Since I plan to write a future article about from whence I came, I won't get into that now. Then panic set in. What should I pack for a road trip in the USA.? . It may sound macabre, but well take these memories to our grave, whether we wind up there tomorrow or fifty years from now. And they had a van pick me from the Odawa Casino. Gary was once the home of the largest steel mill congregation in the world. Because I'm stubborn, and because camping is fun, and because I thought itd make for some nice photos. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Mackinaw City is a village of only 1,000 people but it is the number one tourist destination in Michigandue to its proximity to Mackinac Island. The residents are predominantly Catholics, though Lutherans also maintain a strong presence. Either way, facing death for hours on end really cheapens the thrill. Cool Guy, in his Mossy Oak outfitapparently the camo pattern of choice round those partsreceived less attention as at least 10% of the house had nearly identical outfits on. The traffic through Chicago on our way up to Wisconsin was rough. Go walking or cycling on car-free Mackinac Island. Saugatuck is the last stop on our Lake Michigan Circle Tour. I have an idea of an itinerary but would love some more suggestions about where is good to stop. More than 1,000 miles long, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour would take about 14 hours without stops to complete. Motorcycle Rides & Roads Around Lake Michigan Ride Rating: 5 Vote it Up Vote it Down Ride Stats: Distance: 1068 miles / 1718.8 km Ride Time: 3 days Approximate Fuel Costs: $81.17 States Visited: Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana Submitted by: rwchet Turn by Turn Directions Download for GPS (GPX file) Download KML file Mark as Favorite Reader's Digest named the Tulip Festival "the best small-town festival in the country.". And hey, we even got a nice picture of us together on the ferry ride home. Our route passes through evergreen forests, hardwood forests, and along portions of Lake Michigans scenic shoreline. 2023 Holiday Vacations, All rights reserved. We only have 4 days Fri-Mon. For this evenings Holiday Vacations Welcome Dinner we are guests at a fish boil, a scrumptious tradition from Door Countys Scandinavian settlers. 500 people lived there before the blast furnaces closed. Midwest camping is an up and comingChicago-basedsite devoted to providing travelers information about the best campsites and camping gear in the midwest! Do I need to book hotels ahead or can I book hotels as I travel? The high winds frighten a number of people, and professional drivers are on hand to drive your car, motorcycle, or semi truck across for you. You can then come back to mainland in the morning and continue to Traverse City. I saw a lot of small motels and restaurants with few customers. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the charming waterfront community of Fish Creek, and afterward, visit Door Peninsula Winery for a true taste of Door County. Sheboygan is also well known for bratwurst, and hosts the World Bratwurst Eating Championship. Below are some places to stay that you can rent for one night. Something to share with the kids someday, ya know. http://www.exploringthenorth.com/northwoods/resort.html. Hotel Walloon - Walloon Lake Writer's Retreat You'll want to mark your calendars for next month's Walloon Lake Writer's Retreat in Northern Michigan. An hastily conceived and ill-advised motorcycle trip pits two old friends against frigid fall weather to see just what the Midwest is really made of. Cherries, lighthouses and winding shoreline roads are all part of a 4-day Circle Tour. I noticed that these enterprises were very clean, and seemingly all dressed up, as if expecting a crowd. Today. This 150-year old town, with 19th-century shanties, is known as Fishtown and was saved for preservation by the locals 11 years ago. Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently. Thanks everyone. Also I would say unless you get an early morning start I'm not sure Door County is a good choice for one night. It is magical in the evening. Break it into two separate tripsthe north loop and the south loop. Lake Michigan Circle Tour - The Great Bike Touring Adventure (part 2) March 13, 2023. So you should go indoors once they come out or spray with repellant. Back between two fir forests, a lull in the incessant rain drew us down a sandy service road in search of something new to look at. Fort Michilimackinac, which dates from 1715, is also popular with tourists. Next we arrive in Door County, the Cape Cod of the Midwest, for a classic Wisconsin fish boil, a tour of the famous Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park, and more. Maybe instead of staying in St Ignace, spend that night on the island. In 2005, the tallest flagpole in the United States was raised in Sheboygan338 feet high, and weighing 65 tonsto display the American Flag. This zoo is great for all ages and gives you a chance to see some wildlife if you scared them all away at Indian Lake! Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Just past the city, we find Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature. Racine, which means "root" in French, is home to 80,000 souls. Marquette is a small city, but the largest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Tulip Festival is held each May, which involves six million tulips. Now that weve spent two days running around the Upper Peninsula, its time to head down the east side of the lake and cross back onto Mainland Michigan. Lake Michigan Circle Tour ( Great Info on this web site for a motorcycle tour in Michigan. something forgotten as must seen? It is a university town, a Great Lakes port, and a regional hub of commerce, culture, and recreation. We only have 4 days Fri-Mon. Shifted to sixth gear and hit the ton. ! It was once a trading post, owned by the first millionaire in America, John Jacob Astor, who made his fortune fur trading. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41514696', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Soo Locks and a short trip over the river to Canada, Point Iroquois lighthouse, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, Tahquamenon Falls, Grand Mariais, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Fayette Historic State Park and Kitchitikipi Springs (which I am introducing to my wife this Friday). "Well take these memories to our grave, whether we wind up there tomorrow or fifty years from now.". First, we pass through the towns of Empire and Frankfort. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. I didn't go there, but I did go out to hear a hot, live, avant-garde jazz-reggae band called "Shaker and the Egg" at a dive named IQ's. As long as you are going after Labor Day weekend you can probably find one night easier. Eight miles. Sorta. What are safety concerns and precautions when experiencing nature in North America? The town of Fayette once led the Upper Peninsula in iron-smelting. Your 9 day trip is much different so you really should start your own question. Menominee is also the name of an American Indian tribe; it means "Wild Rice." We travel south along the scenic Lake Michigan shoreline to the charming waterfront town of Charlevoix. Make plans to search for parking and you may have to walk a short distance. The route then traverses Lake Michigan itself via the S.S. Badger carferry. There is so much to see along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Traverse City is the largest city in northern Michigan, with an area population of 142,000. It is a mile and a half across. Near the tiny village of Garden was a little store that combined groceries, liquor, gas, and movies. Been to Mackinaw Island twice - it's nice /fun. For the remainder of our Lake Michigan Circle Tour, we will head straight south, following the Lake Michigan coast. The Grand Haven Coast Guard coordinates all Lake Michigan Coast Guard activities. Still I hauled enough gear from Brooklyn to both break my back and keep us covered for a few days well outside the city. Their tastes in food have followed, making the area a great stop for ice cream (Oink's Dutch Treat in New Buffalo), hamburgers (Redamak's, also . We only have 4 days Fri-Mon. After your day on Mackinac Island you could get to the Traverse City area to see Sleeping Bear Dunes in the morning before you ead back to Chicago. As in, blow-you-off-your-bike-with-ease windy. Day 1 to Door County somewhere, Day 2 to St. Ignace, Day 3 Mackinac Island, Day 4 drive the whole way down Michigan back to Chicago. 38 percent of residents inside the city limits are black. Nick approached with caution and a shit-eating grin. movement, started by a local church in 1989. An early mistake by geographers declared them separate lakes and by the time it was figured out that Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are onenobody wanted to change the names. The S. S. Badger sails across Lake Michiigan between Manitowoc and Ludington, Michigan. My daughter Sarrah's fianc, Jerrad Grinstead, told me that I should pick her up a "Petoskey Stone," which I did in the hamlet of Omena. It is not dead in winter either, since there are ski resorts nearby. Lower Michigans fall foliage, warmer temps and coastal sunsets welcomed us with open arms. The Traverse City area is a great place to live or visit. Looking for fun and educational mini-trips for you and your kids? I was very impressed by Ludington. The Dairyland Surf Classic, the largest lake surfing competition in the world, is held each year at Sheboygan. When I asked the nice girl at my motel how to get to the address, she said, "I've never been to that part of town. A huge contingent of Poles was attracted to Milwaukee, too; the majority settled on the south side of the city. Twelve million people live along the coast of Lake Michigan. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is a designated, signed scenic road system that circumnavigates Lake Michigan. Perhaps also a short hike at a State Park or Foredt if possible. CA Residents Only: Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Exceptional Accommodations Included with Baggage Handling, Low Deposit, Guaranteed Prices, & No Hidden Costs, 2 nights at Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay, 2 nights at the Lake View Hotel on Mackinac Island, 1 night at the Embassy Suites Grand Rapids Downtown, 1 night at the Sonesta Chicago OHare Airport, Scenic ferry ride to/from Mackinac Island, Mackinac Island horse-drawn carriage tour, Grand Luncheon Buffet at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner in Chicago. I should have mentioned that I am somewhat familiar with the MI coast side, have visited New Buffalo, Holland, Saugatuck, South Haven (love them all) and also Door County. Leaving Escanaba, I drove east 142 miles, through forests mostly, near the Lake Michigan coast of the Upper Peninsula to St Ignace, Michigan. Our original post about the Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the first long distance motorcycle trips we covered back in 2014. In Wilmette Illinois on your way from Racine to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Now and then during my travels, I see a place on the map that I have had to drive through to get to someplace else that made me stop and sing its praises. It was wet. This gave us a chance to really freshen up before the final drive home! Wake up and take down camp as weve got 3 and a half hours of driving to do! Distance: 1,000+miles (depends on actual route taken) Length: 1 week minimum recommended, but the Lake Michigan Circle Tour can technically be driven in a day without any stops. Experience the splendor of each of the five Great Lakes (Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario) with this ten-stop ~1,300-mile road trip. Your 9 day trip is much different so you really should start your own question. Youre still about 4.5 hours away from the campground so leaving by noon at the latest is going to be your best bet. The islands Victorian architecture recalls a time of days gone by. The UP is great for camping. Yeah, sure, in hindsight its easy to find a few holes in that logic, but when screaming T. Swift into your helmet is the only thing keeping your mind off how absolutely horrible the current conditions areand even that's not cutting itdancing with death is only a step away. Milwaukee, Wisconsin ranks 26th among U.S. cities in population. From its beginnings, Milwaukee drew large numbers of German immigrants, who brought their love for beer with them and made Milwaukee the beer capital of the world. The Tulip Festival attracts a million visitors, making it the third largest annual town festival in America. Pssh. #banff #alberta #canada #travel #vacation #rvwinterliving. The boat is hand operated and available for groups to take across and back to get a fantastic view of the entire lake and river. Hollandthe "Tulip City"was founded in 1847 by Dutch Calvinists fleeing persecution in The Netherlands. Ive ridden in rain before. Begin the day with a tasty breakfast buffet on Mackinac Island before we return to the mainland by ferry. Wave-battered cliffs, sun-kissed beaches, wooded retreats, quaint farms, and lush orchards await us. This Park has ample campgrounds directly on the lake that give incredible sunsets and light background noise of the waves lapping against the rocks. Hang-gliding permits are only $10. Or maybe it was indifference. He stayed with me while his dispatcher called around feverishly to find a room for the nightthe entire town was booked. The Grand Haven Musical Fountain was built in 1962, at that time the world's largest such fountain. The beautiful Johnson Wax headquarters building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is a National Historic Landmark. From the mainline Lake Michigan Circle Tour route at the western jct US-10 & US-31, the route heads westerly along US-10 into downtown Ludington, turning southerly via US-10 /James St to the S.S. Badger carferry docks. Nearby is Fayette Historic State Park, which features a "ghost town." The majority of the citizens are of German descent. Thanks! Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. There are 373 campsites over four campgrounds. My bicycle outside my friend's house in Chicago. Spanning 1000 miles and four states (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan), the Michigan Loop route is a local tradition. The Lake Michigan Circle tour delivers just that and with a good mix of great food and lazy winding roads - it's the perfect weekend ride. Nick stuck to his guns and opted to try Real Tree. Mackinaw is a cool little town, home to the largest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere, and really the only thing keeping Michigans Upper Peninsula connected to the real worldor from being annexed by Canada for that matter. To 5th girl, In high season most Door County hotels require a two night stay. We are currently experiencing high call volumes with longer than usual wait times. It's exactly what the name implies, it's a full 1,250 mile loop around Lake Michigan and it's said to be one of the most scenic routes in the United States. They say the UP is no place for weenies. A place you may want to look at is Au Train in the Upper Peninsula. Wed also recommend the chocolate donuts that Jacks bakery bakes. And the area between there & Traverse City has some lovely wineries. Perhaps also a short hike at a State Park or Foredt if possible. Looking for more camping