Marquette, MI Road Trips

Marquette is home to Northern Michigan University, and as a college town, shares some sensibilities with other such towns around the country. This city of 20,000 residents has a student population of over 7,000, which means that many—though by no means all—of the young adults are university students. 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.

Beaumier Heritage Center, Gries Hall, 7th St and Lee Dr. (updated Mar 2016) DeVos Art Museum, Tracy & 7th Street. (updated Mar 2016) 1 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, ☏ +1 906 226-3571. M Tu 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. 2 Arch and Ridge Streets Historic District. (updated Jun 2019)

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. (updated Mar 2016) Paddling Michigan, ☏ +1-877-228-5447. offers kayak outings around the U.P., including trips to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. (updated Mar 2016) 1 Marquette Mountain. It 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) 2 Upper Peninsula Luge Club, 230 E. County Road, Negaunee, MI, [email protected]. Typically Friday 6-9pm and Saturday 11-2pm in winter. Located in nearby Negaunee, this is the only competition track for natural luge in the United States. Much less intimidating than the Kunstbahn (Artificial track) sliding seen in the Olympics, natural track luge resembles sledding down an icy forest road. Friendly coaches will introduce you to the sport and help you gradually work your way up to higher starting points along the course. Equipment provided but reservations appreciated. $20-30. (updated Nov 2024) 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.

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. (updated Mar 2016) Jean Kay's Pasties, 1635 Presque Isle, ☏ +1 906 228-5310. (updated Mar 2016) Babycakes Muffin Factory, 223 West Washington St, ☏ +1 906 226-7744. (updated Mar 2016) 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. (updated May 2021) The Vierling Restaurant and Marquette Harbor Brewery, 119 S Front St, ☏ +1 906 228-3533. (updated Mar 2016) Hudson's Classic Grill, 2433 U.S. 41 West Marquette, ☏ +1 906 225-5119. (updated Mar 2016) Thai House, 1031 N 3rd St, ☏ +1 906 225-5946. This restaurant serves over 150 traditional Thai dishes and has a nice atmosphere. (updated Jun 2017) The Rice Paddy. Traditional Thai restaurant. Take out only. Due to its popularity, call and order well ahead of whenever you'd like to pick it up. (updated May 2020) Portside Inn, 239 W. Washington St. (updated Mar 2016) 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. (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, ☏ +1 906 225-5119.

DIGS Gastropub. (updated May 2020) 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, ☏ +1 906 273-1333, [email protected]. M 4PM-11PM, Tu-Su noon-11PM. A cozy pub serving their own brews. (updated Mar 2019) Kognisjon Bryggeri, 1034 N 3rd St, ☏ +1 906 273-2727. M-F noon-11PM, Sa-Su 11AM-11PM. (updated Dec 2025)

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. (updated Mar 2016) Blueberry Ridge Bed and Breakfast, 193 Oakridge Drive, ☏ +1 906 251-0219. (updated Jun 2017) Holiday Inn Marquette, 1951 US-41 West (About 4 miles from Downtown Marquette), ☏ +1-800-315-2621. (updated Mar 2016) 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, [email protected]. 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. (updated Sep 2020) 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.

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. (updated Mar 2016) It is possible to take the Greyhound into Marquette. 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.

For the most part, you would want to take a car, especially in winter when snow or ice covers everything. 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. (updated Mar 2016) There is also county-wide bus service, which runs a few fixed routes and also offers door to door service.