The local office of the National Weather Service reported a high temperature of 86 degrees here in Marquette this past Tuesday. It’s been hotter, but not much, and not very frequently. If you’re like me, that’s about 10 or so degrees more than you need. Am I complaining? A little. Would I prefer the minus 9 degrees we hit on January 16th? Nope.
Regardless of your preferred temperature, you’re probably enjoying summer as usual here in the central U.P. Even though our winter was unusually mild, we still relish the warm days and late nights we’ve grown to expect. Mild weather gives us the chance to shake off the cobwebs accumulated during our winter hibernation and do all those outdoor things inaccessible on snow-covered terrain.
Yes, I’m fully aware that many of us…okay, many of you, worship the snow gods and happily don the gay apparel of the dreaded fourth season. But even you must admit… there’s nothing like summer in the U.P.
Which brings me to the many commercial venues tapping into our outdoor appetites. Those favorite food and drink destinations become even more appealing these days when we can gather outside and enjoy Mother Nature’s air conditioning.
Plenty of Options
Local establishments have gradually developed more and better outdoor facilities, beginning well before the pandemic, but accelerated due to that social distancing disorder. North Third Street, for example, offers no fewer than ten different drink or dine outdoor opportunities, from a couple cute tables on the sidewalk, like you’ll see at Contrast Coffee, to the full-blown, under-the-clear-blue-sky experience found at Blackrocks, seen above. And now there’s a new outdoor pizza restaurant behind Superior Culture called Spicy Girl Pizza. Haven’t heard their plans for winter yet. Cold pizza anyone?
Unfortunately, we’re down one spot due to the all too familiar staff shortage. Stucko’s outdoor patio will remain dormant until management is confident they can offer the level of service they’re known for, without overtaxing current staff. That, according to owner Sonia Stucko.
Downtown features a number of outdoor options as well. The 100 block of West Washington is dotted with sidewalk tables and chairs, while restaurants like the Portside offer full-blown patio dining. The Landmark developed a cute little outdoor area a couple years ago, but for some reason it seems underutilized. Access is a little complicated, but if you try… you can get there.
The Ore Dock already boasts a cool sidewalk café, off their West Spring Street entrance, while their expansion, still in progress, will include a beer garden on the other side of the building. I guess there’s some gardening in my future!
Though it’s not ready for business yet, the return of Digs’ backlot Digs City Beach is still in go mode. Brother Pat says the permitting process is almost complete and they’re hoping the re-opening can happen within a month. I’ll let you know.
Head to south Marquette and you’ll find a patio in the sun at The Courtyards, and a nice outdoor area overlooking Marquette Bay at Drifa Brewing Company. In Harvey, the Lake Superior Smokehouse Brewpub has a big backyard with plenty of tables and occasional entertainment.
Certainly there are other area venues offering an outdoor experience, including a few in Negaunee, Ishpeming, and Gwinn. The point is, weather permitting, you don’t have to look far to find a spot in the sun to enjoy your dinner and drink.
Outdoor Event Season
Our bars and restaurants aren’t the only things celebrating the fresh air. The Downtown Development Authority’s Farmers Market held their first West Washington event Wednesday night. I know it’s not easy to close down the main drag for that kind of thing, but it turns out to be a pretty cool mini-festival experience. Looking forward to more of that, as well as the Blueberry Festival, later this summer.
The Thursday night concerts at the Presque Isle Band Shell continued last night with a performance by the Marquette City Band Do you realize how lucky we are to be able to go out to Presque Isle and listen to a free concert from our very professional city band? Darn lucky.
And last night was also the season’s first Music on Third, this year featuring some closed off blocks to allow for better casual wandering. That was a nice touch, but after seeing what it did for the event, the general consensus was they should close off the whole street. Maybe next time, which will be Thursday, July 18th.
Like most summers, you may have heard horror stories about the Upper Peninsula’s infamous nuisance insects. The many varieties of biting flies and the ever-present blood sucking mosquitos are apparently having a banner year. But those are mostly found beyond the city limits. Luckily, the brick and mortar of the central business district doesn’t lend itself to the relentless proliferation of the winged party-poopers, so most town-bound outdoor activities can continue without the need for on-site first aid.
Parents used to tell the kids to “go play outside.” Now, as adults, we apply that advice to ourselves. As the days are already getting shorter, we’ll be heading back inside soon enough. So go ahead. Play outside. I’ll see you there.