Marquette
Marquette is a city in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of the state of Michigan.
Understand
Whenever talking to a Marquette resident, you'll eventually hear reference to "the Lake". This nearly always means Lake Superior. Other, smaller lakes nearby and elsewhere in the U.P. are referred to by their names, e.g., Silver Lake, Teal Lake.
Marquette is a university town, and shares some sensibilities with other college towns around the country. This also means that many, although by no means all, of the young adults are university students.
Get in
By plane
- 1 Sawyer International Airport (MQT IATA), ☏ +1 906 346-3308. A former U.S. Air Force base converted to civilian use. Direct flights from Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis.
By bus
It is possible to take the Greyhound into Marquette.
By car
If you drive up from the Lower Peninsula, take US-2 along the southern shore of the U.P. for a scenic drive. With a few local exceptions, all highways in the U.P. are 2-lane. Passing lanes have been added along US-2 and M-28, to help traffic flow.
Driving in the Upper Peninsula during winter can be treacherous, but the county crews do a good job of clearing, salting, and sanding the major roadways, as do the crews in Marquette. Side streets can be very slippery if snow-covered.
Get around
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By car
For the most part, you would want to take a car, especially in winter when snow or ice covers everything.
By bicycle
In the summer you can rent bicycles from some of the local bike shops. Marquette has several bike paths, one of which runs alongside the lake from Presque Isle Park to the intersection of M-28 and US-41. Biking on M-28. Additionally, the back roads around town are rather pleasant and the traffic isn't too harsh.
- Lakeshore Bikes, 505 N Lakeshore Blvd, ☏ +1 906 228-7547. has bike rentals available.
By bus
There is also county-wide bus service, which runs a few fixed routes and also offers door to door service.
See
- Beaumier Heritage Center, Gries Hall, 7th St and Lee Dr.
- DeVos Art Museum, Tracy & 7th Street.
- 1 Marquette Maritime Museum (next to the Coast Guard station). Tour the lighthouse while you're here. You must make an appointment beforehand.
- Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring Street, ☏ +1 906 226-3571. M Tu Th F 10AM-5PM, W 10AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-3PM.
- Lake Superior. You can view the lake at many spots around Marquette's east side.
- Iron ore boats in the Upper Harbor are a sight to behold; you can see them docked at the Upper Harbor ore dock, next to Presque Isle Park during the upper Great Lakes shipping season.
- Fall colors: In September and October, the forests are filled with a variety of reds, yellows and oranges as the maple, birch, aspen, and other leafed trees get ready for winter.
- 2 Arch and Ridge Streets Historic District.
Do
Outdoors
- The UP 200 (sled dog race), ☏ +1 906 228-3072, +1 906 362-3785. Every winter this race is held and the start is immediately followed by fireworks off of the dock in downtown.
- Paddling Michigan, ☏ +1-877-228-5447. offers kayak outings around the U.P., including trips to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Skiing
- 1 Marquette Mountain. It offers several runs for alpine skiing, just south of Marquette's city limits.
- The Noquemanon Trail (Cross Country Ski Race). This race goes from Ishpeming to Marquette.
Hiking
Hiking opportunities are abundant, with many hikes heading up the big hills in the area that overlook the lake. One can hike up Sugarloaf Mountain or Hogback Mountain and then hike back down to the Lake for a relaxing lounge on the beach. For additional trails, not yet listed here, see City of Marquette's list public trails on its website[dead link].
- Sugarloaf Mountain. This is a good, short hike north of town. Two routes are maintained: one route is a steeper climb, and the other ascends more gradually. Both routes include staircases over rock outcroppings, especially near the summit. The view from the top is spectacular - a great photo spot. Also one of the best places for autumn foliage viewing.
