Open May 1 to October 31 – 9am to 5pm Daily
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is one of Michigan’s most popular tourism destinations, attracting over 75,000 visitors each year. Museum guests discover the dramatic stories of shipwreck and survival on the Great Lakes at Whitefish Point, a National Historic Site. Whitefish Point is also home to the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior, which has been in operation since 1861…the same year that President Abraham Lincoln took office!
Museum Admission prices
- Adults: $15.00
- Children 17 and under: $11.00
- Children 5 and under: FREE
- Family, 2 adults and 2 or more children: $50.00
Please Note:
All buildings will close at 5:00pm.
A tour of the Shipwreck Museum Campus includes:
- A self-guided tour of the Shipwreck Museum main gallery, which includes a permanent exhibit dedicated to the Edmund Fitzgerald, featuring the ship’s original bell.
- A self-guided tour of the 1923 USCG Surfboat House.
- A self-guided tour of the 1861 USLHS Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters.
- A 14 minute long Edmund Fitzgerald video documentary, which is viewed in the restored 1923 USCG Motor Lifeboat House.
- And…Summer 2024, a new exhibit will open in the 1920 restored U.S. Navy Radio Building.
Membership
With members far and wide, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society is a leading professional maritime organization. GLSHS is dedicated to preserving the history, artifacts and material culture of our Great Lakes. Through research, discovery, and documentation, GLSHS is working to keep alive the spirit of adventure of our maritime past.
Member Benefits Include:
- Free Admission to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Complex
- 20% discount on all regular priced items in the Shipwreck Coast Museum Store at Whitefish Point, the U.S. Weather Bureau Building in Sault Ste. Marie and our online store, excluding gift certificates
- The Society’s official newsletter, The Shipwreck Journal
How to get to Whitefish Point
Practically surrounded by Lake Superior shoreline, we are located about an hour north of the Mackinac Bridge and only 20 minutes from the mighty Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
From the Straits of Mackinac
Follow I-75 north to Rt. 123 (Exit #352), which is the Newberry, Tahquamenon Falls exit. Follow this route through Trout Lake (be sure to take the right turn in Trout Lake to stay on M-123), crossing M-28. Follow M-123 all the way to Paradise, Michigan. Once in Paradise, continue north on Whitefish Point Road for 11 miles to the Whitefish Point Light Station. Travel Time = approximately 1 hour, 20 minutes
From Sault Ste. Marie
Follow I-75 south to M-28 west. Take M-123 north to Paradise, Michigan. Once in Paradise, continue north on Whitefish Point Road for 11 miles to the Whitefish Point Light Station. All roads are well paved and maintained by the State/County.
Travel Time = approximately 1 hour, 10 minutes
From Newberry and Tahquamenon Falls
Follow M-123 east and turn left at the stoplight in Paradise, Michigan 11 miles north to Whitefish Point.
Travel Time = approximately 50 minutes from Newberry and approximately 20 minutes from Taquamenon Falls.
Scenic Route from Sault Ste. Marie
Follow I-75 to exit 392, I-75 Business Spur east. Turn right at the second stop light for “Mackinac Trail” US-2. Follow this road southwest for approximately 3 miles to 6 mile road. Turn right at 6 mile road, a cemetery will be on your right. Follow this road through the towns of Brimley and Bay Mills, past the Point Iroquois Lighthouse. Scenic Whitefish Bay will be on your right. Follow this same shore road (Curley Lewis Memorial Highway) until it meets M-123, and then turn right on M-123. Keep going north to Paradise, Michigan. Once in Paradise, continue north on Whitefish Point Road for 11 miles to the Whitefish Point Light Station. All roads are well paved and maintained by the State/County.