Blue Harbor View

15/04/2024

Happy spring! We’ve been having fun making updates at the bungalow. We love this new bench and pillows from and . Pulling it all together is the Adde outdoor rug. Thinking of a trip to Marquette? Check our calendar for limited summer openings.

09/12/2021

Michigan Ice Fest 2022—Munising, Michigan, https://blueharborview.com/events-marquette-michigan/michigan-ice-fest-2022

Quietly nestled on the south shore of Lake Superior we have some of the country’s most outstanding ice climbing and for years it was a secret treasure no one had ever heard of! Then the secret got out. With the release of two major films featuring the area, climbers are beginning to discover what ...

09/12/2021

Noquemanon 2022 Ski Marathon, https://blueharborview.com/events-marquette-michigan/noque-2022

The Noquemanon Ski Marathon (known also as the “Noque”) is one of the largest point-to-point cross-country ski marathons in the United States. The race showcases the rugged and challenging terrain of northern Marquette County Michigan.

30/07/2021

Java Bay on Third Street in Marquette is a local favorite. We love their breakfast burritos and omelets.

The restaurant is small, so when things are busy you might have a wait. But it is worth it!

Photo credit: Java Bay

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28/07/2021

Grilled salad anyone? Picking up an abundance of fresh local veggies and making a grilled salad is a family favorite. ⁠Stop by the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market to pick up what is in season. ⁠⁠
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The farmers market is a few blocks away and we have a grill on the deck, so grilling a meal like this is a snap. And you can have a beautiful, elegant dinner on the porch. The perfect way to enjoy the UP air on your vacation in Marquette.⁠⁠
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We grilled eggplant, small peppers, radicchio, and marinated chicken for this salad. Then topped it with farm fresh tomatoes and Wisconsin cheese. Best thing are the leftovers for lunch the next day. ⁠⁠
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26/07/2021

Did you know that wild blueberries are abundant in the Hiawatha National Forest? Blueberries are ripe from late July through August. You can contact the HNF Gladstone office for a map of recommended picking locations. Check the link in the comment below for the Hiawatha National Forest blueberry picking info page.

The next best thing to picking this superfood is finding them at Marquette's Blueberry Festival. The event takes place this Friday, July 30, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Marquette on Washington and Front streets.

Vendors will be selling mounds of fresh blueberries throughout the day.

You'll find sidewalk sales and special offerings at our restaurants (blueberry pizza and blueberry beer).

Plus, it's on the last Friday of July. Let's enjoy every day of sunshine and summer!

Photo credit, wild blueberry bush: Stephan

24/07/2021

Want to catch some of the best -colors in the United States? ’s -Peninsula simply must be on your must-see list. Come see us in . ⁠⁠

New on the blog–"Catch Peak Fall Colors in Michigan's Upper Peninsula". ⁠⁠
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22/07/2021

What to do while up north? We think the simple formula of the great outdoors + happy bellies is the right place to start. We’ve rounded up the best summer adventures you can have in . ⁠⁠
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Start with the sunrise over Lake Superior. Bike the Iron Ore Heritage Trail. Take in a field of sunflowers. Toast the day with one of our local craft beers. Here’s to the perfect summer day in , . ⁠⁠

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22/07/2021

What to do while up north? We think the simple formula of the great outdoors + happy bellies is the right place to start. We’ve rounded up the best summer adventures you can have in . ⁠⁠
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Start with the sunrise over Lake Superior. Bike the Iron Ore Heritage Trail. Take in a field of sunflowers. Toast the day with one of our local craft beers. Here’s to the perfect summer day in , . ⁠⁠
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Click the link in bio to read more about Summer Adventures in Marquette. ⁠
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21/07/2021

The swing chair on the front porch in the late afternoon shade is a great place to savor the day over a glass of fine wine.

Built in 1880, Blue Harbor View was recently renovated inside. This summer we've added cozy rugs and pillows to the front porch. When the LED lanterns arrive in a few weeks, this porch will be lit, as they say. :)

The best fall colors for the 2021 season are predicted for the last week of September and first two weeks of October.

If you’re thinking of a fall getaway these dates in September are currently open.

Sunday, Sept. 19 through Wednesday, September 22

Thursday, Sept. 24 through Wednesday, Sept. 29

17/07/2021

The Marquette area is home to some of the best hikes in the Upper Peninsula. With so many trails, it can be hard to figure out where to start. And, if you're new to hiking in Marquette, you can sometimes take a wrong turn on a not well-marked trail.

This happened to me last weekend on the Noquemenon North Trail. I missed a turn and had to backtrack. No big deal. But being one who loves trying new trails, I decided it was time to try the paid version of the All Trails app.

Although I've had the free version for a while, the paid version has the option of downloading a trail map to your phone.

I tested it out this past week on the Bad Dog Loop trail off Wright Street in the city. You can see my route in a photo in this post.

I downloaded the Bad Dog Loop map at home–you must have an internet connection to download and save to your phone. This stores your map locally on your phone. The next step is to select 'Navigate using this route'. At the trail head I pressed start to follow along the route and track my progress. This worked great last weekend–but I definitely want to test the app on a trail with no internet to test the GPS.

