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Every visit has shown us another reason why dog-friendly Escanaba has become one of our favorite weekend getaways in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Over the last few years, Jay and I have found ourselves making the drive from Hayward to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula again and again. What started as a fishing destination has slowly become one of our favorite weekend getaways. Every visit looks a little different, yet we always leave saying the same thing:
“We’ll be back.”
There’s something about Escanaba and Gladstone that’s hard to put into words until you’ve experienced it for yourself. Maybe it’s the endless opportunities to get outside. Maybe it’s the miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Maybe it’s the locally owned coffee shops, breweries, and restaurants that somehow make you feel like a regular even on your first visit.
Or maybe it’s simply the people.
Everyone we’ve met here has been genuinely kind, welcoming, and proud of their community. In a lot of ways, Escanaba reminds us of Hayward. It’s a place where outdoor recreation is part of everyday life, where neighbors still wave, and where every trip seems to uncover another hidden gem.
This time, our weekend looked a little different.
We packed up Daisy and Rudy and set out to experience as much of Escanaba and Gladstone as we could with two dogs in tow. From dog-friendly breweries and beaches to incredible coffee shops, historic landmarks, and one unforgettable evening chasing king salmon on Lake Michigan, this trip quickly became one of our favorites yet.
If you’re planning a summer getaway to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, here’s exactly how we spent one long weekend in Escanaba and why we already can’t wait to go back.
Dog-Friendly Escanaba: Friday Itinerary
After nearly six hours on the road, our first stop wasn’t lunch or the hotel.
It was the City of Escanaba Dog Park.
Whenever we travel with Daisy and Rudy, one of the first things we try to do is find a place where they can stretch their legs before we settle into vacation mode. Using the BringFido app, we found the Escanaba Dog Park tucked just south of the airport, and it ended up being the perfect first stop.
The park features separate fenced in areas for large and small dogs, plenty of room to run, and a welcoming atmosphere that immediately reminded us why we love traveling with our pups. Daisy quickly found a new dachshund friend while Rudy happily explored every inch of the park.
Quick tips if you visit: be sure to bring water for your dogs and a few toys, as there isn’t a water station on site. We also recommend bringing waste bags, although a very kind couple we met at the park happily helped us out after realizing ours were still tucked away in the Suub. They are also supplied but happened to be empty when we were visiting.
It wasn’t a long stop, but it set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
One thing we noticed throughout our time in Escanaba was just how welcoming the community seems to be for travelers with dogs. More and more businesses understand that our pets are part of the family, and we found ourselves able to include Daisy and Rudy in much more of our trip than we ever expected.
That quickly led us to one of our favorite stops of the entire weekend.
The Upper Hand Experience
One stop I knew I didn’t want to miss this trip was Upper Hand Brewery.
Because we had Daisy and Rudy with us, one of us stayed outside with the dogs while the other went in to grab drinks. Jay headed inside first while I found us a spot on the dog-friendly patio. Afterward, we switched so I could head in and order our giant pretzel and check out the taproom.
One thing I appreciated right away was how relaxed everything felt. The bartender was incredibly friendly, and later we had the chance to chat with one of the owners. She talked about creating what she calls the “Upper Hand Experience,” and after spending the afternoon there, I completely understood what she meant.
The Upper Hand Experience isn’t just about great beer. It’s about slowing down, enjoying where you are, and spending time with the people you’re with. That could look like a multitude of things like relaxing on the patio with your dog, catching up with friends, or grabbing a beer after a day of exploring, it feels like a place where nobody is in a hurry to leave.
Jay started with the Jitter Fish before trying the Upper Handy Shandy Blackberry, while I eventually settled on Trail Treats after Daisy enthusiastically knocked my very first beer right off the patio table. Thankfully, everyone laughed, and it made for one of those vacation moments we’ll be talking about for years.
We also ordered their famous 32-ounce pretzel served with warm beer cheese and one of the best spicy mustards I’ve ever had. It’s enormous, incredibly shareable, and absolutely worth ordering.
Another thing I appreciated was that the brewery offers free Wi-Fi, food is ordered right from your phone using a QR code, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the afternoon. Between the welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, dog-friendly patio, and fantastic food and beer, it’s easy to see why so many people spend hours there.
