The first thing you’ll notice on your way into Marquette, Michigan, is the forest. Miles and miles of thick, verdant forests surround the city on three sides, and they’re crisscrossed and shot through with hundreds of miles of trails to explore. On the east side, Lake Superior provides a watery playground for a variety of outdoor activities, while Marquette at large is a veritable paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. With a history rich in iron ore and the machines made from it, Marquette was forged in iron and tempered by the lake.
Its location on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, only 82 miles from the Canadian border, provides Marquette with a snowy winter and a warm summer, and the city has activities to correspond with each. In winter, you have skiing (both cross-country and downhill), fat biking, and snowshoeing. When the weather is nicer, these same trails can be enjoyed on a mountain bike, with your running shoes, or to watch the birds or seek out waterfalls. There’s even climbing to be done, on either winter ice or summer rock.
The people of Marquette know how to throw a party — particularly if the kind of party you enjoy starts with some monstrous endurance event, like a 48-mile mountain bike race or a 50-mile ultra-running race, and ends with live music, good food, and locally brewed beer. The area hosts many exciting events throughout the year that take advantage of the extensive trail system. And, for when you’ve finished your romp through the woods, Marquette has at least six brewpubs — and a distillery — within the city, and several more in nearby towns. Marquette also has the Downtown Social District, a designated area encompassing the two main entertainment streets where it’s legal to bring your drink out of the bar or restaurant.
Photo: Craig Benson
My visit to Marquette coincided with the Honor Credit Union Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic. Ore to Shore has six separate races, from a 0.5-mile kids’ race up to the big 48-mile Hard Rock. It’s practically a whole festival, and there’s even a family competition that combines results from different races and age groups and comes with an actual cash prize for the fastest family. This year, the 26th running of the race had over 2,500 total competitors and was supported by extensive involvement from the local community. In addition to the public trails and roads, the routes traverse 60 privately owned lands, with permission from all landowners. Over 400 volunteers from local communities ensure a smooth event, and partner organizations, like Start the Chain and Noquemanon Trail Network, provide finish line services.
I didn’t get to race, but I definitely had FOMO when I saw the camaraderie and fun the racers were having. I caught the exciting start of the 48-mile Hard Rock in the historic mining town of Negaunee and then made my way to the Forestville railroad crossing aid station, where I was just in time to cheer for the intrepid tail end of the 28-mile Soft Rock race. The small lead pack of elites for the Hard Rock came through so fast that I couldn’t even get my camera out in time. Finally, I ended up at the big party that was the finish area.
I’d suggest that the best way to visit Marquette is to pick one of the big races or festivals and plan your vacation around the event. Watch the regional elite athletes compete, or compete yourself, and spend the rest of the week exploring the area with your chosen sport. Or if you’re like me, mix it up and do all the sports.
Things to do in Marquette
Take a historical lighthouse tour
Photos: Craig Benson and Craig Sterken/Shutterstock
The Marquette Maritime Museum is housed in an old city waterworks building and is full of information about the long history of shipwrecks on Lake Superior and corresponding lifesaving innovations. A couple of highlights for me were hearing a recording of the last radio transmission made by the captain of the Edmund Fitzgerald (the largest and most famous ship to sink in the Great Lakes) and looking out over Marquette Bay with a periscope.
The lighthouse tour begins and ends in front of the museum. It takes you on a short walk, past the Coast Guard station, the lifesavers’ barracks next door, and into the lighthouse. You’ll learn about the history of lifesaving in Marquette, who really invented the first outboard motor, the foghorns that were surreptitiously blown up by the coast guard (thereby raining bricks all over the town), and, of course, the lighthouse itself.
Marquette Maritime Museum: 300 N. Lakeshore Blvd, Marquette, MI 49855
Visit the Marquette Regional History Center
Photo: Craig Benson
Modern-day Marquette history — that’s to say Western European history — begins around 1844 with the discovery of iron ore deposits, which are still mined to this day. The area is known as Gichi-namebini Ziibing by the Anishinaabe Council of Three Fires, a confederacy of three Indigenous tribes: Ojibwe (or Chippewa), Odawa (or Ottawa), and Potawatomi. All of this you can learn in the extensive exhibits of the Marquette Regional History Center.
