Marquette Michigan is a destination that can satisfy a wide variety of interests. Found on Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula region, this home of Northern Michigan University offers inviting beaches, and during the winter season, the hilly terrain and the abundance of snow help to provide some good skiing and snowboarding opportunities. This is just the start, and it certainly doesn't hurt that the downtown district has a lot going on.

Marquette has a population of around 21,000 people and is the most populated city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula region. Another interesting fact about this city is that it gets a ton of snowfall. Of the US cities that are large enough to be considered, Marquette MI is the fifth snowiest, meaning that it gets more than its fair share of the white stuff during the winter months. In fact, the city averages well over 100 inches of snow on an annual basis, and right on the southern fringes of town is the Marquette Mountain Ski Area. This ski resort actually claims to get more than 200 inches of snow on an annual basis, and the 600-foot vertical drop is among the highest in the Midwest. In the summer, the lifts at Marquette Mountain are used primarily for mountain bikers who want to take on the fun trails.

Both paved and unpaved bike trails can be found in and around Marquette Michigan, and there are also plenty of hiking and cross-country skiing trails. Other things that the area trails can be used for are snowshoeing and snowmobiling, which helps to make the city a great year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Michigan Map

Also adding to the city's overall allure on the recreational front are its parks and recreational facilities. The most renowned park in the land is Presque Isle Park on the north side. It covers more than 300 acres, and the highly forested land juts out wonderfully into Lake Superior. Fredrick Law Olmsted was the park's designer, and you might be interested to know that he also designed New York City's Central Park and a number of other parks around the country. Among the facilities at Presque Isle Park are picnic tables, barbecue grilling pits, a band shell, a nature center, a marina, and a playground. There are also trails for walking and cross-country skiing.

When the mercury rises during the summer season in Marquette MI, many visitors and residents make a break for one of the city's beaches. There are six miles of public beaches in Marquette, and since the water is relatively cold throughout the year, beachgoers can definitely beat the summer heat by taking a dip. Two of the most popular beaches in Marquette are the beaches at McCarty's Cove and South Beach Park. Both have lifeguards during the summer, and facilities include barbecue grills, picnic areas, and playgrounds. The Michigan beaches in general offer a lot in the way of variety, and this is certainly clear throughout the Marquette region. Some of the most spectacular strips of sand in the entire state are actually found in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which is only some 40 miles east of Marquette.

As you might imagine this far north, hockey is a popular sport. In Marquette, one of the best places to play is the Lakeview Arena. Formerly home of Northern Michigan University's hockey program, the arena is now owned by the city's Parks and Recreation Department. Various events are held at the Lakeview Arena, so it isn't just a hockey facility. Also a venue for local events is the Superior Dome, which is commonly referred to by residents as the YooperDome. The largest wooden dome on the planet, the Superior Dome hosts Northern Michigan University football games, as well as regional high school football games and a variety of private and public functions.

Taking a tour of the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse near McCarty's Cove is just one more option for things to do in Marquette Michigan, and those who are looking for lodging might be interested to know that a lighthouse just north of the city operates as a bed and breakfast. The Big Bay Point Light, as this lighthouse is known, is situated at 3 Lighthouse Road in Big Bay and offers fourteen rooms.

For those who are searching for Marquette Michigan lodging that is a little closer to the heart of town, the Landmark Inn is not to be overlooked. Found at 230 North Front Street, this historic hotel is right in the heart of the historic downtown core. This means that guests can easily walk to galleries, shops, museums, and restaurants. Elegant is a word that could be used to describe the Landmark Inn, and you might find the list of past guests to be fascinating. This list includes Abbott and Costello, Amelia Earhart, Louis Armstrong, and The Rolling Stones.