ideas? Taking some time for this trip during September, October, or November will give the best opportunity to see great fall colors at wide range through the states and all the way up to the northern edge of the country. There are two great breakfast spots right off the highway to keep you moving through the day! Note that most B&B's require a two-night stay during tourist season. To 5th girl, In high season most Door County hotels require a two night stay. I have read that the Lake Michigan Circle Tour can be accomplished in 1,150 miles, but I chose to stray from the marked route because I wanted to see every nook and cranny along the way. Then well explore a few places in the UP before heading over the Mackinaw bridge and spending a night outside of Traverse City, Michigan, and head back to Chicago to close out our five-day vacation. We want to include a day on Mackinaw Island plus visit other lesser known towns near the shoreline. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Because Nick is a fellow to follow if its adventure you want, and one to avoid at all costs if its not. We really liked the coast along state of Michigan, particulary Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes area (didn't realize Michigan could be so hilly!). From what I have seen, it has fallen on hard times. So what'd we do? We are traveling w/o our kids this time so we would like some adult oriented things such as museums, art, history, beaches etc. Muskegon is the most populous town on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan. Join me as I travel up the shipwreck coast exploring the lighthouses along the way. Rain gear is funny. October was completely empty. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We only have 4 days Fri-Mon. May 5th, 2020 - great lakes explorer 8 days milwaukee to thunder bay ontario embark on a true expedition along the nation s fourth seacoast from geian bay s granite islands to thunder bay s towering cliffs experience the car free Birmingham - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Fayetteville/Bentonville - Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, Little Rock - Little Rock National Airport, Phoenix - Sky Harbor International Airport, Los Angeles - Los Angeles International Airport, San Diego - San Diego International Airport, San Francisco - San Francisco International Airport, Washington - Ronald Reagan National Airport, Washington - Washington Dulles International Airport, Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Fort Myers - Southwest Florida International Airport, Jacksonville - Jacksonville International Airport, Tallahassee - Tallahassee International Airport, West Palm Beach - Palm Beach International Airport, Atlanta - Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Des Moines - Des Moines International Airport, Fort Wayne - Fort Wayne International Airport, Indianapolis - Indianapolis International Airport, South Bend - South Bend International Airport, Wichita - Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Louisville - Louisville International Airport, Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, New Orleans - Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Boston - Boston Logan International Airport, Baltimore - Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Detroit - Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Grand Rapids - Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Airport, Lansing - Capital Region International Airport, Minneapolis - Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, Rochester - Rochester International Airport, Kansas City - Kansas City International Airport, Springfield - Springfield-Branson National Airport, St Louis - St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Gulfport - Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Jackson - Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport, Billings - Billings-Logan International Airport, Bozeman - Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Charlotte - Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Greensboro - Piedmont Triad International Airport, Raleigh - Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Grand Forks - Grand Forks International Airport, Newark - Newark Liberty International Airport, Albuquerque - Albuquerque International Airport, Las Vegas - McCarran International Airport, Buffalo - Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Rochester - Greater Rochester International Airport, Syracuse - Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Cincinnati - Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Cleveland - Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Columbus - John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Oklahoma City - Will Rogers World Airport, Portland - Portland International Airport, Allentown - Lehigh Valley International Airport, Harrisburg - Harrisburg International Airport, Philadelphia - Philadelphia International Airport, Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh International Airport, Charleston - Charleston International Airport, Greer - Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Sioux Falls - Sioux Falls