Now I completely understand why they call it the Upper Hand Experience.
An Afternoon at Ludington Park
With full bellies and happy pups, we made our way over to Ludington Park to spend some time along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
One of my favorite things about traveling with Daisy and Rudy is watching them experience new places, and this stop quickly became one of their highlights of the weekend. We wandered down the beach until we found a quieter stretch of shoreline where they could splash around in the water, chase each other through the sand, and simply be dogs.
Sometimes the best parts of a trip aren’t the big attractions. Sometimes it’s sitting on a quiet beach with your favorite person or people, listening to the waves, and watching your dogs have the time of their lives.
After a little while, we headed over to Bayview Motel to officially check in, unpack the Suub, and settle in for the weekend.
Checking In at Bayview Motel
We stayed at Bayview Motel, and I honestly can’t imagine writing about our weekend without talking about the people who made us feel so welcome.
Tammy and Tom own the motel, and within just a few minutes of checking in, it felt less like we were arriving at a hotel and more like we were being welcomed by old friends.
Bayview Motel is incredibly dog-friendly, which immediately stood out to us. Outside, there’s a nice seating area with a fire pit, plenty of space to relax, and even a fish cleaning station for anglers returning from a successful day on the water. Inside, you’ll find a game room, an arcade, a sauna, and walls filled with historic photographs that celebrate the area’s rich fishing and logging history.
Our room was clean, comfortable, and exactly what we needed for a weekend filled with adventure. It even had a hot-tub that we utilized Friday evening!
One of my favorite memories from our stay had nothing to do with the room itself. Tammy and I ended up chatting about gardening, and she even let me sample a few fresh English peas straight from her garden. It’s those unexpected conversations and genuine acts of kindness that seem to define every visit we make to Escanaba.
After getting settled, we all enjoyed a much-needed afternoon nap before heading back out for the evening.
Wrapping Up the Day in Gladstone
After a quick nap at the hotel, we made the short drive over to Gladstone for a fun evening at Saunders Point Brewing Company.
This trip just happened to line up with the launch party for my friend Katelyn Beaver’s new beer, Beaver Brew, a refreshing cherry wheat that was brewed in collaboration of Beaver’s Lures with Saunders Point. Between catching up with friends, listening to live music, and enjoying another beautiful summer evening in the U.P., it was the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere.
One thing I love about the Escanaba and Gladstone area is how easy it is to find community events like this. It never feels like you’re just passing through. Instead, it feels like you’re joining in on whatever the locals are already enjoying.
At one point, I was able to catch up with my friend Corrie Berrigan, an incredibly talented kayak angler and fsihing guide from the Upper Peninsula. It’s always fun reconnecting with people who share the same passion for fishing and the outdoors, especially when it’s somewhere as beautiful as the shores of Lake Michigan.
Of course, no summer evening is complete without ice cream.
Just across the street, we made one last stop at Gladstone Dairy Flo before calling it a night. Walking inside immediately felt like stepping back into the ‘90s in the best possible way. I ordered the Dirt & Worm Sundae while Jay went with a Reese’s and Cookie Butter creation, and neither of us had any trouble finishing every last bite.
By the time we made it back to Bayview Motel, we were tired, full, and already excited for what Saturday had in store.
*Reader note: We did not bring. the dogs to Saunders Point but I do see that they do allow leashed dogs on Yelp!
Saturday: Coffee, History, and Chasing King Salmon
Saturday started exactly how every good vacation day should: with coffee!
Our first stop was Express Coffee Co., where we ordered iced lattes and breakfast bagels before heading back toward Ludington Park. I went with an iced vanilla latte, while Jay ordered an iced vanilla caramel latte. Of course, Daisy and Rudy weren’t left out. They each got a pup cup topped with whipped cream and a dog treat, which disappeared almost instantly.
For breakfast, we ordered breakfast bagels on cheddar onion and tomato mozzarella bagels, and they were every bit as good as they sounded.
Instead of eating on the go, we found a picnic table overlooking Lake Michigan at Ludington Park and spent the morning enjoying our coffee, breakfast, and one more quiet moment before the day really got underway.
