Marquette (Michigan)

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

• 🌍 Sawyer International Airport (MQT  ^IATA), ☎ [phone]. A former U.S. Air Force base converted to civilian use. Direct flights from Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis. (updated Mar 2016)

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

Marquette Harbor Lighthouse

Front Street

By car

For the most part one 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, ☎ [phone]. has bike rentals available. (updated Mar 2016)

By bus

There is also county-wide bus service, which runs a few fixed routes and also offers door to door service.

See

St. Peters Cathedral

Upper Peninsula Brewing Company Building

Marquette City Courthouse

• Beaumier Heritage Center, Gries Hall, 7th St and Lee Dr. (updated Mar 2016)
• DeVos Art Museum, Tracy & 7th Street. (updated Mar 2016)
• Marquette Maritime Museum (next to the Coast Guard station). Tour the lighthouse while you're here. You must make an appointment beforehand. (updated Mar 2016)
• Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring Street, ☎ [phone]. M-T,Th-F 10AM-5PM W 10AM-8PM Sa 10AM-3PM. (updated Mar 2016)
• 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.

Do

Outdoors

• The UP 200 (sled dog race), ☎ [phone], [phone]. Every winter this race is held and the start is immediately followed by fireworks off of the dock in downtown. (updated Mar 2016)
• Paddling Michigan, ☎ [phone]. offers kayak outings around the U.P., including trips to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. (updated Mar 2016)

Skiing

• 🌍 Marquette Mountain. offers several runs for alpine skiing, just south of Marquette's city limits. (updated Jun 2017)
• The Noquemanon Trail (Cross Country Ski Race). This race goes from Ishpeming to Marquette. (updated Mar 2016)

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.

• 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. (updated Mar 2016)
• 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. (updated Mar 2016)

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.
• Oar to Shore (mountain bike race). In the summer, Marquette is host to the Ore to Shore mountain bike race. (updated Mar 2016)

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, ☎ [phone]. 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. (updated Mar 2016)

Festivals

• Hiawatha Traditional American Music Festival. (updated Jun 2017)
• Art on the Rocks. An outdoor art show. (updated Jun 2017)
• 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 (updated Mar 2016)

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, ☎ [phone]. Fresh fish on the lakeshore near downtown (updated Mar 2016)
• Silver Crow, South Front St.. Jewelry and gifts (updated Mar 2016)
• Wattson & Wattson. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-4PM. U.P. gold jewelry (updated Mar 2016)
• Getz's, 218 S. Front St, ☎ [phone]. This store carries outwear, men's and women's fashions. (updated Mar 2016)
• Upper Peninsula Supply Co. (UP Supply Co.), 221 W Washington St., ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated May 2018)

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), ☎ [phone]. (updated Mar 2016)
• Jean Kay's Pasties, 1635 Presque Isle, ☎ [phone]. (updated Mar 2016)
• Babycakes Muffin Factory, 223 West Washington St, ☎ [phone]. (updated Mar 2016)
• Huron Mountain Bakery, 1301 South Front St, ☎ [phone]. (updated Mar 2016)

Budget

Mid-range

• The Vierling Restaurant and Marquette Harbor Brewery, No. 119 South Front, ☎ [phone]. (updated Mar 2016)
• Hudson's Classic Grill, 2433 U.S. 41 West Marquette, ☎ [phone]. (updated Mar 2016)
• Thai House, 1031 N 3rd St, ☎ [phone]. This restaurant serves over 150 traditional Thai dishes and has a nice atmosphere. (updated Jun 2017)
• The Rice Paddy. Traditional Thai cooked while you wait. (updated Mar 2016)
• Portside Inn, 239 W. Washington St. (updated Mar 2016)
• Donker's, 137 W Washington St., ☎ [phone]. Marquette's candy store for decades, but you can have lunch and dinner, too. Leave room for a soda or sundae at the fountain. (updated Mar 2016)
• Vango's, 927 North Third St. Serves pizza, Greek salads, and more (updated Mar 2016)
• Border Grill, 2433 U.S. 41 West, ☎ [phone]. (updated Mar 2016)
• Togo's Submarine Sandwich Shop, 1000 N. Third St, ☎ [phone]. (updated Mar 2016)

Splurge

• Elizabeth's Chop House, 113 S. Front St, ☎ [phone]. (updated Mar 2016)

Drink

• The Doghouse. Located downtown and has 10 TVs. It is owned by a former NMU Rugby player and many rugby players frequent the bar, however it is still popular amongst all students. (updated Mar 2016)
• Remi's Bar, Third St (just south of Washington, downtown). (updated Mar 2016)
• 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. (updated Mar 2016)
• 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, Marquette, MI, 49855), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Mon 4PM-11PM, Tue-Sun 12PM-11PM. A cozy pub serving their own brews (updated Mar 2019)

Sleep

• Tourist Park Campground, 2145 Sugarloaf Ave, ☎ [phone] (May to October), [phone] (October to May). A location for campers to pitch their tent or park their RV. (updated Mar 2016)
• Blueberry Ridge Bed and Breakfast, 193 Oakridge Drive, ☎ [phone]. (updated Jun 2017)
• Holiday Inn Marquette, 1951 US-41 West (About 4 miles from Downtown Marquette), ☎ [phone]. (updated Mar 2016)
• Comfort Suites Marquette Hotel, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone] US 41 West. 60 suites, including five Whirlpool Suites and two Two-room Executive Suites. Corporate and banquet facilities available. 
• Country Inn & Suites, 2472 US Hwy 41 W. (We are on the North side of US 41, approximately 3 miles from Downtown Marquette), ☎ [phone]. Check-in: 3 PM, 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. 
• The Landmark Inn, 230 N. Front St (on Front St at Ridge), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. 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