Free
Presque Isle Park
A rocky park on a point with forest trails, coves and Lake Superior views.
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Marquette
The Upper Peninsula's largest city, on Lake Superior: Presque Isle Park's rocky shore, a red lighthouse, a giant old ore dock, rail trails and waterfalls in the hills.
Photo: Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Hitoubashira, CC BY-SA 4.0
Marquette grew as a port for iron ore from the hills to the west. The massive Lower Harbor Ore Dock still stands, though it no longer loads ships.
Presque Isle Park, on a rocky point north of downtown, has trails, coves and cliffs. The red Marquette Harbor Lighthouse stands above the lake near the maritime museum.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Iron Ore Heritage Trail
A long trail on old rail lines through Marquette and the iron range.
Cheap
Laughing Whitefish Falls
A long, sloping waterfall in a state scenic site. About 40 minutes away.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Lower Harbor Ore Dock
A massive 1931 ore dock in the lower harbour, next to a waterfront park.
Paid
Marquette Maritime Museum and Lighthouse
Maritime history and tours of the red harbour lighthouse.
Paid
Marquette Regional History Center
Regional history from the Anishinaabe to the iron era.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Downtown Marquette
Shops, breweries and restaurants on the hill above the harbour.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Presque Isle kayak tour
About two hours in tandem sea kayaks around Presque Isle. Weather permitting.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
Part of our Upper Peninsula guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Presque Isle at sunset, then dinner downtown.
- Waterfalls and Sugarloaf Mountain fill the second day.
- Pictured Rocks is about an hour east.
Nearby and worth the drive
Munisingabout 60 min · Guide ↗
Pictured Rocks and waterfalls.
Houghton and Copper Countryabout 1 h 40 · Guide ↗The Keweenaw, old-growth pines and the copper mines.
Mackinac Islandabout 3 h · Guide ↗No cars, lots of fudge.
Ready-made trips with Marquette
Good to know
- Tourism: travelmarquette.com.
- Lake Superior: The water is cold, and waves can be dangerous. Watch for posted warnings.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Hitoubashira, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Laughing Whitefish Falls in Marquette, Emery, A. G -- Photographer, Public domain
Photo: Lower Harbor Ore Dock, Marquette, ThiloG, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, Dale Fisher, US Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
Photo: Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Marquette, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Downtown Marquette, Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0