Begin with a tour of Lambeau Field and the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. A weekend and holiday playground for Milwaukee and Chicago residents, youll find quaint shops, wineries, restaurants, pretty campgrounds and more on this peninsula. Stop in Petoskeys downtown, which overlooks Lake Michigan and offers terrific shopping, then continue on to Mackinaw City. Im just trying to research easy places to stay for a night or two on the trip. Continue up to the Tip of the Mitt to Mackinaw City. A lot more. After all, we'd done it each of the two days prior, and would do again the following two100 mph in rain, wind, fog and under sunny skies too. We weret likely to hit the storm for an hour or so, so we tossed the newly acquired gear in our dry bag packs and put rubber to road. I rode along Lake Shore Drive in Michigan, it various segments, from roughly Indiana to Grand Haven a couple weeks ago, so am familiar w/ that, but little north of Grand Haven. Spend the morning here either relaxing by the beach or doing something a bit more active. Just Announced: Comedian Lewis Black at the Kalamazoo State Theatre, Legendary award-winning comedian Lewis Black makes his triumphant return to the Kalamazoo State Theatre on Friday, November 10, 2023, as part of hisOff The Railstour. Dont forget Johans Backereys in Petosky and Harbor Springs! Paired with a Wisconsin brewed beer or an old fashioned, its the quintessential Sconnie meal. There are no cars allowed on the island, due in part to an 1898 ban on horseless carriages that has remained unchanged. Teri. The comforting beams of light guided thousands of ships with their precious cargoes into port. Don't want to see this ad anymore? The Upper Peninsula let us out alive only because I asked nicely. Many people enjoy taking the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, visiting as many of these lighthouses as possible. We were wet. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour enters Michigan from Indiana on US-12 south of New Buffalo and proceeds northerly through New Buffalo to I-94. Then, its on to Marinette, Wisconsins northernmost point on the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Its a great trip, so beautiful! Can also advise re: U.P. The trip includes; chase vehicle support, hotel accommodations and of course fantastic riding with a fun group. This was nice, sure, as autumn was close to being in full bloom. From the mainline Lake Michigan Circle Tour route in downtown Manitowoc at jct US-10 & US-151, the route heads southerly via US-10 along 10th St, easterly via Madison St and northerly via Lakeview Dr to the carferry docks. Spend today exploring all of the beautiful marvels of nature the UP has to offer. We crossed the impressive bridge and ripped down the northwestern corner of the mitten, with brief stops in Petasky and Traverse City. Pssh. But somehow we missed Silver Lake Sand Dunes, still need to go back to see them! At Escanaba, the circle tour continues southwesterly via M-35 along the Green Bay shoreline to Menominee. You could easily spend three nights in lower or upper michigan. Whatever the Upper Peninsula had in store for us, Ive faced worse. 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 As in, blow-you-off-your-bike-with-ease windy. These loop routes are detailed below the mainline route below: Thanks to Chris Bessert and the Wisconsin Highways site for providing the route. The existing Apache Trail in Arizona is a 120 mile circle route through the Superstition Mountains. Northeast of downtown Muskegon, the route continues northerly via M-120 to North Muskegon and northeasterly back to US-31. Back on US-31, the circle tour continues northerly toward Ludington, leaving US-31 twice: once to follow the route of BUS US-31 through the downtowns of Whitehall and Montague in northern Muskegon Co; and again to follow the route of BUS US-31 through downtown Pentwater in Oceana Co. At the end of the US-31 freeway near Ludington, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourturns east following US-10/US-31 toward Scottville. A few more fun, winding roads too. Northeast of Empire, a Lake Michigan Circle TourLoop Route leaves M-22 to follow M-109 past Glen Haven, rejoining M-22 at Glen Arbor. At Scottville, the circle tour turns northerly again to follow US-31 toward Manistee, although a locally-designated Lake Michigan Circle TourLoop Route formerly continued east on US-10 into downtown, then northerly via Old US-31 back to US-31 and the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Use our Scenic Drive Finder and Road Trip Planner to easily create custom road trips. So we did as anyone in need of last minute supplies and something to take their mind off the impending doom does: go to Walmart. Look to ride my motorcycle around Lake Michigan this week, leaving Chicago Tuesday, staying away three nights. You can print off your own map by downloading it or send a request and they will mail one to you. Fresh pavement and empty roads were the