Oct 11

Oct 11 One Perfect Winter Day in Marquette, Michigan: A Local's Guide

Marquette, Michigan is one of the snowiest places east of the Mississippi and it’s a place where winter is fully embraced. Locals here LIVE for the winter. When you live somewhere with more snow days (an average of 155 inches to be exact) than beach days, you figure out how to enjoy the frigid temps and piles of snow. With miles of trails for snowshoeing, skiing, biking, scenic snowy views, cozy restaurants and coffee shops, and more Marquette, Michigan is a wonderful place for a winter escape. As our second year comes to a close here, I think I have figured out the perfect winter day in Marquette, Michigan with things to do and eat, even if you “hate being cold.”

One Perfect Winter Day in Marquette, Michigan

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Hiking on the North Country Trail in Marquette, Michigan

Many of these parks and trailheads require a Michigan recreation passport. Make sure to plan ahead and purchase what you need from Michigan DNR.

What To Wear in the Winter in Marquette, Michigan

The key to staying warm when playing outside is all about what you wear. If you find yourself saying “it’s so pretty there but I hate being cold,” we need to talk about what you need to wear to be comfortable when you travel to outdoorsy destinations in winter. These are a few key pieces that will help keep you toasty when traveling to Marquette in the winter.

Taking a snowshoeing break at Harlow Lake

A puffy jacket or coat is mandatory for maximum warmth. A high-quality down coat does not come cheap, but if you take care of it they last a long time. I have this Arcteryx jacket that I wear all the time and this long puffer coat if I’m going out and about in town. If you’re not interested in the down, you can go for a down alternative like this one or this one.

If you have a little one with you, a Patagonia down bunting is so perfect! They’re pricey but worth it if you need to keep your kiddo warm when you’re outside for a while. You can find secondhand often; we got Fern’s on Poshmark and it was barely used.

Long underwear is the other really important piece of clothing you need to be comfortable and warm. I love love love my Patagonia fleece long underwear. They fit really well under clothes, even skinnier jeans. The banded ankle cuff is really nice because it helps the pants stay in place. If I’m going skiing or for a long snowshoe, I wear these Merino wool Icebreaker long johns. I was skeptical of these because wool can be itchy, but they’re so warm and soft.

Snow boots (or waterproof boots) are pretty important to wear in Marquette so your feet stay warm and dry. I wear my Sorel snow boots for months because they’re fashionable and practical. People around here also swear by Bogs winter boots too. We’re getting a pair for Fern for the winter because they seem easy to get on a wild child.

Now that you’re properly outfitted, let’s talk about what to do in Marquette in the winter.

Hearty Breakfast in Marquette

You’ll be doing lots of outdoor activities when you visit Marquette, so you’ll need a good breakfast to start the day. I’m a huge fan of Cafe Bodega. They make the best home fries EVER. They must be one of the most popular items on the menu because you can order a spud plate topped with eggs of your choice veggies and cheese. They also serve Huevos Rancheros, breakfast burritos, and more. If you’re in the mood for a boozy brunch, they can do that too thanks to a full-service bar.

Donckers is a downtown landmark overlooking Washington Street. They have a little of everything and the portions are quite generous. Contrast Coffee is another favorite with plenty of specialty coffee drinks, a diverse crepe menu, and wall to wall windows so you can watch the snowfall.

Shopping in Downtown Marquette

Donckers (left) Delf Bistro (right) in Downtown Marquette

If you need any last-minute winter clothing or gear before heading out for the day, check out some of Marquette’s outdoor shops.

Getz’s is a three-story outdoor clothing emporium and one of my favorite places to peruse the latest styles. They have a fantastic shoe collection and their staff knows everything about each brand.

Superior Outfitters is another shop downtown that is part resale shop and part outfitter for fishing. I have scored more gear here (practically new Sorel boots!) and at a fraction of the cost. They also have tons of used skis, snowshoes, helmets, boots, you can purchase. If you’re planning a longer trip, it may be worth it to buy something here rather than paying daily/weekly rental fees.

Downwind Sports on Third Street is a curated collection of clothing and the only place you’ll find Patagonia and a local and sustainable Marquette brand called Lumi. They also have lots of gear available for purchase and rentals. If you’re interested in ice climbing while you’re in Marquette, Downwind Sports runs an ice climbing guiding service so you can go out with experienced climbers that can show you the ropes. I did a trip with them and had a blast!

Other shops I love in town:

Revival - New women’s clothing boutique
Revisions - cute home, gift, and garden shop
Boomerang Retro & Relics - vintage goods and vintage inspired clothing
UP Supply Co. - really cool Tshirt/souvenir shop from the U.P.

