Students on a mountain at sunset

Adventure Starts Here

Heading to college can be a scary thought, but it's also an incredible adventure! At NMU you can find a wide range of ways to be involved and experience all the opportunities that await you. We've developed some tools and we hope they help make the transition easier, so you can relax and start exploring.

NMU football game

Get Involved

As a Wildcat, you'll have access to over 180 degree programs and more than 300 student organizations. You can be a part of helping others achieve success or grow as a leader by joining groups that are focused on guidance and excellence.

Presque Isle Sunset

Marquette is the largest city in the Upper Peninsula. It is located on the south shore of Lake Superior, combining a dramatic natural wonderland of shoreline, forest and hills with a vibrant cultural community, progressive education, business and healthcare. Residents are known for their can-do attitude and warm friendliness.

Discovery Around Every Corner

Northern’s hometown of Marquette is a city of 20,000 residents located along the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Here students can find adventure everywhere they turn, including spectacular viewings of the Aurora Borealis only minutes from campus.

Things to do in and around Marquette

 

Hiking, Biking and Cross Country Skiing

  • Marquette Greenway Trails: This 50-mile trail will eventually link communities, major parks and a wide variety of cultural, natural and economic assets.
  • Marquette Bike Paths
  • South Trails: This trail network is well known for having some of the best riding in the Midwest. There are 3 full loops that range in length from 5 to 7 miles over the rugged terrain.
  • Iron Ore Heritage Trail
  • Noquemenon Trails 
  • North Country Trail
  • Marquette Hiking
  • Sugarloaf Mountain

Motor Sports Trails

  • ATV Trails
  • Republic-Champion Route
  • Bass Lake Motorcycle Trail
  • Portfield Lake Motorcycle Trail

Skiiing/Snowboarding

  • Marquette Mountain
  • Fit-Strip Cross Country Ski Trail
  • Noquemenon Trails 

Parks

  • Presque Isle Park: The popular regional facility is located on Presque Isle, a 323 acre forested oval shaped headland/peninsula which juts into Lake Superior in the northern tip of the city. Presque Isle is known throughout the United States for its natural beauty. 
  • Tourist Park: Tourist Park is the site of the annual Hiawatha Music Festival.
  • Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park: A lovely bit of waterfront, the park includes a very large Kid's Cove playground, concession stand and boat launch. The park is host to many annual events.
  • Shiras Park
Neighborhood Parks
  • Williams Park
  • Harlow Park
  • Giant's Foot Park
Beach Parks
  • McCarty's Cove
  • South Beach Park
  • Clark Lambros Beach Park
Green Parks
  • Lakeside Park
  • Father Marquette Park
  • Downtown Pocket Park
  • Spring Street Park
  • LaBonte Park

Marinas

  • Presque Isle Marina
  • Cinder Pond Marina

Tours

Underground Mining Tours
  • Adventure Mining Company
Boat Tours
  • Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises
  • Glass Bottom Boat Shipwreck Tours

Museums

  • Michigan Iron Industry Museum
  • U.S. National Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame & Museum
  • Marquette County History Museum
  • The Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum

Arts and Crafts

  • Marquette Arts and Culture Center
  • The DeVos Art Museum
  • The STUDIO Gallery
  • The Oasis Gallery for Contemporary Art

Bowling

  • Country Lanes
  • Superior Lanes Entertainment Center

Ice Skating

  • Marquette Commons
  • Negaunee Ice Arena
  • Lakeview Arena

Libraries

  • Peter White Public Library
  • Ishpeming Public Library
  • Negaunee Public Library
  • NMU Lydia Olson Library

Movie Theaters

  • Cinema V
  • Thomas Theater Group

Planetariums

  • Shiras Planetarium

Recreational Facilities

  • NMU PEIF Facility
  • YMCA of Marquette County

Zoos

  • The DeYoung Family Zoo
  • Garlyn Zoo

 

Financing Your NMU Experience

Financing college is a big deal. Check out our online suite of tools to help you get the most value for your tuition dollar.

Financial Aid Office
Financial Aid Toolbox