perfect excuse to do so. If you can, allocate a few days to picturesque Door County, WI. The depth of change in colors at this time is amazing and rivals the best FALL scenery found anywhere. Our Lake Michigan Circle Tour ride took five days instead of four. Spanning 1000 miles and four states (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan), the Michigan Loop route is a local tradition. At any point along the tour, if youd like to stay the night and spend more time at a city or harbor town, there are plenty of lake resorts,campsites,cabinsandhotelsfor your choosing. I loved the info. Nearby youll find the town of Beverly Shores, where you may view the five historic Century of Progress Homes from the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair. Try this on a Harley.. so much more fun. I did this trip late last Sept in my T@b camper for 2-1/2 weeks. If you have some time, make a quick detour to Grand Rapids there, you can check out the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, appreciate art at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and have a drink at one of the many breweries. Running down sand dunes, exploring Mackinac Island, and camping/biking/hiking around Door Peninsula would be my must-dos with kids. Marie State Forest Area, with a great many miles offering little to look at but trees, trees and more trees. With so much to see and do along this Great Lake, one of the best ways to soak it all up is on a road trip with family and friends. I saw your comment and was wondering if you had any additional suggestions/tips for camping. JavaScript is required for this feature, but it is either disabled or not supported by your browser. Great tip. (least kid-friendly activities). All rights reserved. Take theLittle Traverse Wheelway, which connects Petoskey to Charlevoix andHarbor Springs. Nick felt it was more a dentist on vacation look. When you hit Kenosha, not far from the border, we suggest visiting the harbor towns two scenic lighthouses Southport Light Station Museum featuring an 1800s lighthouse andNorth Pier Lighthouse, which houses an art studio. The origin of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour dates back to 1988 and a combined marketing effort led by governors from both Michigan and Indiana. Yeah it feels just as silly now as it did then. Land of New Glarus beer, Cheeseheads, and Midwestern hospitality, driving down Wisconsins lakeshore is a pleasure in and of itself. After a couple tries we were directed to a motel with vacancy. 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. One day, roast marshmallows at a remote campsite and the next, toast to new and old friends at an iconic big-city brewery. where you can tour a restored 1844 military outpost and one of the first lighthouses on Lake Superior. There are two ways to tackle this 900-mile, 14.5-hour drive. Experience the highlights of a 4 state tour exploring the shoreline beach towns & backroads most which lead to an amazing view of Lake Michigan. I spend half an hour to read this websites articles or reviews all the time along with a cup of coffee , Thanks so very much for your great website. End your week-long trip right where you started the Windy City, one of the greatest big cities in the world! Mackinac Island is the best place in the Midwest to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! The Lake Michigan Circle Tour covers approximately 950 miles and puts you in the saddle with about 15 hours of (continuous) riding. 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. 4) The Omelette Shoppe in Traverse City 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. The envisioned "Tri-Modal Corridor" would . 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 I agree with StrangTripper - three nights doesn't leave much time to check things out. . Wisconsin is well known for many things; among them cheese, the Green Bay Packers and great roads for riding! 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. To save some money, take the ferry back over to the mainland and stay in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace for the night. In St Ignace, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourcontinues westerly along US-2 for more than 140 miles through Manistique and Gladstone to Escanaba. Petoskeys downtown overlooks Lake Michigan and offers terrific shopping. A 45-minute drive from Inspiration Point will bring you the main attraction of the day, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Cant wait to go back and go up into the Upper Peninsula!!! Please wait, your download is being prepared. One more trip to Walmart brought about a tough decision: Real Tree or Mossy Oak. Most Lake Michigan lighthouses were built in the 1800s when ship traffic was at its heaviestespecially during the lumbering era. Still I hauled enough gear from Brooklyn to both break my back and keep us covered for a few days well outside the city. The Upper Peninsula is beautiful. This pair welcomes charter fishing and leisure boats, guiding them into the busy harbor. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy, so spend your afternoon doing whatever sounds the most fun. Your print is ready to download. Home ofLambeau Fieldand thePackers Hall of Fame, also tour theOneida National MuseumandNational Railroad Museumwhile youre there. The Lake Michigan Circle tour delivers just that and with a good mix of great food and lazy winding roads its the perfect weekend ride. 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. When you get to the tip of the peninsula, take the car ferry over to Washington Island and explore popular attractions, like the Farm Museum andRock Island State Park. Marie back to my home near St. Paul. Nick being Nick, owned zero rain gear until eight miles prior. I currently live in Chicago, where Ive been for several years. The route continues northerly from Scottville and through Manistee on US-31. Although its only a 15-minute drive across the Straits of Mackinac, the Upper Peninsula feels like a different world from the colonial vibe of Mackinac Island. Youll find the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route below. If I had to pick one stop to get rid of, it would be the Leelenau Peninsula theres not as much to do and the kids would probably find the wineries/breweries boring. This 29-mile route from Hayward to Glidden on State Hwy. Built by, The *Better* Lake Michigan Circle Tour (Motorcycle Map). At Exit 23, the route exits I-94 and continues northerly into downtown St Joseph via BL I-94. State of Illinois Historical Markes: 6 McR Points. The Sherwood Point lighthouse is one of 10 beacons in Door County. Get West Michigan Travel News, Events and Specials delivered to your inbox. The Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour is a free publication available from the West Michigan Tourist Association to accompany the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Fun fact: the Indiana Dunes just became a National Park in February of 2019, making it the third-newest park after White Sands (December 2019) and New River Gorge (December 2020)! Explore 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan featuring a unique ecosystem with native birds and plants. Diabolic Technologic: Do Rider Aids Actually Help? Exploring Lake Michigan's scenic shoreline by motorcycle. Youll find beaches, forests, dunes, and plenty of local breweries and wineries during your 24-hour drive. The route continues northerly via I-43 from Sheboygan to Manitowoc. It also shows most of the Lake Michigan Lighthouses on the route. In any case, put the Circle Tour of Lake Michigan on your list of must do rides and plan to do it on Harley-Davidson. Read on for a detailed 7-day Lake Michigan circle road trip itinerary! Therefore, the new de facto route for the circle tour continues northerly past Holland via the US-31 bypass. I wondered if you have a map of this tour? https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS15267 Many, many more old, wealthy white folks in this corner of the state. 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. Home Lighthouse Map + Circle Tour Lighthouse Driving Itinerary. Again, while we're definitely fans of spirited riding, we'd rather enjoy worthy stopping points as opposed to rushing through. Many lighthouse keepers inhabited these structures, or lived nearby and walked the dangerous catwalks out to the light. And well, I guess I just like a good time too much to learn. 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. Dig into these great stories and get inspired for your next Wisconsin vacation. From picturesque beaches to historic landmarks, Read More , Fathers Day is Sunday, June 18th! 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. The trip spans 4 different Midwestern states and dozens of different cities. Wed run the final stretch of pitch black highway at an average speed of 90 plus, tipping the ton whenever the wind died down long enough. Just a topple. With its rich blue waters, white sand beaches and nothing but water on the horizon, its easy to see why this town is called the Caribbean of the North. The Lake Michigan Circle Tourenters Michigan from Indiana on US-12 south of New Buffalo and proceeds northerly through New Buffalo to I-94. Here's an idea of what the weather in this area is like to help get your planning started! Copyright 2023 Motorcycle Cruiser. Eight miles. While the Lake Michigan Circle Tourremains on I-196/US-31 at Saugatuck/Douglas, a locally-designated Lake Michigan Circle TourHarbor Tour loop route is signed concurrently with A-2/Blue Star Hwy between Exits 36 and 41. Minutes later the shouldering trees receded and we were all alone on the waters edge. West Michigan provides a paper map of the circle tour. http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/721/Michigan/Michigans-Central-Lake-Michigan-Scenic-Tour.html. 