Marquette County is rich in history and home to cultural attractions you won’t find anywhere else. Explore all the largest county in the U.P. has to offer through these stellar sites that bring the past and the present together in unique and fun ways.
Iron Ore Heritage Trail
Iron ore was discovered in the region in 1844, and The Jackson Mining Company established the first open-pit mine the following year. Jackson Mine Park in Negaunee pays homage to the hardy miners who came from the tin mines of Cornwall, England, then Finland, Sweden, Italy, and Germany. The 47-mile Iron Ore Heritage Trail details 160 years of mining history through interpretive signs and artifacts, including a restored kiln. Journey through time and enjoy spectacular scenery as you explore the communities along this trail built on the former rail beds that transported lumber to furnaces and forges, and iron ore to Lake Superior Harbor.
Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum
At Cliffs Mine Shaft Museum, walk in the footsteps of the Welsh, Cornish, Finnish, and Italian miners through a tunnel to the shaft of one of the largest iron mines in Michigan. Explore relics from mining’s past and the men and women who worked so hard to make the Marquette Iron Range world famous. Tours given by former miners will be the highlight of your trip. Discover mining memorabilia, archives, photographs, equipment, and minerals from the Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club, the Historical Society, and the Marquette County Genealogical Society. Rock hounds will love choosing a treasured gem to take home from the gift shop.
Da Yoopers Tourist Trap
Good for giggles and smiles, this quirky roadside attraction is a must when visiting Yooperland! More than just a gift shop, discover an outdoor museum filled with oddities, kitschy sculptures, and Yooper innovations like Big Gus, the world's largest working chainsaw, Big Ernie, the world's largest working rifle, and Gravel Gertie, the largest motorized tricycle in Michigan and maybe the world! Inside you’ll find clothing, books, snacks, gifts, and novelty items like beard lights, a fart fan, and a squirrel in underpants air freshener. Pick up Iron Country minerals, fossils, jewelry, and handcrafted gems in the Rock Knockers Rock Shop. Full of wacky Yooper humor, it’s a great stop for a photo op for a time to remember.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame
Celebrate the pioneers of winter sports in the birthplace of organized skiing in the U.S. Introduced to America by Scandinavian immigrants, skiing got its start here in Ishpeming and the first ski club in Michigan and one of the first in the country was established here in 1887. Many famous ski jumpers trained on the renowned Suicide Hill. Explore the history of these exciting sports with a trove of ski memorabilia, trophies, and artifacts, from a 4,000-year-old ski and pole replica to exhibits on the development of chairlifts, skiing in the military, and Olympic memorabilia. Check out the photos and biographies of the 400+ ski and snowboard Hall of Fame inductees in this dramatic, modern building with a ski jump profile.
The Ore Docks
The Lower Harbor Ore Dock is one of Marquette’s most iconic landmarks. This mammoth concrete and steel relic is a testament to the city’s maritime and mining past. While no longer in use, it once played a part in the iron ore trade. Today, you can view it from one of Marquette’s downtown restaurants while enjoying a cold craft brew or fresh whitefish dinner plucked from the waters of Lake Superior. It’s also the perfect spot for a classic Marquette photo-op.
The Upper Harbor Ore Dock, built in 1911, is known as the Presque Isle Dock, and the only active ore dock in the Great Lakes where you actually can see a freighter being loaded. For a uniquely Marquette experience, stroll along the shoreline and watch as taconite pellets are loaded via chute from one of the dock’s 250 pockets into the ship’s hold. It can take up to four hours for a ship to be loaded. Find arrival and departure times at MarineTraffic.com. Discover more iron ore legacy at the Marquette Regional History Center.
Pasty Shops
A staple of the U.P., hearty hand-held meat pies called pasties originated with the Cornish miners who came to work in the iron and copper mines. Stuffed with ground beef and veggies, these savory meat pies were convenient comfort food and kept bellies warm and full during the cold U.P. winters. A regional favorite, pasty shops dot the landscape all over the Upper Peninsula. Here are a few of our favorites:
Lawry’s, in Ishpeming, has been serving up this traditional U.P. fare for more than 70 years. Hand-made using fresh ingredients and old-fashioned techniques from the owner’s great-grandmother, Madelyne Lawry (AKA Mimi), these pasties have won state and national awards and have been featured on the Food Network, the Travel Channel and more. Available in classic (12 oz), hearty (17 oz), mini, with a vegetarian option, they can even be shipped so you can enjoy a taste of the U.P. from anywhere in the U.S.
Iron Town Pasties in Negaunee offers a variety of full-size and mini pasties, including veggie, vegan, and they may be the only shop in the U.P. where you can order a gluten-free version! Choose from traditional beef, spicy jalapeno, veggie, chicken, or Bierocks (beef, cabbage, jalapeno, banana peppers, and cream cheese soaked in beer overnight!) Call ahead and they’ll have gluten-friendly ones hot and ready for you with an hour’s notice!
