U.P. tourism hopes to smash another visitor record this year

MUNISING — As temperatures are on the rise in the Upper Peninsula, so are the numbers of tourists that will soon be flocking to the area. Munising has seen a massive influx in visitors the past couple years is preparing for the upcoming season.

In 2016 alone, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore had over 777,000 visitors, this of which was a record breaking year.

Cruises to the Pictured Rocks officially kicked off this past weekend but the tourist season in Munising typically begins around Memorial Day. This influx of visitors that the area has scene in the past couple years, is partially due to social media and tourists posting pictures of their experience while visiting.

Reservations are already up compared to previous years with a new hotel option in town.

“We’ve got more eating establishments in town than we did before, more weekly rentals all over the county in the town than we did before so there’s more lodging options, more food options, more attractions, there is another kayaking business. There’s a lot more stud every year that just keeps adding on,” said Alger County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Kathy Reynolds.

More retail locations will officially be opening within the next month to provide for tourists. One of many new attractions that will be available this summer is a partnership with the Detroit Institute of Art. At the end of May, pieces of art work from the museum will be displayed across the city of Munising for tourists to see.