You are going to love everything you see when you drive in to Christmas, Michigan. You will be welcomed to join Santa Claus, Mrs. Clause, the Elves and Reindeer. Christmas, Michigan is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
As a small populated city, having about 400 people live there, there are still things you can do there that the whole family will be able to enjoy. The man, who started the city in 1938, was from Munising. He started a roadside factory to make holiday gift items. Even though the factory is long gone, this small community continues to grow. It is popular for snowmobilers to come to in the winter and the wonderful view of the winter wonderland that is set up. In the summer you are able to enjoy the beaches on Lake Superior. There is more to do then seeing the winter wonderland and the beaches. Some other things you can do is go fishing, boating, hiking, and looking at the lighthouse. Those are just some of the things that you can do. There is more you can do so don’t limit yourself.
In 1966 the first post office was opened and Christmas was chosen as the issuing site for the First Day Cover of the Christmas Stamp. There are a lot of people who send Christmas’s Post Office the Christmas cards just so they can be postmarked.
Christmas is known well for the Bay Furnace Park, which is a National Forest Campground and Picnic area. Bay Furnace was originally known by the name of Onota. In 1869 a huge stone blast furnace was built to make iron. Ships that carried the iron were docked on a long pier. All the iron was melted into “pig iron†and was then shipped to the lower Great Lakes. In 1877 the town was destroyed by a fire leaving only the iron smelting kiln. There are trails that circle the ruins and interpretive signs that explain how the furnace operated. Bay Furnace still stands and it overlooks Lake Superior and Grand Island. In 1868 a wooden lighthouse was built at the entrance to Christmas. This lighthouse is called the “Grand Island West Channel Rear Range Lightâ€. A simpler name is “The end of the Road Lighthouseâ€, which people also call it. In 1914 a newer lighthouse was built to replace the old wooden one. If you go for a drive at night, this lighthouse still lights the way for the mariners around Grand Island and into the harbor at Munising.
The biggest and newest attraction the Christmas is the Kewadin Casino, located right on the main drag. If you are into gambling, this casino is a branch of the fie-casino empire of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Another new addition to the city is the 40 room Paradise Inn Motel, which is located right next door to the casino.
While in the city, it is a must to stop and check out the Santa’s Workshop Gift Shop. To find the gift shop all you have to do is look for the large Santa. The gift shop holds Christmas items for your home, yard, and tree. There are collectibles which include Bing and Grondall, Serenity Angels, Rock-a-Buddies, nutcrackers and many more that you will have to just see for yourself.
Kewadin Casino in Christmas, MI:
General Casino info:
http://www.kewadinchristmas.com
Hotels in the area:
| Alger Falls | Munising | 906-387-3536 | ||
| AmericInn | Munising | 906-387-2000 | ||
| Best Western | Munising | 906-387-4864 | ||
| Comfort Inn | Munising | 906-387-5292 | 906-387-2493 | ||
| Days Inn | Munising | 906-387-5292 | 906-387-2493 | ||
| Holiday Inn Express | Munising | 906-387-4800 | ||
| Munising Motel | Munising | 906-387-3187 | ||
| Scotty’s Motel | Munising | 906-387-2449 | ||
| Sunset Motel on the Bay | Munising | 906-387-4574 | ||
| Super 8 | Munising | 906-387-2466 | ||
| Superior Motel | Munising | 906-387-1600 | ||
| The Terrace Motel | Munising | 906-387-2735 | ||
| Timber Ridge Lodge | Munising | 906-387-3790 |