Events

High Ropes Challenge Course
1:00–4:00 PM or 4:30–7:00 PM
Michigan Tech Trails 
 

See the beautiful fall colors from a unique vantage point…30 feet above the ground. Experience Michigan Tech’s playground in the trees, zip through the Tech Trails on a zip line, and challenge yourself on our High Ropes Course. Pre-ordered ticket required. Sponsored by the Outdoor Adventure Program.

Portage Lake Cruise
Board time 1:30, Depart 2:00 PM
Board time 5:30, Depart time 6:00 PM

W. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton
(Park at Medical Arts Building)
 

Board the Isle Royale Queen for a scenic morning, afternoon, or sunset cruise along the Portage Lake shoreline. Enjoy the beautiful foliage and learn about the history of the Copper Country. Pre-ordered ticket required.

Family Weekend Movie
6:00 PM, 8:30 PM, or 11:00 PM
Fisher Hall, Room 135
 

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a movie. Watch a family-friendly flick with your Michigan Tech student right on campus. Sponsored by the Michigan Tech Film Board. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Refreshments will also be available for purchase.

Self-Guided Walking Tours of Houghton, Hancock, and Calumet

Take a historic walk through downtown Houghton, Hancock, and Calumet and get a feel for the rich heritage of these communities that make the Keweenaw such a special place.  Walking maps are available at the Family Weekend Welcome Center.

Chair Lift Color Tour
3:00 PM - Dusk (6:00 PM), weather permitting
Mont Ripley Ski Hill (Ripley, MI) – Transportation not provided

Enjoy a beautiful bird’s eye view of the Copper Country and the Michigan Tech campus from the top of Mont Ripley. Time permitting, you may catch a glimpse of the gorgeous autumn colors. Sponsored by the Mont Ripley Ski Patrol and the Mont Ripley Ski Team. Tickets may be purchased by cash or check at Mont Ripley. Tickets may be purchased by cash or check at Mont Ripley for the following prices: Adults: $5, MTU Students $4, and Children 12 & under: Free Admission with a paid adult.

Keweenaw Brewing Company Tour
3:00-4:00 PM, 4:00-5:00 PM 
Keweenaw Brewing Company, South Range
Transportation not provided

Join us for a tour of one of the Copper Country’s premier microbreweries, founded by a Michigan Tech alumnus. Participants will learn firsthand about the brewing and canning process at the South Range Facility. Sponsored by the Keweenaw Brewing Company. Pre-ordered ticket required.

Quincy Mine Tour

2:45 PM, 3:15 PM , 3:45 PM
Cost: General: $16.60, Age 6-13: $7.20, Age 5 & Under: Free, Age 55 and Over: $13.60
Quincy Mine (Hancock, MI) - Transportation not provided

See firsthand the equipment and workings of this once bustling copper mine, home of the world’s largest steam hoist. Tours leave every half hour. Pre-ordered ticket recommended.

Quincy Smelter Tour
3:00-4:00 PM, 4:00-5:00 PM
Quincy Smelter, (48991 Maple Street, Hancock, MI, 49931) – Transportation not provided

Pre-ordered ticket required
 

Join us on a tour of the most complete early 20th century copper smelting site in the world! Enjoy learning about a historic industrial site on the Keweenaw that has a direct connection with our past! Sponsored by the Quincy Smelter Steering Committee. 

Sturgeon River Paddling Trip 
3:00 PM- 6:00 PM
Sturgeon River- Transportation Provided

Join other Michigan Tech families for a paddle down the Sturgeon River. Trip gear and transportation will be provided. Sponsored by the Outdoor Adventure Program. Pre-ordered ticket required. Meet at the Outdoor Adventure Programs house by 2:30PM

Volleyball vs. Walsh

7:00 PM    

Sherman Field

Come cheer on your Michigan Tech volleyball team as they take on Walsh!

Women's Soccer vs. Saginaw Valley

5:00 PM    Free Event

Sherman Field

Come cheer on your Michigan Tech soccer team as they take on Saginaw Valley!

