Exploring Marquette Michigan on the Shores of Lake Superior

Enjoy the natural beauty of Presque Isle Park, the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, full service marinas, historic buildings, museums, fine restaurants, shopping, art galleries, interesting places to visit, and great recreational opportunities in Marquette, Michigan (map). Named after Father Jacques Marquette, the town was founded in the mid-1800's and was an important Lake Superior shipping port for the iron mining industry.

Marquette has been named one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations in the United States by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Enjoy awesome views of Lake Superior, historic neighborhoods, delightful downtown area, and art galleries.

Lodging, Businesses, & Recreation in Marquette, Michigan 

Marquette is a busy community and home of Northern Michigan University, the Superior Dome, and the Olympic Education Center. Visit the downtown area where you will find a rich heritage portrayed in historic buildings, the Marquette County Historical Society, and the Peter White Library. Tour the red Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, the Maritime Museum, and stop at the World War II Silent Service Memorial just outside the Maritime Museum honoring the USS Darter and Dace crews.

Many historic 19th century buildings are located in the downtown area. Walk or drive around the area and notice the striking architecture, the unique specialty shops, interesting studios and galleries, and fine restaurants. There is ample parking available and a playground and picnic area by the Marina.

Marquette Historical Society Museum and the J.M. Longyear Research Library, 213 N. Front St., Marquette. Phone: (906) 226-3571. Open Monday through Friday year round. Pick up a map for a walking tour of downtown Marquette.

Marquette Maritime Museum: 300 Lakeshore Blvd., Marquette, MI Phone:(906) 226-2006.
The Maritime Museum is located in the Old Water Works Building and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stop in and arrange your tour of the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse. Nautical books and gifts. Open Mid-May through October
Marquette Maritime Museum. The museum showcases the history of the areas shipping industry. Open the third week in May through October. Guided tours of the Marquette Lighthouse. Operational Fresnel Lens from Stannard Rock, one of the largest lenses used on the Great Lakes. Edmund Fitzgerals display. World War II Silent Service Memorial honoring USS DARTER and USS DACE crews. Gift shop with maritime books, CD's , videos, lighthouses, and nautical gifts.

Upper Peninsula Children's Museum 123 W. Baraga, Marquette (906) 226-3911. Enjoy your visit where all of the exhibits in the investigation station are products of kids' imaginations. Open year round, hours vary with seasons.

U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame and Museum, 610 Palms Avenue (on U.S. 41), Ishpeming (906) 485-6323. The birthplace of organized skiing. Displays and exhibits presenting the growth and development of Alpine and Nordic skiing. Ski Hall Gift Shop. Open year round. Hours vary according to season

Ore Docks at the Upper Harbor
The Tilden and Empire Mines west of Marquette are still shipping ore from the ore docks in Marquette, and you just might see a freighter loading or unloading at the docks in the north harbor by Presque Isle Park.
Marquette Upper Harbor Light	The Saganaw, a self-unloading steamer built in 1953, is at the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad Ore Dock on the north side of Marquette by Presque Isle Park.

Explore the rich Mining heritage where iron ore was discovered in 1844 in Negaunee

Michigan Iron Industry Museum, 73 Forge Road, Negaunee, MI. Phone: (906) 475-7857. Located overlooking the Carp River and on the site of the first iron forge in the Lake Superior region. Exhibits, interpretive path, and slide presentation. Located on the site of the first iron forge in the Lake Superior region. Admission is free. Open daily May through October.

Cliff's Shaft Mine Museum 501 W. Euclid St., Ishpeming (906) 485-1882. Tour the historical grounds where iron miners walked for approximately 100 years and see exhibits, mining archives, maps, photographs, and equipment (9 buildings). View historical and unique obelisk head frames and the only Koeppe Hoist System in USA. Gift Shop and tunnel tours. See the fine collection and mineral displays of the Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club and the Ishpeming Historical Society. Open Memorial Day thru Fall, Tuesday - Saturday 12-5 pm. Nominal fee. Call 906-485-1882. 501 W. Euclid St. Ishpeming, MI. 2 blocks south of US-41 on Lakeshore Drive.

Tours of the Tilden Iron Mine south of Negaunee, June through August, Tuesday through Saturday. 1-888-578-6489

Recreation

Presque Isle Park
Enjoy a drive along the rugged Lake Superior shoreline to Presque Isle Park a favorite spot for picnicking, hiking, biking, or just sitting and relaxing as you enjoy Lake Superior, the Upper Harbor Light, and the wooded park, an unfenced home for several whitetail deer. Grills, picnic tables, swimming pool, and an ice cream stand for delicious hand dipped cones.

Many Recreational Opportunities await you in the Marquette area: Enjoy hiking or biking on the local trails, fishing, canoeing, sea-kayaking, or scuba diving in the Marquette Underwater Preserve. Golf at the several area courses. Drive north on County Road 550 about 5 miles to Little Presque Isle where you will find sand beaches, shoreline cliffs, forests, songbird trail, hiking trails, and wonderful scenic views. Sugar Loaf Mountain Scenic Lookout offers a magnificent view of Lake Superior. There are several area waterfalls with maps available at local businesses.

Winter brings lots of snow and downhill skiers and snowboarders will have a great time at Marquette Mountain, while cross-country skiers will enjoy the trails at the Al Quaal Recreation area and the other groomed ski trails.

Snowmobilers will find a nice trail system through the south side of Marquette with over 200 miles of groomed trails. Ride east on the now opened trail to Munising or head west to connecting trails that take you to Big Bay, Gwinn, or that connect throughout the entire Upper Peninsula

Marquette Tourism Information Center Located on Highway M-28 & US-41 on the east side of Marquette on the shores of Lake Superior Visitor Information, Picnic Tables, Observation Deck, and a path to the sandy beach

Marquette was named one of the 25 Best Places to Retire by CNN Money in September, 2011. Some of the highlights are the local scenery & seasons, housing costs, offerings of Northern Michigan University, and the quality of the Marquette General Health System.

Enjoy our many Festivals, Arts and Craft Shows, and Special Events that are scheduled throughout the year along with our many sporting events such as sled dog races, mountain bike races, and cross-country ski events.

Exploring Ishpeming, Michigan

Upper Peninsula Towns and Cities

Upper Peninsula Food and Lodging

Upper Peninsula Traveler Home Page

Photos: Saganaw by Nicole Martin. Downtown Marquette by Mary Deloria.

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Visit Marquette, MI for your vacation on the shores of Lake Superior . Enjoy this fantastic area for outdoor recreation. Lodging accommodations, cabins, cottages, motels, B&B's, vacation homes in Marquette MI in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Vacation in Marquette County and enjoy special events, fine restaurants, unique shops, galleries, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, canoeing, fishing, sea-kayaking, scuba diving, hiking, mountain biking, golfing, shopping, and sightseeing.