Cal’s Party Store is a Marquette legend that has been feeding locals for more than 50 years. Third-generation family-owned, this little shop packs more than just pasties, which are made fresh Monday through Friday, and piping hot at 11 a.m. Cal’s also sells sandwiches, salads, desserts, hot and cold dishes, and more. Pick up a side of Cal’s tasty ‘tater salad to eat with your pasty and cookie combo.
Lakenenland Sculpture Park
Not too many artists have their own sculpture park named for them. Not so of Tom Lakenen, who created Lakenenland Sculpture Park. The term “Junkyard Art” truly doesn’t do justice to the more than 80 whimsical pieces Lakenen has welded together from scrap iron over the past 25+ years. Walk, drive, or snowmobile through this 37-acre spread and you will be in awe of the talent and creativity on display. Fun photo ops anytime of year. Bonfire and hot chocolate in the winter. Open 24 hours. Free, but donations accepted. Restrooms available on site. Pick up a souvenir T-shirt from the Lakenland T-shirt Shack. Great for kids, adults, and anyone with a sense of humor who appreciates unique art.
Historic Dining - Donckers & Vierling
Step inside this quaint, old-fashioned soda fountain and candy store and you’ll be transported back in time with its old-world charm. Established in 1896 by Fred Donckers, a one-armed family man who prided himself on great customer service and top-notch ingredients, Donckers has become a Marquette tradition, still serving up homemade fudge, chocolates, caramels, and hearty home-cooking. Head upstairs to the lunch counter for award-winning mac and cheese or take a seat at the soda fountain and dig into a classic sundae, shake, float, or malt! Visit the candy counter, where cases of homemade chocolates will have your mouth watering, and take home a box of hand-dipped chocolates or sea salt caramels.
Enjoy fresh Lake Superior Whitefish and house-brewed beer in this former “gentlemen’s saloon” dating back to pre-prohibition times. Original stained glass, a 100-year-old oak bar, oil paintings from founder Martin Vierling’s collection and photos from the building’s past make dining at the Vierling an experience like no other. Immerse yourself in the building’s history as you enjoy a small-batch brew from one of Michigan’s first brewpubs or a selection from their extensive wine list while you gaze out over the harbor at the Ore Dock in this historic landmark spot.
Marquette Underwater Preserve
When the world’s largest freshwater lake is out your back door, there are bound to be treasures to discover beneath its surface. The Marquette Underwater Preserve is a living museum full of historic shipwrecks, ancient geologic formations, and even the remains of a cold-war era Fighter Plane!
The Marquette Underwater Preserve is made up of two units, each with its own unique features. The Marquette Unit runs along 24 miles of Lake Superior coastline extending out to a depth of 200 feet. Here lie the remains of the Charles J. Kershaw, a wooden steamer that foundered in a storm while towing two schooner barges in 1895, and the D. Leuty, which was lost in 1911 while struggling to enter Marquette Harbor with a cargo of logs. The Huron Islands Unit west of the Marquette Unit features a group of granite outcroppings that rise from the bottom of the Big Lake.
Divers aren’t the only ones who can get a glimpse of these secrets of the deep. Explore Superior’s secrets from land through the exhibits at the Marquette Maritime Museum and Lighthouse. Dive into the region’s maritime history and unlock the mysteries buried in those clear cold waters. Watch a video of a dive exploration, tour the iconic red lighthouse, and take in the view from the catwalk.
Historic Theaters - Delft & Nordic
If you’re a fan of historic movie theaters, then you’ll enjoy experiencing these beauties. Housed in the former Nordic Theater (1936-1994), The Honorable is Marquette’s first distillery. Step beneath the neon marquee (a replica of the original) and into a sleek modern atmosphere that honors the theater’s past. Spirits are made with local and regionally sourced ingredients, some named for the theater and films once shown there. Nordin Gin is a favorite, with several seasonal editions, or try a craft cocktail made with a spirit from the Nordic Theater Cinema Series, like the Red Salute Vodka, Anatomy of a Murder Gin or Black Beauty Maple Pecan Whiskey. You’ll be steeped in the theater’s history while you enjoy a tasty beverage.
The Delft Bistro offers a unique dining experience in a cool cinematic atmosphere with an original marquee that is a highlight of downtown Marquette. Choose from a fresh, seasonal menu of Opening Acts, The Green Screen, Opening Reels, Special Features, and the Main Act while films play silently while you dine in this restored historic theater (1914) turned hip, downtown dining digs. Fantastic gastronomic creations, along with elevated cocktails in a fun historic atmosphere make dining at The Delft a hit with all ages.
The rich history of Marquette’s historic theaters is documented in “Marqueetown” a new independent film by Joseph Beyer and Jordan Anderson. A labor of love by the creators, it recently wrapped up a tour around the country, raising more than $13,000 for independent theaters. Look for it at the 2024 Fresh Coast Film Festival and a benefit screening at the Marquette Regional History Center in 2025, and streaming online soon.
