Top Ten Activity Recommendations:

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1. Start with a visit to Lakenenland Sculpture Park, a creation of a local metal sculptor whose sculptures outgrew his front yard. It’s just across the highway from the cottage. You can either walk across or do a drive-through to view his collection of more-than-life-sized metal “Junkyard Art.” A very talented artist with a quirky sense of humor, it’s a fun tour to take.
    

2. Visit Presque Isle Park, one of Marquette’s stunning parks, 18 miles West from the cottage. Surrounded by water on three sides, it presents you with a picturesque breakwater, picnic area, amphitheater, walking trails, hidden gravelly beaches, and the geologically historic Black Rocks cliffs.
   On your drive there you’ll see the ore dock jutting out into the bay, often busy transferring iron ore pellets from train to ore boat, hauled from inland mines.
    

3. Visit Downtown Marquette, 15 miles West from the cottage. Picturesque and historic, with dining, shopping, and entertainment. It is near hiking and bicycle trails, several golf courses, and a casino. At the corner of Front and Washington Street you’ll see the Savings Bank Building with a clock tower dating from the early 1900s. Along both streets are unique boutique and specialty shops catering to local artisans, in which to browse and buy everything Upper Peninsula. A must see and shop!
    

4. Visit the Marquette Regional History Center in downtown Marquette for a fascinating look at the history, geology, and culture of the Upper Peninsula.
    

5. Tour the Maritime Museum near the Coast Guard Station to visualize life on the Great Lakes waterways for the Indians, fur traders, and seamen. There you can also arrange a tour of the lighthouse.
    

6. Eat a Pasty [pass-tee]: A hearty hand pie made with meat, potatoes and veggies. Pasties were a staple of miners during the heyday of iron ore and copper mining in the U.P.
   Lawry's Pasty Shop is one favorite, on the highway west of downtown. Grab some for your next hike!
    

7. Hike Sugarloaf Mountain on Country Road 550 (the Big Bay Road) going north from Marquette, an easy trail with a spectacular view at the peak.
    

8. Visit the wild and beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 26 miles east. Hike above the cliffs and enjoy beautiful lake vistas. Or, enjoy a different perspective on the popular Pictured Rocks Cruise. Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours are also available. If you are adventurous you can paddle the shoreline with a Pictured Rocks kayaking tour (multiple kayak tour companies service the park).
    

9. Explore the waterfalls of Alger County, just east of the cottage.
    

10. Take a day trip.
    To the West, experience the historic and scenic Copper Country: Houghton (home of Michigan Technological University), Hancock, Calumet, and Copper Harbor.
    
    To the East is Sault Ste. Marie, where you can tour the Soo Locks, one of the largest (and busiest) waterway traffic systems in the world.
    
    Mackinac Island is just 2½ hours from the Beachcomber’s Cottage. Visit not just to experience the history of Fort Mackinac, but for the carriage tours, horseback rides, and the famous Mackinac Island fudge.
     

There are many more activities nearby. The cottage has brochures of local attractions.