Community
Marquette
About Marquette
Marquette is the Upper Peninsula’s largest city, a Lake Superior port of about 20,000 people that grew up shipping iron ore and is home to Northern Michigan University. The lower harbor’s ore dock, the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse and a downtown of red sandstone buildings sit beside miles of lakeshore bike path. Presque Isle Park juts into the lake on the north side, and the hills around town carry the Noquemanon and other trail networks. Our Marquette coverage follows city commission and county news, Northern Michigan Wildcats and high school sports, and the events that fill the calendar from fall color through ski season.
Top things to do in Marquette
- Drive or walk the loop road around Presque Isle Park and watch the sunset from its rocky shoreline.
- Hike Sugarloaf Mountain north of town for a wide view over Lake Superior.
- Ride or walk the lakeshore multi-use path past the lower harbor ore dock.
- Visit the Marquette Maritime Museum and the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse.
- Catch a Northern Michigan Wildcats game at the Superior Dome or the Berry Events Center.
- Eat and shop downtown along Washington and Third streets.
Guides
Nearby on The Mitten Daily
Latest from Marquette
Michigan Travel · October 21, 2026
NMU Band Day Oct. 24: a record 850-plus musicians will fill the Superior Dome field at halftime of the Roosevelt game
More than 750 students from 23 school bands join NMU’s marching band for a K-pop halftime show at Saturday’s 1 p.m. game against Roosevelt.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
Marquette World Polio Day Oct. 24: a free walk from Lake Superior Theatre, Pints for Polio at local breweries and a costume party
A free 11 a.m. walk ends at the history center, where a wooden iron lung built in Marquette is on display; breweries and a 6 p.m. costume party raise money.
Community · October 20, 2026
Marquette families can apply now for the Salvation Army Toy Shop, which served 750 children last Christmas
Approved parents shop with a volunteer Dec. 16–17 at NMU’s Northern Center. Bring ID and proof of guardianship, residency and income when you apply.
Community · October 20, 2026
Tom Ranta, who puts flags over schools and on 1,400 veterans’ graves, is Marquette County’s 2026 Veteran of the Year
The Army and National Guard veteran has led Marquette’s Flags Over Schools program since 2010. His next goal: more flags on neighborhood porches.
News · October 20, 2026
Marquette’s 2027 budget holds the city millage but raises the average water, sewer and trash bill about $99 a year
The City Commission adopted a $97 million budget with an $11.7 million list of capital projects, from Cinder Pond Marina to Division Street. Here is what it means for a typical household.
News · October 20, 2026
Marquette County board will appoint a District 1 commissioner for the last 10 weeks of the year after Karl Numinen quit by email
Resumes were due Oct. 20 at the county clerk’s office. The appointee will represent parts of the city of Marquette through Dec. 31, when the term ends anyway.
News · October 20, 2026
Marquette’s KMI Space wins $3.5 million in state money to finish a satellite-moving spacecraft, with 60 jobs promised
The Laelaps craft is meant to grab and relocate satellites already in orbit. The state grant rides alongside a $34 million Space Force-backed award, and the company is aiming for a 2028 launch.
News · October 20, 2026
Marquette Wallpaper & Paint, a downtown fixture since 1946, starts its closing sale as the Hamari brothers step back
The store at Third and Main is open to offers from a buyer. No final day has been set.
Sports · October 20, 2026
Big North champion Marquette, winners of six straight, visits unbeaten Kingsford Friday in the TV6 Game of the Week
The Sentinels clinched the conference by beating Petoskey. Kingsford stayed perfect by winning the West-PAC Copper Crown at Menominee.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
A century after Barnes-Hecker killed 51 miners, a Negaunee historian shares his research Oct. 21 at the Marquette Regional History Center
Jim Paquette’s talk opens two weeks of centennial events: an NMU archives program, a memorial service, a candlelight vigil at the mine site and church bells tolling 51 times on Nov. 3.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
Halloween week in Marquette: free laser shows on the Lower Harbor Ore Dock Oct. 29–31, then the Queen City Trick or Trot
Watch the lasers from Mattson Lower Harbor Park. On Halloween morning, the costumed run offers a Kids Monster Mile, a 5K and a 10K.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
NMU stages ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ Oct. 22–24 at Forest Roberts Theatre, with 10:30 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday
Tickets run $5 to $25, and the production is a fundraiser, so flex passes and season tickets don’t apply. It’s billed for mature audiences.