This Is The Friendliest Small Town In The Northern United States
Its location on Lake Superior’s south shore a few hours’ drive from the Canadian border and the cities of Green Bay and Milwaukee hasn’t hurt Marquette’s reputation as a friendly town. Tourism plays a major role in the town, accounting for 15% of its economy with visitors spending an estimated $250 million here each year, making hospitality (and being hospitable) a key factor in its continued growth.
Marquette perfectly illustrates how a popular tourist destination can balance its reputation as a friendly place to visit with meeting the needs and interests of the many visitors from across the region. In fact, residents and town officials alike have done a stellar job of maintaining the open-armed culture that gives Marquette its friendly edge. Here’s what you can expect when you visit this wonderful Great Lakes community.
Marquette’s Early History
Founded in 1849 as New Worcester by a trio of iron ore entrepreneurs, the initially small Great Lakes settlement was soon renamed Marquette to honor 17th-century Jesuit explorer Father Jacques Marquette. Ore docks soon son followed, lining the harbor as the Marquette & Pacific Railroad began hauling hematite to waiting ore boats, cementing the town’s importance as a shipping center.
Much of this industrial heritage remains visible today at the massive 1,250-foot-long Lower Harbor Ore Dock. Built in 1931 and currently abandoned, plans are afoot to turn this huge structure into a public park; in the meantime, it makes for a dramatic backdrop for a great photo. Another maritime landmark, the bright red Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, dates from 1866 and continues to guard the harbor channel into Superior Bay.
Outdoor Fun On Superior’s Shore
Despite being the Upper Peninsula’s largest community and commercial hub, Marquette’s walkability and tight-knit community vibe make it feel intimate. Take a stroll along Washington Street and you’ll be greeted with a smile by residents and business owners alike, setting the tone for your visit.
Ask any of these friendly locals what they regard as Marquette’s top attraction, and they’ll undoubtedly tell you it’s Presque Isle Park. Just three miles north of the downtown core, this 323-acre wooded peninsula features a scenic loop road that regularly closes to motor vehicles so walkers, cyclists, and local wildlife can enjoy car-free peace and quiet in this pretty park. The park’s also known for its dramatic Blackrocks, the 1.7 billion-year-old black basalt that defines its unique landscape.
Established in 1886 after the headland was deeded to Marquette by the US Congress, it remains a delightful place to explore. Highlights include picnic tables at Sunset Point and the famous cliffs, popular for jumping and diving into Lake Superior. The park does get busy on weekends, so if you’re able to fend off your urge to get in some cliff jumping for a weekday, try to do so.
Nearby Sugarloaf Mountain is another must-visit natural attraction in Marquette. While a short walk to the panoramic views from the Sugarloaf Mountain Observation Decks, it’s a steep one, with 304 steps leading to the 470-foot summit. But the spectacular Lake Superior views are worth getting out of breath for.
Those who enjoy a longer hike can explore the 150 miles of Noquemanon Trail Network. Established for non-motorized use only, these trails are also great for mountain bikers and, come winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Whatever season you visit, the trails are maintained for the most part by dedicated local volunteers, some of whom you’ll no doubt see while using them (so say “hello”).
On winter evenings, the downtown Marquette Commons venue becomes a free public ice rink staffed by Downtown Development Authority volunteers who hand out complimentary hot chocolate.
Marquette’s Historic Sites and Cultural Landmarks
Marquette’s friendliness extends to the volunteers and staff of its indoor attractions, too. The volunteer-driven Lake Superior Theatre converts a 1920s boathouse into a 150-seat playhouse every July and August, while Northern Michigan University’s 515-seat Forest Roberts Theatre dates from the 1960s and stages everything from Shakespeare to premieres by local writers and students.
It’s hard to miss the 143-foot-tall Superior Dome. Located on the grounds of Northern Michigan University (NMU), this massive structure holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest wooden dome, and is fun to visit even if nothing’s on when you’re there. Consisting of 781 Douglas-fir ribs and five-acre playing field, its scale is simply breathtaking.
Heritage buffs should include the Marquette Regional History Center on their travel itinerary, too. Though a compact attraction, its displays of the natural- and cultural history provide a fascinating perspective on this part of the Great Lakes. The Maritime Museum is also worth visiting and regularly offers tours of the town’s lighthouse, while the town’s Queen Anne-style Carnegie Library was built in 1904 and frequently hosts creative-writing workshops and readings by Upper Peninsula authors.
Stay And Play In Marquette
Ask any resident where to stay in Marquette and chances are they’ll point to the Landmark Inn, a 1930 Art Deco hotel once known as the Northland. Past guests range from Amelia Earhart to Louis Armstrong, but today the hotel’s best known for its sixth-floor Crow’s Nest with its superb town views. For budget accommodations, the Superior Stay Hotel is handily located directly opposite NMU’s campus.
Marquette is also making a name for its dining scene, too. The restored Vierling Restaurant & Marquette Harbor Brewery occupies an 1885 oak-lined saloon bar overlooking the Lower Harbor and pours a Blueberry Wheat beer that’s highly recommended. Just a short walk from here, Donckers opened in 1896 and still roasts peanuts for its salt-caramel fudge. Its soda fountain features the original marble counter that has witnessed five generations of townsfolk. Other notable spots for sweet treats or brews include Blackrocks Brewery, housed in a yellow heritage building, and Third Street Bagel.
If you have to visit during one of the busier times in Marquette’s calendar, there are plenty of great events to focus your attention on. February’s UP200 Sled Dog Race is a great winter excursion and sees these amazing hounds race through town over routes ranging from 26 to 228 miles. July’s Downtown Blueberry Festival is the star of the town’s social calendar, with downtown businesses selling everything from blueberry pizza, beer, and pies along a pedestrianized Washington Street.
The Bottom Line
From the volunteers who staff attractions and clear bike trails to the locals who pour pints and provide guest services, every interaction confirms the fact that Marquette doesn’t just welcome visitors, it encourages them to demonstrate the same love and respect for this amazing small town as they do. If you do just that, you’ll find Marquette fully deserves its reputation as the friendliest town in the Northern United States.