- 2 Presque Isle Park. A city-owned area with boat slips, picnic areas, trails, a sheltered pavilion, and a refreshment shop. Presque Isle Park is flanked by the Upper Harbor to the south, and by Lake Superior to the east and north, and northwest. It's a city park but feels much bigger. The trail around the perimeter of the island meanders through the woods, occasionally popping out for breathtaking views of cliffs and the lake. Presque Isle Park is found by following Lake Shore Drive northward, just past the north harbor ore dock. The refreshment shop is closed in the winter, as is the one-lane, one-way road around the "Island," as the park is known locally, but remains open to snow-showing, cross-country skiing, and hiking in the winter months.
- Little Presque Isle The Little Presque Isle tract is often called the crown jewel of Lake Superior, with its beautiful sand beaches, rugged shoreline cliffs, heavily timbered forests, and unmatched public views. The proposed natural area occurs north and south of Little Presque Point, around the mouth of Harlow Creek. The area is a combination of a wooded dune and swale community and bedrock lakeshore and cliff. The wooded dunes and swales formed as post-glacial lake levels receded, depositing a series of low sandy beach ridges. Since then, the ridges have become forested with hemlock, red pine, white pine, cedar, and balsam fir, while the wet swales that developed between them are now either forested or open wetlands.
Biking
Marquette has challenging trails for freeride mountain biking.
- Follow the bike path from Presque Isle Park, all the way to south Marquette. This path was added within the last 10 years or so, and has become very popular. Just be prepared to share it with pedestrians and the occasional rollerblader.
- Ore to Shore (mountain bike race). In the summer, Marquette is host to the Ore to Shore mountain bike race.
For good riding advice, stop by Lakeshore Bikes or the Quick Stop Bike Shop. Guys at both shops are avid riders and will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Fishing
You can fish Lake Superior, the inland lakes, and many creeks and streams. Licensing, minimum length of caught fish, and fish limits are regulated by the Michigan DNR, which publishes a fishing guide .
- Uncle Ducky's Charter Fishing, 434 East Prospect St, ☏ +1-877-228-5447. Fishing trips on Lake Superior. Otherwise you can fish off of the breakwall downtown, which is accessible from the Coast Guard station off of Lakeshore Drive (just north of downtown), or one of the inland lakes and streams.
Festivals
- Hiawatha Traditional American Music Festival.
- Art on the Rocks. An outdoor art show.
- Annual Fourth of July fest at Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park, just steps from downtown. Also the site for fireworks.
Indoors
Bad weather? Had enough of the outdoors? Check out these alternatives.
- Northern Michigan University sporting events. Northern Michigan University (aka, 'Northern' or 'NMU') has a good hockey team and it's worth going to the games. NMU is also home to the Superior Dome, one of the largest wooden domes in the world and host to NMU football and indoor track
Buy
Marquette's downtown offers plenty of shopping, with many one of a kind shops and local offerings. Regional and national chain stores can be found at the Marquette Mall and the Westwood Mall, along US-41 west.
- Thill's Fish House, ☏ +1 906 226-9851. Fresh fish on the lakeshore near downtown
- Wattson & Wattson. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-4PM. U.P. gold jewelry
- Getz's, 218 S. Front St, ☏ +1-800-746-7438. This store carries outwear, men's and women's fashions.
- Upper Peninsula Supply Co. (UP Supply Co.), 221 W Washington St, ☏ +1 906 273-2848, info@upsupply.co.
Eat
A local specialty is Cudighi Sausage. It is a hard to find (in the U.S.) northern Italian sausage. Many restaurants in Michigan's Upper Peninsula serve this sausage and it's definitely worth trying.
- Lawry's Pasty Shop (just outside of Marquette on US-41 west), ☏ +1 906 226-5040.
- Jean Kay's Pasties, 1635 Presque Isle, ☏ +1 906 228-5310.
- Babycakes Muffin Factory, 223 West Washington St, ☏ +1 906 226-7744.
- Huron Mountain Bakery, 1301 South Front St, ☏ +1 906 255-1301. M-Sa 5AM-7PM, Su 6AM-7PM. A diverse selection of sandwiches, large variety of bread, and sweets.
