Explore the Wonders of Marquette with a Springtime Daytrip

Updated

Marquette, Michigan, is perfect for a Daytrip any time of year. Sometimes, travelers avoid the lakeshores in the colder months, but for those who venture out, they offer unique opportunities in the off-season. Scenic views are spectacular when the trees are bare of leaves. Parking is easier to find. Trails and attractions are less crowded. There is much to admire about a springtime trip to shoreline communities. Marquette is nestled on Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and has so much to offer, from natural wonders to history to excellent local cuisine (pasties).

Rock formation with large lake in background

First Stop is a Must

The Michigan Welcome Center is located on US 41 just outside Marquette and is an excellent place to begin your Marquette, Michigan, Daytrip. The welcome center holds many brochures about the area and has clean bathrooms and knowledgeable staff. A staff member promptly helped us out when we asked about specific area attractions. He had a stack of printed maps of the area, pulled a couple out, and highlighted routes and stops for us. It was wonderful. He gave us many insider tips and pointers, for which we were very grateful. We highly recommend you stop by here, even if you have been to Marquette before, to glean some helpful information.

sandy ice formation on a beach

Lower Ore Dock and Historic Downtown

Marquette has a vibrant historical downtown area. Several museums are located there, from historical to art and much more. Plenty of places to eat delicious food and local breweries to sample. The Lower Ore Dock rests in Lake Superior, just a block from downtown. Many visitors use the decommissioned Ore Dock for iconic Marquette photos. You can park in the lot that sits right in front of the dock, so you don’t have to walk far to see it; you can easily view it from your car if the weather is unpleasant.

Old decommissioned Iron Ore Dock

Superior Dome

Speaking of unpleasant weather, the Superior Dome is just a short drive from the Ore Dock and has been home to the Northern Michigan University football team since 1991. This dome is often open to the public for walking and viewing and is used by locals for walking all throughout the year. The Book of World Records (2010) listed The Superior Dome as the fifth largest dome structure in the world. The other four structures are all made of steel, but the Superior Dome is made of wood, mainly Douglas Fir, making it the largest wooden dome structure in the world. It is very impressive, and you must go inside to appreciate it.

Arial view of the city of Marquette with a large white dome above the tree tops

Presque Isle Park/Black Rocks/Upper Ore Dock

Presque Isle Park is a gem for sure, and Marquette has preserved it in its natural, beautiful state for all to use. The park is a small peninsula surrounded by Lake Superior with stunning views and filled with natural wonders. Pirate’s Cove and the Black Rocks are the two most popular spots in the park. A 2-mile paved road is available for driving around the park during the summer. Be aware that there are “Walking only hours” when cars are prohibited. In the middle of the park, there are 3 miles of trails for hiking. If you get to Marquette, put this park on the top of your list and stop at Pirate’s Cove and the Black Rocks. While in the park, walk along the pier or sit in the picnic area and watch the ships at the Upper Ore Dock, which is fully functional and quite a site to behold.

wooded area with a vivid blue lake through the trees

About 8 inches of snow fell the night before our daytrip, and it rained for the entire 2 hour drive on our way there. Just as we arrived south of Marquette, the rains stopped, and the sky mostly cleared. What a gift! Our walk at Presque Isle Park was a bit slushy. Okay, it was very, very slushy—4 or 5 inches of wet slush and lots of water. We were happy that we had packed our boots.

Pebble beach with large rock outcroppings in the water

Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Moutain is a short drive north of Marquette. While the park is officially closed in the off-season, the signs say you may use the trails at your own risk. We did just that, and so did many other people. The weather was relatively warm for late March, and the sky was mostly clear, but snow blanketed the area the night before, and it rained most of the morning. We didn’t expect the pathway to be a slushy flowing stream, but that’s precisely what it was. We parked in the smaller lot with a more challenging, somewhat steep, rocky trail. The trail makes a delightful stream when that much water is running off the mountainside. We picked our way up until we reached the stairs and climbed up the remainder of the way. The views at the top were worth the effort—a true 360-degree view of the area all around. From the top of Sugarloaf Mountain you can see Presque Isle Park, the Black Rocks, the Superior Dome, Lake Superior, and Hogback Mountain (which will be on our list for the next trip). What a stunning view! If you can do the walk, you will love the reward.

arial view of land and large lake from a wooden platform

Lawry’s Pasty Shop

After all of our thrilling explorations we were getting hungry. Once we descended from the mountain, we made our way to Lawry’s Pasty Shop. We haven’t had an authentic pasty in quite some time, so we were looking forward to it. We ordered the traditional beef and potato pasty, and it tasted just as it should: pasty perfection. The crust was perfectly flaky; of course, we topped it the right way with a bit of ketchup. Lawry’s pasties were the perfect way to end a fantastic day.

close up of a pasty with ketchup on it

Marquette has so much to offer we couldn’t do it all in one day. We look forward to going back and exploring even more, but we will probably still want to stop at the Black Rocks and climb up Sugarloaf Mountain, so we may need to plan for more time. Since we didn’t have much on our list, we could spend quality time at our stops and not feel rushed. The parks and immersion in nature invite you to slow down and take a moment to soak up nature while you are there, and we encourage you to do just that. Don’t hesitate to plan your Marquette, Michigan, Daytrip or getaway; there is so much to explore.

see and sky of vivid yet hazy blues and a ship out in the sea

If you want more daytrip or getaway ideas, check out the ones below.

If you plan to stay overnight, check out our tips for booking places to stay.