Things To Do In Marquette
HIKING & BIKING TRAILS
Marquette is home to some of the best Hiking and Biking trails anywhere. From an easy stroll to some serious climbing, on foot or by bike, you will never lack for places to see or go.
SKIING
(2.2 Miles) – SHIRAS PLANETARIUM
The Shiras Planetarium is the only planetarium in the Upper Peninsula, running shows once a week and for school events. The planetarium is attatched to the southwest corner of Marquette Senior High School. The shows change monthly, with features including Endless Horizons and Planets of the Solar System. Relax in reclining chairs and learn about the starry sky above us!
(2.4 Miles) – MARQUETTE GOLF CLUB
Marquette Golf Club is home to the Heritage and Greywalls courses, with 36 total holes. Heritage is the original course built in 1926 and is moderately difficult. Greywalls was opened in 2005, and in 15 years has built a reputation of being a difficult but beautiful course. After playing a round, golfers can unwind in the clubhouse or browse the proshop.
2019 Awards
WJR Best Courses You Can Play – #1 (Michigan)
Golf Magazine Top 100 Courses You Can Play – #80 (U.S.A.)
GolfWeeks’s “Best Courses You Can Play” – (#2 Michigan)
GolfWeek’s “Best Modern Courses” – #82 (United States)
(2.7 Miles) – U.P. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The U.P. Children’s Museum’s is an interactive museum and learning center designed by children with the idea that education can be fun. Rotating showcases include “The Incredible Journey”- a tour of the body and its functions, “Over the Air”- where kids can simulate flying a plane and broadcast over the TV and radio, and a town center with everything from a beauty shop to a grocery store. Every station is designed to ensure a fun time while being educated. Be sure to check out the museum calendar to see monthly events and programs available for children of any age.
(2.8 Miles) – LAKE SUPERIOR THEATRE
Lake Superior Theatre has become a cultural Marquette highlight since it’s opening in 1999. Each summer, the theater group puts on a variety of plays and musical theater, with many of them focusing on “Yooper” life. Past plays include “Guys and Dolls”, “Superior Hero”, “Points North”, and the original classic “Beacon on the Rock”. Shows are held in a remodeled yacht yard located between Mattson Park and the Coast Guard break wall in downtown Marquette. Call ahead for tickets or stop by the ticket kiosk located in Mattson Park.
(2.8 Miles) – MARQUETTE COUNTY HISTORY MUSEUM
The Marquette County History Museum is a non-profit museum created to preserve the unique heritage of Marquette and the Upper Peninsula. The museum is home to many permanent showcases, including the “Anatomy of a Yooper”, which explains the history of U.P. culture. Native American history, early trading life, and mining culture are also highlighted. Along with the permanent exhibits, each spring a new display is introduced. Be sure to check the website for upcoming events.
(2.8 Miles) – MARQUETTE MARITIME MUSEUM
The Marquette Maritime Museum is dedicated to protecting Marquette’s maritime history. Exhibits like the Edmund Fitzgerald and Lake Superior Shipwrecks are memorials for great lake tragedies. The kids will enjoy the activity table and interactive pilot house. Also offered is a tour of the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, a historic beacon now controlled by the U.S. Coast Guard. Built in 1866 to guide ore ships, the lighthouse first level has been converted into a museum, while the second floor continues guiding ships.
(2.9 Miles) – PETER WHITE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Built in 1904, the Peter White Public Library is currently the largest public library in the Upper Peninsula, with over 22,000 card holders. The friendly staff is trained to help patrons navigate through sections like “Juvenile”, “Adult” and “Career” making the right book easy to find. The library is also holds an audio/visual department, periodicals, archived materials, and public computers. Local artwork is displayed on the main floor, along with monthy displays. The lower level is home to the Marquette Arts and Culture Center, which produces plays and holds classes from healthy living to sculpture. Tu Kaluthia is a Mediterranean eatery on the lower level, next to an auditorium used for plays and local events.
(3.2 Miles) – DOWNWIND SPORTS
Down Wind Sports is a sporting goods store specializing in outdoor recreation. Conveniently located in downtown Marquette, this local business features supplies for sports of all seasons including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and kayaking. Not only does Down Wind sell premium equipment and apparel, they also provide rentals for those who are visiting or wish to try before buying.
(3.3 Miles) – NMU PEIF FACILITY
Northern Michigan University’s PEIF building is located off-campus between the Berry Events Center and the Superior Dome in north Marquette. While owned by the University, the PEIF is open to the public and is a great place to get a fun workout. The two-level facility has cardio machines, a weight room, and two large basketball courts. The climbing wall is family-friendly and an exciting activity on a rainy day. The PEIF is home to two pools, one with lap lanes and another with five diving boards, including a platform. A dance studio, spinning studio and racquetball courts are also available on site. Note that children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
(3.3 Miles) – YMCA OF MARQUETTE
The YMCA of Marquette County is a family-oriented workout facility, with activities for all ages. Children will enjoy the padded Kids Gym with foam toys, or they can relax under the supervision of YMCA employees in the Kidz Zone. The Y Lounge for has video games, pool tables, crafts, and games for children ages 5 and up. The outdoor skate park has three ramps and various rails, but skaters must check-in at the front desk before utilizing the park. Adults can use the Wellness Facility, equipped with various exercise options including elliptical machines, treadmills, stair climbers, and weights. Personal trainers are available for an added fee. Check the aerobics schedule for a variety of classes. The YMCA pool has a rain tree and water slide, perfect for kids, or a lap pool for serious swimmers. The hot tub and sauna are a perfect way to unwind after a long workout.
