Upper Peninsula Children's Museum

If you're looking for a place where imagination knows no bounds and learning turns into a thrilling adventure, then the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum is a must-visit. Located in Marquette, USA, this interactive space occupies an impressive former warehouse and offers thousands of square feet of pure joy and discovery.

The main feature of the museum is that its exhibits were designed with the participation of children themselves. There are no strict "do not touch" rules here—on the contrary, the museum's philosophy is built on the principle of play-based learning. Young visitors aged 3 to 13 can immerse themselves in the world of science, art, and ecology, using all their senses to explore the world around them.

The museum is an important cultural and educational center in Michigan, welcoming about 40,000 guests annually. It is an inclusive and safe space where STEAM principles come to life in the form of giant models of the human body, miniature cities, and creative workshops, making it an ideal place for family leisure in the heart of the city.

For more information about special events or group visit conditions, you can contact the museum administration directly. Below are the organization's main contact details.

You certainly won't be bored at this museum, as every corner calls for action. One of the most popular zones is The Human Body, where children can literally crawl inside a model of the human body and descend the famous intestine-shaped slide. In the Micro-Society zone (often called Nita’s Neighborhood), young explorers can try on the role of a doctor in an ambulance, a firefighter, a banker, or even a barista in an unusual "dinosaur cafe."

For those passionate about nature and technology, the Fantastic Forest and Over the Air halls are open. Here you can study weather phenomena, experiment with aviation, or pedal special Pedal Power bikes to generate electricity yourself. The water section allows for building dams and observing fish models, developing an understanding of the Upper Peninsula ecosystem.

Creative minds will find inspiration in the art studio, where they can paint on easels or put on plays in the puppet theater using a huge selection of costumes. Each museum exhibit is an opportunity for a child to take initiative, develop creativity, and feel like a real engineer, artist, or scientist.

Finding the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum is easy, as it is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Marquette. The exact address is 123 W Baraga Ave. If you are already exploring the center, you can easily walk here from landmarks such as St. Peter Cathedral or Marquette's historic district. For those using public transport, the proximity of the MarqTran station, located just one block from the entrance, is a nice bonus.

Travelers arriving from other regions via Sawyer International Airport (MQT) will need about 20 minutes by car or taxi. The drive follows the scenic US-41 or M-28 highways. Parking is available in the museum area, making it convenient for families traveling by private car.

The history of this unique space began in the late 1980s when a group of Marquette County residents decided the region needed a center for children's creative development. Remarkably, children themselves were directly involved in designing the exhibits. In the early 1990s, special workshops called "designasaurus" were held, where little experts offered ideas for future halls: the "Fantastic Forest" and "Micro-Society."

In 1991, the organization purchased a former cold storage warehouse building with an area of over 32,000 square feet. Official non-profit status was granted in 1995, and the museum has been constantly evolving ever since. One of the landmark events was the 2002 opening of the interactive human body zone, which immediately became a hit thanks to its unusual slide.

Over the decades of its existence, the museum has transformed into a true STEAM center, combining science and art. In 2022, the museum celebrated its 25th anniversary and saw the retirement of its first executive director, Nita Weyer Ittner, whose name the updated "Micro-Society" neighborhood now bears. Today, the museum continues to thrive through donations and grants, remaining a vital cultural anchor of the Upper Peninsula.

To fully enjoy all the interactive zones, most families are recommended to plan a visit lasting 2 to 3 hours. This is usually enough time for children to "work" in the mini-city, explore the aviation zone, and slide down the unusual slides several times.

If you plan to visit the museum on a day with special events or holidays, it's worth setting aside about 4 hours in your schedule. The museum is so packed with details that children often find new ways to play in the halls they already visited at the beginning of the tour, so there's no need to rush.

The museum welcomes visitors year-round, although the schedule depends on the day of the week. Traditionally, Monday is a day off. From Tuesday to Saturday, the doors are open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Sunday, the museum opens a bit later — from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Please note that operating hours may change on holidays or during special educational programs. Before your trip, it is recommended to check the official website for the current schedule and any planned events.

The museum's location in the historic city center makes it easy to combine an educational visit with sightseeing at other interesting locations. Just a few steps away, you'll find views of the waterfront and architectural monuments reflecting the region's industrial and spiritual heritage.

A stroll through the surrounding area will help you better feel the atmosphere of old Marquette, see monumental ore docks, and quiet park areas. Below is a list of notable sites within walking distance.