ichuge it is not a good idea to post your e-mail address. Continue up to the Tip of the Mitt to Mackinaw City. The town could be mistaken for one in the Netherlands, with plenty of tulips, windmills, and European-style architecture. Better late than never. Lower Michigans fall foliage, warmer temps and coastal sunsets welcomed us with open arms. Is that available? This itinerary assumes that youre starting in Chicago, but you can start from any part of the circle! In between it follows U.S. Highway 2 (US 2) to Wakefield, M-28 to Bergland and M-64 to Ontonagon. It was really rainy too. Many, many more old, wealthy white folks in this corner of the state. Lake Superior circle tour by motorcycle - Michigan Forum Try this link. Upper Peninsula Travel Itineraries - Circle Michigan 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. The comforting beams of light guided thousands of ships with their precious cargoes into port. At any rate, we survived, literally limping into St. Ignace with puddles of water squishing out our boots with each step. will appreciate if you can share it. Additionally, you can add stops to your trip in the following locations: Thanks for reading this Lake Michigan circle itinerary! 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. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy, so spend your afternoon doing whatever sounds the most fun. Perhaps Michigan's most famous scenic route, M-22 stretches for over 115 miles along the shores of our beloved Big Lake. Spend the morning here either relaxing by the beach or doing something a bit more active. This was nice, sure, as autumn was close to being in full bloom. And those are just the ones weve been to there are many more. Michigan gonna eat you alive, he texted just before my arrival. I saw your comment and was wondering if you had any additional suggestions/tips for camping. Let me just say, Lake Michigan is absolutely beautiful and the beaches and clear water made for some great swimming! 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. We squeezed out of our soaked gear, cranked the room temp to 90 and tried to shake the soggy chill from our tired bones. 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. State of Wisconsin Historical Markers: A ferry between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI make it easy to bisect the huge body of water. These tours were originally conceived as an aid for travelers who wished to stick close to the shorelines of the lakes in their journeys. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. At Manitowoc, the circle tour leaves I-43 at Exit 149 and continues into downtown via US-151. Four or five cups of coffee help too. Because Nick is a fellow to follow if its adventure you want, and one to avoid at all costs if its not. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "Well take these memories to our grave, whether we wind up there tomorrow or fifty years from now.". 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. That sounds like an awesome trip! The eastern coast of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin boasts about the same number, including a wonderful cluster in Door County. https://www.wmta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Lighthouse-Map-for-Web-2018.pdf. In St Joseph, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourcontinues northerly on M-63 into northern Berrien Co. At the nothern terminus of M-63, the circle tour proceeds northerly on I-196/US-31 toward South Haven. At STH-57, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourturns northeasterly via STH-42/STH-57 past Sturgeon Bay. 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. Look to ride my motorcycle around Lake Michigan this week, leaving Chicago Tuesday, staying away three nights. ), and explore many great restaurants. The trip includes; chase vehicle support, hotel accommodations and of course fantastic riding with a fun group. Made it as far as Mackinaw Island, but not the upper peninsula, It was the hottest two weeks MI had experienced all summer. There are two ways to tackle this 900-mile, 14.5-hour drive. Upgrade now. 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. Its proximity to Canada, heavily forested hills, and lack of decent cell service make it feel like youre at the ends of the earth. Just 100 more miles to St. Ignace. 