Residing on the shores of the biggest freshwater lake in America, Marquette, Michigan, is a historic city. Once just an iron ore shipping post, the city has now been transformed into a tourist hotspot that offers amazing history, incredible places, and various activities to indulge in.
This city offers water-based activities like skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing during the winter and hiking and wilderness discovery during the warmer seasons. The city also includes a variety of other things to do for visitors all year.
If you are thinking, What is there to do in Marquette Michigan? then this list is especially for you since we are going to discuss in length the 20 amazing things to do in Marquette Michigan, down below.
1. Explore Presque Isle Park
The first thing on the list is the number 1 most recommended thing to do in the city for visitors, as told by the locals: explore Presque Isle Park. This park stretches across 323 acres of forests and touches Lake Superior, giving visitors unhindered scenes of amazing, clear waters as well as the incredible wilderness.
The park offers biking and hiking trails that let visitors enjoy the lush landscape of the park and the amazing views of Lake Superior that you can get from the numerous cliffs scattered around the park. All in all, this park is a must-visit when in the city and offers a lot of activities once inside for anyone who visits.
2. Bike Or Hike The North Country Trail
The North Country Trail is one of the longest hiking and biking trails in the country, spanning 4,800 miles across eight states. The Marquette Area Chapter of the trail goes along the Lake Superior shoreline, offering amazing views of the lake and a very scenic hike through the green forest of the city.
This trail features waterfalls, lush forests, wet shores, and incredible views through the wilderness of the Upper Peninsula. Nature enthusiasts and backpacking lovers often find their havens in this part of the trail once they set eyes on the local Hogback Mountain, the Little Garlic Falls, and other POIs that seem to go on forever even in a city so small.
3. Cliff Jump At The Black Rocks
If you are one of those adventurous and courageous kinds of travelers, the tall cliffs called the Black Rocks inside Presque Isle Park are a no-brainer. This spot offers the perfect platform for you to cliff jump into Lake Superior, which is the biggest freshwater lake in the country. The jump will definitely get adrenaline racing inside you.
One of the tallest jumps in the Black Rocks is from an ancient rock formation about 20–30 feet over Lake Superior and is one of the most photographed places when it comes to cliff diving. You will likely find other fellow cliff diving enthusiasts around the area during the summer, as this is one of the most popular activities here.
4. Visit The Lakenenland Sculpture Park
A very fun and colorful place to visit in the city is Lakenenland Sculpture Park, which is said to be the most beloved of the Marquette Michigan attractions. This park features a 37-acre space filled with hundreds of metal sculptures and art pieces made using junk and scrap metal by Tom Lakenen, who owns the park.
The park also includes fishing ponds, a picnic ground, entertainment stages, a playground for kids, a bog walk, and a framed pavilion with very unique and eye-catching carvings. Lakenenland Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is also free to anybody who wants to try out the Sculpture Trail in the park.
5. Discover The Michigan Iron Industry Museum
As mentioned before, this city is and was known in the whole region as an iron-ore mining spot, and the city embraces that identity with open arms. The Michigan Iron Industry Museum, which opened to the public in 1987, houses artifacts and memorabilia, hoping to educate visitors about the mining history of the area and the industry.
This is called one of the best small museums in the area and is loved by locals as well as tourists visiting for the first time. The museum also shows a short film about the introduction of iron ore to the area upon the arrival of the visitor. They also include a gift shop and an interactive area where the kids can indulge in some hands-on activities.
6. Stroll Along The Marquette Harbor Lighthouse
Located inside Presque Isle Park, the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse is a famous and instantly identifiable landmark in the area. Most magazines, papers, or websites that talk about this town actually also include a photograph of this lighthouse in their features to help identify the city to people who do not know the city in detail.
This is a historic landmark that has been standing in the same spot since 1853; some renovations have taken place. Used in the past to guide ore ships to shore, this tall, bright red lighthouse looks very picturesque standing in front of a backdrop of Lake Superior and is a historic site that is also a must-visit when in the city.
