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To Do

Marquette Harbor Lighthouse

300 N Lakeshore Blvd, Marquette, MI 49855

https://mqtmaritimemuseum.com/marquette-lighthouse

Lighthouse Tour Information
  • All tours must be escorted by museum staff/volunteer
  • Tours leave from museum entrance 
  • Walking tour – must be able to climb 45 steps
  • Tour consists of history of Lighthouse Park, Coast Guard, two floors of lighthouse, and catwalk.
  • The Lighthouse restoration process is ongoing. The second floor is the latest restoration.
  • Tours do not run in inclement weather
  • Tour lasts approximately one hour 
  • All visitors must stay with the tour guide at all times  

Tour Times: 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm, Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays)

Marquette Maritime Museum and Marquette Harbor Lighthouse 

are open MAY 13 through OCTOBER 8, 11:00am to 4:00pm,

Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays).

 Call ahead to reserve lighthouse tour tickets (906) 226-2006.

Purchase tickets at the Museum ticket counter. Tours leave from Museum Building.

Museum Tickets - $10/adult; $8/seniors

Lighthouse Tickets - $10/adult; $8/seniors

Both Tickets - $18/adult; $15/seniors

Marquette Maritime Museum

300 Lake Shore Bld, Marquette, MI 49855

https://mqtmaritimemuseum.com/plan-your-visit

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Warner Falls

GPS: 46.43333, -87.59888

Drive: 16 mi, 22 min (from downtown Marquette)

Drop: 20 ft 

Warner Falls is located just outside of Palmer, 20 miles southwest of Marquette on M-35. While this waterfall can be viewed from the highway, it’s best appreciated from a closer vantage point. Park your car past the guard point (fully off of the road), and follow the signage to the trails to see this small but mighty fall among autumn’s glorious orange and gold foliage. 

Directions:

  • Head south on Front St (0.339 mi)

  • At the traffic circle exit west on US-41 N (0.523 mi)

  • At the next traffic circle, take the third exit onto Grove St (2.21 mi) 

  • Turn left onto Co Rd 492 (4.33 mi) → Turn left on M-35 South (8.16 mi) → Park on the right side of M-35, the falls are a short trail hike west

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Rare Earth Goods & Café

A hidden gem in the heart of Ishpeming. The café pulls double duty as an art co-op and features organic foods, local art, and craft beer alongside your favorite caffeinated beverages.

Address: 200 E Division St, Ishpeming, MI 49849

Old Town Negaunee

You’ll find skeletal remains of a once-bustling mining town with nature reclaiming streets, stairwells, and sidewalks that lead to nowhere.

Address: Negaunee Downtown Historic District, Negaunee, MI; Between Peck St and Rail St AND Tobin St and North Teal Lake Ave)

Old Catholic Cemetery 

Little more than a sign and a path in the woods now since most of the tombstones were removed in the early 1900s. However, not all the bodies were found, and neighbors have reported commotion in the area. 

Address: Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 1400 Wright St, Marquette, MI 49855

Jilbert Dairy

200 Meeske Ave, Marqeutte, MI 49855

Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook

County Road 510, Big Bay, MI 49808

Top of the World Scenic Overlook

A scenic overlook where the view is too good not to share! It’s also easy to get to if you don’t have a lot of time for a long hike. To get there, head out to Harlow Lake via 550 from Marquette. Turn down Harlow Lake Road and drive up the steep dirt road until you see a parking area and trailhead on your right. You can only do this drive in the warmer months because at some point in the winter the road will not be plowed. Once you park, it’s a short uphill climb to two huge rock outcroppings with unobstructed views all the way down to Lake Superior. You can see Little Presque Isle, Hogsback Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain from up here too. Little Fern has made the trek several times and has yet to see the view. We’ll have to remedy that one day!

Echo Lake

Echo Lake must be a well-kept secret because we rarely see anyone else out on the trails. This 480-acre Nature Conservancy property is just past Harlow Lake and offers two different hikes for visitors. One is an overlook with views of the colorful woods and the other winds around the peninsula that juts into the lake offering a clear view of the colorful forest. It’s also incredibly quiet out here, no road noise at all. The Peninsula Trail is .4 miles down to the water and an easy walk. If you have little ones with you or people not as experienced with hiking, this trail is much easier than the Overlook Trail. If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, the Overlook Trail is .6 miles and a steady climb up. The forest is quite thick so the view isn’t as dramatic as others but it’s still beautiful.

Mount Marquette

If you want a view of the lake and the city of Marquette without any hiking, drive up to the top of Mount Marquette. On a clear day, you can see a quilted landscape of autumn colors and the entire city of Marquette, including Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome and the Ore Dock. This point is easy to find using app navigation but drive south of town to 553 and turn on Mt. Marquette Road and drive to the top. This is a one-way road and quite steep so I’d only drive it if you have 4wheel drive. 

