Ishpeming Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Ishpeming is a charming city that offers a mix of natural beauty, rich history, and outdoor adventure. Nestled amidst stunning landscapes, this hidden gem is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

One of the major attractions in Ishpeming is the Michigan Iron Industry Museum, which showcases the region's rich mining history. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the iron mining process, learn about the lives of the miners, and even take a guided tour of the nearby Jackson Mine. The museum also hosts various events and programs that provide an immersive experience into the mining era.

For those seeking outdoor adventure, Ishpeming is surrounded by picturesque forests, lakes, and trails. The Iron Ore Heritage Trail, a 47-mile long multi-use trail, winds through the city and offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. The trails are particularly stunning during the fall season when the foliage transforms the landscapes into a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors.

Ishpeming is also home to the National Ski Hall of Fame and Museum, a must-visit for winter sports enthusiasts. The museum celebrates the history and achievements of skiing in the United States, showcasing vintage equipment, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits. Visitors can even test their skills on a ski simulator, providing a taste of the adrenaline-pumping sport.

For a taste of local culture, Ishpeming hosts various events and festivals throughout the year. The annual Italian Fest brings the community together to celebrate the area's Italian heritage with delicious food, live music, and cultural performances. The Heikki Lunta Winterfest, named after a local folklore character, is a winter extravaganza featuring snow sculptures, ice fishing competitions, and snowmobile races.

In addition to its natural beauty and cultural offerings, Ishpeming also boasts a charming downtown area filled with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Visitors can explore local boutiques for unique souvenirs, indulge in hearty Midwestern cuisine, and discover the works of talented local artists.

Alternative names: Founded: 1873 (151 years ago)Population: 6.5 thous.Area: 9.35 mi²Elevation: 1417 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 46°29'28"N, 87°40'6"W

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MichiganUnited States

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Ishpeming Top Attractions

Ishpeming Attractions - What to See and Explore

Ishpeming offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum, National Ski Hall of Fame, Ishpeming Municipal Building, Lake Bancroft Park. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Specialty museum • Museum
Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum
The Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum is a former iron mine, now a heritage museum, located on Euclid Street between Lakeshore Drive and Spruce Street in Ishpeming, Michigan.
Museum
National Ski Hall of Fame
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Ishpeming, Michigan, the birthplace of organized skiing in the United States.
City hall
Ishpeming Municipal Building
The Ishpeming Municipal Building is a public building located at 100 East Division Street in Ishpeming, Michigan. It is also known as Ishpeming City Hall.

Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Lake Bancroft Park
Lake Bancroft is a lake located in the city of Ishpeming in the U.S. state of Michigan. The lake has experienced progressive eutrophication resulting in hypoxia, disrupting its natural ecology.
Church
Saint John the Evangelist Church
St. John the Evangelist Church is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette and was the first Catholic Church to be built in Ishpeming, Michigan.
Library
Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library
The Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, located at 317 Main Street in Ishpeming, Michigan, is the second oldest Carnegie Library in the Upper Peninsula. It was authorized in 1901 and opened in 1904. It was listed as a Michigan State Historic Site on January 18, 1980.
46°29'20"N • 87°39'31"W
Cleveland Mine Engine House Number 3
The Cleveland Mine Engine House Number 3, also known as the Brownstone Engine House, is a building located at 601 Division Street in Ishpeming, Michigan.
46°29'23"N • 87°39'58"W
Braastad–Gossard Building
The Braastad–Gossard Building, also known as the Gossard Building or Pioneer Square, is a commercial building located at 308 Cleveland Avenue in Ishpeming, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
46°29'30"N • 87°40'5"W
Mather Inn
The Mather Inn is a hotel in Ishpeming, Michigan. The inn served as housing for the cast of the classic 1959 movie Anatomy of a Murder, and was the place where Duke Ellington composed the movie's score. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1976 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Day trips

Ishpeming – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Ishpeming, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Memorial Falls (Munising), Marquette Mountain (Marquette), Alger Falls (Munising).

50 milesE
Nature, Natural attraction, Waterfall
Memorial Falls, Munising
Memorial Falls are two similar waterfalls in adjacent gorges on small streams near the city of Munising Michigan. The larger falls drop approximately 40 feet. There is a cave behind both falls. There is a small natural arch in the sandstone between the two gorges near the top of the falls.
12 milesE
Ski area, Trail, Sport venue
Marquette Mountain, Marquette
Marquette Mountain Resort is a small mountain and ski resort in Marquette, Michigan, the major city in the state's Upper Peninsula. The resort offers winter sports seasonally as well as mountain biking, volleyball, and hiking in the spring, summer, and fall.
49 milesE
Nature, Natural attraction, Waterfall
Alger Falls, Munising
Alger Falls is a waterfall located along highway M-28 in Alger County, Michigan near Munising at the junction with M-94. The falls consist of a series of drops, the highest of which is about 15 feet. The falls can be seen from the highway.
47 milesE
Lighthouse
Grand Island Harbor Rear Range Light, Grand Island National Recreation Area
The Grand Island Harbor Rear Range Light is a lighthouse located off M-28 in Munising Township, Michigan. It is also known as the Bay Furnace Rear Range Light, Christmas Rear Range Light, or End of the Road Light.
25 milesE
Park, Museum, Art gallery
Lakenenland, Marquette
Lakenenland is a sculpture park located in Chocolay Township, Michigan. The park was founded in 2003, when artist Tom Lakenen moved his collection of scrap iron sculptures from his yard to a plot of land near the Lake Superior coast.