Drive a bit farther to get to the town of Ludington, where you can stop for coffee and some pastries at Red Rooster Coffee & Community or relax at Ludington State Park. Weather was in our favor on day three. Their historical significance, as well as their various shapes and colors, makes a lighthouse run a fascinating destination. I highly recommend Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat Park, the wineries on Traverse Bay, and the trip back in time on Mackinaw Island! Thirty minutes or so later, with more camo than either of us had ever owned before in tow, we were ready for the north. Something to share with the kids someday, ya know. Lake Superior Circle Tour; Algoma. So what'd we do? https://www.in.gov/history/2350.htm . I love the city, but its probably not the best place to visit on this driving tour. Ludington State Park. The town could be mistaken for one in the Netherlands, with plenty of tulips, windmills, and European-style architecture. On the east side of Holland, the route continues northerly following US-31 through Grand Haven and toward Norton Shores. Spend a day or a week exploring this lakeside road. Try this feature for free with a RouteYou Premium trial subscription. Next we arrive in Door County, the Cape Cod of the Midwest, for a classic Wisconsin fish . will appreciate if you can share it. The envisioned "Tri-Modal Corridor" would . Sounds like a fun adventure to me! MatthewC65. I will be driving a camper for a 5 day trip around Lake Michigan, coming from Chicago. Please wait, your download is being prepared. (The mainline LMCT remains on M-22 between Empire and Glen Arbor.). The Great Lakes Circle Tours are a total of four routes circling each Great Lake, with the exception of Lake Ontario. The Jamesport Brewing Company, downtown on James Street, is the perfect spot for a quick bite to eat and relax in an old Victorian style pub. Just 100 more miles to St. Ignace. If you can, allocate a few days to picturesque Door County, WI. Taken mid-trip, these two are out of sync but make a perfect starting point. Take your time as you make the journey along the coast and around the Door County peninsula. So, I called up an old pal in Chicago and asked if he was up for a little motorcycle ride. Itinerary: Leg 1 - Chicago to Green bay Leg 2 - Green Bay to St. Ignace Leg 3 - Century ride around Mackinac Island Leg 4 - 24+hour ride home Map sources: https://www.adventurecycling.o. Continue throughPetoskey, one of the most beautiful regions in the state. Here's a nine-day, eight-night Circle Tour of Lake Michigan that takes in the highlights. after the big bridge if you know. Motorcycle Type : Cruiser. Next, its on to the Tip of the Mitt (aka the top of Michiganyoull notice locals regularly use their palm to denote locations within the state). The first is to complete it all at once. Kayaking and canoeing are also great ways to explore the lake. 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. Hmm maybe both. Follow US 2 west through Manistique, Gladstone, and Escanaba, South of Escanaba, you will follow M-35 to Menominee where US-41 carries you into Wisconsin. Stop in Petoskeys downtown, which overlooks Lake Michigan and offers terrific shopping, then continue on to Mackinaw City. This pair welcomes charter fishing and leisure boats, guiding them into the busy harbor. After a couple tries we were directed to a motel with vacancy. 5) Grand Traverse Winery in the Old Mission Peninsula. I want to stay as close to the shore as possible most of the time. And dont miss one of the famous fish boils, a Door County specialty! Motorcycle Rides & Roads Northern Lake Michigan Circle Tour Ride Rating: 0 Vote it Up Vote it Down Ride Stats: Distance: 477.84 miles / 769.0 km Ride Time: 1 week (5-7 days) Approximate Fuel Costs: $36.32 States Visited: Wisconsin, Michigan Submitted by: GrayFox pro Turn by Turn Directions Download for GPS (GPX file) Download KML file As the name implies, the route is a circle and weaves through four states Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and, of course, Wisconsin. It is one of the best Motorcycle Rides in North America. South of downtown is the excellent Hearthstone restaurant, from which you can easily get back to US-31. Traveling between Ludington Mi and Manitowoc Wi., the S.S. Badger can handle up to 620 passengers and well over 150 vehicles. Today, youll leave the Lower Peninsula and cross over the Mackinac Bridge to Michigans Upper Peninsula. Then panic set in. Unlimited stops, edit, share, find recommended places of interest and campgrounds, manage budgets, print or export directions and more. Be aware that last minute hotel (and campground / State Park) reservations in tourist areas (along the water) are often hard to come by on weekends and during holiday weeks (which would be this week and next week). M-22 is a 116-mile stretch of road that winds through the scenic countryside of Manistee, Benzie and Leelanlau counties. A historic town with plenty to see and do including several historic LIGHTHOUSES, excellent fishing nooks and the Midwests top rated State Park. Continue the tour by heading north out of LUDINGTON along US-31 and into the Victorian Port of Manistee. But its also super fun. Experience the highlights of a 4 state tour exploring the shoreline beach towns & backroads most which lead to an amazing view of Lake Michigan. 