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. Tour the area waterfalls before crossing into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Route 137 joins Lakeshore Drive (US-41), taking you past the Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier and the Shedd Aquarium. Many people enjoy taking the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, visiting as many of these lighthouses as possible. Along the way you can visit wineries, experience small-town friendliness and really appreciate the change of seasons. Tunnel Of Trees, Mackinac Bridge & The U.P. Taste some fudge, bike around the island, and shop in the quaint downtown area. I certainly wouldnt call myself one, nor Nick, but man, I sure left US 2 with my tail between my legs. Northern Lake Michigan Circle Tour - Motorcycle Rides The city is well known for itscraft breweries. 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. Michigans Upper Peninsula (aka the U.P.). Please wait, your print is being prepared. Treat Yourself To The 9 Best Scenic Drives In Michigan - OnlyInYourState Motorcycle Touring Around Lake Michigan | Motorcycle Cruiser The Diners many patrons took a few long, laughing looks at Adventure Dad. Your email address will not be published. Waterfall & Scenic Lookouts ; Nor'Wester; Ride the Giant; Social. Have fun on the road! Pines, Cedar, and Beechwood are modern, with many of the sites close together. Lake Michigan Circle Tour. On the east side of Holland, the route continues northerly following US-31 through Grand Haven and toward Norton Shores. The road gently curves along the Lake Superior shore line with water on your right, and towering virgin timber covered hills on your left. From here, you must must must take the ferry to famous Mackinac Island. Holland (you can probably guess by the name) is a former Dutch settlement in Michigan. Stay in a luxury hotel, a cozy lodge or a charming bed and breakfast. (NOTE: The Lake Michigan Circle TourLoop route through Scottville was removed/decommissioned some time in late 2004 or early 2005 and no longer exists.). Drive 2 hours from Traverse City over to Mackinaw City. A ferry between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI make it easy to bisect the huge body of water. Meander through the communities of Whitehall, New Era, Shelby, and Hart, as well as Silver Lake Sand Dunes. 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. End your week-long trip right where you started the Windy City, one of the greatest big cities in the world! Thanks. I want to stay as close to the shore as possible most of the time. West Michigan provides a paper map of the circle tour. Lake Michigan Camping Trip & Circle Tour Itinerary - Lets Camp Smore 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. 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. Find a scenic drive or plan a road trip with myscenicdrives.com Two ramps on US 31 in Berrien County are permanently closing on Friday.The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing the two loop ramps at exit 5, that's There are two ways to tackle this 900-mile, 14.5-hour drive. Rain gear is funny. Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. A historic town with plenty to see and do including several historic LIGHTHOUSES, excellent fishing nooks and the Midwests top rated State Park. Sleeping Bear is definitely on the list already. All rights reserved. I love the city, but its probably not the best place to visit on this driving tour. However, this business loop route through Holland was removed in August 2004 (signage removed in May 2005), but Lake Michigan Circle Tourmarkers along US-31 itself still indicates the route exits US-31 onto a business route which no longer exists. The route then heads northeasterly along the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula via STH-57 through Jacksonport, meeting back up with STH-42 in Sister Bay. I would love a paper map of the circle tour. Most of the suggestions Ive listed are outdoors and/or free which is awesome! Jokes aside, I was damn happy to have a windscreen and more horses than Ive ever ridden before under me. Harbor Spring Michigan is a must-do. Curley Lewis Memorial Highway | Route Ref. #35715 - Motorcycle Roads Youll find beaches, forests, dunes, and plenty of local breweries and wineries during your 24-hour drive. Copyright 2023, West Michigan Tourist Association | Email: travel@wmta.org. Exploring Lake Michigan's scenic shoreline by motorcycle. 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. We had no choice. @Kathy Hello! It may sound macabre, but well take these memories to our grave, whether we wind up there tomorrow or fifty years from now. We'll be riding our Harley touring bikes on this trip. Fifteen minutes north of Pentwater, youll be in Ludington, where you may catch the ferry back to Manitowoc. When planning a trip to the Mackinaw Bridge/ Soo Locks area of the eastern UP, this is a must. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? One day, roast marshmallows at a remote campsite . 