Student Life
Michigan Tech is located in Houghton, recently named one of the 100 best small towns in America. The university and local community provide excellent resources conducive to quality family life. This rural area is known for natural beauty, pleasant summers, abundant snowfall, and numerous all-season outdoor activities. In addition, there are numerous cultural activities and other opportunities available on campus and in the community.
Living Arrangements
Living expenses in Houghton (and Hancock) tend to be cheaper, on average, than most other cities. For detailed information on cost-of-living in the area, from rent to tuition and fees, see Michigan Tech's Financial Information Page for graduate students. For information on places to live/rent see barkboard housing list, the USG Housing list, or Daniell Heights Apartments.
Healthcare
All graduate students must purchase healthcare through Michigan Tech, or provide proof of other insurance. For information on the current healthcare plans and requirements, see the Michigan Tech Student Insurance webpage.
Childcare
Michigan Tech provides the Little Huskies Child Development Center on Michigan Tech's campus. Enrollment is open to children ages 0-6, with part-time and full-time infant, toddler, and preschool, and kindergarten programming available. The center provides care before and after Kindergarten, as well. Contact Eva-Marie Hatfield at (906) 487-3528 for more information.
Recreational Activities
Experience Tech Fee
The Experience Tech Fee is a campus wide student fee that gives students access to Mont Ripley Ski Hill, Gates Tennis Center, Portage Lake Golf Course, Michigan Tech Husky Hockey games, Intramural sports, and discount or free tickets for performances at the Rozsa Center.
Michigan Tech’s Student Development Complex (SDC)
SDC provides year round opportunities for fun and fitness with an ice arena, multipurpose room, swimming pool, gymnasium, climbing wall, fitness center, racquetball/squash courts, dance room, indoor rifle range, and a music room – and it is all free for MTU students!
MTU’s Recreational Forest and Nordic Ski Trail System
The trail system spans 600 acres, located behind the SDC on Sharon Avenue. The trails are used throughout the year for biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, running, and snowshoeing. There’s over 20km of wide, marked loops and about 15km of single-track biking/running trails. Bridges, dirt jumps, and ramps are available for bikers. Need even more trails? – check out the Maasto Hiihto/Churning Rapids ski trails located in Hancock.
Local Resources
Graduate students cannot work all the time, so here are some other helpful links for places to shop, eat, and entertainment: movies, restaurants, bars, shopping, groceries, and special events. Also check out the Student Local Resources Guide, the Graduate School’s Local Resource Guide, and (is there a website that has current events?)
Movies and Entertainment
The Lode Theater
Small theater located right in downtown Houghton.
510 Shelden Avenue, Houghton
(906) 482-0280
Rogers Cinema in Copper Country Mall
Located in the Copper Country Mall past Wal-Mart.
47420 State Highway M26, Houghton
(906) 482-3470
Calumet Theater
A historic small theater located in Calumet. Concerts, comedians and visual art performances.
340 Sixth Street, Calumet
(906) 337-2610
Memorial Union Building (MUB)
Adjacent to library on campus, the MUB is the home of dining services, the Campus Bookstore and food mall but also offers bowling and billiards free to students.
Michigan Tech Film Board
The film board shoes movies on campus in Fisher Hall, Room 135 every weekend during fall and spring semester.
Restaurants
Ambassador Restaurant
Pizza: Italian design - American made! Sandwiches, salads, spaghetti, and ravioli. Beer, wine and spirits.
126 Shelden Avenue, Houghton
(906) 482-5054
Cyberia Café
Modern coffee house with a TV, large study area and internet access.
524 Sheldon Avenue, Houghton
(906) 482-2233
JJ's Wok N Grill
Authentic Chinese Restaurant. Take out available. Short walking distance from campus at the Pearl Street Mall.
300 Pearl Street, Houghton
(906) 483-4868
The Library Restaurant & Brew-Pub
Mid-range priced food with a casual atmosphere. Eclectic menu with a mix of sandwiches, pizza, salads, and entrees. 10% student discount.
62 North Isle Royale Street, Houghton
(906) 487-5882
Perkins Family Restaurant
Open 24 hours, all week. Breakfast all day, with nightly specials and fresh baked goods. Student discount available.
1001 West Sharon Avenue, Houghton
(906) 482-7906
Subway Restaurant
700 Shelden Avenue, Houghton
(906) 487-9524
901 West Sharon Ave, Houghton
(906) 482-7433
995 Razor Back Drive, Houghton
Wal-Mart #2192
Houghton MI 49931
200 Pearl Street, Houghton
(906) 482-4638
Victoria's Kitchen
Friendliest place in town. Offers a variety of American, ethnic, and vegetarian food.
