Things to Do in Marquette MI

Lake Superior lives up to its name…it’s superior in size and depth to all the other Great Lakes. It’s also the largest freshwater lake in North America: it straddles Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. You can certainly boat (but don’t fall in; it’s cold, even during the hottest summer days), and you’re likely to have a lot of luck if you try your hand at fishing in the critter-rich waters. The water is clean and clear, so exploring from the shoreline is enjoyable as well.

Foodies take note! The East Side Dining District in Marquette offers locally owned, independently operated culinary delights for you to explore. Whether you’re hankering for local freshwater fish, bakery items, a grab-n-go meal or a seated feast, this is the place you’ll find the best dining Marquette has to offer. Bon appétit!

If you’re interested in the history of the Great Lakes, or perhaps the history of some of the famed shipwrecks that have occurred nearby, you’ll want to stop by the Marquette Maritime Museum. If you have kids, ask about the scavenger hunt designed for them. And even if you’re by yourself, be sure to take advantage of the optional lighthouse tour. It’s an amazing piece of history and the views are spectacular.

Marquette, Michigan has a history rich in mining and trade, as well as an unrivaled social and maritime history. This center aims to capture all of it, and treasures found here include an invitation to Lincoln’s inauguration and a program signed by Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as early post office record books and railroad accident logs. You will be amazed by the stories of long ago, and you’ll leave a little wiser about this important town’s history.

If you’ve got a few hours for some educational fun, grab your kids and head to the U.P. Children’s Museum. This spot is unique in that hundreds of children were taken through more than 20 design processes to design all the exhibits – so the fanciful, whimsical, educational and just plain silly thoughts made it into everything you see. Even if you’re just a kid at heart, you’ll have fun touring the hands-on museum and you’ll learn a bit, too.

This nonprofit theater serves the Marquette (and Upper Peninsula) community by producing live theater that focuses on presenting and preserving history. The lineup includes comedies, dramas and more unique pieces that engage and thrill the audience. Oddly perhaps, you need to head to the Lake Superior Yacht Yard to catch a show: during summer months, the boat house is transformed into the theater.

If you’re a walker, hiker or biker, take note: the Noquemanon Trail Network is an extensive system of paths designed for recreational, non-motorized use. The trails are constantly being maintained and new trails are being built, working toward the goal of 100 miles of pathways by 2020. Each trail is color coded, so check out the cool website before your wheels or feet touch the path. The trailhead is well equipped and you won’t find nicer conditions for a serious journey

While Marquette often has a big-city feel, nowhere will you notice the intimacy of a small town more than in the downtown shopping district. Perched on the rocky and picturesque shores of Lake Superior, the charming area offers unique clothing and gift shops as well as gourmet places to dine and galleries and museums to explore. It’s quite an afternoon or evening out!

230 North Front Street, Marquette, Michigan