This little cove is at Presque Isle Park in Marquette.
This little cove is at Presque Isle Park in Marquette.
Every time I take a trip to Michigan’s upper peninsula, I’m mesmerized by its beauty and unique atmosphere. I know, “unique atmosphere” is an odd descriptor of one of my favorite places on earth, but it’s true. It’s a place of extremes. Extreme snow, extreme sky, extreme weather changes, extreme water, extreme terrain variations, and, it’s a place where time stands still. Here are some of the things that make the Marquette area a formidable vacation choice that’s hard to beat:

  • Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world.
  • Long summer days, just 5 hours of total darkness near the summer solstice.
  • A good chance of seeing the Northern Lights if you stay up there long enough.
  • The Milky Way, on a clear night, it’s visible and unforgettable… if you’re willing to stay up late for it.
  • The old mines in the Keeweenaw peninsula.
  • The Pictured Rocks.
  • Waterfalls, abundant waterfalls.
  • Constantly changing weather, if it’s rainy when you wake up, who cares, it will probably be sunny later in the day.
  • Limitless sights to see, places to go and things to do that are unique and unusual.
  • Wonderful places to camp and hike.
  • Crossing the mighty Mackinac bridge to get to the Upper Peninsula.
  • Walking along the paths along the shoreline.
  • The iron ore shipping docks.
  • Presque Isle park.

The sky is constantly changing in Michigan's upper peninsula, I saw this on the way to Marquette.
The sky is constantly changing in Michigan’s upper peninsula, I saw this on the way to Marquette.
I just got back from a wonderful vacation in Marquette, so of course, I took photos to share with you all. Here are some of my favorites and I’ll be adding to them this summer. My vacation, was courtesy of the kind and wonderful owners, Pat and Wendy Dudley, of the Funky Beach House, which is literally on Lake Superior with a fantastic, private beach. They let me stay there for a few days while I was doing my blogging vacation thing. If you’re looking for a place to stay near Marquette, I highly recommend the Funky Beach House, it’s available for rent most of the year and a delightful gem in the woods. If you’re the artsy type, like me, you will especially love it. Here’s a link to the Funky Beach House reservations if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to get some time up there. This is the Funk Beach house “backyard.”

This is the awesome Lake Superior beach at the Funky Beach House, the sunset lasts forever.
This is the awesome Lake Superior beach at the Funky Beach House, the sunset lasts forever.
I’ll be adding more posts about the Marquette, MI area over the summer with some of my favorite places and finds so you’ll have an easier time discovering local favorites. Here’s more information about Marquette from my visit in the fall.