Marquette Regional History Center: 145 W. Spring St, Marquette, MI 49855
Play in Presque Isle Park
Photo: ehrlif/Shutterstock
Presque Isle Park (presque means “almost” in French, as in, it’s almost an island) is a heavily forested 323-acre bulb of land that juts out into the lake, providing opportunities for fishing, hiking, birdwatching, biking, sunset watching, and, my favorite, jumping off the 20-foot high Volcanic Black Rocks into the lake. There’s a single-lane, one-way road that loops through the park, but you should note that it’s regularly closed to vehicles, whether to prioritize walkers, due to snow, or for the spring blue spotted salamander migration.
Presque Isle Park: Peter White Dr, Marquette, MI 49855
Hike a local vista trail
Photo: Craig Benson
There’s a huge range and variety of hiking options around Marquette, from the Fit Strip (a 1.6-mile lighted hiking/biking/skiing trail inside the city) to the 4,800-mile North Country Trail that passes through Marquette — and everything in between. The morning of my first day, I decided to watch the sun rise over Lake Superior from the top of Mount Marquette, which can be reached by driving right up next to the observation platform or hiking a 3.7-mile loop trail beginning at the NTN South Trails Trailhead.
On my second day, I drove out to the Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook, which is about a 30-minute drive from Marquette and deep in the forest. The hike from the parking lot was a half-mile of easy walking on a wide, well-maintained path, dotted with plant identification markers. The overlook is a large cement platform, complete with coin-operated binoculars, that looks out over Independence Lake and beyond to Lake Superior.
Mount Marquette Loop: Cliff Power Rd, Marquette, MI 49855
Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook: Big Bay, MI 49808
Stroll among the Lower Harbor Ore Dock
Photo: Gerald A. DeBoer/Shutterstock
Marquette’s history is tightly linked to iron ore, and the most striking representations of that industry are the ore docks. The Lower Harbor Ore Dock is massive: 969 feet long, 85 feet high, and 68 feet wide, constructed mostly of steel and concrete. Iron ore is mined inland, transported by rail to the shore, and then transferred to ships via the ore docks. The Upper Harbor Ore Dock on the north side of the city is still in use, while the unused Lower Harbor Ore Dock is a keystone of a plan to create a sustainable community center that preserves local history and is currently used as a background for fireworks and laser shows. The waterfront adjacent to the ore dock includes docks for private boats, a sailing school, a walking pier, and the “Seven Grandfather Teachings” sculpture.
Lower Harbor Ore Dock: City Multi Use Path, Marquette, MI 49855
Take a guided kayak tour
Photo: Craig Benson
The lake can be as much of a playground as the forest. While Lake Superior can be temperamental (thinking about the Edmund Fitzgerald), when it’s calm, it’s perfect for kayaking. Try a guided tour around Presque Isle. You’ll learn about local history, see hidden sea caves, and view the black rock cliffs from a different angle. You’ll paddle through crystal clear waters while enjoying the natural beauty of Presque Isle.
Marquette Mountain Resort Kayak Tours: 4501 M-553, Marquette, MI 49855
Mountain bike through the forest
Photo: Craig Benson
Your options for mountain biking are virtually unlimited in Marquette. If downhill is your thing, Marquette Mountain Resort sheds its wintery skin as a ski resort and becomes a mountain biking playground in the warmer months. With eight miles of trails and a range of difficulty from beginner to expert, and with the lifts ferrying you to the top of the runs, Marquette Mountain can satisfy all your adrenaline needs.
Cross-country mountain biking can be one of the best ways to experience and learn about an area. The 47-mile Iron Ore Heritage Trail takes you through three cities, along the edge of Lake Superior, past historical mines, alongside and over streams and rivers, and through the dense woods. The Noquemanon Trail Network, a non-profit trail management organization, has over 85 miles of single track, two pump tracks, and a campground that it maintains for mountain biking and winter sports. The non-profit also runs the Marquette Trails Festival in the spring, which is a celebration of the local trail network and includes running races and a variety of mountain bike races, like dual slalom and cross country.
If you’re looking to test yourself against other mountain bikers, Marquette hosts multiple world-class events. I’ve already mentioned the popular Honor Credit Union Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic, one of the largest races in Michigan. In the fall, test yourself with the Marji Gesick race, said by some to be the hardest single-day race in the US, or in the winter, brave the cold with the Polar Roll Fat Bike race, where the tagline is “It gets worse until it gets worser.”