7. Experience The U.S. Ski And Snowboard Hall Of Fame
Just a little ways away from the actual town of Marquette lies the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, which is in itself a worthy visit. This museum was created to honor the greats of the skiing and snowboarding legends of the country and houses their plaques and equipment for visitors to see and learn about.
Granted, this spot is only desirable to a few, but this is a really good place to visit, as people who have visited have highly rated it and recommended it to people in the area. The museum also seeks to educate visitors about the impact that the legends of skiing and snowboarding had on the sport itself and how they shaped it to where it is today.
8. Relax On The Shores Of Little Presque Isle Beach
Another part of the same park is Little Presque Isle Beach, which is a small beach located on the shores of Lake Superior. Across from the beach is a small island called Little Presque Isle, which visitors can go to during the summer when the shore of the lake is shallow enough and features a unique ecosystem and landscape.
Some of the activities that visitors can engage in while here are fishing in Lake Superior, swimming during the day, and enjoying the scenic views either from the beach or from the island right next to the beach. Moreover, the island, besides the beach, is known as the crown jewel of Lake Superior, as offers amazing landscapes and a small, lush green forest.
9. Gold Or Play Disc Golf At Kaufman Sports Complex
For the sports enthusiasts who visit this town, the Kaufman Sports Complex offers visitors with a variety of sports for them to engage in. The complex itself houses three soccer fields, four softball fields, a BMX track, and a spectator seating area for visitors to live view the sports being played from a safe and comfortable distance.
The complex also has separate spaces for golf and disc golf and allows rentals of golf-clubs and BMX bikes for visitors to use while here. They also offer a pavilion with restrooms and a massive picnic area for visitors to rest and enjoy. This is a must for all sports fans as well as BMX bike lovers.
10. Immerse Yourself In the Marquette Regional History Museum
One of the most recommended Marquette tourist attractions in the area is the Marquette Regional History Museum, which hopes to educate visitors about the founding of the city, cultures that shaped the city, sports that have been played here historically, and the impact COVID-19 had on the city and its inhabitants in recent years.
This museum offers a deep dive into everything related to the city as well as the surrounding areas. This museum also houses artifacts and memorabilia from the city’s past, exhibits showing the city’s history, and photographs from the city’s past and present in order to explain the city's history and culture to visitors in a more detailed way.
11. Feel The Creativity At The DeVos Art Museum
A very cozy and short duration activity to do in the city is visiting the DeVos Art Museum, located in the center of the Down Campus. This museum offers an ever-changing exhibition showcasing the recent artworks and projects of the students on campus. This museum is filled with such artwork and only takes about an hour to finish.
Additionally, this spot also serves as a music venue from time to time and features a lot of amazing artists from all over the world. You are bound to find a very cozy and intimate performance being offered here if you time your visit right. On top of that, this venue also has a photographic exhibition demonstrating the history of the city.
12. Kayak, Canoe, Or Paddleboard On Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake on both the American continents and the largest in the world by surface area. Visitors are offered a vast number of activities to indulge in on and around the lake. They can rent out kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to go onto the water to enjoy the scenic views and feel adventurous at the same time.
The establishments around the lake also offer classes and guided tours for you to learn how to successfully mount a paddleboard, ride a kayak, or canoe at very affordable prices. The clear turquoise water of the lake allows for an amazing experience, as though flying through the air with your oars, and an unforgettable memory of Lake Superior.
13. Go Fishing In The Pristine Waters
Adding to that, you can also fish in Lake Superior since it is home to a myriad of different marine life. This lake is famous for the pike that you can fish here, which is available all year. They offer chartered vessels as well as fishing equipment on rent for you to use while you fish for game on the water.
Best of all, there are other species of fish that you are certain to catch, like bass, walleye, salmon, trout, perch, sturgeon, and much more. Due to the size of the lake, most anglers and fishing enthusiasts approach fishing here akin to fishing in the ocean, making it a very unique and interesting fishing spot.