518 Shelden Avenue, Houghton
(906) 482-8650
Kaleva Café
A good place for breakfast on the Hancock side of the bridge with a coffee shop and deli. Fantastic treats, filling lunch items, and hot and cold espresso drinks.
234 West Quincy Street, Hancock
(906) 482-1230
5th and Elm Coffee Shop and Deli
Open since 1918. Serves home-cooked meals, bakery. Fine family dining. Specialize in pasties.
300 Dunstan Street, Hancock
(906) 483-2294
Applebee's
Menu available on-line.
980 Razorback Drive, Houghton
(906) 482-2800
Four Seasons Tea Room
A place to relax with hot teas, warm homemade scones, tea sandwiches and delectable desserts!
606 Shelden Avenue, Houghton
(906) 482-3233
Carmalitas
Carmelitas is a comfortable, relaxing southwestern grille now with two locations:
618 Oak St, Calumet
(906) 337-4025
200 Pearl Street, Houghton
(906) 337-4025
Joey's Seafood and Grill Restaurant
Smoke free, quick casual dining. A menu containing seafood, rotisserie chicken, and steak. Take out available.
304 Shelden Avenue, Houghton
(906) 483-0500
Ming's Asian Bistro
A large assortment of food at an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet.
901 West Sharon Avenue, Houghton
(906) 482-9888
Studio Pizza & Ice Cream
“The best pizza south of Calumet”.
426 Quincy Street, Hancock
(906) 482-5100
Suomi Restaurant
Home-style cooking. Daily specials. Fresh pasties and bakery. Serving breakfast all day.
54 Huron Street, Houghton
(906) 482-3220
Gemignani's
Serving Italian and American specialties. Homemade pasties.
512 West Quincy Street, Hancock
(906) 482-2920
Nutini's Supper Club
Downtown Hancock. Pizza, Italian foods, steaks, and lake trout. Take-out and delivery available.
321 Quincy Street, Hancock
(906) 482-2711
North Shore Grill and Pub
Top floor of the Best Western, good food and view but a little pricey.
820 Shelden Ave. Floor 7, Houghton
(906) 482-4882
Michigan House Cafe & Brew Pub
Great place to go if you are up in Calumet with good steaks, burgers, and micro brew.
300 6th St, Calumet
(906) 337-1910
Local Bars and Brew Pubs
The Upper Deck Restaurant & Sports Bar
Located in the Ramada Inn on the waterfront. Free meal on birthday.
99 Navy Street, Hancock
(906) 482-8494
Uphill 41
Weekly drink specials (Thursday is quarter beer night), dancing nightly, pool tables, karaoke, guitar-hero, and games.
300 Reservation Street, Hancock
(906) 482-7277
The Library Restaurant & Brew-Pub
Mid-range priced food with a casual atmosphere. Eclectic menu with a mix of sandwiches, pizza, salads, and entrees. 10% student discount.
62 North Isle Royale Street, Houghton
(906) 487-5882
Keweenaw Brewing Company (KBC)
Fun bar located in downtown Houghton; stop by for a pint of beer or the seasonally brewed sodas.
408 Shelden Ave, Houghton
(906)-482-5596
Douglas House Saloon (The Dog)
Hometown bar with live music.
517 Shelden Ave, Houghton
(906) 482-2003
Thirsty Fish
Top floor of the Best Western, good food and view but a little pricey.
820 Shelden Ave. Floor 7, Houghton
(906) 482-4882
B & B Bar
Local small town bar.
409 Memorial Rd, Houghton
(906) 482-0400
Downtowner Lounge (DT)
Bar with drink specials and bar food. Enjoy the open deck during nice weather.
100 Shelden Ave, Houghton
(906) 482-7305
Bleachers Sports Bar
307 Quincy St, Hancock
(906) 482-9104
Copper Island Beach Club
New bar right on the portage in Hancock. Volleyball nets and horseshoes.
