Houghton is a premiere “Winter City”, especially with it being the birthplace of professional ice hockey and clocking an
average of 202 inches of snowfall per year. It is also the home to the Michigan Technological University which is well known for its rigorous coursework and tight-knit community; the University hosts Winter Carnival which features ice sculptures and the unique sport of broomball. Many students and community members make great use of the snow with many favorite local past times being skiing, both cross-country and downhill, snowmobiling, and ice-skating.
Although Houghton is known for its winters it is also a great summer destination. Downtown is busy with small businesses overlooking the Portage Canal, and hosts a variety of festivals over the summer including Bridge Fest which is celebrated in tandem with Hancock. Houghton offers fantastic biking, hiking, and boating access with the university trails being open to public use. The Ranger III offers access to one of the nation’s least visited national parks, Isle Royale, with regularly scheduled ferry trips to and from the island.
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