Budget
Mid-range
- The Vierling Restaurant and Marquette Harbor Brewery, No. 119 South Front, ☏ +1 906 228-3533.
- Hudson's Classic Grill, 2433 U.S. 41 West Marquette, ☏ +1 906 225-5119.
- Thai House, 1031 N 3rd St, ☏ +1 906 225-5946. This restaurant serves over 150 traditional Thai dishes and has a nice atmosphere.
- The Rice Paddy. Traditional Thai restaurant. Take out only. Due its to popularity, call and order well ahead of whenever you'd like to pick it up.
- Portside Inn, 239 W. Washington St.
- Donker's, 137 W Washington St., ☏ +1 906 226-6110. Marquette's candy store for decades, but you can have lunch and dinner, too. Leave room for a soda or sundae at the fountain.
- Vango's, 927 North Third St. Serves pizza, Greek salads, and more
- Border Grill, 2433 U.S. 41 West, ☏ +1 906 225-5119.
- Togo's Submarine Sandwich Shop, 1000 N. Third St, ☏ +1 906 226-6535.
Splurge
- Elizabeth's Chop House, 113 S. Front St, ☏ +1 906 228-0900.
Drink
- DIGS Gastropub.
- Remi's Bar, Third St (just south of Washington, downtown).
- The Landmark Inn. has a bar downstairs. Also check out the North Star lounge upstairs - It's got the highest of view of Lake Superior and downtown Marquette.
- Ore Dock Brewing Company is a craft brewery that opened in May 2012. Great beers and often concerts, 114 W Spring St.
- Blackrocks Brewery, 424 N 3rd St, ☏ +1 906 273-1333, shout@blackrocksbrewery.com. M 4PM-11PM, Tu-Su noon-11PM. A cozy pub serving their own brews.
Sleep
- Tourist Park Campground, 2145 Sugarloaf Ave, ☏ +1 906 228-0465 (May to October), +1 906 228-0490 (October to May). A location for campers to pitch their tent or park their RV.
- Blueberry Ridge Bed and Breakfast, 193 Oakridge Drive, ☏ +1 906 251-0219.
- Holiday Inn Marquette, 1951 US-41 West (About 4 miles from Downtown Marquette), ☏ +1-800-315-2621.
- Comfort Suites Marquette Hotel, 2463 US 41 W, ☏ +1 906 228-0028, fax: +1 906 228-3893. 2463 US 41 West. 60 suites, including five Whirlpool Suites and two Two-room Executive Suites. Corporate and banquet facilities available.
- Country Inn & Suite, 2472 US Hwy 41 W. (on the north side of US 41, approximately 3 miles from Downtown Marquette), ☏ +1 906 225-1300, cx_mami@countryinn.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Featuring 84 rooms including Whirlpool Suites, Studio Suites, Family Suites, and an Extended Stay Suite. Complimentary continental breakfast. Indoor pool, whirlpool and fitness room. Free wired and wireless internet access. Twenty-four hour business center with printer.
- 1 The Landmark Inn, 230 N. Front St (on Front St at Ridge), ☏ +1 906 228-2580, toll-free: +1-888-752-6362. The historic Landmark Inn has been fully restored to its original beauty. The decor is inspired by European elegance, as reflected in 62 individually designed guest rooms (many with Jacuzzis, fireplaces and views of Lake Superior and of Marquette). The hotel is 100% smoke-free.
Go next
Every surrounding town has some sort of tourist attraction. Ishpeming has the Yooper Tourist Trap, a gift shop, museum, RV park and campground.
| Routes through Marquette |
| Houghton ← Ishpeming ← | N  S |
→ Gladstone → Escanaba |
| Ironwood ← Ishpeming ← | W  E |
→ Munising → Sault Ste Marie |
| END ← Big Bay ← | N  S |
→ END |