Keweenaw National Historic Park - Calumet Visitor Center

The Calumet Visitor Center is located at 98 5th Street in downtown Calumet. Visitors can explore 3 floors of interactive exhibits, films and museum pieces focusing not only on mining history, but the social aspect as well. The Visitor Center is fully accessible and free of charge. Please note that the Visitor Center will be open Thursday, October 10, Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You may call (906) 483-3176 for more information.

Coffee House presented by the Wadsworth Hall Student Association
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Wadsworth Hall Annex

Coffee House is an open mic night for anyone to come out and sing a song, read a poem, play an instrument, or just enjoy everyone else's talent. Please stop by and check it out! There is no cost or ticket needed to attend this event. This event is sponsored by the Wadsworth Hall Student Association (WHSA).

Hands-on Wildlife Display
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Walker Lawn

The Memorial Union Board is proud to sponsor an exciting event for students and parents. On Friday, October 11 exotic animals will take over Walker Lawn. Come and get your picture taken with Mindy the Monkey and view nine other creatures you won't find anywhere else in the Keweenaw. There is no cost or ticket needed to attend this event. We hope to see you there!

Steam Engine Rides at the Houghton County Historical Museum
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Houghton County Historical Museum, Lake Linden

Cost: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students, $1 children under 6

The Houghton County Historical Museum, once the site of the largest copper milling operation in North America is also home to the Lake Linden & Torch Lake Railroad, the one room Traprock Valley  School House, an 1887 Congregational Church building now the HCHS Heritage Center, the WPA era Leo Chaput Log Cabin and the Perl Merrill Research Center which is our archives and genealogical facility.

The Houghton County Museum is located on M-26 in the Upper Peninsula of historic Lake Linden, Michigan and offers three floors of exhibits of local Copper Country mining, logging and cultural history. Some of our outdoor exhibits include a working Calumet & Hecla Mining Co. train with a 3' gauge Porter steam engine that was used to transport various materials at their mill and smelter sites. The steam train is now used for passenger tours and interpretation of the milling operations.

Football vs. Northern Michigan University
1:00 PM
Sherman Field

Come watch the Huskies take on the Wildcats in the Miner's Cup game!  

Family Weekend Golf Scramble at Portage Lake

Registration: 8:00-8:30 AM     Shotgun Start: 9:00 AM
Cost: $60 per team of 3
Pre-Reserved Carts: $16 per Cart
Portage Lake Golf Course - Transportation not provided

Get ready for some family-friendly competition at Michigan Tech’s Portage Lake Golf course and sign up to participate in this nine-hole scramble! Prizes will be presented to the top teams during lunch, following the scramble. For more information or to register for this event please visit Portage Lake Golf Course or call 906-487-2641.

Quincy Smelter Tour
12:00–1:00 PM, 1:00-2:00 PM, 2:00–3:00 PM, 3:00–4:00 PM
Quincy Smelter (48991 Maple Street, Hancock, MI, 49931) – Transportation not provided
Pre-ordered ticket required

Join us on a tour of the most complete early 20th century copper smelting site in the world! Enjoy learning about a historic industrial site on the Keweenaw that has a direct connection with our past! Sponsored by the Quincy Smelter Steering Committee. Transportation not provided.

Chair Lift Color Tour
10:00 AM - Dusk (6:00 PM), weather permitting
Mont Ripley Ski Hill (Ripley, MI) – Transportation not provided

Enjoy a beautiful bird’s eye view of the Copper Country and the Michigan Tech campus from the top of Mont Ripley. Time permitting, you may catch a glimpse of the gorgeous autumn colors. Sponsored by the Mont Ripley Ski Patrol and the Mont Ripley Ski Team. Tickets may be purchased by cash or check at Mont Ripley. Tickets may be purchased by cash or check at Mont Ripley for the following prices: Adults: $5, MTU Students $4, and Children 12 & under: Free Admission with a paid adult.

