Marquette, MI
For the boreal bound, crisp adventures await
The adventure capital of the North, Marquette has everything either within city limits or close striking distance. In the summer, there’s world-class mountain biking, hiking and “sweetwater” paddling on Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world (one of the best nearby locations for watersports is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, pictured above). In the winter, multiple feet of snowfall make for great Nordic skiing. In town, there’s a vibrant foodie scene with gastropubs, coffee roasters and microbreweries. Start the day with a freshly made muffin from Babycakes before doing fat tire laps on the Mount Marquette trail system. Reward yourself with an IPA from Ore Dock Brewing and then hop over to The Vierling for more beer and dinner. At the end of the day, bed down in the same room where Amelia Earhart slept at the Landmark Inn. Next day, repeat.