Nestled on the shore of Lake Superior, Marquette offers a wide variety of things to keep students busy on their summer break.
One of the most popular hobbies Marquette’s terrain allows for is hiking. Presque Isle serves a number of purposes, with hiking accounting for just one of them. Whether you’re hiking a few hundred feet or all the way around the isle, the hike hugs the shoreline, which offers great glimpses of Lake Superior.
Little Presque, located a few miles out of town, is another popular location for hiking. Little Presque, being an actual island, requires a short hike through thigh-deep water but provides steep bluffs overlooking Superior, a mile loop around the island and large, glacially-formed rocks .
There are also Sugarloaf and Hogsback Mountains, which, while a slightly more treacherous hike, provide an expansive view of the city of Marquette and Lake Superior.
In addition to hiking, biking in the area is also incredibly popular. With an immense number of accessible trails in the area, including one hugging the Superior shoreline and many more that wind through shaded forest, it won’t take long to find one that suits the desired adventure.
Senior environmental studies and sustainability major Dylan Weissenborn said he bikes on the trails often.
“My favorite trail is the Carp River Loop,” Weissenborn said, referring to one of the many mountain biking loops that can be found at the trails in South Marquette.
“It runs right next to the river and it’s awesome because it zig-zags and you follow the river all the way. It’s pretty cool.”
Michigan’s beaches are a big attraction and the Lake Superior shoreline is no different. McCarty’s Cove is the most visited beach in the area, though there are many others that can be found on County Road 550.
Little Presque and Hidden Beach both provide a more secluded beach experience, though Hidden Beach is just that — something that must first be found in order to be enjoyed.
While many choose to simply swim in Lake Superior, others take things to new heights by cliff jumping into the lake.
Presque Isle’s Black Rocks, a cliff that drops off 15 to 20 feet into Lake Superior, is a popular spot for cliff jumpers. Little Presque is another area cliff jumpers like to gather, a venture that first requires a walk across the water to the island.
Weissenborn said he much prefers Little Presque over Black Rocks when it comes to cliff jumping.
“The jump spots on Little Presque are a little more of a hike but a lot more fun and a little bigger,” Weissenborn said. “If my friends ask me where I want to go, I almost always say Little Presque.”
Dead River, usually a bit warmer than the lake, offers a few spots for cliff jumping as well. The most popular spot along Dead River challenges jumpers with cliffs that drop off 20, 40 and 60 feet.
Senior psychology major Leann Herrmann said Dead River offers a more laid-back environment to jump.
“It can be hard to find Dead River but it’s a fun place to hike,” Herrmann said. “I like cliff jumping there better because of the different size cliffs and it’s less crowded there.”
For the not so daring type, taking on the tourist role and seeing what kind of deals are to be found in the area can be a relaxing experience. Marquette’s historic downtown area provides substantial dining, shopping and entertainment options for those looking for a different kind of Marquette adventure. Whether you’re in the heart of downtown grabbing some candy at Donckers or taking a stroll down Third Street to grab some ice cream at Frosty Treats, the Marquette shops offer something for everyone.
If that hasn’t been enough, wrap up an adventurous day in Marquette by catching a sunset at Sunset Point, located at Presque Isle park. While anywhere on Presque Isle would suffice for the sunset, Sunset Point, as the name implies, provides an unbeatable view of the sunset, Lake Superior and the silhouetted peaks of Hogsback and Sugarloaf in the distance, both of which provide their own excellent views for those looking for a longer sunset hike.
Those who are 21 and over and are looking for something to do after the sun goes down can visit one of the many breweries located in Marquette. The Vierling (which is the only brewing company that serves food in the area), the Ore Dock Brewing Company and Black Rocks accompany many other bars and pubs that are downtown and close to campus.
Finally, with many rivers and inland lakes — as well as Lake Superior — Marquette is a hub for water sports, including kayaking and paddleboarding. Down Wind Sports on Third Street provides demos on kayaks and paddleboards, while Switchback Gear Exchange on Front Street has flyfishing (as well as camping, kayaking and canoeing) rentals.
Regardless of what is desired by those who are visiting Marquette, whether here for the summer or only for a couple of days during orientation, Marquette has an adventure that suits everyone.