Portage Lake Cruise
Board time 9:30, Depart time 10:00 AM
Board time 1:30, Depart time 2:00 PM
Board time 5:30, Depart time 6:00 PM

W. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton
(Park at Medical Arts Building)
 

Board the Isle Royale Queen for a scenic morning, afternoon, or sunset cruise along the Portage Lake shoreline. Enjoy the beautiful foliage and learn about the history of the Copper Country. Pre-ordered ticket required.

Quincy Mine Tour

9:45 AM, 10:15 AM, 10:45 AM, 11:15 AM, 11:45 AM, 12:15 PM, 12:45 PM, 1:15 PM, 1:45 PM,  2:15 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:45 PM
Cost: General: $16.60, Age 6-13: $7.20, Age 5 & Under: Free, Age 55 and Over: $13.60
Quincy Mine (Hancock, MI) - Transportation not provided

See firsthand the equipment and workings of this once bustling copper mine, home of the world’s largest steam hoist. Tours leave every half hour. Pre-ordered ticket recommended.

Sturgeon River Paddling Trip 
9:00 AM- 12:00 PM, 3:00-6:00 PM

Join other Michigan Tech families for a paddle down the Sturgeon River. Trip gear and transportation will be provided. Sponsored by the Outdoor Adventure Program. Pre-ordered ticket required. Meet at the Outdoor Adventures Program house by 8:30 AM for the morning trip or by 2:30 PM for the afternoon trip.

Family Weekend Movie
6:00 PM, 8:30 PM, or 11:00 PM
Fisher Hall, Room 135
 

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a movie. Watch a family-friendly flick with your Michigan Tech student right on campus. Sponsored by the Michigan Tech Film Board. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Refreshments will also be available for purchase.

High Ropes Challenge Course
9:00 AM–12:00 PM, 1:30–3:30 PM, 4:00–7:00 PM
Michigan Tech Trails
 

See the beautiful fall colors from a unique vantage point…30 feet above the ground. Experience Michigan Tech’s playground in the trees, zip through the Tech Trails on a zip line, and challenge yourself on our High Ropes Course. Pre-ordered ticket required. Sponsored by the Outdoor Adventure Program.

 

Keweenaw Brewing Company Tour
12:00 PM- 1:00 PM, 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM,  2:00 PM - 3:00 PM,  3:00 PM- 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM- 5:00 PM,  
Keweenaw Brewing Company, South Range

Join us for a tour of one of the Copper Country’s premier microbreweries, founded by a Michigan Tech alumnus. Participants will learn firsthand about the brewing and canning process at the South Range Facility. Sponsored by the Keweenaw Brewing Company. Pre-ordered ticket required.

Self Guided Tours of Houghton, Hancock, and Calumet

Take a historic walk through downtown Houghton, Hancock and Calumet and get a feel for the rich heritage of these communities that make the Keweenaw such a special place. Walking maps are available at the Family Weekend Welcome Center.

Keweenaw National Historic Park - Calumet Visitor Center

The Calumet Visitor Center is located at 98 5th Street in downtown Calumet. Visitors can explore 3 floors of interactive exhibits, films and museum pieces focusing not only on mining history, but the social aspect as well. The Visitor Center is fully accessible and free of charge. Please note that the Visitor Center will be open Thursday, October 10, Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You may call (906) 483-3176 for more information.

Volleyball vs. Walsh

3:00 PM    

Sherman Field

Come cheer on your Michigan Tech volleyball team as they take on Walsh!

Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra - The Color of Sound

7:30PM

Rozsa Center Theatre

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra launches its 43rd season celebrating composers who luxuriate in colorful palettes of sound.  Experience the music of Berlioz, Mahler, and Dvorak, pioneers of Romantic orchestration: the art of imagining orchestral instruments as purveyors of color and feeling.  Cellist Nathan Jasinski also joins the KSO as featured guest artist for the 3rd Annual Keweenaw Honors String Festival in a performance of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto.

Steam Engine Rides at the Houghton County Historical Museum
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Houghton County Historical Museum, Lake Linden

Cost: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students, $1 children under 6

The Houghton County Historical Museum, once the site of the largest copper milling operation in North America is also home to the Lake Linden & Torch Lake Railroad, the one room Traprock Valley  School House, an 1887 Congregational Church building now the HCHS Heritage Center, the WPA era Leo Chaput Log Cabin and the Perl Merrill Research Center which is our archives and genealogical facility.

