Marquette (Michigan)

• 🌍 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.

• 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)

• 🌍 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)

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. Two routes are maintained: one route is a steeper climb, and the other ascends more gradually. Both routes include staircases over rock outcroppings, especially near the summit. The view from the top is spectacular - a great photo spot. Also one of the best places for autumn foliage viewing. (updated Mar 2016)
• 🌍 Presque Isle Park. A city-owned area with boat slips, picnic areas, trails, a sheltered pavilion, and a refreshment shop. Presque Isle Park is flanked by the Upper Harbor to the south, and by Lake Superior to the east and north, and northwest. It's a city park but feels much bigger. The trail around the perimeter of the island meanders through the woods, occasionally popping out for breathtaking views of cliffs and the lake. Presque Isle Park is found by following Lake Shore Drive northward, just past the north harbor ore dock. The refreshment shop is closed in the winter, as is the one-lane, one-way road around the "Island," as the park is known locally, but remains open to snow-showing, cross-country skiing, and hiking in the winter months. (updated Mar 2016)
• Little Presque Isle The Little Presque Isle tract is often called the crown jewel of Lake Superior, with its beautiful sand beaches, rugged shoreline cliffs, heavily timbered forests, and unmatched public views. The proposed natural area occurs north and south of Little Presque Point, around the mouth of Harlow Creek. The area is a combination of a wooded dune and swale community and bedrock lakeshore and cliff. The wooded dunes and swales formed as post-glacial lake levels receded, depositing a series of low sandy beach ridges. Since then, the ridges have become forested with hemlock, red pine, white pine, cedar, and balsam fir, while the wet swales that developed between them are now either forested or open wetlands.

Marquette has challenging trails for freeride mountain biking.

• Follow the bike path from Presque Isle Park, all the way to south Marquette. This path was added within the last 10 years or so, and has become very popular. Just be prepared to share it with pedestrians and the occasional rollerblader.
• Ore to Shore (mountain bike race). In the summer, Marquette is host to the Ore to Shore mountain bike race. (updated Mar 2016)

For good riding advice, stop by Lakeshore Bikes or the Quick Stop Bike Shop. Guys at both shops are avid riders and will be happy to point you in the right direction.

You can fish Lake Superior, the inland lakes, and many creeks and streams. Licensing, minimum length of caught fish, and fish limits are regulated by the Michigan DNR, which publishes a fishing guide .

• Uncle Ducky's Charter Fishing, 434 East Prospect St, ☏ +1-877-228-5447. Fishing trips on Lake Superior. Otherwise you can fish off of the breakwall downtown, which is accessible from the Coast Guard station off of Lakeshore Drive (just north of downtown), or one of the inland lakes and streams. (updated Mar 2016)

• Hiawatha Traditional American Music Festival. (updated Jun 2017)
• Art on the Rocks. An outdoor art show. (updated Jun 2017)
• Annual Fourth of July fest at Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park, just steps from downtown. Also the site for fireworks.

Bad weather? Had enough of the outdoors? Check out these alternatives.

• Northern Michigan University sporting events. Northern Michigan University (aka, 'Northern' or 'NMU') has a good hockey team and it's worth going to the games. NMU is also home to the Superior Dome, one of the largest wooden domes in the world and host to NMU football and indoor track (updated Mar 2016)

• The Vierling Restaurant and Marquette Harbor Brewery, No. 119 South Front, ☏ +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 its to 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. (updated Mar 2016)
• Togo's Submarine Sandwich Shop, 1000 N. Third St, ☏ +1 906 226-6535. (updated Mar 2016)

• Elizabeth's Chop House, 113 S. Front St, ☏ +1 906 228-0900. (updated Mar 2016)