(3.5 Miles) – LAKEVIEW ARENA
Lakeview Arena is home to the Marquette Senior High School Redmen, and Marquette Junior Hockey, and was home to Northern Michigan University hockey from 1976-1999. Aside from the Redmen and youth hockey games, Lakeview opens for public skating and drop-in hockey, and skates can be rented for a minimal fee. Lakeview also houses yearly events such as the circus and concerts. Outside the facility is a skateboard park open in summertime. Located right off the lake and next to the YMCA, Lakeview is the perfect stop for a fun workout!
(3.7 Miles) – HOOKED UP CHARTERS
Hooked Up Charters provides exciting fishing charters in Lake Superior. Lake Trout, Rainbow, Steelhead and Salmon are some of the common fish caught in the lake. Fly fishing trips are also available for a two-day experience. If not interested in fishing, there are charters to tour Huron Island, Granot Loma, and Marquette harbor. Uncle Ducky’s also rents out boats, canoes and kayaks for a self-guided tour of the area.
(11.9 Miles) – SKI AND SNOWBOARD HALL OF FAME
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum is a national museum to recognize skiers and snowboarders who excel in their sport as competitors or donors. Stars such as Tommy Moe, Picabo Street and Jonny Mosely have been inducted into the hall of fame since its opening in 1954. Designated the “Birthplace of Organized Skiing”, Ishpeming is the perfect location for the museum due to local popularity and enthusiasm for the sport. The museum boasts a vast collection of historical artifacts and popular exhibits. Located right off US41, you can’t miss the unique architecture, as the building was constructed to resemble a ski jump.
(12.5 Miles) – OJIBWA CASINO
The Marquette Ojibwa casino offers a variety of gaming options for gamblers. Slot machines are available starting at $.01 and up to $5.00. Table games include Blackjack, Pitch, Craps and Roulette. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights the casino hosts no-limit Texas Hold’Em tournaments. A snack bar and full drink bar are available at the casino. Check the website for special promotions.
(15.2 Miles) – DA YOOPERS TOURIST TRAP
The first stop on any trip to “Da Yoopers Tourist Trap” is the large outdoor walk-through museum. The grounds contain some typical U.P. humor displays like “Camp-Go-For-Beer” and “The Man Camp”. Also on the must-see list are creative Yooper innovations such as the world’s first payloader, “Gus”- the biggest running chainsaw in the world and “Big Ernie”- the largest working rifle in the world. Local artwork and historical exhibits including the underground mining display complete the outdoor museum. Inside, Yooper gifts, apparel, sports memorabilia, gag-gifts, collectibles and more line the store walls. “Da Yoopers Tourist Trap” is located in Ishpeming on US41 West.
(15.7 Miles) – CLIFFS SHAFT MINING MUSEUM
The Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum in Ishpeming is open June - September. Walk back in history to see local historical artifacts representing the local community during the great mining era. View historical displays of miners and mines past and present, headgear & other safety equipment available to miners of yesteryear, and displays on blasting and diamond drilling equipment. Stop in the Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club's room and view over 500 minerals from the local area, the Upper Peninsula, Midwest and the world. Take a guided tour of the tunnels that the miners walked to the base of the C-Shaft and listen to the history of mining from those who worked the mines. Follow up the stairs past old underground iron ore cars with a stop at the blacksmith shop. Go outside to view towers 97’ to 174’ high which were used to lower miners 1250’ into the bowels of the earth. Stand beside a 170-ton Iron Ore Truck with tires 12 feet high. Don’t forget your camera so you can have a memento of your visit standing inside the 30 ton shovel bucket in front of the Dry building or in front of the 170-ton Iron Ore truck. End your tour in the gift shop to pick up memorabilia of your visit. The museum open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm with a nominal admission. Check us out on Facebook for year round fun facts and information.
(15.8 Miles) – MAPLE LANE ARCHERY AND SKI CENTER
Maple Lane is a great place to enjoy the snow-covered hills of Skandia. Located 15 miles south of Marquette, this cross-country ski center offers trails ranging in difficulty. Skiers who do not have their own equipment can buy or rent skis, poles, and outerwear; if equipment needs wax or repairs, Maple Lane also provides those services. After a day outside, skiers can relax in the lodge with some hot cocoa and snacks by the fire. In the summer season, Maple Lane has archery equipment and fields to practice shooting.
(44.4 Miles) – PICTURED ROCKS CRUISE
Experience the beautiful shoreline of Lake Superior in this three hour, 37 mile Pictured Rocks cruise. One of the nine boats will leave Munising tour the bay, showing off the unique rock formations along the coast. Included in the sights are famous Miner’s Castle, Indian Head, Lovers Leap, waterfalls, cliffs, and dunes. The friendly crew points out historical and cultural sites around Munising Bay. The tour also offers a sunset cruise departing in the evening, providing exquisite views of the same U.P. scenery.
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