The Houghton County Museum is located on M-26 in the Upper Peninsula of historic Lake Linden, Michigan and offers three floors of exhibits of local Copper Country mining, logging and cultural history. Some of our outdoor exhibits include a working Calumet & Hecla Mining Co. train with a 3' gauge Porter steam engine that was used to transport various materials at their mill and smelter sites. The steam train is now used for passenger tours and interpretation of the milling operations.

Hungarian Falls Hike
8:30–11:30 AM
Meet at the Rozsa Center
Transportation Provided

Don’t miss the breathtaking views of a hike at Hungarian Falls. Transportation will be provided to and from the falls, or follow along in your own vehicle. Pre-ordered ticket required. Meet in front of the Rozsa Center by 8:45 AM. Sponsored by the Outdoor Adventure Program.

Sunday Brunch
9:00 AM- 12:00 PM

Cost: $12.95 - Tickets available for purchase at the Wadsworth Hall Reception Desk. Resident Hall meal plan holders may use their guest meals. Additional guest meals may be added to their plan in advance for only $7.50 by visiting www.techexpress.mtu.edu. (Cardholders should click on "Cardholders' Online System" and parents or others with the cardholder's M-number should click on "Guests' Online System". To pay with cash or check, go to the IT Service Center on the first floor of the Van Pelt and Opie Library.)
 

Conclude your weekend visit by joining your student for a delicious Sunday brunch in the Wadsworth Dining hall.

Chair Lift Color Tour
10:00 AM - Dusk (6:00 PM), weather permitting
Mont Ripley Ski Hill (Ripley, MI) – Transportation not provided

Enjoy a beautiful bird’s eye view of the Copper Country and the Michigan Tech campus from the top of Mont Ripley. Time permitting, you may catch a glimpse of the gorgeous autumn colors. Sponsored by the Mont Ripley Ski Patrol and the Mont Ripley Ski Team. Tickets may be purchased by cash or check at Mont Ripley. Tickets may be purchased by cash or check at Mont Ripley for the following prices: Adults: $5, MTU Students $4, and Children 12 & under: Free Admission with a paid adult.

Self-Guided Walking Tours of Houghton, Hancock, and Calumet

Take a historic walk through downtown Houghton, Hancock, and Calumet and get a feel for the rich heritage of these communities that make the Keweenaw such a special place.  Walking maps are available at the Family Weekend Welcome Center.

High Ropes Challenge Course
9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Michigan Tech Trails

 

See the beautiful fall colors from a unique vantage point…30 feet above the ground. Experience Michigan Tech’s playground in the trees, zip through the Tech Trails on a zip line, and challenge yourself on our High Ropes Course. Pre-ordered ticket required. Sponsored by the Outdoor Adventure Program.

 

Women's Soccer vs. Northwood

12:00 PM   Free Event

Sherman Field

We have more soccer fun for you! Come cheer on your Michigan Tech soccer team as they take on Northwood!

Steam Engine Rides at the Houghton County Historical Museum
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Houghton County Historical Museum, Lake Linden

Cost: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students, $1 children under 6

The Houghton County Historical Museum, once the site of the largest copper milling operation in North America is also home to the Lake Linden & Torch Lake Railroad, the one room Traprock Valley  School House, an 1887 Congregational Church building now the HCHS Heritage Center, the WPA era Leo Chaput Log Cabin and the Perl Merrill Research Center which is our archives and genealogical facility.

The Houghton County Museum is located on M-26 in the Upper Peninsula of historic Lake Linden, Michigan and offers three floors of exhibits of local Copper Country mining, logging and cultural history. Some of our outdoor exhibits include a working Calumet & Hecla Mining Co. train with a 3' gauge Porter steam engine that was used to transport various materials at their mill and smelter sites. The steam train is now used for passenger tours and interpretation of the milling operations.