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I grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, so Im glad Sam mentions it. Dotting the shoreline on both sides of the lake, each preserved to showcase their unique charm and architectural significance. You wont be disappointed. A 45-minute drive from Inspiration Point will bring you the main attraction of the day, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? Shopping in Saugatuck, swimming in Lake Michigan all along the way, seeing Dorr County, WI, Lambeau Field and New Buffalo for the first time. Upgrade now. Taste some fudge, bike around the island, and shop in the quaint downtown area. It was now mid-October, and we had just four free days. is quite rural, but offers many opportunities to immerse yourself in nature. The Wisconsin leg of the tour starts at the Illinois border and moves north on Wisconsin Highway 32 alongside picturesque Lake Michigan. We are planning on using your itinerary this summer for a road trip with our 3 boys (ages 10,8,4). This 1,300 mile/2,000 km ride around Lake Superior is an amazing adventure when travelling on motorcycle. Nick laughed at the idea of camping this far into fall. Land of New Glarus beer, Cheeseheads, and Midwestern hospitality, driving down Wisconsins lakeshore is a pleasure in and of itself. A couple hundred yards in and the gravel turned to sand, my glasses fogged and so did my helmet's face shield. Copyright 2023, West Michigan Tourist Association | Email: travel@wmta.org. Because Nick is a fellow to follow if its adventure you want, and one to avoid at all costs if its not. Is it a natural phenomenon or cheesy tourist roadside stop? (Side note: It was right about here when I realized by bike in fact came equipped with heated gripsa feature that would have been REALLY nice to know of just 20 hours earlier.). At Marinette, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour enters Michigan on the US-41 Interstate Bridge linking that city with its sister, Menominee, on the other bank. All rights reserved. The south loop kicks off in Manitowoc. Happy travels , Your email address will not be published. The current Apache Trail links Apache Junction at the edge of the Greater Phoenix . lake michigan circle tour - Motorcycle route | RouteYou lake michigan circle tour Motorcycle route United States Cook lake michigan circle tour RouteYou Public Account 979 mi 12349 ft 26:15 Medium View on interactive map Route information 1102 views | Public Description by the author circle around lake michigan Navigate on smartphone Lake Michigan is the largest freshwater lake in the U.S., and the sixth largest in the world. It was named the Apache Trail after the Native American Indians who originally used this trail to migrate through the Superstition Mountains for over 1,000 years. And Nick, well, he felt the same. Chicago in particular is a really family-friendly city. Youll find beaches, forests, dunes, and plenty of local breweries and wineries during your 24-hour drive. Grand Algoma Tour; Deer Trail; St. Joseph Island; Thunder Bay. 6. As a native to the Pacific Northwest, I will be the first to admit to my coastal bias. I certainly wouldnt call myself one, nor Nick, but man, I sure left US 2 with my tail between my legs. About Lewis Black: Today, Lewis Read More , Memorial Day is just around the corner, and what better way to kick off the summer than by exploring the beautiful state of Michigan? And then, I fell over. Spend a day or a week exploring this lakeside road. At STH-23, where STH-28 ends and STH-42 begins, the LMCT continues northwesterly via STH-42 back to I-43 at Exit 128. The route continues northerly from Scottville and through Manistee on US-31. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Only 60 miles east of the bustling Duluth waterfront, Bark Bay, Wisconsin, provides a serene escape. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour covers approximately 950 miles and puts you in the saddle with about 15 hours of (continuous) riding. These loop routes are detailed below the mainline route below: Thanks to Chris Bessert and the Wisconsin Highways site for providing the route. Some hail too, cus why not kick us while we were down? Again, while we're definitely fans of spirited riding, we'd rather enjoy worthy stopping points as opposed to rushing through. Wisconsin is well known for many things; among them cheese, the Green Bay Packers and great roads for riding! Well known locally as the home of the historic Ramsdall Theater and beautiful 2-mile river walk stretch. Route: Buckle up for your nearly five-hour ride to what many call The North Coast (tacking on an hour for Eastern Standard Time), following I-90 E all the way. You pass by famous landmarks such as Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Lincoln Park Zoo and Calumet Park. Chicago. One day, roast marshmallows at a remote campsite . If you can, allot a few days here. The Lake Michigan Circle is one of the quintessential, must-do American road trips. When you get to Mackinaw City, youll need to take the ferry over to Mackinac Island (pronounced like Mack-i-naw). You wont find any chain hotels, either every accommodation option is unique and family-owned. In these areas, the LMCT follows the route of Sheridan Rd very closely. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. & Tm Off, Get the best new gear, dreamy cabins, and epic adventure photography delivered to your inbox each week with Field Mag newsletters. Before leaving Door County, stop in Sturgeon Bay, a ship-building hub, and visit must-see attractions, like theDoor County Maritime Museum,Door Peninsula Wineryand Cave Point County Park. Pere Marquette beach there is indeed beautiful. You're pretty close to downtown Phoenix from here, so if you're staying close to the city center you're better off getting back onto 51 south than retracing your steps. Also in downtown Manitowoc, a rather unique Lake Michigan Circle Tour spur route begins: travelling straight across the lake via Lake Michigan Carferrys S.S. Badger carferry! Great Divide National Scenic Byway Motorcycle Tour in Fall. Lake Michigan circle road trip itinerary Day 1: Indiana Dunes, Holland, & Grand Haven From Chicago, drive 45 minutes over the state line to the Indiana Dunes. Stay in a luxury hotel, a cozy lodge or a charming bed and breakfast. The lowered seat on the 8-Ball was surprisingly comfortable for a 6-foot, 2-inch dude, and the bike handled more nimbly than most tour bikes. 4 h 45 m. 304 mi. Cant wait to go back and go up into the Upper Peninsula!!! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59394631', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago Tuesday, staying away three nights. I grew up in Zion IL. Your email address will not be published. Spend today exploring all of the beautiful marvels of nature the UP has to offer. This will be the first in a series concerning an excellent ride (mostly) around Lake Michigan. Paired with a Wisconsin brewed beer or an old fashioned, its the quintessential Sconnie meal. Its daily cruise takes about 4 hours shore to shore and effectively separates the Circle Tour into North and South sections. It was wet. Learn some local history at Fort Mackinac, Sample some world-famous fudge at Murdicks, Take in the blue waters of Kitch-iti-kipi, a scenic natural spring, Check out some art at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Stroll down Michigan Avenue and do some shopping, Stand on the edge of the Willis Tower (ahem, Order some deep dish pizza from Lou Malnatis, Door Peninsula, the Cape Cod of the Midwest: Door County, Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, Sturgeon Bay, and Egg Harbor, If time is not a factor, you can extend your trip to become a full, Some of the state highways in Illinois are toll roads. This is a free poster-sized publication which details all of the lighthouses located on the shores of Lake Michigan, as well as the Circle Tour driving route to guide drivers around the lake. Route 137 joins Lakeshore Drive (US-41), taking you past the Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier and the Shedd Aquarium. There are a few stairs to reach the top, so make sure to wear some comfortable shoes! Continue on to Marinette, WI. Required fields are marked *. Pines, Cedar, and Beechwood are modern, with many of the sites close together. Follow US- 95 N and US-60 to AZ-71 N in Maricopa County. We are taking reservations now for our September AROUND THE LAKE TOUR. As the name implies, the route is a circle and weaves through four states Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and, of course, Wisconsin. A Motorcycling Human Idiot Might Write Your Next Riding War Story, Wreck to Reckoning: Coping With Rider Fear. The State of Michigan has signed each of the circle tours for the Great Lakes the state touches: the Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior Circle Tours. Either way, facing death for hours on end really cheapens the thrill. They got us. From there, its on to Green Bay, home of the Packers and historic Lambeau Field. We just chose to ignore it. Its a trip you will appreciate for a long time, especially if you are lucky enough to ride during the Fall and catch the change of seasons and the Fall colors. Made it as far as Mackinaw Island, but not the upper peninsula, It was the hottest two weeks MI had experienced all summer. These