3162. Go to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise

 When we headed to the UP in 2022, we wanted to see the bell of the Edmund Fitzgerald but it was not feasible. I saved it for a future trip. This year when the hubby picked the UP for our summer trip, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum was the one of the things we considered a must do. 

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is located about as far north you can go on the eastern side of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (UP). The closest town is Paradise and it's about 10 miles north of that, right on the shores of Lake Superior. It is open May 1st to October 31st 9-5 daily, weather permitting. You never know when they will be an early (or late) season snowstorm. Tickets are $15/adult and it includes entrance all the buildings on the property. 

Our visit stop, after purchasing our tickets, was to watch a video of the Edmund Fitzgerald which runs about every 30 minutes in USCG Motor Lifeboat House. At the end of the video, you can hear the bell of the Edmund Fitzgerald being rung. If you don't know the tragic story of the Edmund Fitzgerald, this short video will tell the story and how the museum became home to the ship's bell. 

Then we headed to the Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters. This is one of the things I wanted to see. It told the story of what a lighthouse keeper's life was like for the keeper and his family through stories on the walls and displays. It is a typical lighthouse keeper house. The hubby and I found it fascinating that the assistant lighthouse keeper during WWI was a German spy. Who would have thought. 

After walking down to the beach, we checked out the Surfboat House. The volunteer in this building was very knowledgeable.  We learned what a surfboat was, how the coast guard rescued people using the surfboard, and the difficulties they faced in the harsh waters of Lake Superior.

We finally made it way to the main galley where the bell was located. The galley was the busiest of the buildings we went it. It was difficult to read the displays without having to wait. We did get to see the Edmund Fitzgerald Bell. 

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is definitely worth the money and drive. If you are in the eastern part of the UP, definitely check out the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. There is a beach and a wildlife sanctuary there was well. I would just get there early to get decent parking and avoid the crowds especially in summer.