Best places to stay in Marquette, Michigan
Cascading waterfalls. Lake Superior. Hundreds of hiking, biking, and skiing trails. Fly fishing in hidden creeks. Wild berry picking. Rolling hills of fiery autumn colors. Marquette, Michigan is an outdoor paradise and vacation destination year-round. Marquette has been my home base for five years now and I love it. I’ve hosted many friends and family over the years and get asked about the best places to stay in Marquette, Michigan all the time. Read on to find out the best vacation rentals and hotels in and around Marquette.
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Rock River Falls near Marquette, Michigan
What’s the best time to visit Marquette?
Before we dive in on where to stay in Marquette, you need to decide when to visit.
Patio beers at Blackrocks Brewery
Summer is peak season and full of fun festivals, patio weather, beach days, berry picking, and more. If you plan to visit Marquette in the summer, you must start planning early! Here’s my perfect summer day itinerary in Marquette.
Fall is a must for outdoor lovers that want to experience incredible fall foliage. See all my favorite places to go leaf-peeping around Marquette.
Winter is for adventure. Did you know Marquette gets an average of 150 inches of snow every year? Learn to cross-country or downhill ski, go ice climbing, see a dogsled race, or go snowmobiling. This is how I spend most winter days in Marquette.
Spring is not my favorite season up here because the weather is extremely unpredictable. One weekend will be gorgeous, sunny, and 70 degrees and a few days later and the temperature might plummet with high winds and snow. It’s a slower season so you’ll likely enjoy cheaper stays at hotels and vacation rentals. Trails and restaurants will also be less crowded.
Downtown Marquette, Michigan
Where’s the best place to stay in Marquette?
You’ve figured out when to visit Marquette, now you need to decide where you want to stay. There’s no right or wrong answer, It really depends on the vibe you’re going for on your trip. There are lots of great options for places to stay for visitors. I’ve grouped the vacation rentals by area—downtown, eastside, lakefront, and cabins near Marquette. I’ve also added a section of Marquette hotels I’d recommend.
Where to stay in Downtown Marquette
The Clubhouse at the Trestle Building - My #1 pick for downtown, if you’re traveling with a group, is The Clubhouse at the Trestle Building. It’s big with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and sleeps 9 comfortably. The open-concept living room and kitchen are massive so it’s easy to cook and entertain. It had an awesome view of the Ore Dock. It’s right above Zephyr Wine Bar, across the street from Getz’s Clothing if you need to pick up any gear during your trip, and within walking distance from all the restaurants and shops downtown. My mom has rented this one during the holidays several times and and it’s fun to be able to stay together. It’s also kid-friendly and comes with a pack and play, high chair, games, and more. Photos are from VRBO.
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The Harbor Loft - This is another historic building that’s been renovated as a vacation rental. Great location across the street from the Ore Dock and steps away from the Lakeshore path. This unit is 3 bed/2 bath and sleeps 9 people. There’s a second unit in the building that is 1 bedroom and sleeps 4 if you don’t need as much space.
Downtown bungalow - This little house is on the edge of downtown on one of the higher bluffs with a nice view of the water. The star of this house is the stunning interior. It’s been completely renovated and thoughtfully designed with beautiful furniture and a gorgeous bathroom with heated floors and a huge soaking tub.
South Marquette Bungalow via VRBO
Hotels in Marquette
Landmark Inn - Located in the heart of downtown Marquette, the Landmark Inn offers a great location, onsite restaurant, and cocktail bar.
Superior Stay Hotel - Budget-friendly and within walking distance to Northern Michigan University near Lake Superior
Hampton Inn - If you’re a big points traveler, the Hampton Inn downtown has THE view, right on Lake Superior, and an indoor pool
Where to stay on the East side of Marquette
The east side of Marquette is one of the older sections of residential housing in town, in between 3rd street and the lakeshore. If you’re looking for a more local experience and want to be close to downtown but a more residential neighborhood, a vacation rental on the east side is a good choice. Here are a few of my favorites in this area.
Hewitt Onion House via VRBO
Hewitt Onion Tower House - This house is massive at 3,400 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a sauna, gym, outdoor fire pit, deck, and more. There are lots of unique Victorian details in the home but a fully remodeled and modern kitchen. This would be a really fun house for a big group or big family reunion.
