A Weekend in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Welcome to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Land of the Yoopers as locals who live in the U.P. are called. The Upper Peninsula is full of outdoor wonders to explore in all seasons, rain or shine. Originally a huge mining community, the U.P. has grown into a wondrous home for wildlife and the local community. Start your journey in Marquette, MI, home to Northern Michigan University.

How to get to Marquette

Located about 20 minutes south of Marquette, Sawyer International Airport is the easiest place to fly into to begin your adventure. Once you land, you will need to rent a car to easily get around all of the recommendations in this guide.

Sawyer International Airport

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A small airport serving the greater Marquette area. Located just south of Marquette about 15-20 minutes.

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Things to Do in Marquette

Downtown Marquette - Harbor Side Adventures

Marquette is well known for being a great place to spend some time in the great outdoors. 

Marquette Harbor Lighthouse

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With its bright red color, this lighthouse pops against the darker waters surrounding the area. Nice nature area to check out around it. Most of the lighthouse is NOT accessible to the public, but the local grounds have a decent view of the lighthouse in the distance.

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Lower Harbor Ore Dock

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Once used for shipping iron ore, this massive site sits in the water just a short distance from shore. Its sheer size makes it easy to see and is unique to the area. In the winter, the bay area is known to freeze over and locals skate here. WINTER NOTE: PLEASE ALWAYS check ice conditions prior to walking on it. NEVER ASSUME. Lake Superior is deep, has currents, and may not freeze enough to walk on. Bring all necessary rescue equipment if you do venture out, and never go alone.

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Presque Isle Park

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Home to the Black Rocks of Marquette, this lovely park is the perfect place to relax by the water or explore the rock cliffs and waves in winter. If walking on uneven surfaces please ALWAYS use caution. The waves are dangerous and can knock people off the rock edges.

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Black Rocks

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Very well known part of Presque Isle Park where people often will jump off the rocks into the water. Do not jump into water you cannot see what is below you. This is dangerous and all people do so at their own risk. Lake Superior is dangerous and people have been injured.

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Northern Michigan University

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Check out a local sporting event on campus! NMU is home to some great sports to enjoy. Great family fun!

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Upper Peninsula Children's Museum

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Great for indoor family fun while in the Marquette area.

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Take a short drive from downtown Marquette to get in touch with some of the local nature favorites just outside the city limits. How many places can you see a waterfall just minutes from downtown. 

Dead River Falls

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A short 0.6 mile hike on a well marked trail with easy parking at the trailhead to a waterfall. Please remember all leave no trace principles.

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Sugarloaf Mountain

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One of the best viewpoints in the Marquette area is Sugarloaf Mountain. It is well worth the short hike up to see the views. We highly recommend this in the fall to see the changing leaf colors

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Mt. Marquette Overlook

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Great lookout overview of the whole area and is a great place to sit and enjoy nature.

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Places to Eat

Lawry's Pasty Shop

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To have the most authentic U.P. experience you must visit a Pasty shop. Lawry's is one of the very best in the Marquette area

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North Central U.P. Outdoor Activities

Continue your journey along the northern lakeshore to enjoy parts of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. There is so much to see here in both winter and summer. In the summer season, we highly recommend doing a kayak tour or boat tour to see the rocks from the water. Its an entirely different experience of the same space. 

Eben Ice Caves Trailhead

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The trailhead is located on private property. Please always respect local signs and remember this is someones property to begin your walk on. Highly recommend to wear spikes to make your walk there doable. Ice is dangerous. Plan your trip ahead of time and come prepared for possible dangerous winter weather. Only climb ice if you are trained and have proper gear. Do not stand directly under icicles as they can fall at anytime.

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Munising Falls

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One of the easiest waterfalls to access by walking along the paved trail to the lookout spot. Please stay on the trail.

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Lakenenland

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Unique metal sculpture park that is free to visit. Take an easy drive through Lakenenland to see everything that the local artist created.

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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

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Hike the trails along the upper shoreline to see glimpses of the magnificent rock formations. From the water you can see various waterfalls, hidden caves and much more. Lake Superior is dangerous and very cold, especially in the winter season.

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Miners Falls

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Majestic falls to enjoy

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Sable Falls

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Not a super long hike to the waterfall but lots of stairs. After reaching the waterfall you can continue your walk all the way to the beach to see Lake Superior.

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North Eastern U.P. Adventures

Tahquamenon Falls

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Easy parking located at the main visitor center area. This is a state park and you will need a pass to enter. Daily passes can be purchased on site. There is a paved walk over to the upper falls lookout - at the end you will have to climb 94 steps to reach the lookout platform. There is platform to see the gorge view as well. It has over 116 stairs to climb to access. Can get very busy in the summer/tourist seasons. Fall is a great time to visit. We most recently visited in the winter and wow was it still a great experience.

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Crisp Point Lighthouse

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DO NOT TRAVEL TO IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. Road out to this lighthouse is NOT paved, and it's very bumpy. There is limited phone service. If there is mud, I would avoid. If there is even a few inches of snow, I would not recommend. In the summer/pristine winter conditions it is a beautiful lighthouse to enjoy. Article linked to this location took place on the road to Crisp Point.

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Whitefish Point

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Historical lighthouse and home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck museum about the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. Over 200 shipwrecks have taken place in the vicinity of Whitefish point in Lake Superior.

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Southern U.P. Adventures

Located in the Southern part of the Upper Peninsula, near Manisitque, MI is Palm Book State Park. You will need a state park pass to enter this space. As MI residents you can elect to add an annual state park pass to your license plate for just $12 (as of 2023). Day passes are also available to purchase.

Palms Book State Park

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Small state park home to Kitch-iti-kipi or Big Spring that is well known. There is a small boat type structure that you can go across the spring as well.

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Kitch-iti-kipi

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Take a ride on this unusual boat option across the Big Spring and enjoy looking at the depths of the water.

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Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse

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Small lighthouse along the breakwater pier. Do not walk along pier when waves are high or weather is not ideal for safety. People have been swept off this pier.

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The Grind Coffee House

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Small local coffee shop. Great place to grab a coffee and relax a bit.

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Bridge View Park

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Great spot to enjoy views of the Mackinac Bridge that spans between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. It is one of the largest suspension bridges that exists. You do have to pay a toll fee to cross it.

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Michigans Upper Peninsula has so much to offer year round. The lush forests that surround the area bring peace, beautiful nature to enjoy and the perfect destination to relax in. There is something for everyone - especially those who prefer history and nature. 

For a list of current events to check out while you visit, please go to the official Travel Marquette website for the most up to date list of weekly activites.

Travel Marquette Michigan - Upcoming Events

www.travelmarquette.com