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. Scenic Routes; Motorcycle Rides; Events & Festivals; Circle Michigan Foundation. You wont be needing your passport for this single-nation circle tour. Evolution Of A Two-Stroke Beast, Pucker Up: Unexpected Changes In Road Surface, Track Day At COTA, Circuit Of The Americas. Explore Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, the five local lighthouses (I have a thing for lighthouses! The general feeling around Chicago was we were too latewe had missed the Midwestern riding season. after the big bridge if you know. Along the way you can visit wineries, experience small-town friendliness and really appreciate the change of seasons. Harbor Spring Michigan is a must-do. The route leaves US-12 and continues northerly on I-94 from Exit 4 toward St Joseph. Unlimited stops, edit, share, find recommended places of interest and campgrounds, manage budgets, print or export directions and more. The Lake Michigan Circle Tourthen turns northerly via US-41/US-141 in Howard. These tours were originally conceived as an aid for travelers who wished to stick close to the shorelines of the lakes in their journeys. October was completely empty. With its rich. But we found lunch at some funny named town next to another funny named town, between two more towns with funny names. Lake Michigan has over 50 beautiful lights, with the majority in Michigan and Wisconsin. Nick stuck to his guns and opted to try Real Tree. Turns out it was just the name of a road. Windy City Harley-Davidson Authorized Rentals. For more information check out www.WindyCityMotorcycleTours.com. You can fly there from Charlevoix airport (15mins) or take the ferry from Charlevoix (2 and 1/2 hours) leave your car in Charlevoix you can rent a car (advance reservation suggested or rent a bike). Chicago Summer Activities: The 21 Best Things to Eat, See, and Do, Winter in Chicago: The Best Things to Eat, See, and Do. is quite rural, but offers many opportunities to immerse yourself in nature. Taken mid-trip, these two are out of sync but make a perfect starting point. Pines, Cedar, and Beechwood are modern, with many of the sites close together. Hmm maybe both. Fifteen minutes north of Pentwater, youll be in Ludington, where you may catch the ferry back to Manitowoc. Explore everything this area has to offer from activities and attractions, to fairs and festivals, there's something here for everybody! Their historical significance, as well as their various shapes and colors, makes a lighthouse run a fascinating destination. You wont find any chain hotels, either every accommodation option is unique and family-owned. Mackinac Island was founded in 1780 and occasionally, it seems like time has stopped completely. Thanks for any help. The route of the mainline Lake Michigan Circle Tourin Michigan follows signed state trunkline routes in its entirety, although in some places the nearest state highway to the Lake Michigan may be several miles away. When you purchase through links on my site, I may make a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). This Lake Michigan circle itinerary can be easily extended by spending a bit more time in each destination. Look to ride my motorcycle around Lake Michigan this week, leaving (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There are a couple of primitive campgrounds that are only $10 a night both right on Lake Michigan! While there is no wrong answer, few will argue that the September-October season is the most inspiring time to make the trip; providing a glimpse of the changing colors of Fall and the promise of almost perfect riding weather. Lower Michigans fall foliage, warmer temps and coastal sunsets welcomed us with open arms. In northern metropolitan Milwaukee, the LMCT joins I-43/STH-32/STH-57 heading northerly into Ozaukee Co. At Grafton, the tour departs I-43 to remain on STH-32 and continues through Port Washington. Still a great introductory route for the aspiring long distance rider, more experienced enthusiasts demand more in the way of technical maneuvering. Lake Michigan Circle Tour by motorcycle from Chicago this We 8 years ago Save Hello. Plan now at www.WindyCityMotorcycleTours.com or call Tim Farrell at (630)834-6571 for full details. Though very pretty in the spring and summer seasons, the fall season is when you really must take this ride along the Lake Michigan shoreline. When you hit Sheboygan, make a pit stop at the scenicKohler-Andrae State Parkto see incredible lake views and explore the area's beaches and sand dunes. From the get-go I joked that my BMW R 1200 GS made me look like an adventure dad. Spend a day or a week exploring this lakeside road. A Motorcycling Human Idiot Might Write Your Next Riding War Story, Wreck to Reckoning: Coping With Rider Fear. 