The dogs spent a little more time swimming along another quiet stretch of beach while we soaked up another beautiful U.P. morning. Vacation doesn’t always have to be busy to be memorable.
While we were heading to our next stop I noticed people climbing to the top of Sand Point Lighthouse.
Naturally, my curiosity got the best of me.
For just a few dollars, admission includes access to both the lighthouse and the Delta County Historical Society’s Museum next door, making it one of the best values we found all weekend. While Jay stayed with Daisy and Rudy, I climbed to the top of the lighthouse for panoramic views over Lake Michigan before spending a little time exploring the museum.
If you enjoy local history, it’s absolutely worth making the stop. Learning about Escanaba’s maritime history while standing inside one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks gave me an even greater appreciation for the community we’ve come to love visiting.
Before heading back to the hotel, we made one more stop at the North Shore Boat Launch.
Jay couldn’t resist making a few casts from the fishing pier while I wandered around with the dogs. We watched a few fish jump, explored the shoreline, and enjoyed another beautiful view of the water before heading back to Bayview Motel for a quick break.
With a long evening of salmon fishing still ahead of us, an afternoon nap sounded like a pretty good idea.
A Scenic Drive to Fayette Historic State Park
After a quick break back at the hotel, we said goodbye to Daisy and Rudy for salmon charter plans. They were perfectly content relaxing in the air conditioning while we headed out to explore more of the Garden Peninsula before our evening salmon charter.
One stop I had been looking forward to was Valentine’s Creek.
Known for its dark, tannin-stained water, the creek creates a striking contrast against the surrounding forest and is one of those places that’s easy to drive right past if you don’t know it’s there. It’s a quick stop, but one that’s worth making if you’re exploring the area between Escanaba and Fairport.
From there, we continued on to Fayette Historic State Park.
If you’ve never been, add it to your list.
Once a bustling iron-smelting town in the late 1800s, Fayette has been beautifully preserved and now offers visitors a chance to step back in time while overlooking one of the most picturesque harbors in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
We spent quite a while walking through the historic buildings, exploring the museum and visitor center, and taking in the incredible views from the limestone bluffs overlooking Snail Shell Harbor. It’s the kind of place where history and scenery come together perfectly, and even if history isn’t normally your thing, it’s hard not to appreciate just how unique this place is. There is also a visitors center with A/C, a gift shoppe, ice cream, and a little interactive giant diorama to give you more history on the site.
Between the restored buildings, walking trails, museum exhibits, and waterfront views, Fayette Historic State Park ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the entire weekend.
After working up an appetite, we made one more stop before heading to Fairport. Lunch at Sherry’s Port Bar.
From the outside, it looks like the kind of classic U.P. neighborhood bar that’s been serving locals for years. Inside, it was exactly the kind of place we love discovering while traveling.
I ordered a BLT that may have been one of the best I’ve ever had, while Jay ordered a burger. Sometimes it’s the simplest meals that end up being the most memorable, and this was definitely one of them.
With lunch finished, it was finally time to head toward Fairport Harbor.
The adventure we had been looking forward to all weekend was about to begin.
Chasing King Salmon with Lucky Lines Charters
By late afternoon, we pulled into Fairport Harbor and met Captain John and Captain Ryan of Lucky Lines Charters.
Within just a few minutes, it felt less like meeting a fishing guide and more like reconnecting with an old friend. Ryan immediately made us feel comfortable, answered every question we had, and shared stories as we headed out onto Lake Michigan.
Then it was time to fish.
It didn’t take long before one of the rods buried over. After a long and exciting fight, I found myself connected to the biggest king salmon I’ve ever caught.
What happened next is something I still can’t quite believe.
Somewhere during the fight, the snap swivel had become damaged and was nearly straightened out by the power of the fish. By all accounts, we should have lost it but somehow, we didn’t.
The fish made one final run before Captain Ryan slipped the net underneath it and got it into the boat. It weighed just over 16 pounds and instantly became my personal best king salmon.
Moments like that are exactly why I love fishing. You can spend hours waiting for an opportunity, and then everything changes in a matter of seconds.
