Father Marquette National Memorial

Father Jacques Marquette, a French Jesuit missionary, established Michigan’s earliest European settlements at Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace in 1668 and 1671. He lived among the Great Lakes Indians from 1666 to his death in 1675. During these nine years, Father Marquette mastered several native languages and helped Louis Jolliet map the Mississippi River.

Today, Father Marquette is recognized as one of the great explorers of the North American continent. On a rise overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, the Father Marquette National Memorial tells the story of that 17th-century missionary-explorer and the meeting of French and Native American cultures deep in the North American wilderness.

Father Marquette National Memorial is located on Boulevard Drive just off US-2 in St. Ignace and is interpreted in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Attractions include an outdoor interpretive trail, picnic area and a panoramic view of the Mackinac Bridge.

Click here for a site map.

Garlyn Zoo Wildlife Park | Naubinway, Michigan

GarLyn Zoo sets on the top of Lake Michigan nestled in the mature pines of the U.P. Family fun for over 20 years. A great place to bring the whole family.

A child friendly zoo with people friendly animals located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan just 40 minutes west of the Mackinac Bridge. Enjoy feeding the deer, goats, llama and even the bear. You will see tiger, cougar, wolves, bobcat, river otter, camel, alligator grizzly bear and more. Check out the gift shop filled with wildlife related gifts and souvenirs for all ages.

Hours of Operation

Spring & Summer 2022 (April 30 until August 31)

Open 7 days a week from 10AM until 6PM with last admission at 5PM

Fall 2022 (September 1 until October 16)

Open 7 days a week from 10AM until 5PM with last admission at 4PM

Call the rest of October – Open depends on the weather

Closed November 1 until Spring 2023

Explore the depths of Lake Superior and its sunken vessels.

This is the only place in the United States that you can see real shipwrecks aboard a Glass Bottom Boat!

Located on picturesque Munising Bay in Munising, Michigan, Shipwreck Tours offers modern travelers a chance to see the proud boats which sailed the Great Lakes before the turn of the century.