Marquette is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Marquette County. The population was 19,661 at the 2000 census. Marquette is a major port on Lake Superior, primarily for shipping iron ore and is the home of Northern Michigan University. It is the largest city of the Upper Peninsula. The city of Marquette averages about 144 inches of snow per year, making it the second snowiest city in the contiguous United States among those cities large enough to be reported.
Film/Literature:
Robert Traver (John Voelker) set his novels Anatomy of a Murder (1958) and Laughing Whitefish (1965) in Marquette. The film version of Anatomy of a Murder, dramatizing an incident that happened in the area, was partly filmed in Marquette and Big Bay. However, much of it was filmed in the Marquette County Courthouse.
Danny and the Boys (1951) is a collection of short stories set in and around Marquette.
Philip Caputo set his novel Indian Country (1987) in the Upper Peninsula and several scenes depict Marquette.
Jim Harrison’s novel True North (2005) tells about a Marquette family whose wealth is based on exploiting Upper Peninsula timber.
A large portion of the acclaimed graphic novel Blankets, by Craig Thompson, takes place in Marquette.
Marquette was the site of many key events in the investigation of a murder in Dave Distel’s The Sweater Letter, a true story of a murder that occurred near Ontonagan.
Local Attractions:
The Marquette Maritime Museum is located along the Lake Superior shoreline near the U.S. Coast Guard Station. The museum is open during the summer season and offers an extensive collection of maritime artifacts involving the maritime history of Marquette. Tours of the historic Marquette Harbor Lighthouse are also available;[13] and just to the west of Marquette, the Big Bay Point Light is operated as a bed and breakfast, which offers a unique experience.
The Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum is located along Baraga Avenue. Those familiar with Marquette’s past will recognize the former Bunny Bread sign that is located on the outside of the building. The museum features hands-on exhibits for children to learn and have fun doing so. The museum is open year-round.
The Marquette County History Museum is located along Front Street in the downtown district. The museum features many exhibits and artifacts of Marquette County’s past. The museum includes a library and gift shop and is open year-round.
The DeVos Art Museum is the art museum at Northern Michigan University.
The Oasis Gallery for Contemporary Art is an ongoing project of the Marquette Arts Council.
Marquette Mountain is a winter sports area for skiing and snow boarding, located a few miles south of Marquette, Michigan, the major city in the state’s Upper Peninsula. In the summer, Marquette Mountain offers activities such as mountain biking, and volleyball. The base area’s parking lot is adjacent to M-553.
Another attraction is the Superior Dome. The Superior Dome has been home to the Wildcat football team since its construction in 1991 and is now also home to the Wildcat soccer team and the Wildcat track teams. The Dome stands 14 stories high and encompasses 5.1 acres under its roof. Constructed of 781 Douglas Fir beams and 108.5 miles of fir decking, the Dome has a permanent seating capacity of 8,000, although the building can hold as many as 16,000 people. The Superior Dome is also home of the United States Olympic Education Center offices, as well as special training areas for the USOEC’s boxing, weightlifting and wrestling teams.
Snowmobiling in Marquette:
Marquette County is arguably one of the best places to snowmobile in the United States. Check out the in-depth snowmobile information below taken from www.MarquetteCountry.org.
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Hotel
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Location
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Description
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Econo Lodge
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2050 US 41 South 906-225-1305 |
Can go 250 Miles Either Way On Snowmobile Trail Overlooking Beautiful Lake Superior Air Conditioning, Lake view Rooms, Continental Breakfast, Meeting Room Available |
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Holiday Inn
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1951 US 41 West 906-225-1351 |
Marquette’s largest indoor pool and whirlpool sauna and exercise facility. Featuring My Place restaurant and lounge with Daily Specials. |
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Travelodge of Marquette |
1010 M-28 East
Harvey, MI 49855 906-249-1712 |
All season motel offering truck parking and winter plug-ins. Free deluxe continental breakfast. Incoming fax service and weekday newspaper. Children under 17 stay free. Indoor pool, whirlpool. V/MC/AE/DC/D/CB. |
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Best Western Country Inn
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Country Village 906-485-6345 |
On the trail, low rates, 500+ miles of trails, rentals available, gas, oil and parts, restaurants |
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Jasper Ridge Inn
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Country Village 1-866-875-4312 |
On the trail, low rates, 500+ miles of trails, rentals available, gas, oil and parts, restaurants |
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Triangle Motel
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US-41 West 906-485-5537 |
Color Cable TV, Room phones, individual heating, free continental breakfast, kitchenettes, special rates, trail access, 29 units, member MSA |
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Quartz Mountain Inn
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Box 373 906-346-4854 |
Direct Dial Phones, Trailer Parking, 20 Rooms & 6 Apartments, Newly Remodeled, 72 Channel Color TV, Free Hot Buffet Style Breakfast
On Snowmobile Spur |
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Northern Lights Lakeside Resort
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Box 373 906-346-4854 |
Modern, Clean, Comfortable, 2-4 bedroom, fully equipped cabins, cable TV, direct trail access with trailer parking, centrally located in the UP |
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Tower Vacation Homes
Condo Style Townhouses |
400 M-94 906-346-7911 |
Units feature 2 or 3 bedrooms, sleeps up to 9 (cribs available), full kitchen includes: pots, pans, dishes, dishwasher, stove & refrigerator. Full basement with washer & dryer. |
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Red Fox Inn
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800 E. M-94 1-866-369-0096 GPS |
Featuring Tailwinds Grill & Bar Singles start $39, full cooking available, DNR trail head, Trail 8, large parking lot, 1,2,4 bedroom suites, continental breakfast, trail permits, MSA member |
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Maple Ridge Resort
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All Season, All Sport, Year Round Resort. Easy access to reails, Heated pole barn for repairs, 2 bedroom housekeeping and Recreational apartments. 3 Night minimum stay. |
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Big Bay Motel
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96 Bensinger (County Road 550) Big Bay, MI 49808 906-345-9444 |
Our 12 Unit hotel is conveniently located, if you enjoy hiking, biking and fishing in the summer than come see us. Winter time we have direct access to snowmobile trails and cross country skiing. |
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Big Bay Depot Motel
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Big Bay, MI 1-906-345-9350 |
Trail Access from Door, large rooms, full kitchens, in-room coffee, pets and children welcome, reasonable rates |
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Picture Bay Motel in Big Bay
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Box 348 1-906-345-9820 |
Easy access to trail, snowmobile tours available, snowmobile mechanic available at motel, close to food & fuel, 5 units – 2 with kitchens, weekly rates available, picturesque view on MacKenzie Bay |
Click here for the most recent Marquette County snowmobile information.
Registering a snowmobile or need a trail pass? Click here
Check the latest trail conditions here