Things To Do & Places to Eat

HOTplate Clayworks

This is one of Jenn's favorite places to visit for some creative fun - specifically for painting cermaic pieces. Even if you are from out of town and want to complete a fun project, HOTplate will mail deliver your pieces! This is an awsome place to visit with kids.

Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain is a 1.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Marquette, Michigan that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and snowshoeing and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. For more info, including directions on how to get there, please visit: https://www.michigan.org/article/trip-idea/sugarloaf-mountain-short-hike-amazing-view

Mount Marquette Loop

This is a beautiful spot for a panaramic view of the city of Marquette. This 1,200ft mountain is a popular scenic outlook that offers an expansive view of historic Marquette’s cityscape and Superior shoreline. Mt. Marquette is moderately accessible by car or foot, which makes it a quick trip to the top, but once you see the view you’re sure to slow down to take it all in. For more info, including directions, please visit: https://www.travelmarquette.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking/mt-marquette/

Dead River Falls

Dead River Falls is a 1.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Marquette, Michigan that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and snowshoeing and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail. For more info, including directions, please visit: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/michigan/dead-river-falls

Hogback Mountain

Hogback Mountain is a 2.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Marquette, Michigan that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. For more info, including directions, please visit: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/michigan/hogback-mountain?ref=result-card

Yoop-Phoria

A fantastic family-friendly frozen yogurt shop that is fun for all! You may even catch some live music if you're lucky.

Boomerang Retro & Relics

This fun shop offersnew vintage-style clothing, as well as real vintage clothing, assessories, and kitchenware.

Top of the World

Top of the World is a rocky overlook that lacks obvious prominence but nevertheless offers an incredible view. In the warm months, it's possible to drive almost all the way to the top via M-550, Harlow Lake Road and Forestville Road/County Road HD. If you prefer a moderate workout instead, read on for the most popular hiking route to the overlook. For more details, including instructions, please visit: https://www.travelmarquette.com/blog/post/top-of-the-world-marquette-mi/

Upper Peninsula Children's Museum

This is a perfect, family-friendly activity for all ages. The interactive museum will surely dazzle your kids - and let's be honest, tire them out!

South Beach Park

South Beach Park is one of the more family-friendly beaches in town, just outside the commotion of the city.

McCarty's Cove

McCarty's Cove is the most popular beach in town, placed right next to the statuesce red Marquette lighthouse; this particular beach is typically flooded with rowdy Northern Michigan Univeristy students partying off the school year stress.

Clark Lambros Beach Park

The beach we had our firwst date at! Clark Lambros Beach is a family-friendly beach in town, just outside of Presque Isle Park.

Presque Isle Park Drive & Blackrocks

Preque Isle Park is a beautiful way to take in Marquette's beauty. This drive/walk path will take you next to the coast, to the iconic Blackrocks, a hot spot to jump off a 20-30 foot cliff into chilly Lake Superior, and through Sunset Point, one of the best sites to gaze off into Lake Superior as the bright colors bounce and twinkle off the water and create a picturesque view.

Risak Pottery Studio

The Risak Pottery shop, located next to two other artisan building on your way into Presque Isle Park, is a one-of-a-kind pottery shop that will leave you in awe at the unique, artistic works upon their shelves

Escape Marquette

Marquette Maritime Museum

Farmer's Market at the Marquette Commons

Held every Saturday morning from 9:00am to 1:00pm, immurse yourself in all things artisan - from food, to clothing, to rugs, and to bath and body products. We never leave the market without snagging a couple of Mother Mary's Dilly Beans and Temple Treasure's homemade soaps and lotions!

Da Yoopers Tourist Trap

Free admission? Free bathrooms? Anymore questions? Head on over to Da Yooper Trap for some free, family-friendly fun in a quirky park.