I posted a screen capture of my route in the photos.

I’m excited about this new tool. I have a few maps saved of new trails I want to explore and can’t wait to get out there this weekend.

Do you have a favorite trails app? I’d love to hear about your tips for finding new trails (and not getting lost)!

15/07/2021

One thing I really wanted to add to my home when I remodeled was this extra deep soaking tub.

Dim the chandelier for soft light, add hot water and complimentary bath salts to soak your troubles away. Isn't that what vacations are for?

Dry off with one of our cozy soft and fluffy warm towels and slip between luxury sheets for a restful night's sleep.

If you're anything like me, you'll want to do it all over again the next day.

Do you prefer hot baths or are you a shower person? (or both?)

14/07/2021

Vacations are for dining out, but our open kitchen and casual yet elegant place settings might just change your mind.  

Fully stocked with all the cookware you need to bring out your inner Martha Stewart. 

Enjoy dinner with wine and conversation at the marble-topped dining table or pick up muffins, croissants, or quiche at Babycakes Muffin Company for a quick and easy breakfast at the bar before a day of exploring Marquette. 

Even if your time in the kitchen is limited to morning coffee or preparing a quick cheese and fruit tray, you'll love the cheery, custom-painted cabinets, morning light, and the view of the lower harbor from the sliding glass doors.   

We have availability weeknights and a few weekends this fall, check the link in my profile to check the calendar and book. 

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12/07/2021

Did you know that millions of tons of iron ore pellets are loaded onto freighters at the Marquette ore dock at the upper harbor?

This ship, the Lee A Tregurtha, came into the harbor last week. She has a long history since serving as a World War II tanker in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Not only has the ship's name changed several times it has also been lengthened and widened. The Tregurtha is now 826 feet long and 76 feet long.

The freighters reach 700 to 1,000 feet in length. The upper ore dock is also known as the Presque Isle Dock. The dock was constructed in the early 1900s when Michigan was the leading producer of iron ore in the United States.

According to Travel Marquette, "Each year approximately 9.5 to 10 million tons of ore are shipped from this dock. This steel-framed dock is 1,250 feet long and 60 feet wide, with the top deck sitting 75 feet above the water level. It contains 200 pockets, each of which has a capacity of 250 tons of ore, for a total storage capacity of 50,000 tons."

You can get an up-close look at the iron ore loading process here in Marquette from Presque Isle Park or a small parking area near the ore dock on Lakeshore Blvd. You can see the Lower Harbor Ore Dock from the porch at Blue Harbor View.

If you're interested in tracking the Great Lakes ships you'll find an interactive map at Greatlakes-Seaway dot com.

Are you interested in the history of the Upper Peninsula? There are lots of things to discover. Let me know what you are interested in learning more about.

09/07/2021

If you are looking for something light and delicious you will love 231 West Patisserie.

Open daily, you will find coffee, breakfast, pastries, lunch, nuts and chocolate, and desserts.

The beautiful modern space is the perfect place to enjoy a kale salad, a croissant sandwich, or a bowl of soup. Save room for an exquisitely prepared French dessert and an espresso.

And here’s a twist on their classic offerings. Gourmet tacos are served daily from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

I love their healthy creative salads and their unique tacos are my favorite.

What's your favorite place to eat in Marquette?

Be sure and check out the blog post with more dining out ideas.

08/07/2021

Amateur astronomers, nature lovers, and stargazers all love seeing the majesty of the Northwoods night sky.

The Marquette area is out of the reach of big-city light pollution, the population density is lower, and we are just far north enough for aurora chasers to consider us a prime spot for viewing.

Here on our Lake Superior shores the view can be breathtaking. As soon as the sun goes down, the stars twinkle into view.

All year long, there’s something glorious to look for:

⭐ shooting stars,
⭐ a glimpse of the Milky Way,
⭐ or even the elusive and mysterious Northern Lights.

photo by: Jon Anders, Unsplash

07/07/2021

Way to go Michigan!

Near Marquette, the best places for dark sky viewing are Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, M-28 between Marquette and Munising, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

If you’ve never seen the night sky from a truly dark sky—or Dark Sky Park—you’re going to be amazed on a clear, calm night. From April to October (in the northern hemisphere), you can see the Milky Way rise in the southern sky. This gorgeous hazy band is our very own home galaxy, a collection of stars so dense we cannot distinguish them individually. If you’re looking early in the season, in April or May, it rises at about midnight. Later in the summer, it’s visible all night, setting by 3 or 4 am.

The state of Michigan, USA adopted a resolution formally recognizing July 2021 as Dark Sky Awareness Month. This is the result of a 6 month effort championed by IDA Delegate Robert Parrish.

31/03/2021

When I learned that recent guests were coming to Marquette to get married I wanted to welcome them with something special. That led to meeting on the phone.

Well, he is amazing. It turns out that not only does Jeff create the most gorgeous arrangements...he also grows the flowers! This takes fresh flowers to a new level up here in the U.P.

I can not wait to go out to the farm in Skandia, Mich. on a Saturday morning when he’s open to the public to take it all in.

You can find Weddings by Jeff Heidtman on Facebook.