Marquette Mountain Resort: 4501 M-553, Marquette, MI 49855
Lakeshore Bike Mountain Bike Rentals: 505 N Lakeshore Blvd, Marquette, MI 49855
Where to eat and drink in Marquette
The Delft Bistro
Located inside an old movie theater and still sporting the old marquee out front, The Delft Bistro serves upscale American bistro dishes with high-quality locally sourced ingredients. It’s open for brunch and dinner and has live music some evenings. During my stay, I enjoyed brunch and had the breakfast burrito with fresh vegetables and locally sourced eggs and bacon.
The Delft Bistro: 139 West Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855
Iron Bay Restaurant and Drinkery
Photo: Craig Benson
With an ethos that belies the manufacturing and mining roots of the historic 150-plus-year-old building, Iron Bay’s website states, “Every day is Earth Day”. The restaurant, right on the waterfront with views of the Ore Dock, serves soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers, all made with ingredients from local Upper Peninsula farms, and offers a wide variety of small-batch beers, notably from local breweries. The walls are covered in historical pictures, artifacts, and memorabilia, like a museum, and your server will bring you the key card on which you can read about the history of the building. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert. While I was there, I went to “Brownie Town,” as my server, Evan, called it.
Iron Bay Restaurant and Drinkery: 105 E Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855
Vierling Restaurant and Marquette Harbor Brewery
The Vierling, like Iron Bay, is a lovingly restored old building with deep historical roots. Originally built in 1886 as a “gentleman’s saloon” and recently taken over by the head chef and brewer, it’s known for its seafood, Italian dishes, and craft beers brewed on site. I had the pesto tortellini, which was not only delicious but came in a generous portion.
The Vierling Restaurant: 119 South Front St, Marquette, MI 49855
Stucko’s Pub & Grill
Stucko’s is a sports bar’s sports bar with 14 flat screen TVs and a lively atmosphere. Named after the founders, Mike and Sonia Stucko, the spot has been voted as having the best burger in Marquette, and with, as they say, the “Funnest wait staff in Marquette.” The menu is high-end classic pub food, like burgers, nachos, and sandwiches, but there’s also less common pub fare like poutine, brussels sprouts salad, and a Friday fish fry. I enjoyed the Southwest salad.
Stucko’s Pub & Grill: 900 N 3rd St, Marquette, MI 49855
Babycakes Muffin Company
For coffee, baked goods, or a grab-and-go breakfast, try Babycakes Muffin Company, conveniently located downtown on West Washington Street. I picked up a Babycakes Meaty Breakfast Wrap to go as I rushed off to the Ore to Shore mountain bike race. It isn’t only take-out, though; Babycakes has a cute dining area where you can relax and watch the shoppers walk by on West Washington.
Babycakes Muffin Company: 223 W Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855
Kognisjon Bryggeri
A brewpub and live music venue, Kognisjon Bryggeri (Cognition Brewery in Norwegian) serves 27 beers on tap and food provided by the Third Street Grill. I stopped in on a whim when I saw the sign announcing live music, and I ended up with one of the best root beer floats I’ve ever had.
Kognisjon Bryggeri: 1034 North 3rd St, Marquette, MI 49855
Where to stay in Marquette:
Landmark Inn
I stayed at the almost 100-year-old Landmark Inn on my recent visit to Marquette. The hotel is pet-friendly and conveniently located minutes from downtown restaurants and pubs, and the Lower Harbor Ore Dock is just down the hill. My room was on the sixth floor, giving me an expansive view out over the harbor and Lake Superior beyond. On the other end of the sixth floor is the Crow’s Nest, with the best view of any bar in town. Downstairs, the Northland Gastropub serves classic pub food and local beer on tap in an English pub atmosphere. On Sunday mornings, the gastropub has a Bloody Mary bar.
The hotel has hosted some notable guests in the past, including Amelia Earhart and Abbott and Costello. More recently, the Rolling Stones drank in the Northland pub on the way to their road manager’s funeral.
Landmark Inn: 230 North Front St, Marquette, MI 49855
Getting to and around Marquette
Photo: Gerald Bernard/Shutterstock
The easiest way to get to Marquette is to fly. The nearest major city, Green Bay, Wisconsin, is over three hours away by car. Coming from California, I flew to Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport after a stop in Minneapolis.
Marquette’s downtown area is very walkable. The docks, the main dining and shopping areas, the museums, and several of the hotel options are all within a mile or so of each other. Rideshare and taxis are options, and there’s public transportation within the city, but really, your best option if you’re going to spend any time exploring the surrounding area is a rental car.
