In large part because it is home to NMU and situated near Lake Superior, Marquette has been ranked among the "10 Great Active Outdoor Towns in the North Country" by northoutdoors.com.
“We really like college towns, as they embrace a diverse, outdoorsy and active vibe,” stated the online description of Marquette. “The largest freshwater lake in the world is a favorite of our, less for the water itself, but more for what lies along its shores. We chose it over some of the smaller towns in the region because it has more variety in dining, nightlife and lodging.”
The review also referenced an abundance of single-track mountain riding trails and Marquette's proximity to the colorful geography and kayaking opportunities at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
“In this part of the world, most outdoor activities focus on either being on the water (kayaking, sailing) or next to it (hiking), but don't underestimate some of the interior hikes, which have impressive vertical given the rugged topography of the Upper Peninsula.”
North Outdoors is based in Minnesota. It is an online resource that covers active lifestyles and destinations in the North, ranging from the Northern Rockies to the Northwoods, and Great Lakes to bucolic New England. North Outdoors provides content for readers including destination guides, how-to tutorials and gear reviews, all aimed at helping people appreciate and enjoy the outdoors. To see the full list of its 10 great active outdoor towns, click here.