The bite slowed down for a while after that, giving us time to take in the scenery, some good converstion, and appreciate just how beautiful Lake Michigan is. Even on a slower afternoon, being surrounded by endless water with the shoreline disappearing into the distance is an experience all on its own.
As the evening continued, the action picked back up.
Jay landed a beautiful lake trout before adding another king salmon to the cooler. I connected with one more king of my own, and by the time we pointed the boat back toward Fairport Harbor, we had a cooler full of fresh fish and memories that will stick with us for a very long time. We ended up with seven fish to filet: 3 big Kings, 2 Lake Trout, and 2 small Kings.
One stop remained before calling it a night: The Fairport Fishery.
Watching our catch be cleaned at the fishery was the perfect ending to an incredible evening on the water. By the time everything was packaged up, we were heading back to Escanaba with plenty of fresh Lake Michigan salmon to bring home and an even greater appreciation for this incredible fishery. Boat crews kept coming in by the minute with coolers overflowing with King Salmon; it was awesome.
Tip: Bring a cooler obviously for your catches, there is a walk-in cooler on site you can fill small coolers with for $5.00 and there is also fish guts/carcass disposal on site for a fee. Bring petty cash.
After getting back to the hotel around 1 a.m., we let Daisy and Rudy out, made sure they had dinner, and we quickly drifted off to sleep after what had easily become one of the most memorable days we’ve spent in the Upper Peninsula.
Sunday: One Last Taste of the U.P.
The next morning, we took our time packing up before checking out of Bayview Motel. Like every trip to Escanaba, the weekend had somehow flown by. I had called Tammy to let her know (at 9:50am) that if checkout was 10, we’d be late. She replied back with, “You can stay as long as you want or need to!” I literally couldn’t love her more. We checked out at 11 and after a final visit with Tammy, we hit the road.
Before totally pointing the Suub back toward Wisconsin, we made two final stops that have quickly become traditions whenever we’re in town.
Our first stop was Jo-to-Go.
I ordered one of their July specialty coffees while Jay kept it simple with a latte. I don’t know if I’ve ever been handed a larger coffee before, but somehow I managed to drink every last drop. It was exactly what I needed before a four-hour drive home.
Final stop? Dobber’s Pasties.
Over the years, we’ve made it a point to try a different pasty shop almost every time we visit the Upper Peninsula, and after this trip, I think I’ve finally found my favorite. I ordered the ham and cheese pasty, while Jay went with the breakfast pasty. Both were fantastic, but I’ll definitely be ordering that ham and cheese again on our next visit. The woman inside who’s name I didn’t get, was absolutely a fantastic human being.
Dobber’s has a picnic area just outside that you can bring your dogs with you to sit and eat.
With full bellies, fresh Lake Michigan salmon packed in the cooler, and another unforgettable weekend behind us, it was time to head back toward Hayward.
As much as we were looking forward to sleeping in our own bed again, leaving Escanaba never gets any easier.
Why Escanaba Keeps Calling Us Back
Four trips later, Jay and I have realized that it’s almost impossible to have the same trip to Escanaba twice.
Two visits revolved around ice fishing and exploring new places. Another centered around Fourth of July festivities. This time, we packed up Daisy and Rudy, explored dog-friendly breweries and beaches, wandered through historic sites, discovered new favorite coffee shops, and spent an unforgettable evening chasing king salmon on Lake Michigan.
Every trip seems to introduce us to another hidden gem, another locally owned business, or another friendly face that reminds us why we keep making the drive back.
Escanaba and Gladstone remind us of Hayward in all the best ways. They’re communities built around the outdoors, where people genuinely care about where they live and are excited to share it with visitors. Whether you’re planning a fishing trip, a romantic weekend, a dog-friendly getaway, or simply looking for a place to slow down for a few days, there’s a good chance you’ll leave already thinking about your next visit.
We’re certainly already looking forward to ours. Make sure to check out #VisitEscanaba to plan your trip!
Thank you so much for reading, friend!
Read my other Escanaba trip blogs here: Celebrating the 4th in Escanaba, Little Bay de Noc Ice Fishing Trip Report: A Weekend in Escanaba, and Weekend Guide: Where to Eat, Stay, and Ice Fish in Escanaba, MI.