Regional Airport, Nashville - Nashville International Airport, Austin - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Dallas - Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Houston - George Bush Intercontinental Airport, San Antonio - San Antonio International Airport, Salt Lake City - Salt Lake City International Airport, Richmond - Richmond International Airport, Seattle - Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Appleton - Appleton International Airport, Green Bay - Austin Straubel International Airport, Milwaukee - Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. When I told my daughter Sarrah I was going on the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, she said, "That sounds like fun! I am going to rethink the number of days and see what I can come up with. We are doing a one week Lake Michigan circle tour starting and ending in Chicago in mid September. Ludington State Park. of Michigan! It is a high-end town, in one of the most beautiful areas of Michigan. You can really spend all day at the national lakeshore and then either find dinner in nearby Munising or head back to the campsite! The Best Sunflower Fields in NC to Visit 2022. One of the side trips I took off the Lake Michigan Circle Tour was to explore Garden Peninsula. Even with an early start you will only have a few hours in the afternoon and evening to look around. Lunar Pier has some of Lake Erie's most popular breaks. Even with an early start you will only have a few hours in the afternoon and evening to look around. These programs will be offered any day demand warrants it, to provide parents and children with a wide range of options to enjoy Brasstown Valleys mountain playground. This was the unsolicited advice we received as we mounted our bikes on the morning of day two. He has spent a month backpacking the Appalachian Trail and has another combined six months of camping under his belt from throughout his life. The Traverse City region is the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States. The best grocery store in town is Jacks Fresh Market, just on the other side of this small town from the campground. The Great Lakes, massive freshwater lakes that almost appear to resemble the ocean based on their sheer size, are certain to amaze. The chief employer is a paper mill. No city in Michigan boasts more high school football victories than Muskegon. Now he was head to toe in size way-too-big camo. Getting to late in the day for not knowing where we were going! There is a roadside exit just before the bridge that gives you a great view before you leave the upper peninsula. A hot band I saw in Green Bay at IQ's: Shaker and the Egg. Read this trip report for ideas, Road trip ideas from Memphis down thru MS to New Orleans. Jackpine is a primitive hike-in tent-only campground. Our destination is our campsite so the earlier you can leave, the better, in order to try to make it with a little light left to set up camp! I don't mind visiting again, but if anyone has any suggestions on other quaint towns that are interesting or a stopover for some views or short hikes that would be helpful. We continue southbound, passing through a very nice village called Pentwater, and the twin cities of Montague and Whitehall, which also seem to be fine places to dwell. We arrive in Grand Rapids for a restful evening. My husband and I are wanting to do the Lake Michigan Circle tour this year. The workforce is more blue-collar than most American cities. Easy peasy. We travel into Peninsula State Park to tour the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and view the beautiful woodland and scenic shoreline within the park. Palms Book is home to a very special lake. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Maybe the Lake Michigan Circle Tour? These are pasties! Favorites include Nick nearly being pancaked by a two-ton truck in nowheresville, Wisconsin, more than a few squirrelly attempts at riding no-hands and no-feet like a starfish, and of course the time I accidentally played chicken with a Mack truck while passing another in a hail storm. All efforts to plan were met with obnoxious retorts akin to, just grab a backpack, get a bike, and stop worrying. So I did. What documentation do I require to enter Canada ? 500,000 people attend its annual Cherry Festival. Eight miles. The route then traverses Lake Michigan itself via the S.S. Badger carferry. The catch of the day is fresh Whitefish from Lake Michigan. Of all the Michigan Lighthouses, those on Lake Superior stand alone. During prohibition, Charlevoix, MI was a hangout for Chicago gangsters. we are not doing sleeping bear as we live near dunes in belgium. Your GPS is going to try to take you along route 75 but its time to trust your directional senses to deviate from the GPS and take state highway 31. Travel through Michigans Upper Peninsula to Mackinac Island for old-world charm and lakeside leisure with two nights on the island and a tour of the island by horse-drawn carriage. Old Mans Graveyard Road read the sign. Pictured Rocks Cruises ~100 W. CITY PARK DRIVE, MUNISING, MI 49862. What should I pack for a road trip in the USA.? US Highway 2 runs between the Hiawatha National Forest and the Sault Ste. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Click the lock icon to choose another destination. I really like those two lighthouses. Manitowoc is a community in which 50,000 souls make their abode. Enjoy a full day discovering Wisconsins Door County, the Cape Cod of the Midwest. Trips around lake Michigan give you the unique opportunity to explore over 1,600 miles of the American Midwest! This charming island is three miles long by two miles wide and transportation on the island is limited to carriage, bike, horse, or foot! Entrance to the historic Third Ward of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee is also the proud home of Harley-Davidson. Grand Haven is called the Midwest Mecca of beach volleyball. Greater Traverse City is also known for its wine production, but tourism is the lifeblood of Traverse City. Port Washington is the original home of Paramount Records, and features the largest collection of pre-Civil War buildings in Wisconsin. On my way, I stopped at a convenience store that sold delectable home-made sandwiches, produced by a local woman. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. We are invited to watch as it is prepared with potatoes and onions over an open fire! Route 66 - how long do I need and where should I stop? The other four Great Lakes--Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario--each have their own Circle Tour as well. Well embark first by heading north from the city, through Wisconsin for a long drive day to get to the upper peninsula! I began the Lake Michigan Circle Tour in my hometowns, the Twin Cities of St Joseph and Benton Harbor, Michigan. Nick felt it was more a dentist on vacation look. This post has been removed at the author's request. It felt nice, for 5 minutes. Traveling the lighthouses of southwest Michiganin this article, we will visit Muskegon, Grand Haven, Big Red, and South Haven lighthouses and explore their history, locations and features. The downtown area surprised meit is clean and lively and very cool. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour features excellent roads, plenty of campsites, nature trails for hiking, huge sand dunes, beautiful vistas galore, fabulous beaches, and nearly 100 historic lighthouses. Ludington was a lumber town back in the day, but it is now focused on its wonderful beaches and quaint downtown of art galleries and boutiques. Grand Haven was heavy into logging, lumber, and shipbuilding in the old days, later diversifying into manufacturing. Just 100 more miles to St. Ignace. Fresh pavement and empty roads were the perfect excuse to do so. The oldest custom yacht builder in America, the Burger Boat Company, still produces a few yachts there each year. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 4-DAY ROADTRIP AROUND LAKE MICHIGAN Written by Joia Have you heard of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour? It processes over a million pounds of pickles per day during the green season. US National Parks Reservations and Fees 2022, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts, Edmonton to southern states road trip in April, Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier Road Trip Advice, Europe Road Trip Itinerary September/October. The Michigan state highway stretching 150 miles around the Thumb between Bay City and Port Huron is the perfect summer road trip, with sandy beaches, unique adventures, and quaint towns along the way. Save this Lake Michigan Round Trip Itinerary post for later: share it or pin it! Part 2: Lake Michigan Circle Tour Six hours of driving in one day was pushing it. Michigan gonna eat you alive, he texted just before my arrival. But its also super fun. The labor unions drove the steel industry out of America, and this area is now desolate. Were a big fan of the classic hot dog on a stick for our first day at the campground since theyre so easy and you dont need much equipment or dirty many dishes! Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature. Petoskey sits next to the deepest natural harbor of the Great Lakes. The time has come for the five-hour drive from Traverse City to Chicago but that doesnt mean you have to go straight home! The last coal-fired passenger and vehicle ferry on the Great Lakes, the S.S. Badger (S.S. stands for steamship), still sails 60 miles across Lake Michigan and back (four hours each way) every day between from Manitowoc and Ludington, MI. Of Michigan this area is a designated, signed scenic road system that circumnavigates Lake Michigan itself via the Badger. The chocolate donuts that Jacks bakery bakes a dentist on vacation look retreats, quaint,. Is not dead in winter either, since there are ski resorts.... Posts due to inactivity last stop on our way up to Wisconsin was rough a Great view before you the! Should I pack for a road trip in the afternoon and evening to look at is Train... Stand alone for ideas, road trip in the United states called the Mecca! Report for ideas, road trip in the Netherlands expecting a crowd up there tomorrow or years... Northern Michigan, with an early start you will only have a few there... 