Attractions, events, sports, and recreational opportunities in Ishpeming, Michigan are the focus of this guide.
The early history of the city is one of iron ore mining but, even then, there was time for the sport downhill skiing to originate in Ishpeming, and the Green Bay Packers played their first road game in Ishpeming.
The mines are no longer in operation, and the city is small, but it is beautiful, and it has a lot to offer its residents and visitors.
While not old by most standards, the Upper Peninsula was not settled by European-Americans until the latter part of the 19th century, and Ishpeming has a lot of preserved history, much of it related to the mining industry, as well as its historic church buildings, although we will be covering them in greater detail in the Faith & Spirituality category.
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Ishpeming, the birthplace of organized skiing in the United States. The facility includes the hall of fame, a museum, theater, library, gift shops, office, and storage space for archived material and collections.
A former iron mine, the Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum is on Euclid Street, between Lakeshore Drive and Spruce Street. Operated by the Marquette Range Iron Mining Heritage Theme Park, the museum's theme is the history of the Marquette Iron Range. Above ground, the Cliffs Shaft site covers fifteen acres, and includes three headframes and eight other buildings. Underground, it was one of the largest mines in Michigan, spanning sixty-five miles of tunnels.
Formed in 1999, the Ishpeming Area Historical Society operates a museum that is open from April through October, with regular hours, but also offering group and individual tours by appointment. Located on Cleveland Avenue, this museum focuses on the everyday life of Ishpeming people, businesses, schools, and issues that have affected the city over the years.
Da Yoopers, a traveling musical comedy show from Ishpeming, operates Da Yoopers Tourist Trap Museum & Rock Shop on the west side of the city that includes a museum, gift shop, and mineral store.
If you're into rocks and minerals, the Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club hosts its Gem and Mineral Show each summer, as well as other events throughout the year.
The Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library is located on North Main Street. With a history going back to the 1870s, its current building was built with funding from Andrew Carnegie in 1904.
This is just a sample of what the city has to offer, although many of them do not have websites that can be linked to. Topics appropriate for this category may include Ishpeming art galleries, libraries, museums, historical places, theaters, and entertainment venues, as well as local festivals, concerts, and events. Local parks, trails, and recreational facilities may be found here, along with sports teams, programs, and facilities, whether operated by the municipality, school district, community organization, or as a private entity.
Recommended Resources
Da Yoopers Tourist Trap Museum & Rock Shop
Open seven days a week, the museum, gift shop, and rock and mineral shop are associated with Da Yoopers, a musical comedy group from Ishpeming, Michigan. The museum specializes in acquiring and showing innovations made by people from the Upper Peninsula, also known as Yoopers. Situated on US-41, on the west side of the city, the museum displays Yooper innovations, and the gift shop carries Looper-made products, from one-of-a-kind items to collectibles, and the rock shop has local rare minerals.
https://dayoopers.com/
Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library
Serving the Ishpeming, Michigan community, the public library offers a wide variety of programs, materials, services, and research resources, which are highlighted here. Its location, hours of operation, curbside pickup policies and schedules, and a calendar of events are featured, and the library catalog may be searched online. Through the site, cardholders may download electronic books, audiobooks, and digital magazines or through Kindle applications. Instructions are given.
https://ishpeminglibrary.info/
Known as the Norden Ski Club from 1887 to 1901, when it was renamed, the club used several areas and hills before developing Suicide Hill in the mid-1920s. The club and the downhill ski slope became a significant structure in the development of competitive skiing in the United States, producing Olympic participants and hosting competitions and tournaments. The history of the club and its facilities are told, ski trails are defined, and a calendar of events is posted, with membership information.
https://ishskiclub.com/
Hosted by the St. Rocco - St. Anthony Society of Ishpeming, the annual event allows Italian-Americans to follow the Italian tradition of honoring Saint Rocco and Saint Anthony, as well as a time for food, music, and family. Organizational history is presented on the site, including its purpose, the mailing address for the Feast Chairman, and a contact form. Schedules, event information, and a map showing its location is set forth, membership information, and a photo gallery are included.
http://www.ishpemingitalianfest.com/
River Rock Lanes & Banquet Center
Originally operating as Country Lanes Entertainment Center, the facility's name was changed to River Rock Lanes and Banquet Center under new ownership in 2014. The family-owned business in Ishpeming, Michigan offers open bowling, league bowling, and programs for youth and children. The facility also hosts comedy nights, birthday parties, karaoke contests, banquets, and other events. Its associations, payment types, pricing, a menu, and a gallery of photographs are included.
https://www.riverrocklanesandbanquentcenter.com/
U.S. Ski-Snowboard Hall of Fame
Situated in Ishpeming, the birthplace of organized skiing in the United States, the museum and hall of fame include the Roland Palmedo Memorial Library, one of the largest ski libraries in the country. The facilities are highlighted here, along with a schedule of annual and occasional events, hall of fame inductions, sponsors, and online ticket sales. Hall of Famers may be found here, and nomination documents, class schedules, and a list of current nominees are included.
https://skihall.com/