101 Navy Street, Hancock
(906) 482-2422
* There are so many restaurants and bars in Houghton and Hancock that we didn’t have room for them all! There is more information on the official Web site of the Keewenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Consignment Shops and Sporting Good Retail
The Goodwill
911 Razorback Dr, Houghton
(906) 482-3680
St Vincent De Paul
204 Quincy St, Hancock
(906) 482-7705
Keweenaw Consignment
47431 State Highway M26, Houghton
(906) 482-4550
Salvation Army
435 Hancock St, Hancock
(906) 482-4596
Pandora's Box
129 Quincy St, Hancock
(906) 483-4033
Cross Country Sports
507 Oak Street, Calumet
(906)
337-4520
Downwind Sports
308 Shelden Avenue, Houghton
(906)
482-2500
Hancock Bike Shop
115 Quincy Street, Hancock
(906)
482-5234
JB Sports
119 Quincy Street, Hancock
(906) 487-5799
Rhythm Skate Shop
418 Shelden Ave, Houghton
(906) 483-6097
Surplus Outlet
200 Shelden Avenue, Houghton
482-2550
Groceries
Econo Foods
1000 West Sharon Avenue, Houghton
(906) 487-9675
Festival Foods
47401 Memorial Drive, Houghton
(906) 482-7500
Pat's Foods
Pat's Foods and Festival Foods are your home-town grocery stores.
801 Market Street, Hancock
(906) 482-4919
WAL-MART Supercenter
995 Razorback Dr, Houghton
(906) 482-0639
Jim’s Foodmart
Jim's is located less than one-mile from MTU's campus. The convenient location is attractive to students as well as their 5% student discount every Sunday. Produce, Asian and Indian items, and household goods.
300 Pearl Street, Houghton
(906) 482-4080
Keweenaw Co-op
The Co-op is the area's only natural foods store. This store provides a wide variety of fresh, wholesome, minimally processed and certified organic foods. 5% student discount every Sunday.
1035 Ethel Avenue, Hancock
(906) 482-2030
Monticello’s
Monticello's is small, family-owned grocery store, located in downtown Hancock. Pizza, produce, and meat.
701 Quincy Street, Hancock
(906) 482-0260
World Food Market and Deli
Fresh produce every Thursday, driven in from Chicago. Find ethnic foods from Indian chai to sushi rice. A new deli for sandwiches is the stores most recent and delightful addition. A must visit!
318 Shelden Ave, Houghton
(906) 482-1554
Special Events
K-Day (Keweenaw Day)
A university-sponsored half-day holiday. Celebrated at nearby McLain State Park, Michigan Tech students and organizations overrun the grounds for the day. Activities include a student organizations fair, games, swimming, and music (1st Friday of Fall semester).
Winter Carnival
In February, students compete in artistic and athletic events. With a snow statue competition and queen crowned. Be sure to attend the all-nighter with broomball matches, free chili, and concerts.
The Keweenawesomefest
Hosted by WMTU, a two-night concert including various bands and musicians (In mid April).
Pine Mountain Music Festival
During June and July, Michigan Tech's Rozsa Center is one of the main venues for the festival.
Spring Fling
A celebration of the end of the school year where the entire campus is transformed into a festival: Local talent plays, carnival games are offered, and free food. This event is planned annually by the Memorial Union Board.
The Parade of Nations
An international festival established for connection between international students and community. Established in 1990, the festival has been important for the entire community and international students. The festival starts at Hancock High School, marching through Hancock and Houghton until it reaches Dee Stadium. At the Dee, International participants present their national cuisines; performance acts occur at a main stage indoors. If you want to represent a country and are not an international student, just let the school know ahead of time so they will have the flag on hand (the third Saturday of September).
Career Day
Held in both fall and spring semesters, the University Career Center facilitates the event which draws large support from students, faculty, administration, and alumni. The Fall Career Day of 2007 saw 283 companies recruit over 3000 students. The Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity helps coordinate the Fall Career Day each year.
Copper Country Community Art Center
Check out their schedule for monthly events including adult and children’s art classes.
Hiawatha Music Festival
Annual Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival, three days in Mid-July at the Tourist Park in Marquette, MI
“First Friday’s”
Art gallery receptions, on the first Friday of every month at all of the Calumet art galleries.
*Here's more information about the galleries in the area.
Keweenaw Krayons
“Bringing art and culture to the children and adults in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula”
110 Stanton Ave Mohawk, MI
Porcupine Mountain Music Festival
Three day concert in late August. The festival is located at the Winter Sports Complex (ski hill and chalet area) of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, on the south shore of Lake Superior near the towns of Silver City and Ontonagon.
The Aura Jamboree “and old time Dance”
In the city of Aura, 46.6 miles south-east of Houghton. Dance for a full weekend in mid-July. Celebrating thirty-three years and featuring ethnic Finnish and Russian music, as well as blue grass, folk, country, and folk rock.