Hotels, Restaurants, and Things to Do
An isolated city deep in the Northwoods, getting to Marquette can be a challenge. It's nearly a seven hour drive from Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis. Flights, especially those from a smaller airport like PDX or SBA, typically have multiple transfers. We completely understand if the travel is too onerous, whether physically or financially, and you choose to celebrate with us in spirit instead.
That said, Paul has acquired a few tips and tricks that might help you get here on a budget. The biggest one though is to BOOK EARLY. Flights and hotels only get more expensive the closer you get to the wedding.
Airports: The closest airport is Sawyer Regional Airport (MQT). It's a 25-minute drive from Marquette. While it's the most accessible, it's not always the cheapest. Bus service is available from the airport to Marquette.
The next closest airport is Delta County Airport (ESC) in Escanaba. It's an 80-minute drive from Marquette and often is cheaper than MQT.
A little further away is Ford Airport (IMT) in Iron Mountain, which is 95 minutes from Marquette. If you're flying into IMT though, keep in mind that it's on Central Time, not Eastern Time.
Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) is 2 hours from Marquette and rarely has the cheapest flights. But if you're planning on extending your trip in the UP by visiting the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula, it could be a good choice.
Further away in Wisconsin are Appleton International Airport (ATW) and Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB). These two airports are about a 3.5-hour drive from Marquette, but they often are much cheaper than other options.
Tip! Use Google Flights and plug in multiple airports to see the cheapest available options.
The Portland-Appleton Connection: For those flying from Portland, there is a direct flight to Appleton that runs once every Friday and Monday on Allegiant Airlines. These flights are very cheap, and even with the 3.5-hour drive to Marquette factored in, they're often still faster than flying to MQT with a connection.
Currently, there is a flight leaving PDX at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 5th. It will arrive in ATW at 4 PM. The return flight leaves ATW Monday, June 8th at 7:30 AM and arrives in PDX at 9:45 AM. Because of the early departure of the return flight, it may be optimal to fly into ATW and fly out of MQT/ESC for the true budget traveler.
Tip! Coordinate with your other cool Portland friends to split a rental car and save BIG MONEY!
International Travelers: If you're coming in from outside of the United States, you may be able to find significant savings by instead flying into Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada (YAM). You'll save even more money renting a car on the Canadian side, as they charge lower rates because the Canucks drive less aggressively than Americans. It's a 3-hour drive from there to Marquette, winding through the rolling forests of the eastern Upper Peninsula. Taking this route will allow you to sightsee the Soo Locks, Tahquamenon Falls, and maybe even take a detour to Mackinac Island.
Tip! Make sure to check your passport, visa, and car rental policy carefully, as you will be flying into Canada, then driving into the United States. You will also need to pay a toll to cross the International Bridge. Current rates.
Predicting the weather in the Midwest is a fool's errand. It could be a heat wave, there could be thunderstorms, or it could be snowing. Maybe all three if you're lucky! Most likely, it will be partially cloudy and mild. Here's what you can expect from historical trends:
Historic Average Temperatures for June 6th: High of 65°F (18°C), Low of 47°F (8°C).
Historic Highs and Lows for June 6th: High of 93°F (34°C), Low of 30°F (-1°C).
I have found that Weather Underground provides the most accurate and up-to-date weather forecasts for Marquette. Check it before you leave so that you are prepared.