Marquette Michigan Winter Things To Do
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16 BEST Things to Do in Michigan’s Winter Wonderland: Marquette

The Upper Peninsula is a beautiful place to visit any time of year, especially during the winter when it turns into a snowy wonderland. With trails, ice caves, and mountains, as well as museums and winter events, there are plenty of winter things to do in Marquette, Michigan’s Winter Wonderland!

Iron Ore Dock - Marquette Michigan - Winter
Marquette Iron Ore Dock | photo via Naomi Henderson

Marquette Michigan Winter Sports

Ice Climbing

In the Marquette area, there are more than 70 waterfalls that freeze during the winter, and you can climb some of them. In particular, you can climb the blue ice curtains at Sand Point and the 40-foot column at Miners Falls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Other popular places for ice climbing near Marquette include the Grand Island National Recreation Area, Hogback Mountain, Hidden Beach, and Little Presque Isle.

Additionally, you can experience climbing the Eben Ice Caves, which are closer to Marquette. Formally called the Rock River Canyon Ice Caves, they’re located in the Rock River Canyon Wilderness of the Hiawatha National Forest.

After the trek to the caves, you can climb the sheet of ice to the top and then follow the alternate path back to your car.

Eben Ice Caves, Eben Junction - Winter In Marquette
Eben Ice Caves | photo via @thomaschasephoto

Skiing & Snowboarding

There’s no shortage of trails for skiing and snowboarding in Marquette. One fantastic spot is Marquette Mountain Resort, which has a summit elevation of 1,357 feet, a vertical drop of 600 feet, and 25 ski trails for all skill levels on 330 acres.

Another option is the Noquemanon Trail Network North Trails, which is home to the Noquemanon Ski Trail at the Tourist Park Trailhead. The Forestville Trails & Campground is another option for groomed cross country ski trails.

Marquette Mountain Resort - Winter Olympic Sports, Winter In Marquette
Marquette Mountain Resort | photo via @snakeandannoy

Hiking, Snowshoeing, & Fat-Tire Biking

As some of the best winter things to do in Marquette Michigan, hiking, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking can be done on some of the trails that are good for skiing.

Also, you can head to Iron Ore Heritage Trail, which is a 47-mile trail network; or trek Sugarloaf Mountain in the snow to get an amazing view of the surrounding area. Another place to get a great view is Presque Isle Park where you can walk across a bog or around the park on Peter White Dr.

The North Country National Scenic Trail, which runs along the Lake Superior shoreline, is a third option for hiking and snowshoeing. A fourth option is the Harlow Lake trails, which consist of 19 miles of hiking trails and 39 miles of multi-use trails.

When it comes to fat-tire biking, the 20-mile Snow Bike Route on the NTN South Trails offers an exciting journey.

Iron Ore Heritage Trail - Winter In Marquette
Iron Ore Heritage Trail | photo via @gondabiker

Winter Surfing & Ice Fishing

Believe it or not, you can go surfing during the winter in Marquette. In fact, some of the biggest waves develop on the Great Lakes over the winter. Visitors from around the world visit the city just to catch these waves from Presque Isle Park, McCarty’s Cove, and South Beach Park.

Also across Marquette County are more than 40 lakes that freeze over, giving you the opportunity to ice fish on the water. The two best spots are the Lower Harbor and Harlow Lake.

Mccarty's Cove, Marquette - Winter In Marquette
McCarty’s Cove | photo via @mudgulpleais

More Snowy Activities in Marquette Michigan

Ice Skating

A popular activity during winter in Michigan is ice skating, and the Lakeview Arena makes that possible in Marquette. This multi-use community center is 72,000 square feet and was opened in 1974 for the Marquette Iron Rangers hockey season.

Now, it hosts a range of recreational activities. In addition to public skating, the center offers figure skating, hockey programs, and skating lessons.

Lakeview Arena, Marquette - Winter In Marquette
Lakeview Arena | photo via @vetkellie

Tobogganing

At the Upper Peninsula Luge Club, you can careen down the half-mile Lucy Hill Luge Track, which is the only one of its kind in the United States.

The natural track winds down an unrefrigerated hill and is an exciting experience for athletes and spectators alike. On top of that, spectators can spend time by a bonfire and drink hot chocolate.

Upper Peninsula Luge Club, Negaunee - Winter In Marquette
Upper Peninsula Luge Club | photo via @usnaturaltrackluge

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides

Going on a sleigh ride is one of the most unique winter things to do in Marquette Michigan. You can book private or group rides with Sleighman, which uses horses to pull the carriages.

For small groups, the company hosts an outdoor extravaganza with a bonfire, tobogganing, and continuous rides. To really warm up, head into the 30-by-40 building for a potluck.

Watch a Hockey Game

Northern Michigan University has an active hockey team — the Wildcats. The team plays at the Berry Events Center, which has been open since 1999. From October through February, you can get tickets to one of these fast-paced matches.

The center hosted the 2009 ISU World Cup Short Track Speedskating events, and it hosts community events and concerts too.

