Whatever the weather, there's fun to be had inside and out throughout Marquette.
Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum
The perfect place for family fun no matter the weather. The U.P. Children’s Museum is filled with hands-on, interactive displays that are equally as educational as they are fun. Kids can learn about the human body with a trip down the “stomach slide” or a climb up the “skin wall.” Crawl through the “fantastic forest” and stop at the touch tank to interact with the museum’s real turtles and other reptiles. Turn into a tiny actor, grocery store clerk, chef, firefighter and more in the museum’s Micro Society. The UPCM is a playground for your imagination and an inclusive environment for all. Check their website upchildrensmuseum.org for a schedule of museum events like Pajama Day and Craft Day.
Lakenenland
A playground and park filled with junkyard art? At Lakenenland your child will be as enamored as you at all there is to see and do. Walk, ride or drive through this interactive sculpture forest. Follow the trail to step on a giant scale, climb through the elephant clubhouse, head over to the jungle gym or just check out Tom Lakenen’s wacky, cool creations. In August catch the Free the Music Fest, a free admission music festival held at Lakenenland featuring live bands and vendors. Admission to Lakenenland is free, though donations are accepted.
Presque Isle Park Bog Walk
When you take your obligatory trip around the peninsula in Presque Isle Park, stop by the Bog walk before you head out. While you walk this urban bog and follow the wooden boardwalks you just might spot some birds, turtles or a Presque Isle Park Deer. It’s an easy way to enjoy the outdoors while learning more about nature and spotting local wildlife, right along the lakeshore.
Edge of Reality VR Arcade
Rain or shine, spend your afternoon at the Edge of Reality. The virtual reality arcade offers dozens of virtual experiences from plank walking and fighting zombies to walking down the streets of international locations. Book a station for the whole family to enjoy exploring other realities right in downtown Marquette.
Rippling River Resort’s Putt-Putt Golf Course
There’s fun to be had at Rippling River Resort’s 9-hole putt-putt golf course. Try to sink a hole-in-one on this green while surrounded by Marquette’s gorgeous greenery at this outdoor course. The cost is $3 for guests of the resort and $5 for the public.
McCarty’s Cove
The Marquette Harbor Lighthouse sits above this beach. located on the shores of Lake Superior and is a sight to see sun or snow. In the summer, the bright red lighthouse can be the beautiful backdrop of your beach day and in the winter, a pop of color on your walk amidst all the white. Stop by the Marquette Maritime Museum to learn about the history of the lighthouse, the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and other area maritime history. You might even be able to catch a tour of the lighthouse if you’re in town around opening day in May through mid-October.
HOTplate Pottery & Art Studio
Whether it’s a sunny, chilly or rainy day, HotPlate is the perfect place for your kids to create. It’s simple, pick and paint from fun pieces of pottery like mugs, bowls, figurines, or banks and Hot Plate will handle the rest. Be sure to check out their site beforehand for weekly specials and upcoming events that might be of interest.