1) Horizons bookstore in Traverse City- one of Americas great bookstores Marie back to my home near St. Paul. Continue the tour by heading north out of LUDINGTON along US-31 and into the Victorian Port of Manistee. From Chicago, drive 45 minutes over the state line to the Indiana Dunes. 5) Grand Traverse Winery in the Old Mission Peninsula. Next stop? The general feeling around Chicago was we were too latewe had missed the Midwestern riding season. Break it into two separate tripsthe north loop and the south loop. We want to spend a couple days in Chicago to kick it off. 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. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. From there, its on to Green Bay, home of the Packers and historic Lambeau Field. Built by, The *Better* Lake Michigan Circle Tour (Motorcycle Map). You can now navigate. Answer 1 of 12: Hello, I am planning a Lake Superior circle tour to be taken in mid-July for myself, my husband, and my in-laws (66 y/o). For one of the strangest attractions in the area, visit Saint Ignaces Mystery Spot, an area where gravity, allegedly, seems to have gone haywire. Just a topple. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour covers approximately 950 miles and puts you in the saddle with about 15 hours of (continuous) riding. 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. doing this ride in 3 days/nites is a bit ambitious.not to mention, if you do manage to do it, you won't have any time to see anything.. sleeping bear dunes in nw MI is definitely worth a few hours. you might wanna look into taking the ferry across the big lake from wisc to michigan since you've already covered MI up to grand haven.. usually, i recommend the ss badger ferry, but for what you wanna do, i think the lake express ferry might be a better fit be advised, the L-E ferry is about 150 bucks, one way for 1 bike and 1 rider.badger is about 100 bucks for the same. either way, IMO, it's worth it, especially since it will cut out the nightmare that is chicago traffic and its crazy cagers. it makes even more sense if you live north TRUST ME. A lot more. 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. Ride Lake Superior an Epic Motorcycle Tour through Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota . Enter to win a giveaway for a free night's stay at Hotel Walloon! Have fun on the road! & Tm Off, Get the best new gear, dreamy cabins, and epic adventure photography delivered to your inbox each week with Field Mag newsletters. Petoskeys downtown overlooks Lake Michigan and offers terrific shopping. Back Off My Bike Your email address will not be published. Or maybe it was indifference. They also serve as tourist attractions. I agree with StrangTripper - three nights doesn't leave much time to check things out. The Great Lakes Tour: A Circle Road Trip Itinerary The park encompasses hundreds of acres of sand dunes, lakeshore, and forest. The work impacts commuters on US-12. The Lake Michigan Circle Tourenters Michigan from Indiana on US-12 south of New Buffalo and proceeds northerly through New Buffalo to I-94. Once there, head to US-93 N in Yavapai County from AZ-71 N, which merges onto US-93 N. End your journey at AZ-97 N. Required fields are marked *. You can pay any unpaid tolls after the fact on the. Nick stuck to his guns and opted to try Real Tree. An Octane Media, LLC Publication. Don't want to see this ad anymore? From Mackinaw City, youll cross the The Mighty Mac, the 10th largest over water suspension bridge in the world. Dont forget to make a stop at the famousMackinac Island, where no cars are allowed. 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. These loop routes are detailed below the mainline route below: Thanks to Chris Bessert and the Wisconsin Highways site for providing the route. Hey Lauren! This 1,300 mile/2,000 km ride around Lake Superior is an amazing adventure when travelling on motorcycle. 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. Our final morning brought about temps in the low thirties, and after that didnt thwart us, endless lane splitting nearly did. My husband and I took a weeks vacation to drive around Lake Michigan a number of years ago stopping and staying in many of the lakeside towns along the way. This route listing lists the official route as well as any locally-designated and marked Lake Michigan Circle Tour Loops, which are generally posted with brown signs. 2023 Edition of Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour Now Dig into these great stories and get inspired for your next Wisconsin vacation. Lake Michigan Circle Route - Ride with GPS Cant wait to go back and go up into the Upper Peninsula!!! Today, youll do some sightseeing and finish off strong with some hearty Chicagoan food. Along Lake Michigan, state and county parks, major cities and harbor towns dot the freshwater coastline. 