Located on the southern shores of Lake Superior, on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Marquette is a picturesque port town surrounded by dense coniferous and deciduous forests. The waters of Lake Superior provide several opportunities for recreational activities like surfing, kayaking, swimming, and lounging among the area's many soft sandy beaches. In addition, the nearby hills and nature reserves host hiking and mountain biking trails along with ski runs and tubing in the winter months.

As Michigan's largest city on the peninsula, home to Northern Michigan University, Marquette is a spirited college town with plenty of cultural offerings to keep you busy. You’ll also discover several craft breweries and restaurants nestled alongside Gothic and Romanesque-style historic buildings, including the Marquette Maritime Museum showcasing the area’s nautical heritage. Spending an evening on a restaurant patio while checking out the dancing Aurora Borealis lights makes for a wonderful outing in this vibrant, outdoorsy town.

The nearest major airport to Marquette is the Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) in Green Bay, Wisconsin, around a three-hour drive away. The closest regional airport is the Sawyer International Airport (MQT), just under 30 minutes away by car. A handful of bus operators have routes into Marquette from the surrounding metro areas. If you happen to be flying in, the most straightforward way to get into town is with a rental vehicle. Once you arrive, the central core of Marquette is compact and walkable. However, taking advantage of the broader array of activities further away will require some driving to reach the trailheads, beaches, and museums.

Marquette's climate has wide seasonal variations and weather conditions in terms of temperature and precipitation, with the area seeing relatively high humidity levels throughout the year. Summer months tend to bring increased rain levels and hotter temperatures from May to September. The Downtown Marquette Farmers Market is held through much of the summer and includes vendors selling locally sourced produce, baked goods, and crafts in addition to prepared food and artisanal products.

Fall is an excellent time to book vacation rentals in Marquette. Brisk temperatures, moderate weather, and a brilliant display of autumn hues make for enjoyable conditions to walk the town and explore the surrounding nature parks. Winters in Marquette bring temperatures that regularly fall below freezing, occasionally freezing the lake and spurring locals to lace up their ice skates. Snowfall in the surrounding hills means fantastic conditions for skiing and other winter activities.

Upper Peninsula Northern Lights

Marquette's northern location coupled with the region's lack of light pollution come together to make it one of the premier destinations in the continental United States for witnessing the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. During the dark hours of midnight to 3 a.m. from August to April, brilliant bands of light dance across the sky in hues of purple and green.

Black Rock Cliffs

Located in Presque Isle Park, the Black Rock Cliffs are a popular scenic point over the waters of Lake Superior. The rock formations rise roughly 20 feet out of the chilly water, providing a fantastic sunset vista after your hike through to the cliffside trails. The surrounding park is adorned with lush forests, coves, beaches, and marshes to explore by kayak, canoe, or paddleboard.

Marquette Maritime Museum & Lighthouse

The Marquette Maritime Museum opened in 1984 and today has a stated mission of preserving the maritime history of Marquette and the rest of the Great Lakes. The main museum building has exhibits displaying antique lighthouse bulbs, diving equipment, and birchbark canoes from the region's Indigenous tribes. Visits to the adjoining lighthouse are also available at regularly scheduled times on a seasonal basis.