Mount Marquette, not to be confused with Marquette Mountain, offers an extensive city view accessible by car or on foot, making it ideal for explorers of all ages and abilities. Located just two miles east of downtown Marquette, visitors can reach this scenic spot by turning left on Cliff Power Road. This one-way drive takes you to the top of the mountain and back down to County Road 553.

The road to the summit can be a bit rugged, narrow, and steep, but the short drive is well worth it for the unique vantage point it offers. Note that it's a seasonal road, only open to snowmobiles in winter. From 1,200 feet up, you can experience Marquette from a different perspective and take in the all-encompassing view of the city and Lake Superior.

To reach the top, follow Mt. Marquette Road as it winds up the mountain. At the summit, park your car and head to the outlook area for a spectacular view. There are several viewing areas: the first requires a few steps up over rocky, uneven terrain, while the second offers easier footing, walking over flatter terrain. Both provide breathtaking panoramic views of Marquette and its surroundings.

Sugarloaf Mountain 

Short but sweet — this scenic hike is popular among locals and visitors alike, for good reason. Standing at an elevation of 470 feet, Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette, MI offers a unique outdoor experience with its rocky terrain and Superior views.

The half-mile trail is well-marked and takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes to reach the top. Take the 'easy' way for tamer terrain or the 'difficult' route for a faster, steeper climb. Be prepared to step over rocks and roots. The climb includes multiple staircases and is rated "moderate" in difficulty. The rewarding sights, however, are worth the effort. 

The summit of Sugarloaf Mountain provides panoramic views from three observation platforms, each with distinct vantage points that offer a serene setting for nature watching and photography.

The south-facing observation deck offers views of the city of Marquette, showcasing landmarks such as the Superior Dome, the Upper Ore Dock, and Presque Isle Park. 

The east-facing deck overlooks the vast Lake Superior shoreline with views of Wetmore Landing and Little Presque Isle to the north. 

The west-facing platform provides splendid views of the Huron Mountains and Hogsback Mountain.

Harlow Lake

No matter the season, this is the spot we got most often. There are tons of trails in this area that are dog-friendly and rarely crowded. Pack some happy hour supplies so after your hike, take in the sunset overlooking the lake. There is a parking area right by this giant outcropping which makes it really easy to climb up and enjoy the view while the sun goes down. No need for 4wheel drive to get to Harlow Lake and trailheads.

Presque Isle Park Overlook

This is one of the most popular places in town and it’s easy to see why the first time you visit. It’s over 300 acres of forest, trails, and some of the most beautiful views of Lake Superior and fall foliage. Frederick Law Olmstead (yep, Central Park Olmstead) visited Marquette in 1891 and recommended the city leave it alone so the public could enjoy its natural beauty. There’s free parking if you want to walk through the park but if you’re pressed for time, you can always drive the one-way loop for a gorgeous drive. When we have visitors in town we typically take them here first to do a quick drive through the park and take a walk over the prehistoric Blackrocks formation and photos at Sunset Pointe. We’ve yet to do it but if you’re really brave, you can jump off the Blackrocks into the freezing water.

 

Ore Docks

 

Presque Isle Gazebo and Lookout

Black Rocks

Lower Harbor Ore Dock

Dead River Falls

Shopping

NORTHERN LIGHTS GLASS - 415 N. Third, Marquette, MI 49855

M-F: 11A-8P  -  SAT: 12-8P  -  SUN: 12-5P

WATTSSON AND WATTSSON JEWELERS - 118 W Washington St, #100, Marquette, MI 49855

M-F: 10A-5:30P  -  SAT: 10A-4P

THE GALLERY - 130 W Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855

Open seven days a week.

906 AND COMPANY - 125 W Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855

Candles and boutique. 

FANCY-FREE - 131 East Michigan St, Marquette, MI 49855

An eclectic collection of artists in store. 

YOOPER SHIRTS - 503 North 3rd Street, Marquette, MI 49855

READ MY LIPS - 131 W Washington, Suite B, Marquette, MI 49855

Romance bookstore. 

TOUCH OF FINLAND - 2853 US-41, Marqutte, MI 49855

https://www.touchoffinland.com/ $$$$

Food

Donckers (GF!)
137 W Washington St
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 226-6110
Mon – Sat 7am to 7 pm, Sun 8 am to 4 pm

Honey Haven Baking Co (GF Exclusively!!) - 603 N 3rd St, Marquette, MI 49855

The Delft Bistro (GF!) - 139 W Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855

Third Coast Pizzeria (GF!) - 227 W Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855

Iron Bay Restaurant & Drinkery (GF!) - 105 E Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855

Café Bodgea (GF!) - 517 N 3rd St, Marquette, MI 49855

Lagniappe Cajun Creole Eatery (GF!)  - 145 Washington Street, Marquette, MI 49855

Trenary Toast Cafe (GF!) - 153 W Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855

Smelted Pizza x Matt's on Presque (GF!) - 1635 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI 49855

Babycakes Muffin Company (GF!) - 223 W Washington, Marquette, MI 49855

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