UPside of Life: Nothing prickly about the Porcupine Mountains

For being nearly 150 years old, Escanaba sure acts like it is still a spring chicken.

The city, which is the seat of Delta County and has the joy of sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan, doesn't subscribe to all the historical festivals and Victorian housing that other, not-so-cool older cities like to flaunt and bore residents with. Instead, Escanaba, which will be celebrating its sesquicentennial July 5-14 next year, tends to throw a little bit more of a wilder party. Take, for instance, the Rib Fest, which was held just last month. Not only does that celebration have some melt-in-your-mouth delicacies, but it also features a Fun Run that has a host of gorgeous classic and muscle cars revving their engines and getting cat calls from onlookers.

Or how about Michigan's one and only state fair, the Upper Peninsula State Fair, held on the Escanaba Fair Grounds? Now that's something everyone can enjoy, and this year the festivities will run August 15-21. This year, folks who attend can get in free to see bands like Saving Abel or the Charlie Daniels Band (the devil went up to the U.P., perhaps?). For those who prefer their music loud and with a lot of shaggy hair, both Skid Row and Warrant will be making appearances as well.

But Escanaba has a lot more to offer than just some festivities. If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you can do everything from hike through national forests, to visit Pioneer Trail Park or go fishing (great walleye fishing right in Little Bay de Noc, and a nice variety of fish in the Escanaba River) or hit up the Family Fun Park for some go-karts, mini golf or batting cages. If you're more of an indoor type person, check out Willow Creek Cinemas (the best 3D setup in the Upper Peninsula).

Of course, no trip to Escanaba is complete without a few foodie stops. The first place that should be on your list? While there are a slew of quality restaurants that could easily top anyone's must-eat-at locations, we have a few extraordinary recommendations.

For those looking for the location with the most elegant dining experience, check out the historic House of Ludington. For those who want casual dining that tastes like it's gourmet, then hit up the Stone House.

One of the Upper Peninsula's best chefs, Robin Holmes, heads up the kitchen at Pacino's, which will provide you with taste-bud tantalizing meals, and there are some great things to be said about a place that probably everyone in town has eaten at during some point in their life, and that's Elmer's Family Restaurant.

But our favorites? Our absolutely-must-go-to-and-dine-at locations? Ferdinand's is the Mexican restaurant of choice in the Upper Peninsula (actually, one of just two that we know of). And, of course, there's Bobaloon's, which serves up the best chili cheese hot dogs pretty much ever, and has tasty gyros and a to-die-for steak sandwich.

Our recommendation is to simply make a point of heading to Escanaba. Celebrate its birthday. Have a good time. Relax. Meet the locals. Do some shopping. It's a great place to visit any time of year. But don't take our word for it. Stop by and see for yourself.

Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of the U.P. Second Wave and a full-time freelance writer. He was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula. He started his journalism career in Escanaba as a sports writer under the guidance of the legendary Dennis Grall. He likes to think his former boss and mentor is proud of how far he's come. Eggleston can be reached via email.

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