Little Presque

Calling all adventurists: take a walk out to iconic Little Presue to see the incrdible windward and leeward sides of this tiny island. However, beware of the lake conditions when crossing through Lake Superior. You can walk to the island as the water doesn't suprass an average adult chest. Only pass to the island if he water AND wind are both calm. On your walk over, you will feel the current, so just be careful. Once you get to the island, you will see a clear path that circumnavigates the area. More mor information, including directions, please visit: https://michigan.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,1,fid,630743,n,little%20presque%20isle.cfm

NMU Golf Course

Join the families here on Saturday, June 25th for a fmaily gold outing!

Lake Kitch-iti-kipi

One of our favorite places to visit on our drives back downstate!

Miners Castle Point

Miners Castle is located within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and is a tourist favorite to visit. Don't forget to go on a kayak tour of Pictured Rocks while your're there! For more information and directions, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/places/miners-castle.htm

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Laughing Whitefish Falls

Admire nature whilst taking a short, walk through the woods to gaze upon Laughing Witefish falls - described as one of Michigan's "most impressive" waterfalls. The mile long walk to the falls is a fairly even path that is well maintained. For more information and directions, please visit: https://gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/laughingwhitefish.shtml

Wagner Falls

These idyllic falls are only one of more than 300 waterfalls present in the U.P. Located just before one passes through the town of Munising, these falls offer an easily accesible, beautiful escape pit stop to enjoy along the way to Marquette. For more information, please visit: https://www.michigan.org/property/wagner-falls-scenic-site

Teal Lake Pizzeria

Nestled on the shore of Teal Lake, Teal Lake Pizzaria is one of the first restaurants we explored while we were newly dating during fall of 2016. Not only are the pizzas and breadsticks tasty, but the dessert pies are a must try!

The Pasta Shop

Stop for a bite at The Pasta Shop, located on one of Marquette's busiest stretches: 3rd Street. This homemade style mom and pop shop carries our favorite pasta and garlic bread in town! Jenn's go-to order: gnocchi with cheese sauce, and an italian side salad (garlic bread included with pasta dish) Tommy's go-to order: fettucchini with cheese sauce and added chicken, and a cannoli (garlic bread included with pasta dish)

Sol Azteca

If you are looking for a margarita of of any size, then this is the place to stop! We love stopping in for chips and queso and frozen margaritas, but this is also a restaurant we have visited for several anniversaries, our last night together before Jenn left for New Zealand, and for other celebrations, as well as meeting each other's family members. The food is awesome, the drinks are strong, and a few of our friends have worked there for years. Sol Azteca never disappoints!

Portside Inn

Enjoy the best nautical restaurant around at Portside Inn, a restaurant we have many fond memories in - namely visits with new and old friends. Some of our favorite dishes from this establishment are: Lake Superior Whitefish Cakes, Edmund (sandwich), and Northwoods Dip (sandwich). Many, many people absolutely love the pizza and breadsticks here.

Donckers

Donkers old school candy and luncheon nook serves some of the best sandwhiches, sides, candy, and desserts around! Some of our favorite foods to enjoy here are: chocolate covered oreos, chocolate covered espresso beans, Scarecrow sandwich, East Coast Ruben, and Donkers Mac n Cheese. Fun fact: even former president Barack OBama ate at Donkers when he visited Marquette!

Rice Paddy

Order take out from Rice Paddy - the retaurant that went viral during the 2019 polar vortex after the owner, Aoy posted on Facebook "Fuck yeah we open!" Not only is Aoy a local celebrity, but her cream cheese wontons continue to imprint themselves upon local and visitor tastebuds. For only $3.75, you can enjoy 12 of Aoy's mouth-watering wontons and special dipping sauce. We also love the orange chicken and pad thai with chicken.

Jeffrey's Restaurant

Jeffrey's: the cure-all for hangovers! This is the classic NMU student hangout on Saturday and Sunday mornings along side the regular reirees. Some of our personal favorite orders include: biscuts & gravy with two scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese on top and Monte Crisco.

Coachlight Restaurant

"So, Jenn. Does Northern feel right?" Kathleen, Jenn's mom, asked her this the morning of their last day in Marquette when they drove up for a visitation. Inside this restaurant is where Jenn's decision to attend Northern Michigan Univeristy came to fruition. Alongside Jeffrey's Coachlight is another popular breakfast destination for locals.