"A Small Town next to a Big Lake" Top 5 Page for this destination Marquette by yooperprof

Marquette Travel Guide: 147 reviews and 258 photos

The Coast Guard Lighthouse in Winter

Whoever came up with the idea of painting the Coast Guard lighthouse red should get a ribbon - preferably a red ribbon. This is probably the closest thing we have to an "official image" for Marquette.

This would probably be a good place to explain a few things. Marquette is the largest town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Upper Peninsula (or U.P., to use its well-known initials) makes up about 20% of the land of Michigan, but only 3% of the population. People who are from here are known colloquially as U.P.-ers, or "Yoopers." Hence "Yooperprof." Strictly speaking, I am not a Yooper because I was not born here,, but. . .

Colorful Sunsets

Red Sky at Night

Some of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen have been in Marquette. A favorite place to go is Presque Isle Park. "Inspiration Point" lives up to its name.

Anatomy of a Yooper

One of the most attractive buildings in Marquette is the century-old County Courthouse, which features this glorious Tiffany & Co. designed glass dome. It was the location for filming "Anatomy of a Murder," the 1959 Jimmy Stewart classic, which was directed by the great Otto Preminger.

(This classic court procedural film is much better than any number of the John Grisham wannabees, IMHO!)

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful (and cool) summers followed by spectacular fall colors
Cons:A really long winter followed by a really miserable spring
In a nutshell:The Entertainment Capital of the Central Upper Peninsula!

Intro Updated Oct 28, 2012
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (80)

pads and gloves and jersies and more - Marquette

For all your Hockey and Ski Equipment... Shopping (8)

Great convenience and service at Johnson Sports Shop in the Village, close to the University, the Lake, and the great... more travel advice

Michigan Brewers' Guild - U. P. Beer... Local Customs (11)

The U.P. Beer Festival is sponsored by the Michigan Brewer's Guild and so it features beers made from the entire state -... more travel advice

Little Presque Isle Beach Things to Do (11)

One of my favorite beaches in all of Michigan is this rather secluded gem on the Big Bay Road (County Road 550) north of... more travel advice

Pull right in and fill up your growler - Marquette

Urban Ambience and a Great Beer Scene Nightlife (7)

The best new thing in Marquette in 2012, the Ore Dock Brewing Company is an example of the exciting "knock-on"... more travel advice

Restaurants (13)
See All Greasy Spoon "Mom & Pop" place downtown
Transportation (4)
See All Marq-Tran
Off The Beaten Path (4)
See All Chez Yooperprof
Favorites (16)
See All Warehouse Conversions

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (46)

Reply
- Report abuse
hunterV Sep 17, 2012 at 10:08 PM

Chet, your home city is a great place I must say.... Thanks for your detailed and interesting story about it!)
Reply
- Report abuse
BruceDunning Oct 14, 2010 at 11:24 AM

We got up to UP-but this is still too far to get to from there. Nice work on your pictures and comments.
Reply
- Report abuse
fineshot_2000 Aug 5, 2010 at 6:46 PM

Have done the same twice, on trips to Europe, taken MarqTran to avoid paying for parking!
Reply
- Report abuse
gene1941 Jan 6, 2010 at 7:08 PM

HoneyDale Farms did all the work I was given a tour by Mike Potts who owns Honey Dale of finished building If you go there ask about olive & nut sandwiches served years ago
Reply
- Report abuse
alacross Jan 19, 2009 at 9:18 AM

bartenders are very rude, i would not recommend even stepping foot in this place, if your a male you'll have better luck but if your a female, the girl bartender will treat you with an incredible lack of respect
Reply
- Report abuse
Nemorino Aug 18, 2008 at 11:57 AM

Me again, just checking back for updates and new tips that you have added here in the last year and a half. I hope lots of people came to the play you were in, after you advertized it in the big parade.
Reply
- Report abuse
haroldcrick Jul 13, 2008 at 4:08 PM

Great info and entertaining. Really looking forward to Marquette now. Thanks for making what had been a quick drive through into at least a day or two spent exploring. I especially liked the Yooper/Troll thing.
Reply
- Report abuse
sourbugger Jun 28, 2008 at 2:08 PM

not seen your pages before - i've been missing out 1 great names you have for places round your way.
Reply
- Report abuse
janetanne Apr 7, 2008 at 2:06 PM

Great Marquette tips! I remember all that snow and the time my car got buried in a snow storm in March! It took me two days to find it. Have you thawed out yet this year? Got a snowblower yet?
Reply
- Report abuse
MATIM Feb 23, 2008 at 8:52 AM

Very good info about your hometown. Really like your house