loops may follow state highways or utilize city streets and county roads running closer to the shoreline. Soon enough, youll find yourselves inDoor County, one of Wisconsins most popular destinations, known for its gorgeous beaches, wineries and historic lighthouses. Thats all we covered before having to pull over under an overpass and toss on our rain gear. There are 373 campsites over four campgrounds. The Indiana Dunes National Park takes up 15 miles of shoreline around Lake Michigan and features a unique ecosystem with lots of native birds and plants. Think fried cod or perch served with tartar sauce, potato pancakes, apple sauce and coleslaw. The trip spans 4 different Midwestern states and dozens of different cities. But somehow we missed Silver Lake Sand Dunes, still need to go back to see them! Great tip. Thank you Samantha for your suggestions as well. I would love a paper map of the circle tour. Just a topple. Cleveland. Yeah it feels just as silly now as it did then. The Diners many patrons took a few long, laughing looks at Adventure Dad. It still suckedmy foot took the bulk of the 550+ lbsbut at least the damning sand offered a soft landing. In between it follows U.S. Highway 2 (US 2) to Wakefield, M-28 to Bergland and M-64 to Ontonagon. In St Ignace, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourcontinues westerly along US-2 for more than 140 miles through Manistique and Gladstone to Escanaba. This went on for some time. Why not drive around Lake Michigan? Dont forget to make a stop at the famousMackinac Island, where no cars are allowed. The circle tour continues northerly on US-31/BL I-196 toward Holland at Exit 44 when I-196 splits off to the east. Many people enjoy taking the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, visiting as many of these lighthouses as possible. As the cityscape gets smaller on your rearview mirror, more outdoor fun awaits. You can now navigate. Petoskeys downtown overlooks Lake Michigan and offers terrific shopping. Any advice is greatly appreciated! At Exit 123, the circle tour departs I-43 and continues northeasterly via STH-28 into Sheboygan. Copyright2023 Samantha Brown Media Inc. |Privacy Policy & Terms of Service, This is Your Sign to Plan a Solo Wellness Vacation, 9 Underrated National Parks to Visit in the Summer, 14 Delightful Places for Afternoon Tea Around the World. Jackpine is a primitive hike-in tent-only campground. Explore Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, the five local lighthouses (I have a thing for lighthouses! Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Ive ridden in rain before. 77 is a spectacular drive for nature lovers. And those are just the ones weve been to there are many more. Wisconsin offers the best of Lake Michigans beauty and commercial appeal. Youre in wine country now sampling some locally-produced bottles is a must today! At Manitowoc, the circle tour leaves I-43 at Exit 149 and continues into downtown via US-151. Now toss in a few (read: many) logging trucks and cut visibility to a dozen feet with incredibly dense fog and youre looking at exactly what we spent another hour plus riding in. If weather permits, stretch your legs along the sandy shoreline, or hike the West Beach Dune Succession Trail and boardwalk. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? Lake Michigan Circle Tour Sightseeing & Stops. Along Lake Michigan, state and county parks, major cities and harbor towns dot the freshwater coastline. Use our Scenic Drive Finder and Road Trip Planner to easily create custom road trips. Turns out it was just the name of a road. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Looking for some incredible yet underrated parks to visit this summer? I am also going to suggest a side trip to Beaver Island, Michigan which is the largest inhabited island in Lake Michigan, with a year round population. Your scenic trip along M-22 will bring you intoLeelanau Countyand the small village ofEmpire, headquarters for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore,named the most beautiful place in the United States by the viewers of Good Morning America. If youre going now, check out some of the many craft breweries along the way Greenbush (Sawyer, MI), New Holland (Holland, MI), Founders (Grand Rapids, MI), Right Brain, Workshop, & North Peak (Traverse City, MI), Shorts (Bellaire, MI), 3 Floyds (Munster, IN) and tour the not-so-small Miller brewery in Milwaukee! State of Wisconsin Historical Markers: I want to stay as close to the shore as possible most of the time. US Highway 2 runs between the Hiawatha National Forest and the Sault Ste. Try a classic IPA or a seasonal offering atThird Space Brewingwest of downtown, or head to the Deer District forGood City Brewing Co. Before jumping on Interstate Highway 43 to continue the tour, grab lunch and shop for goods at the up-and-coming Deer District across from the Fiserv Forum where