Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

18335 N Whitefish Point Rd, Paradise, MI 49768, USA

Address:	18335 N Whitefish Point Rd, Paradise, MI 49768, USA
Phone:	+1 906-492-3747
Site:	shipwreckmuseum.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 18

John Odom

We were in the area for the Tahqua Trail Run on August 8, 2015, and decided to visit Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (GLSM) and Whitefish Point the day before the run. We were the first visitors to the museum that morning. The staff was friendly and efficient upon our arrival. We were fascinated with all of the exhibits, the history of the area, and the many maritime artifacts displayed at the museum. The quality of the exhibits is stellar and the historical information is detailed, informative, and well written. This was our first visit to Michigan and the Great Lakes area. Our prior knowledge of Great Lakes shipping and the hazards of this enterprise was rudimentary. Our visit to the GLSM was educational and very interesting. We highly recommend this museum to anyone visiting the U.P.

A Private User

The GLSHS museum at Whitefish Point is magical and eerie at the same time. The Michigan shipwreck coast is a barren and desolate place and this renovation brings Michigan history to life at one of the most remote and lonely places in the state. Kudos to the Society for renovating the steel pile light and the lifeboat station that dates to the Lincoln administration. The Coast Guard station B&B is clean, new and worth every cent spent to stay at the museum. Try a cup of coffee at dawn on the Lake Superior boardwalk and feel the magic of this wonderful place.

Cat Strom

My Husband and I came from Wisconsin to check it out ~ It was very interesting . the Staff was very nice. The tour of the light keepers quarters was definitely informative . I do not recall the ladies name who showed us around but she was very knowledgeable of the history of the house and grounds which was a great perk. The price of the tour was reasonable especially when you know it is helping to preserve the history for generations ahead .. definitely worth a stop!! I am already planning on taking my Grandchildren back there next summer

Ken St. John

Excellent museum and an extremely interesting "living operation" there at legendary Whitefish Point, "The Graveyard of the Great Lakes". My wife and I are not students of maritime or shipwreck lore, but were quite taken by the magnitude of loss, tragedy and heroism that this well-conceived museum portrays. Very well done by the curators. Now, if they could do something about controlling the voracious swarms of mosquitos in the immediate area of the museum, that would make the overall experience much better!!....

Jack Thomas

Both the beach and the museum are special places. The 7+ foot tall or whatever it is lighthouse lens of carved glass is amazing to see all by itself. But the spirit of the Edmund Fitzgerald wreck in the 1970s is really heavy here. Having grown up in Michigan during that time, their exhibit really hit home. They get 100 mile an hour winds up here sometimes, we were told and you can see what kind of work it would take to maintain that lighthouse in that kind of weather. If youre in the area dont miss it!

Hollis Locke III

Fantastic museum. A must see if you are in the area. The main feature is, of course, the Edmund Fitzgerald but you will learn about a lot of other shipwrecks as well. 5 buildings to go into. There is a little theater for a video about the Edmund Fitzgerald. A gift shop, the lighthouse keepers home, life saving station, plus a wonderful deck to look out over the lake. For an extra donation you can go up into the lighthouse. Definitely a highlight of our trip to the U.P.

B. Rowland

It was an interesting stop along our journey but the tours required to go into many of the buildings was too expensive. Per individual the price was ~$10-14. Skip the tours and walk around the lighthouse and down to the beach. You can learn about the Edmund Fitzgerald, the largest ship on the great lakes that sank in 1975. Bringing the cost of the tours down to a reasonable, family price, and this would be a nice stop.

Caryn Kearns

It cost way to much money for what little you get to see. Not small kid friendly. Only take about 20 minutes to walk around and see everything also did not explain that the 40 dollars dose not include the climb lup the light house that is and extra fee and kids under 8 can not climb it. I am very disappointed in the workers at this historical site

john posa

No (good) reason to be SO EXPENSIVE! $40/family and virtually no discounts. The museum is one room. $5 more to climb the lighthouse. You drive at least 22 miles out of the way and its highway robbery. Was told the reason: they are "non-profit," which means high salaries because they must gross $1 million per year. Trust me folks--it aint worth it!

Kevin Parker

Very cool place. Also check out the view from the boat dock that is located less than a mile south of the museum and lighthouse. The entrance is marked by a very large and conspicuous sign. There is a pier about 300 yards long that you can walk out on and be surrounded by Lake Superior on all sides. Pretty neat stuff.

Shawn Barber

Amazing collection of artifacts, models, and a beautifully preserved Fresnel lens. The lighthouse keepers house was amazing and well kept. We opted to go up in the lighthouse and were rewarded we amazing views of the point and beach. The Lego replica of the Fitzy was also incredibly detailed and quite a treat to see.

Ari Adler

This is a great place to get away and learn some maritime history. Even if you end up going when the museum is closed, the beach and point are still open and offer some cool views year-round. Its a longer drive up to the point than the mileage would seem to indicate, but its worth the trip.

Steffon Liford

This was awesome.You have to see the display for the Edmund Fitzgerald and see the 14 minute film in the theater if that is all you do. You will never listen to the song the same way again. I picked up a commemorative pin of the bell of the EFG from the gift shop. It is well worth the trip.

Jeff M

Liked it. The tour guide at the quarters was interesting. But the tour guide at the lego area was awful. But be warned, if you want to go up in the lighthouse, its an extra $4. Other than that bring a container to carry home some lake Superior rocks. Our backyard is full of them.

John Rockwell

Great complex. Historical buildings including lifesaving station and lighthouse. Displays show the long history of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes as well as the history of studying these shipwrecks. An informative film on the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is shown.

Karen Summers

We stayed overnight in crews quarters. Nice museum with info on Fitzgerald and other wrecks in the lakes, lighthouse keepers house tour, and other buildings. Beach and sand dunes are beautiful. Fun rare experience to be able to stay at such a historic location.

charlene Prong

Me and my family really enjoyed going to the museum. The staff was very friendly and courteous. Got to see a lot of things and little things I didnt know about the Great Lakes. I would highly recommend going great educational Learning for children.

Gary Morris

A must stop in northern UP and honestly a surprising treasure. The only reason its not 4 or 5 star is price, not super kid friendly, and I wish they had some food. Its in the middle of nowhere with a great supply of smoked fish and pasties around.