Houghton: Waterfront Trails, Hockey History and Minerals

Houghton lies on the south shore of the Keweenaw Waterway. Several distinct themes shape the town for travelers: paved waterfront trails, natural areas, activities on the water, as well as hockey history and minerals. If you are considering Houghton as a destination for a hotel stay, these highlights can help you assess the town according to your own interests.

Waterfront Trails and Nature in Houghton

The Houghton Waterfront Trail is a paved, non-motorized trail. It crosses the entire length of Houghton from east to west, running from the Pilgrim River to Kestner Waterfront Park. These named endpoints and the east–west orientation provide clear guidance for this trail through town.

Nara Nature Park is a 100-acre nature park donated to the City of Houghton by Bob and Ruth Nara. Another named trail is the Nara Nature Trail Boardwalk: this 4,500-foot elevated boardwalk runs along both banks of the Pilgrim River. The features of the two trails are easy to distinguish: the Waterfront Trail stands out for its paved surface and its route through Houghton, while the boardwalk is notable for its elevated wooden construction and route along the riverbanks.

The Michigan Tech and Nara trail systems offer a different scale: they include more than 26 miles for cyclists and 35 miles for hikers and runners. The distances are listed by user group. Together with the Waterfront Trail through Houghton and the boardwalk, they offer several named ways to explore the town’s trails and natural areas.

Hockey History and Minerals

Dee Stadium is in downtown Houghton and includes a historic ballroom as well as an ice-skating and hockey arena. The stadium houses the Kenner Ruohonen Memorial History Room, with the “Birthplace of Professional Hockey and The History of Hockey Exhibit.” This makes the building a focal point for both hockey history and an arena for ice-skating and hockey.

The Historic Houghton Walking Tour offers another way to explore downtown: it consists of 15 themed plaques installed there. For travelers interested in local history, these plaques provide a focus of their own alongside the hockey exhibit at Dee Stadium.

The A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum is the official mineral museum of the State of Michigan and displays minerals from around the world. Its outdoor pavilion also features a 19-ton mass of native copper. The worldwide mineral collection and this single large piece of copper offer different highlights within the museum.

Activities on the Water and a Seasonal Market

East Houghton Waterfront Park has a launch site for kayaks and small sailboats. The Houghton Skatepark is also located in the same park. Ray Kestner Waterfront Park has different named water activities: equipment for paddle sports is available to rent, and there is also a protected swimming area. When considering the parks for your trip, you can distinguish between a launch site for kayaks and small sailboats, the skatepark, equipment rentals, and the protected swimming area.

The Downtown Houghton Farmers Market takes place on the pier next to the Portage Lake District Library. The market is seasonal, and its dates may vary. If you want to include it in your plans, check the current dates before your trip.

Houghton can be assessed through specific interests: trails and nature, hockey history, minerals, or activities on the water. To decide whether the town is right for your stay, you can weigh these different highlights against one another.

Discover more destinations: Hancock, Torch Lake Township.

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