TAKE A REFRESHING DIP
Known for its crystal clear, cold waters, Lake Superior, the world's largest freshwater lake, is an adventure unto itself. Take a refreshing dip, paddle along the shore, or walk the sandy beaches and dip your toes in the big lake known as Gitche Gumee or “Gichi-gami” as the Anishinaabeg call her. How ever you choose to experience it, you are going to want to check this one off your bucket list. The experience is sure to leave an impression that will stay with you until you are drawn back to its shores once again.
VISIT A LIGHTHOUSE
Iconic, historic, picturesque, these beacons in the night have long guided ships and sailors safely home. It’s no surprise that the world’s largest freshwater lake has an abundance of lighthouses on its shores and islands. Marquette County and the surrounding area are home to a few historic beacons. Start with a visit to Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, where you can learn about the iron ore trade and triumphs and disasters on this vast lake in the Marquette Maritime Museum. Paint it, sketch it, or take a snap in front of this iconic red lighthouse. It’s the perfect moment to capture on your trip.
CATCH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
One of the few places in the lower 48 where you experience this otherworldly phenomenon is right here in Marquette County. The vast expanse of Lake Superior provides a dark sky atmosphere not available in most cities. For the best viewing opportunity, plan ahead and follow our tips on the best months (September through March), locations, and atmosphere (clear, cloudless night) to see the luminous glow of the aurora borealis.
TAKE IN A SUPERIOR VIEW
From Sugarloaf to Hogback Mountain, there are plenty of peaks in Marquette that will reward you with Superior views. No matter the season, you’ll find awe-inspiring beauty, from a forest canopy bursting with fall color to snow-covered hills with ice pancakes floating along the lake. A hike up one of these peaks is sure to deliver a view you’ll long remember—and one worth returning for.
CHASE A WATERFALL
Marquette County has 10 explorable waterfalls, some with easy access, others requiring a little more effort. No matter your experience level, you are bound to find one or two within your reach. A visit to Marquette isn’t complete without a hike through a cool green forest to chill by the rushing water of one of these natural wonders. Take the family on a peaceful drive on picturesque CR 510 to Big Pup Creek Falls, or challenge yourself with an 8-mile hike to Little Garlic Falls. Whichever you choose to seek out, you will want to check one of these gems off your bucket list.
STARGAZE UNDER DARK SKIES
Celestial viewing in Marquette isn’t limited to trying to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The black expanse of Lake Superior at night provides the perfect canvas to reflect the stars above. On a clear night, head to Clark Lambros Beach Park or a more remote spot like Wetmore Landing or M-28 Beach and gaze upwards and look for the gauzy fabric of the Milky Way suspended in the sky above.
TAKE A DAY TRIP
Marquette is a great base from which to explore some of the incredible natural beauty of the U.P. Just an hour’s drive from Marquette, you’ll discover several natural wonders worth visiting, from the stunning geological formations of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, America’s first National Lakeshore, where you can paddle beneath towering sandstone cliffs, to the winter wonderland of the Eben Ice Caves. Plan a day trip to explore more of the rugged beauty of the U.P., from Canyon Falls, considered the Grand Canyon of the U.P. to the turquoise waters of Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s largest freshwater spring, there are plenty of adventures to discover!