Snowshoeing in Marquette, Michigan

After breakfast, head out to the woods to get your blood pumping and enjoy some gorgeous scenery. It’s hard to choose a favorite place to snowshoe around here but these are my top three.

North Country Trail at Little Presque

This is the longest trail in the National Trails System stretching 4,600 miles across eight states, from North Dakota to Vermont and it goes right through Marquette. Segment 16 is one of my favorite stretches because the trail is relatively flat and runs from Little Presque (easy to find via navigation) to Echo Lake Road and is mostly along the shore of Lake Superior. The entire stretch of this section is 3 miles and so lovely to do in the winter surrounded by tall pine trees on the sandy shore covered in a blanket of snow. * I’d recommend downloading a map before you venture out as cell service is never guaranteed once you leave town.

Admission: Little Presque Isle requires a recreation passport; Echo Lake Road is free

Quick Lunch in Marquette

We typically do quick lunches or sandwiches to go when we have a big day out planned. My absolute favorite is 231 W Patisserie downtown. They make the best croissant sandwiches with the flakiest layers imaginable. You can even build your own lunchbox (to go or eat in) with a sandwich, salad/soup, and one of their yummy sweets to finish you off. If you need to defrost a little, enjoy a leisurely lunch with plenty of hot coffee or tea. Head downstairs to sit at their ski lift tables while you plan the rest of your day.

My other favorite quick lunch spot is Babycakes bakery. It’s a cozy little muffin shop with gooey paninis and other sandwiches, soups, and salads that are great for grab and go.

Cross Country Skiing in Marquette

Once you’ve gotten lunch, it’s time to ski! Cross country skiing is the best way to experience the Northwoods; it’s like hiking but you’re moving a little faster. Plus, it’s such a good workout so you have no reason to feel any guilt whatsoever about eating all the things and drinking good beer while you’re here.

Blueberry Ridge

This is our typical spot because they have a couple of beginner loops and then several more challenging loops. The U.P. is quite hilly so you may be surprised at how tiring the loops can be. The trails at Blueberry Ridge are groomed from Dec 1- March 31 (weather dependent) making them really nice and easy to ski. They don’t allow dogs on these trails during the winter months so the tracks are usually pristine. They also have a warming hut at one of the trailheads that is free to use.

Directions: 6 miles south of Marquette via Co Rd 553 & Co Rd 480. There is parking available on the east side of Co Rd 553.

Admission: Recreation passport

The Noquemenon Trails are incredibly popular too because they’re so many and they’re literally in town. These trails are so so popular with locals and visitors alike.

If you like downhill skiing, check out Marquette Mountain. There are several runs available plus they have a bar and a Friday Fish Fry!

Other winter outdoor activities in Marquette:

Ice Climbing
Snow Biking
SnowMobiling

Dinner and Drinks in Marquette, Michigan

When you’re ready to call it a day, head back to town for dinner. More often than not, we go to a brewery when we’re done for the day and grab food at whichever food truck is parked out front.

Ore Dock Brewing is another brewery favorite downtown

With over 300 breweries in Michigan, beer is a big deal. In Marquette, we have five and counting so there’s always a new beer to try when you get off the trail.

We live near Blackrocks Brewery so that’s our usual spot after a long day of skiing. The brewpub is a cozy nineteenth-century house on Third Street. In the winter, the fire pits are roaring and they even set up little igloos on their patio so you can watch the snowfall while you enjoy your beer.

Other breweries in town:

Ore Dock Brewing: Wide selection of craft beer plus hard seltzer!
Barrel & Beam: Specializing in barrel-aged beers, sours, and cider
Drifa Brewing: Michigan’s first brewery co-op!
The Vierling: More of a brewpub, good lineup of classic styles. Get the fish and chips while you’re there!

The Portside Inn is my favorite restaurant in town. It’s the coziest spot in the winter and has a kitschy nautical vibe that I love. They are famous for their breadsticks and pizza but they have delicious sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and more. My favorite thing is the Skachata sandwich. It’s basically an Italian sandwich made on homemade pizza dough. Perfect after a long day outside.

Plan Your Winter Trip to Marquette

As you can see, there is SO much to do in Marquette, Michigan during the winter months. You’ll definitely need more than one day to experience the best of winter in Marquette Michigan but I hope this perfect winter itinerary inspires you to plan a trip of your own. If you’re looking for a cozy place to stay while you’re in Marquette, these are a few of my favorite vacation rentals.

Marquette, Michigan Vacation Rentals