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. Depending on what theyre interested in, Id recommend checking out Lincoln Park Zoo, the Childrens Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, and the Museum of Science and Industry! A ferry between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI make it easy to bisect the huge body of water. ichuge it is not a good idea to post your e-mail address. You wont be disappointed. Its one of my favorite places in the country. Bicycle Route 35 (USBR-35) and the existing Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Along with the primary Circle Tour route, several marked Lake Michigan Circle Tour Loops have been posted using white-on-brown signs. 2) Northern Latitudes Distillery in Leland Built in 1874, this lighthouse is a great place to take in the grandeur of Lake Michigan and the surrounding sand dunes. Because Nick is a fellow to follow if its adventure you want, and one to avoid at all costs if its not. Why not drive around Lake Michigan? While your bike isn't a boat, you can still capture some great photos. Try this feature for free with a RouteYou Premium trial subscription. For one of the strangest attractions in the area, visit Saint Ignaces Mystery Spot, an area where gravity, allegedly, seems to have gone haywire. In between it follows U.S. Highway 2 (US 2) to Wakefield, M-28 to Bergland and M-64 to Ontonagon. I loved this info and grew up 50 miles north of Chicago in Zion. Our rain gear held strong and confidence grew. Your email address will not be published. Break it into two separate tripsthe north loop and the south loop. Meander through the communities of Whitehall, New Era, Shelby, and Hart, as well as Silver Lake Sand Dunes. It was really rainy too. Specifically, since the last week of August, 2016. Afterwards, stop by the nearby town of Michigan City, IN for lunch at Shoreline Brewery. The farther north you drive, the more scenic and less populated the landscape. An Octane Media, LLC Publication. Upgrade now. It was early September and I was finally home in NYC after six months of near nonstop traveling. Had I known the conditions that lay ahead, perhaps I'd have heeded the not-so-subtle warnings. It felt nice, for 5 minutes. But I didn't, so we didn't. Both are pretty neat little towns, and a world apart from those we passed in the UP. Try this feature for free with a RouteYou Plus trial subscription. Is that available? I will be driving a camper for a 5 day trip around Lake Michigan, coming from Chicago. Ive ridden in rain before. There are 373 campsites over four campgrounds. Experience the beauty of Lake Michigan and scenic locales in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois including two nights on Mackinac Island. Rain gear is funny. By the time we returned to Chicago via a Lake Michigan ferry (we opted to skip Indiana, cus duh), the tally of how many times we each cheated death was well beyond double digits. Alternatively, you may use, Baymont by Wyndham Bridgeport/Frankenmuth. Along Lake Michigan, state and county parks, major cities and harbor towns dot the freshwater coastline. Shopping in Saugatuck, swimming in Lake Michigan all along the way, seeing Dorr County, WI, Lambeau Field and New Buffalo for the first time. Let me just say, Lake Michigan is absolutely beautiful and the beaches and clear water made for some great swimming! The shoreline of the Upper Peninsula is a glorious piece of . My personal favorites are the twin piers and lights found in South Haven. These loop routes are detailed below the mainline route below: Thanks to Chris Bessert and the Michigan Highways site for the route. There are a few stairs to reach the top, so make sure to wear some comfortable shoes! This site uses cookies to provide you with the best onsite experience. Downtown is a short exit off US-31 and has a great brewery, Pigeon Hill, and I believe a distillery nearby as well. South of downtown is the excellent Hearthstone restaurant, from which you can easily get back to US-31. https://www.wmta.org/lake-michigan-lighthouse-map-circle-tour/lighthouse-driving-itinerary/ Stephanie. The route through the U.P. Have fun on the road! Been looking at lots of sites and see nothing. 5. Biking is a popular way to get around the island, as are horse-drawn carriages. Sign up for the mailing list and get notified each time we upload a new blog post. But its also super fun. The two of us have been dodging the clink together for over a decade now, and in that time you'd think I'd have learned to just sit back and enjoy the ride when with him, but I haven't. If I take the shortest, quickest . At the jct of US-31 & I-96, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourleaves US-31 and follows BUS US-31 through downtown Muskegon. There are several opinions as to the best time of the year to take the Circle Tour, as well as which direction to travel; thru Michigan first and back around through Wisconsin or clockwise heading along the lakes west coast first. Head north on US-31, between Muskegon and Whitehall, and youll find Michigans Adventure Amusement Park and water park. You can pay any unpaid tolls after the fact on the. Even though weve vacationed in west and northern Michigan our whole lives, we discovered things we had never seen before or hadnt seen in years.
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