the Milwaukee Bucks play. Most will budget a 4-day long weekend to allow plenty of time to explore and stop at the almost endless stream of small towns and scenic over looks. Make sure to stop at Cherry Republic Gift Shop and Pyramid Point Trailhead along the way. Lake Michigan Circle Tour on Motorcycle Do's & Don'ts | Field Mag Cheating Death on the Lake Michigan Loop: 1,000 Miles in 4 Days 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 Author Graham Hiemstra Photographer Graham Hiemstra @graham Marie. Eight miles. Both are pretty neat little towns, and a world apart from those we passed in the UP. Your download is ready. From breakfast at the Grand Traverse Pie Company to Asian-inspired food at Alliance Restaurant, theres no shortage of great places to grab a bite. The Indiana Dunes National Park takes up 15 miles of shoreline around Lake Michigan and features a unique ecosystem with lots of native birds and plants. @Kathy Hello! Dig into these great stories and get inspired for your next Wisconsin vacation. 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. In downtown Manitowoc, the route continues northerly via US-10 to STH-42. Most Lake Michigan lighthouses were built in the 1800s when ship traffic was at its heaviestespecially during the lumbering era. Just a raw bike marketed at people who love to ride. For many, the Circle Tour is an opportunity to seek out an unrivaled collection of historical LIGHTHOUSES. I loved the info. 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. When it comes to Great American road trips along the water, Californias Pacific Coast Highway gets all the press. Been looking at lots of sites and see nothing. Please wait, the navigation is being prepared. Take theLittle Traverse Wheelway, which connects Petoskey to Charlevoix andHarbor Springs. 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. It makes you look funny, and even though literally no oneNO ONEcares what you look like when youre hurtling down a remote highway at a mile-a-minute in pissing rain, its still funny. Holland (you can probably guess by the name) is a former Dutch settlement in Michigan. Now I know what youre thinkingand the answer is yes, hitting triple digit speeds in a hailstorm is super stupid. Youll find the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route below. I had to admit, my dad gear perfectly matched my dad bike, and his matched his. Had I known the conditions that lay ahead, perhaps I'd have heeded the not-so-subtle warnings. Stephanie. Town . Break it into two separate tripsthe north loop and the south loop. Hey Lauren! Many are dog and kid-friendly and also serve food. plenty of places to park your RV for a night or extended stay. The general feeling around Chicago was we were too latewe had missed the Midwestern riding season. Known as the Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City is one of Americas Top 10 beach towns and a definite town to put your kickstand down and explore. Lake Michigan Circle Itinerary: A 7-Day Road Trip Through 4 States, Planning your Lake Michigan circle road trip, Day 1: Indiana Dunes, Holland, & Grand Haven, Day 3: Traverse City & the Leelanau Peninsula, If you have more time on your Lake Michigan circle tour, The Ultimate 3-Week South Island New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary, USA Bucket List Destinations: 150+ of the Best Places to Visit in All 50 States, 19 Stunning New Zealand Lakes That Will Blow Your Mind. But we found lunch at some funny named town next to another funny named town, between two more towns with funny names. Motorcycle Cruiser may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. The park encompasses hundreds of acres of sand dunes, lakeshore, and forest. It was early September and I was finally home in NYC after six months of near nonstop traveling. If you would like to join our guided tour of Lake Michigan we are reserving spots now. This was the unsolicited advice we received as we mounted our bikes on the morning of day two. Your email address will not be published. Diabolic Technologic: Do Rider Aids Actually Help? If/when you do come to Chicago, my advice is to also get out of downtown and into the real neighborhoods, as they all offer cool restaurants, shops, pubs, festivals, etc. Lake Michigan has over 50 beautiful lights, with the majority in Michigan and Wisconsin. Fall colors explore here, and theres tons of great hiking and mountain biking. It was windy as all get out. The riders: Doug - Yamaha Stratoliner CJ - Suzuki Intruder LC 1500 Me - Yamaha 950 Tourer (left to right, me (with Monkey), CJ, and Doug) The tools: A the US-41/US-141 split in Abrams, the circle tour veers northeasterly to follow US-41 through Oconto and Peshitgo on its way to Marinette. Start your journey in Manistee and travel through Benzie and Leelanau Counties before winding up in Traverse City.
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