
It is a peaceful, natural place with hundreds of acres of lake surrounded by hundreds of acres of land protected by the City of Norway and the Fumee Lake Commission.
It has several hiking trails, varying in terrain and fitness level, and five miles of pristine coastline, described by local fishermen as highly remarkable and unique.
Experienced educators use the Lake Fumee natural area as an excellent example of ecological study.
This area has been home to rare and endangered bird species such as Bald Eagles, Brood Eagles, Great Crested Grebes and more than 40 bird and waterfowl species.
It is also home to rare species of wildflowers and plants including the peregrine fern, parnassus marsh grass, purple cliffhanger and 17 species of orchids.
Natural recreation opportunities await visitors: hiking, bird watching, biking, and nature photography in the first three seasons, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Available in all four seasons, the Fumee Lake Natural Area welcomes visitors curious about nature and outdoor recreation.
Enjoy the great outdoors at Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area
On the outskirts of Iron Mountain, 15 minutes from town proper, is another lush natural oasis worth visiting.
It is a mosaic of six different communities formed to protect the Pine Barrens area.
The Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area has not been used for human development since the 1990's, so anyone who visits will see a truly pristine ecosystem.
It is a barren land of 7,400 acres of rolling land with clear lakes, the wild Pine River forking at its surface, and dirt roads with ample parking and accessibility.
It is a lush landscape dominated by red pine, pine, holm oak and poplar, with sandy soils supporting fertile pastures.
The area is home to more than a dozen species of birds: wren, crow, clay sparrow, eastern thrush, black warbler, common nightjar, etc.
It supports mammalian species such as black bears, coyotes, red foxes, white-tailed deer, fish badgers, and other wildlife.
It also has good access for hiking, picnicking and biking and is generally a great natural place for the whole family.
See the wonders of this reserve along the Pine River and come face to face with nature in the great outdoors.
final thoughts
This gateway to Michigan's Upper Peninsula is an ideal destination for your tourism needs.
If you're planning a vacation to Iron Mountain, take this list with you to see what you can do there.
This town in the heart of Iron Ore Country offers all visitors a variety of outdoor adventures and a fascinating history.
See also: The best restaurants in Iron Mountain, Michigan
USA North America things to do Michigan Dickinson County, MI
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