Urban Beachcomber Cottage - Cute and modern cottage with 3 bed/2 bath that accommodates 7 people comfortably. This house has an excellent location just steps from McCarty’s Cove beach, the Marquette Lighthouse, and the multi-use lakeshore path to downtown. If you’re traveling with a baby or kids, they have a pack-and-play, a high chair, a baby swing, toys, etc. available upon request.
East Side Beach House - There aren’t many houses right on the beach but this is one of them! 3 bed/2 bath house that sleeps 9 is right on McCarty’s Cove, steps from Lake Superior, and the perfect family beach house. There’s an awesome outdoor living area with a patio, a Big Green Egg smoker/grill, and plenty of lakefront to enjoy. McCarty’s Cove is a public beach so just be aware in the summer it is typically very busy there.
Beach House at McCarty’s Cove via VRBO
Watermarq House - 3 bd/2 ba cottage that sleeps 7 with charming sunroom and great yard with patio for entertaining. This would be a great place to rent for a long-term stay so you can enjoy really enjoy the property. Walking distance to downtown and the beach.
Watermarq House via VRBO
LAKEFRONT houses in and around Marquette
Private Beach House at Presque Isle Park - This cozy house is a 3 bed/2 bath house in a great location on the only stretch of private beach in Marquette. If you want to wake up with views of Lake Superior every day in a really quiet spot, this is it.
Little Red Retreat - Retro lakefront retreat that sleeps 4 with an indoor sauna and outdoor fire pit! This little cottage is about a 20-minute drive to Marquette and in between Marquette and Munising, Michigan.
Little Red Retreat via VRBO
Superior Beach House - Another awesome beach house decked out in retro 60s decor. This 2bd/1 ba house is super affordable and sleeps 6 comfortably. There’s also a Finnish sauna and shower outside of the main house. It’s only 5-6 miles from downtown Marquette so it’s perfect if you want to enjoy the best of Marquette and the peace and quiet that comes with being a little outside of town.
Superior Beach House via VRBO
Cabins near Marquette, Michigan
Lakeside Cedar Cabin - This little cabin looks like the ideal retreat if you want to get away from it all and enjoy the outdoors. The cabin has two bedrooms and a loft with 2 beds and 1 bathroom, a gorgeous view of an inland lake, beach, and sauna. It’s about 5.7 miles from Marquette so you can easily make trips to town.
Lakeside Cedar Cabin via VRBO
Little Lake Cabin - This super cute tiny cabin sleeps 3 and is located right on Little Lake. Looks like a great spot for a little getaway in nature. The cabin is very convenient to Snowmobile Trail 8 and a 15-mile drive from Marquette.
Little Lake Cabin via VRBO
Laughing Whitefish Cabin - 2 bd/2ba cabin conveniently located in Deerton, Michigan between Marquette and Munising. The Laughing Whitefish is a great home base for an adventure in the Upper Peninsula. The location is peaceful and quiet. It’s close to the beach for summer fun and close to the snowmobile trail system in the winter. There’s a great deck off the kitchen where you can fire up the grill and relax while listening to the Laughing Whitefish River.
Laughing Whitefish Cabin via VRBO
Big Bay Outpost - An old general store in Big Bay, Michigan turned into a charming 3 bd/1 ba rental just 30 minutes from Marquette. This is a great location if you want to be near snowmobile trails and other outdoor adventures. It’s next door to the infamous Lumberjack Tavern and across the street from the trail leading down to Lake Independence.
Big Bay Outpost via VRBO
A-Frame on Lake Independence - I love A-frame cabins and this one is on my list to check out! There’s something so charming and nostalgic about that architecture style. This cabin is 3 bd/1 ba, sleeps 8, with a private beach, fire pit, and modern and spacious interior. Lake Independence is just 30 minutes from Marquette.
Lake Independence A-frame via VRBO
Phil’s 550 - Phil’s 550 is a quirky convenient store on the road north to Big Bay, Michigan. This rental is 3 bd/ 1 bath, sleeps 7, and is attached to Phil’s 550 store. This is a great location— 2 miles from Sugarloaf Mountain and a couple of miles from Marquette.
Sugarloaf Mountain near Marquette
Now that you’ve found the perfect place to stay in Marquette, it’s time to plan the rest of your Upper Peninsula vacation. Find things to do in Marquette this summer, a fall foliage color guide, and my perfect winter day in Marquette.
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