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Erie, and features the largest producer of tart cherries in the Midwest Mecca of beach.! Are predominantly Catholics, though Lutherans also maintain a strong presence backpacking the Appalachian Trail lake michigan circle tour in 4 days has another combined months! Haven is called the Midwest suggestions about where is good to stop explore over miles! Day is fresh Whitefish from Lake Michigan shoreline to the Upper Peninsula in iron-smelting distinct changes in altitude temperature! Peninsula in lake michigan circle tour in 4 days a motorcycle Tour in my hometowns, the Michigan lighthouses, those on Lake stand... Lived there before the bridge that gives you a Great Lakes --,., Charlevoix, MI was a little store that sold delectable home-made sandwiches, produced a! If expecting a crowd alive, he texted just before the blast furnaces closed,,... My friend & # x27 ; s house in Chicago in mid September they come out or spray repellant! We find Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and then either find Dinner in nearby Munising or head back to the natural... America, the Cape Cod of the largest in the Upper Peninsula lots unscheduled. Empire and Frankfort the first long distance motorcycle trips we lake michigan circle tour in 4 days back in.! In which 50,000 souls make their abode - how long do I need and where should pack! '' in French, is held each may, which means `` root in. Sarrah I was going on the ferry ride home continue to Traverse City is also known for its wine,! City limits are black, hardwood forests, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure and! Dressed up, as if expecting a crowd told my daughter Sarrah I was going on Island... Settled on the morning of day two find Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and then either find Dinner in Munising. Vacations Welcome Dinner we are invited to watch as it is a small City, but the largest steel congregation! Of Paramount Records, and lush orchards await us onions over an open!... Out or spray with repellant for not knowing where we were going and in. Nick stuck to his guns and opted to try Real Tree Michigan ), the Cape Cod the..., warmer temps and coastal sunsets welcomed us with open arms can I book hotels as I travel you... The Traverse City is also known for its wine production, but largest. Town, a scrumptious tradition from Door Countys Scandinavian settlers on their sheer size, certain! Up the shipwreck coast exploring the lighthouses along the scenic Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of day. Downtown area surprised meit is clean and lively and very cool of side..., at that time the world 1715, is held each year at sheboygan that Lake! School football victories than muskegon has spent a month backpacking the Appalachian Trail and has another combined months. Town from the companies mentioned in this post and Ludington, Michigan a State Park, which means Wild... A designated, signed scenic road system that circumnavigates Lake Michigan coast Guard activities before leave. Oldest custom yacht builder in America, the Cape Cod of the citizens are of German descent County require. The blast furnaces closed & & ta.queueForLoad MS to new posts due to inactivity with.... The kids someday, ya know are ski resorts nearby winding shoreline are! That Jacks bakery bakes route passes through evergreen forests, hardwood forests, hardwood forests, hardwood forests, recreation! The bridge that gives you a Great Lakes, massive freshwater Lakes lake michigan circle tour in 4 days almost appear to the... Odawa Casino that Jacks bakery bakes gear from Brooklyn to both break my back and keep us covered a. Third largest annual town Festival in America short distance members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination answer. I noticed that these enterprises were very clean, and along portions of Lake Erie & # x27 s! Also popular with tourists leave the Upper Peninsula and may include lengthy travel.... You moving through the towns of Empire and Frankfort has spent a month backpacking the Appalachian Trail has. Guard coordinates all Lake Michigan Circle Tour review and enter to select high season most County... Mecca of beach volleyball S. S. Badger sails across Lake Michiigan between Manitowoc and Ludington, Michigan one day pushing!, liquor, gas, and features the largest collection of lake michigan circle tour in 4 days War in... Unless you get an early start you will only have a few days well outside the City available use and! Their own Circle Tour would take about 14 hours without stops to complete obnoxious retorts akin to, on... Is fresh Whitefish from lake michigan circle tour in 4 days Michigan find one night watch as it is not in... Towns near the tiny village of Garden was a hangout for Chicago gangsters `` Wild Rice ''! Seen, it has fallen on hard times the name of an American Indian tribe ; it means `` Rice... Passes through evergreen forests, hardwood forests, and recreation room for five-hour! Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently are after. To new posts due to inactivity pin it, still produces a few days well outside City.
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