14. Enjoy Family Fun At The UP Children's Museum
From one museum to another, the Upper Peninsula (UP) Children’s Museum offers the younger visitors of the city a chance to take in the city in a very interesting way. This museum features interactive exhibits especially made for children to enjoy and learn from. The venue is also available for reservations for birthday parties.
The museum features exhibits like All Aboard!, Mini Landmark Inn, The Human Body, Where’s Your Water?, Micro-Society, Over the Air, The Fantastic Forest, and much more for the entertainment and education of children as well as adults. These exhibits also feature imaginative play areas where children get to role-play and learn interactively.
15. Chase Northern Lights In The Winter
We have all heard of how incredibly beautiful and mystical the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are, as seen almost every day in either the far northern or the southern regions of the globe. But you can also catch the northern lights from the city during the winter, and it is one of the most breath-taking things to see in Marquette Michigan.
The Northern Lights are a phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from solar winds strike the magnetosphere of the Earth, creating bright and magical lights for you to witness from the surface that will leave you speechless. You can see these lights during the winter at Sugarloaf Mountain, Wetmore Landing, Presque Isle Park, Little Presque Isle, and other places in the city.
16. Indulge In Local Craft Beer And Food
Just as every amazing city in the world, this city too has its own cuisine and an amazing craft beer scene for you to explore, along with the scenery in the city. The area features an extensive list of some of the more amazing restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries for you to explore and spend time in.
Some of the best restaurants in the area include Steinhaus, Portside Inn, Donckers, Vango’s Pizza, Delft Bistro, and many more, that serve the best local cuisine in the. Also, some places that serve the best craft beer are Stucko’s Pub & Grill, Vierling Restaurant and Marquette Harbor Bay, Kognisjon Bryggeri, Barrel + Beam, Blackrocks Brewery, and a lot more.
17. Explore The Charming Downtown Area
The downtown of this city houses amazing restaurants, shops, exhibits, bars, and hotels, allowing amazing views of Lake Superior and access to the whole of the city. The downtown area of the city is filled with historic buildings that still retain their old styles and showcase charm and vibe of the city like no other surrounding area can.
Moreover, downtown in the city also houses the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse that has been mentioned in the list before, which allows amazing views of the lake as well as a serene view of the city. Also, this area has some of the best cafes and bakeries in the city for you to enjoy your coffee, muffins, and cookies in.
18. Take A Scenic Drive Along The Lake Superior Circle Tour
Since this city is situated on the shores of one of the great lakes in the country, it is part of the Lake Superior Circle Tour, which goes around the city. It is a good idea to drive around the lake, looking at points of interest that reflect the history of the lake as well as the city. This part of the tour usually takes people the longest to finish.
The full Circle Tour includes a lot of other cities and things to do around Marquette Michigan even going into Canada in some parts. But, this city is one of the highlights of the tours because of the scenic views available from here as well as the hospitality provided by the people who call this city home; this drive is a must-do activity.
19. Attend A Music Festival Or Event
If you are ever in Michigan in July and think, “I am in Marquette Michigan What To Do?” then you are in luck because one of the longest-running and largest festivals of its kind, the Hiawatha Annual Traditional Music Festival, happens here at Tourist Park, featuring amazing artists and bands that offer some of the best music for your ears.
Along with the Hiawatha Festival, the area is also the grounds for the Orton Park festival which takes place in August, the Waterfront festival which happens in June, and the New Year’s festival which occurs during New Year’s Day in January, ensuring that you have the entertainment and the atmosphere to enjoy while you are here.
20. Experience The Thrill Of Winter Sports
Coming back to Lake Superior, because of the lake, the city offers a vast number of adventurous and exciting water sports for visitors to enjoy. The waters here are extremely versatile at what they have to offer, as they can get as calm as possible and as rowdy as they can be. This condition allows the city to have water sports ready for visitors all year.
Normal activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing are already on the table. However, extreme sports like surfing, paddleboarding, waterskiing, cliff-diving, free-diving, and scuba-diving are also available for visitors to the lake. There are specialized outlets for you to rent out guides and equipment in the city, allowing for an amazing time to be had here.
