Press Center
Set on the shores of Lake Superior, Marquette is a community with a vision as vast as its horizon. Where Mother Nature’s assets are on display through sweeping scenic vistas, miles of trails, and rushing waterfalls that are as beautiful as they are accessible. Here you can see the forest and the trees and a chance encounter with a local will likely be met with a friendly smile and the possibility of learning of a favorite spot to adventure or eat.
While some may view the Marquette area as remote, those who reside here view it as a hidden gem, tucked away under the Milky Way where entrepreneurs and innovators are guided by the Northern Lights while artists and instructors are inspired by a starry sky or clear sunrise. Where when seeking out wildlife it may involve cheering for our beloved NMU Wildcats and students looking for nightlife know they have chosen one of the safest university towns around.
Our historic downtown pays homage to the rich mineral deposits, dense forests, and maritime markers that have helped to shape its story while recognizing that much like those who settled the area, it is vision that brings prosperity. From its fiercely independent and unique dining establishments to its assortment of award-winning craft breweries, Marquette’s spirit is on display in its diverse offerings which all share a love for an area that embraces a culture anchored in artisanship, ingenuity, and perseverance.
ACCOLADES
- Best Small Town for Adventure, USA Today 10Best, 2018
- Best in Travel, Lonely Planet, 2017
- 25 Best Places to Travel (#12), Gear Patrol, 2015
- Five-Star Top Performing Entrepreneurial Community, 2015
- Placemaking Award – Third Street Corridor, June, and September 2015
- Best Small Cities in America, Ranked eighth, Nerdwallet, 2015
- Four-Star Top Performing Entrepreneurial Community, 2014
- Michigan Excellence in Technology Award, 2014
- Best Shopping Experience, Lake Superior Magazine, 2014
- Top 5 Places to Retire, CNN/Money Magazine, 2012
- 10 Winter Wonderlands for Retirement, U.S. News and World Report, 2011
- Top 200 Towns for Sportsmen, Outdoor Life Magazine, 2011
- 10 Best Small Cities to Raise a Family, Forbes Magazine, 2010
- Designated “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists, 2010
- Named the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations Fan Favorite, 2010
- #1 Place to Bike and Live, Bike Magazine, 2009
- 100 Best Small Art Towns in America, 2004
ABOUT:
- Marquette County spans 1,872 square miles
- 83 Miles of shoreline
- Population of 67,215 in the county; 20,570 in the city of Marquette, making it the largest city in the Upper Peninsula (2016 Census)
- Serviced by Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport
Marquette County is home to:
- Northern Michigan University
- One of only four Olympic training centers, and the only one located on a college campus (NMU)
- The largest wooden dome stadium in the world, The Superior Dome
- The National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum
- Film location for the 1959 movie, Anatomy of a Murder; the best-selling novel was written by Ishpeming defense attorney, turned author, John Voelker (aka Robert Traver) based on the true story of a shooting that took place in a local bar in Big Bay.
