Like its sister city Houghton, Hancock depends on tourism and commerce along the Keweenaw Waterway. Created by dredging Portage Lake and cutting a canal to Lake Superior, the waterway bypasses the dangerous waters off Keweenaw Point. Rock hounds can find agates along the beach at McLain State Park, north on SR 203. Also north, on US 41, is the Quincy Hill scenic outlook, which provides fine views of the waterway.