Planning Your Trip to Marquette, Michigan

Marquette is one of Michigan’s hidden gems! A small town right on Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette has opportunities for adventures galore as well as amazing restaurants and a fascinating history. I have traveled to Marquette many times, and others on my team have been as well. Below are our recommendations and connections to help you plan an amazing trip to Marquette.

First, let’s introduce you to our connection up there! Fran Sevegney is a UP native and knows the area from both a personal and real estate perspective. He’s a mountain biker, fat biker, cross-country skier, hunter, and fisherman. He’s your go-to guy for all things adventure in Marquette as well as any real estate questions you may have for that area.

Adventures in Marquette

Marquette, MI is situated right on Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The best way to travel is by car to this location. Marquette is well-known for it’s amazing scenery with the famous Blackrocks along the shore, rolling rocky terrain and beautiful forests. It also has a rich history as a mining town of iron ore. There are massive ore docks that were and are used to load trains and freighters with iron ore for distribution around the entire U.S.

Mountain biking: The NTN and RAMBA trails in Marquette are some of the best Michigan has to offer. There are sections for every rider and for those wanting more technical trails, you’ll find stuff up there you don’t see in the lower peninsula of Michigan giving up a more unique ride. These trails are also amazingly picturesque! Between woods, waterfalls, rivers, and rocks, you’ll never be wanting for amazing scenery. These trails are part of the infamous Marji Gesick race and other races like Ore to Shore, Crusher, and Polar Roll. In the winter, they become premium fat biking trails!

Hiking: There are so many amazing trails and areas to hike as well! Some key places include Sugarloaf and Hogback Mountains. Though it should be noted that our mountains are somewhat laughable when compared to the Appalachian and especially the Rocky Mountains. But they are still incredibly beautiful, especially during the vibrant fall colors. There are dozens of waterfalls as well, with some of the most famous being the Dead River Falls.

Rock Climbing: There are few places in Michigan where you can rock climb, and Marquette is one of them. There are a variety of Toprope, Sport, and Trad climbs in the area, with some of the tallest climbs reaching 79ft. Ice climbing in the area is a big draw for climbers as well. Ice Fest, the biggest ice climbing festival in the U.S., happens in Munising, and there are classes that go to Marquette during that festival which is only an hour away, during February. If you’re looking for local experts, go talk with the guys at Down Wind Sports.

ATV and Off-Roading: Off-Roading is also an amazing way to see the rugged terrain of Marquette as well! There are miles of off-road and state forest trails to ride and explore.

Must Visit Spots in Marquette

Presque Isle Park: It is not really an island, but it is a peninsula that juts out in to Lake Superior. It’s a 323-acre park that is free to enter with amazing hiking trails and lakeshore views! There are rock cliffs, gorgeous forests, and peaceful scenes. The famous Blackrocks are located in the park as well. They are Basalt rock formations created from the rapid cooling of lava and are fun to climb on and explore. When Lake Superior is roaring, watching the waves crash into the Blackrocks creates an awe-inspiring scene. There is a seasonal road that can be driven or biked that is about two miles and there are parking areas throughout the park to see some of the vistas for people who have a harder time walking. If you can walk and hike, we highly recommend meandering along the lakeshore as you’ll find some amazing vistas.

Sugarloaf Mountain: The most popular out of the two mountains in Marquette as it is easier to climb, Sugarloaf offers amazing panoramic views of Lake Superior and is a very popular sunset spot.

Dead River Falls: These picturesque waterfalls are a bit of a trek to get to, but reward you well with multiple waterfalls along the trail even before you hit the biggest ones. The scenery here is stunning with old growth forests and lots of rocks and rapids. This blog has some amazing pictures and great information regarding the trail.

Our Favorite Places to Eat

Iron Bay Restaurant and Drinkery: Themed around the iron ore industry of the area, the restaurant is in an old engine works factory, which adds to the historic charm. There are benches and tables made from the iron grates used on the Mackinac Bridge, newspaper clippings, and historic photos all around. It’s a highly popular destination, and there isn’t as much seating as some restaurants. So I highly suggest that you create a reservation. Also, order the Whitefish Tater Tots. You won’t regret it.

Blackrocks Brewery: Named for the famous Blackrocks of Marquette, the idea of this brewery was literally brewed in Dave and Andy’s basements. They went from basement brewers to opening the pub in 2010 and it has been one of the most popular spots in Marquette since! They even distribute their beer statewide and into Wisconsin and Minnesota! Recently you may have seen them take over as the title sponsor of Barry-Roubaix. Blackrocks is always a great place to stop for a beer, especially out on their deck!

Jilbert’s Dairy: This is THE place to go for the best value of ice cream. Think big scoops and homemade ice cream. They even have some fun items you can purchase there while you’re eating your ice cream. They have dozens of amazing flavors and all of their milk comes from local farmers.

Donckers: If you’re looking for old-timey vibes, this is the place to go! The old soda fountain and booths in the back are so nostalgic. They serve lunches, handmade candies, coffee, and ice cream. There’s fun items to shop for and they are attached to a larger store for more shopping fun. A great stop!

Places to Stay

Tourist Park: I love camping, and there are a number of campgrounds in the area. Tourist Park is a well-kept, campground with decent facilities. It’s well-priced as well. Located close to downtown, Presque Isle, and more of the sights of Marquette, I’ve found it to be a great value. Just know you are close enough to the Ore Docks that you can hear the train activity quite well from the campground. This is also a county/city park so there are some sports activities that happen at the athletic fields as well.