Berry Events Center, Marquette - Winter In Marquette
Berry Events Center | photo via @nmu_mbb

See the Northern Lights

During the winter months, nights get longer and darker, creating the perfect opportunity to see the Northern Lights in Michigan. One of the best places to go is Little Presque Isle, a small peninsula just north of Marquette.

Near downtown Marquette, McCarty’s Cove is another excellent spot for observing the Aurora Borealis, as are Sugarloaf Mountain and Presque Isle Park.

Little Presque Isle, Marquette - Winter In The Upper Peninsula, Winter In Marquette
Little Presque Isle | photo via @bennyrzonca

Marquette Michigan Museums & Historic Sites

Marquette Maritime Museum & Lighthouse

Museum hopping is one of the driest and warmest winter things to do in Marquette Michigan, and the Marquette Maritime Museum and Marquette Harbor Lighthouse are good places to start.

Opened in 1980, the museum is full of exhibits that display the maritime history of the city and Great Lakes. The historic lighthouse is open for guided tours, which last for about an hour.

Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, Marquette - Winter In Marquette
Marquette Harbor Lighthouse | photo via @eldonmcgrawmedia

Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum

Giving kids a chance to interact with unique displays, the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum is a fun activity. Every exhibit shows off the results of the design workshops in which children and their families participated.

The museum is practically built by kids, and most of the toys, furniture, building supplies, and carpets have been repurposed.

DeVos Art Museum

Established in 1975, the DeVos Art Museum is the successor to the Lee Hall Gallery of Northern Michigan University. The original gallery displayed artworks by faculty and students.

Now, it’s home to permanent exhibits and show space for various local and regional artists. The newly constructed museum opened in 2005 and offers guided tours.

Devos Art Museum, Marquette - Winter In Marquette
DeVos Art Museum | photo via @inspectuhhh

Shiras Planetarium

Seeing the Northern Lights is one of the best winter things to do in Marquette Michigan, but if it’s too cold for you, the Shiras Planetarium is the next best thing. Since 1965, the planetarium has been providing a spectacle of the planets and stars.

It hosts laser light shows with rock music on the weekends, as well as holiday-themed entertainment and special events.

Michigan Iron Industry Museum

Overlooking the Carp River and where the first iron forge was established in the region, the Michigan Iron Industry Museum is free to visit Wednesdays through Sundays. The museum rests amid the Marquette Iron Range’s forest ravines.

Tours of the temporary and permanent exhibits and interpretive trails can last between one and two hours. You’ll watch a video — “Iron Spirits: Life on the Michigan Iron Range” — too.

Michigan Iron Industry Museum, Negaunee - Winter In Marquette
Michigan Iron Industry Museum | photo via @colton_stertz

U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame

About a 20-minute drive from downtown Marquette, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame is located in Ishpeming, the birthplace of organized skiing. This a great stop for any winter Olympic fan.

The museum honors and celebrates the visionaries, pioneers, and athletes who have substantially advanced the sports of skiing and snowboarding. Admission is free for children under 12 years old and only $5 for adults.

U.s. Ski And Snowboard Hall Of Fame, Ishpeming - Indoor Winter Thing To Do, Winter In Marquette
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame | photo via @pixiejennwonders

Winter Events & Festivals in Marquette Michigan

A lot of the winter events and festivals that Marquette hosts revolve around winter sports. Here’s a brief list of the Michigan winter festivals that take place in or near Marquette:

Along with these events, joining the NTN Trail Talks is one of the most interesting winter things to do in Marquette Michigan. It’s held in mid-November and involves hiking while learning about the constellations.

Additionally, you can watch the New Year’s Eve ball drop from 11 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1 in downtown Marquette.

Up 200, Marquette - Winter In Marquette
UP 200 | photo via @mziebs309

Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Things to Do in Marquette Michigan

How long is winter in Upper Michigan?

In the Upper Peninsula, winter lasts for about three months from December to March. Average daily high temperatures are below 41 degrees. Jan. 29 is the coldest day with an average low of 17 degrees. However, snow can fall from October to May, dropping 150 to 300 inches of snow every year.

What is winter like in Marquette MI?

For Marquette, winter is the wettest season, and it lasts about 3.5 months from the end of November to mid-March. The average high temperature is below 35 degrees, while the low temperature averages 12 degrees on the coldest day.

Does Marquette Michigan have snow?

Over the 6-month snow period from November to May, Marquette gets an average of 155 inches of snow. By comparison, the average snowfall for the country is 28 inches. The city gets the most snow in January at an average of 37 inches. With this much snow, it’s no wonder why there are so many great winter things to do in Marquette Michigan.

What are the most fun things to do in Marquette MI in the winter?

The most fun winter activities in Marquette really depend on your preference. However, we love skiing the Forestville Trails, snowshoeing the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride, and observing the Northern Lights from Little Presque Isle.

More to Do in Marquette

And if that’s not enough things to do in Marquette Michigan, be sure to explore our ideas for a romantic winter getaway in Marquette, our list of the best Marquette restaurants, and even find a place to stay in Marquette that will provide you with a unique Upper Peninsula winter experience!

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