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. 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. So what'd we do? M-22 is a 116-mile stretch of road that winds through the scenic countryside of Manistee, Benzie and Leelanlau counties. We went up to Sault Ste. Nick felt it was more a dentist on vacation look. Head south down I-43 Sheboygan and into Milwaukee. Spanning 1000 miles and four states (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan), the Michigan Loop route is a local tradition. Home ofLambeau Fieldand thePackers Hall of Fame, also tour theOneida National MuseumandNational Railroad Museumwhile youre there. At Exit 23, the route exits I-94 and continues northerly into downtown St Joseph via BL I-94. At Exit 123, the circle tour departs I-43 and continues northeasterly via STH-28 into Sheboygan. Routes. 4) The Omelette Shoppe in Traverse City When you get to Mackinaw City, youll need to take the ferry over to Mackinac Island (pronounced like Mack-i-naw). Chase Car Ready, Milwaukee Packout Tool Storage, Choose Your Motorcycle Transport Service Wisely, Velocity Philosophy (A Mannerly Guide To Speed), Green Meanie! Next we arrive in Door County, the Cape Cod of the Midwest, for a classic Wisconsin fish . Chase Car Ready, Milwaukee Packout Tool Storage, Choose Your Motorcycle Transport Service Wisely, Velocity Philosophy (A Mannerly Guide To Speed), Green Meanie! Next up is Milwaukee. In these areas, the LMCT follows the route of Sheridan Rd very closely. There are not many motorcycle tours that take riders through a 4-state journey and are accompanied by almost endless views of one of the bigger lakes in America. One more trip to Walmart brought about a tough decision: Real Tree or Mossy Oak. This was the unsolicited advice we received as we mounted our bikes on the morning of day two. The circle tour continues northerly on US-31/BL I-196 toward Holland at Exit 44 when I-196 splits off to the east. This guide will help you map the perfect itinerary with suggested food, lodging, hikes, waterfalls, cruises, lighthouses, and more outdoor activities. The route then traverses Lake Michigan itself via the S.S. Badger carferry. The first is to complete it all at once. Check this list below, I truly love nothing more than a good cup of tea (I even pack my, There are not many places in the world that compare to Ireland. 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. lake michigan circle tour - Motorcycle route | RouteYou I grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, so Im glad Sam mentions it. I grew up in Zion IL. Lake Michigan Circle Tour - Michigan Highways There are a couple of primitive campgrounds that are only $10 a night both right on Lake Michigan! This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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. The first is to complete it all at once. It also shows most of the Lake Michigan Lighthouses on the route. Try this on a Harley.. so much more fun. Youre one click away from getting the latest travel tips, great new vacation ideas & fun destinations directly in your inbox! The M-185 Bicycle Route is 8.2 miles (13 km) long and takes about an hour to complete. When it comes to Great American road trips along the water, Californias Pacific Coast Highway gets all the press. Driving through the Tunnel of Trees along Lake MIchigan north of Harbor Springs (and lunch or dinner at Legs Inn in Cross Village on a shelf overlooking the lake.) It was now mid-October, and we had just four free days. 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. Certainly one of times that the motorcyclists saying .If I have to explain you wouldnt understand comes to mind. Jackpine is a primitive hike-in tent-only campground. Stephanie. Stayed in state parks all around the lake down to Holland. The existing Apache Trail in Arizona is a 120 mile circle route through the Superstition Mountains. Many are open during the summer offering a climb to the top to enjoy the magnificent views of Lake Michigan. Biking is a popular way to get around the island, as are horse-drawn carriages. I did this trip late last Sept in my T@b camper for 2-1/2 weeks. From picturesque beaches to historic landmarks, Read More , Fathers Day is Sunday, June 18th! Diabolic Technologic: Do Rider Aids Actually Help? Explore 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan featuring a unique ecosystem with native birds and plants. Your print is ready to download. Lake Michigan Circle Tour by motorcycle from Chicago this We 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. In addition to resources on GoRVing.com, both Michigan and Wisconsins tourism boards do a great job of pointing you toward RV campgrounds along the route.