Harper College will be closed Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.
Recently, I had the opportunity to take a week-long vacation trip to Marquette, Michigan, and the surrounding area. Marquette stands as the most populous city in the Upper Peninsula section of the state of Michigan, with a total of about 21,000 people who live there. While not heavily populated by Chicagoland standards, there are plenty of attractions in the area to see and experience. Most of these experiences revolve around nature trails and hikes.
Nestled along the vastness of Lake Superior, Marquette is breathtaking in its natural beauty. Just outside of the downtown area, after a 10 to 15 minute drive, I encountered various trails that stretched for miles and miles. The one particular trail that I returned to a few times during my trip was the Little Presque Isle Recreation Area. Here are a few of the photos that I captured from that one particular trail:
A day trip that I recommend taking is only a short drive outside of Marquette. A50 minute drive away (about 45 miles)is thequaint town of Munising, Michigan. Every time I take the day trip here from Marquette, I stop at the famous “Muldoons Pasties & Gifts,” right alongside the M-28 road. Here you’ll be able to find a favorite, hearty portion of a pasty meal. Pasties, for those that are unfamiliar with this Upper Peninsula Michigan cuisine, are D-shaped savory pies.
They are made with a flaky pasty crust, and filled with beef, vegetables, rutabaga, and onions. I highly recommend this meal from Muldoons. If you make the trip there, you will not be disappointed!
Downtown Marquette itself is also definitely worth it to see, especially because of its scenic location right alongside Lake Superior, one of the most majestic of the Great Lakes. Boutique shops, coffee shops, restaurants, and other spots line the streets of Marquette. Each of these places has its own appeal, and spending time in them is a day well spent.
Overall, I hope this blog post gives you a flavor of some of the things that you can do in Marquette, Michigan and the surrounding area. If you need more ideas for a trip to Marquette, the state of Michigan, or anywhere really, be sure to make use of the many resources that the Harper College Library provides. Happy exploring!