lake michigan circle tour motorcycle route

CIRCLE MICHIGAN; P.O. Early in the summer of 2011, my brother, Larry, and I began to plan a weeklong motorcycle loop around Lake Superior. There are a few stairs to reach the top, so make sure to wear some comfortable shoes! From here, you must must must take the ferry to famous Mackinac Island. Try this feature for free with a RouteYou Plus trial subscription. 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. 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Traveling between Ludington Mi and Manitowoc Wi., the S.S. Badger can handle up to 620 passengers and well over 150 vehicles. 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. Id say that the majority of this itinerary is actually super kid-friendly, especially if you go at your own pace and leave some extra room to stop between cities. So what'd we do? 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. Shopping in Saugatuck, swimming in Lake Michigan all along the way, seeing Dorr County, WI, Lambeau Field and New Buffalo for the first time. Thank you Samantha for your suggestions as well. The existing Apache Trail in Arizona is a 120 mile circle route through the Superstition Mountains. 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. Made it as far as Mackinaw Island, but not the upper peninsula, It was the hottest two weeks MI had experienced all summer. Lower Michigans fall foliage, warmer temps and coastal sunsets welcomed us with open arms. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. But I say the middle coast is incredibly underrated. There are several camping options in the area, including Duck Creek RV Resort, which is across the street from Michigans Adventure. We want to spend a couple days in Chicago to kick it off. Nick stuck to his guns and opted to try Real Tree. In St Ignace, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourcontinues westerly along US-2 for more than 140 miles through Manistique and Gladstone to Escanaba. US Highway 2 runs between the Hiawatha National Forest and the Sault Ste. Crossing the Straits of. Luckily we have Lake Michigan in our backyard. The Lake Michigan Circle Tourenters Michigan from Indiana on US-12 south of New Buffalo and proceeds northerly through New Buffalo to I-94. Your email address will not be published. A weekend and holiday playground for Milwaukee and Chicago residents, youll find quaint shops, wineries, restaurants, pretty campgrounds and more on this peninsula. The Lake Michigan Circle is one of the quintessential, must-do American road trips. You can get around best without a car, and parking is really expensive. Do you have a map of this tour? Explore Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, the five local lighthouses (I have a thing for lighthouses! To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Next up is Wisconsins oldest settlement, Green Bay. It follows M-26 to Houghton and then follows US 41 north to Copper Harbor. Thirty minutes or so later, with more camo than either of us had ever owned before in tow, we were ready for the north. 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. Break it into two separate tripsthe north loop and the south loop. If weather permits, stretch your legs along the sandy shoreline, or hike the West Beach Dune Succession Trail and boardwalk. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. I agree with StrangTripper - three nights doesn't leave much time to check things out. http://www.historyillinois.org/HistoricalMarkers.aspx The West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) is excited to announce the release of the 2023 Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour. The Lake Michigan Circle Tourthen turns northerly via US-41/US-141 in Howard. A Motorcycling Human Idiot Might Write Your Next Riding War Story, Wreck to Reckoning: Coping With Rider Fear. Your download is ready. 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. Start planning as far in advance as possible six months if you're planning to camp over weekends in Michigan beach parks, 11 months in Wisconsin parks. Plan now at www.WindyCityMotorcycleTours.com or call Tim Farrell at (630)834-6571 for full details. There are two ways to tackle this 900-mile, 14.5-hour drive. Yeah it feels just as silly now as it did then. And Nick, well, he felt the same. If you can, allot a few days here. I will be driving a camper for a 5 day trip around Lake Michigan, coming from Chicago. 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. 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. 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 (least kid-friendly activities). Pere Marquette beach there is indeed beautiful. Old Mans Graveyard Road read the sign. Many lighthouse keepers inhabited these structures, or lived nearby and walked the dangerous catwalks out to the light. Its one of my favorite places in the country. The route through the U.P. But its also super fun. and more character. From Grand Haven, drive 55 minutes north to Petite Pointe Au Sable Lighthouse (Little Sable Point Lighthouse) in Mears, Michigan. More than 1,000 miles long, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour would take about 14 hours without stops to complete. Read on for a detailed 7-day Lake Michigan circle road trip itinerary! 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. 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? Your email address will not be published. We had no choice. It was now mid-October, and we had just four free days. The blue waters adjacent to the dunes are so crystal clear, you can actually view a wreckage of three ships that sunk on November 11, 1940. Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. We'll be riding our Harley touring bikes on this trip. The Great Lakes Circle Tours are a total of four routes circling each Great Lake, with the exception of Lake Ontario. Easy peasy. From St. Josephs North Pier Light in southwestern Michigan all the way up to McGulpin Point Lighthouse at the Straits of Mackinac.the western coast of Michigan is home to about 35 lighthouses. What most miss (traveling by car) is the heighten sense of appreciation that only can be felt by touring this region on a motorcycle. For those riders living near Chicago, few tours offer the variety and unsurpassed scenic riding opportunities as the Circle Lake Tour around Lake Michigan. Nick felt it was more a dentist on vacation look. In Michigan, the Lake Superior Circle Tour ( LSCT) runs from the state line at Ironwood to Sault Ste. Certainly one of times that the motorcyclists saying .If I have to explain you wouldnt understand comes to mind. 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. My near neon orange coat has long been a standby. Spend the morning here either relaxing by the beach or doing something a bit more active. Along the way, youll drive through the Tunnel of Trees, one of the most scenic routes that feels like youre getting swallowed by all the nature around you. The other? My personal favorites are the twin piers and lights found in South Haven. Can also advise re: U.P. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. For 2016, Windy City Motorcycle Tours offers a fall guided tour of Lake Michigan. 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. see my recent trip report and my comments regarding the wisconsin side: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28972-i114-k7578916-Bikes_Boats_and_Beaches_trip_report-Wisconsin.html#59411230. Summer and fall are both wonderful times to take this trip since many of the activities are outdoors. Youll find beaches, forests, dunes, and plenty of local breweries and wineries during your 24-hour drive. A historic town with plenty to see and do including several historic LIGHTHOUSES, excellent fishing nooks and the Midwests top rated State Park. Have fun on the road! Mackinac Island is the best place in the Midwest to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! Whatever the Upper Peninsula had in store for us, Ive faced worse. Stop in Petoskeys downtown, which overlooks Lake Michigan and offers terrific shopping, then continue on to Mackinaw City. 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. Ive ridden in rain before. 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: Find all of Rider 's Michigan motorcycle travel features here. 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. Lake Michigan Circle Tour Sightseeing & Stops. More than 1,000 miles long, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour would take about 14 hours without stops to complete. Both Grand Haven and Muskegon are great stops for beach adventures, spectacular views of lakeside dunes, wilderness trails and more. The route continues northerly from Scottville and through Manistee on US-31. At Manitowoc, the circle tour leaves I-43 at Exit 149 and continues into downtown via US-151. Field Mag's benevolent overlord, Graham Hiemstra is a writer & photographer with over a decade experience covering style, design, and outdoor lifestyle. There are plenty of places to park your RV for a night or extended stay. Your email address will not be published. They got us. But somehow we missed Silver Lake Sand Dunes, still need to go back to see them! Lake Michigan's 1640 miles of shoreline are often referred to as the Third Coast (as in, not the East or West Coast). 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 Now I know what youre thinkingand the answer is yes, hitting triple digit speeds in a hailstorm is super stupid. We knew it too. Scenic Routes; Motorcycle Rides; Events & Festivals; Circle Michigan Foundation. Wisconsin is well known for many things; among them cheese, the Green Bay Packers and great roads for riding! Great Divide National Scenic Byway Motorcycle Tour in Fall. Youre in wine country now sampling some locally-produced bottles is a must today! The depth of change in colors at this time is amazing and rivals the best FALL scenery found anywhere. From picturesque beaches to historic landmarks, Read More , Fathers Day is Sunday, June 18th! 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. This 29-mile route from Hayward to Glidden on State Hwy. Youre not likely walking away from a spill at 50, so who cares what happens at double that? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Just a raw bike marketed at people who love to 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 it comes to Great American road trips along the water, Californias Pacific Coast Highway gets all the press. Along Lake Michigan, state and county parks, major cities and harbor towns dot the freshwater coastline. 4 Days 1,000 Miles and All the Blueberries you can eat! Alternatively, you may use, Baymont by Wyndham Bridgeport/Frankenmuth. These loops may follow state highways or utilize city streets and county roads running closer to the shoreline. Nick laughed at the idea of camping this far into fall. Afterwards, stop by the nearby town of Michigan City, IN for lunch at Shoreline Brewery. (The mainline LMCT remains on M-22 between Empire and Glen Arbor.). I went for a walk to shake off the spill and see if in fact there was a grave yard. A favorite Michigan road trip for motorcyclists is the Michigan State Highway M-25. Today, youll leave the Lower Peninsula and cross over the Mackinac Bridge to Michigans Upper Peninsula. The Great Lakes tour is a circle road trip route through the United States and Canada to scenic destinations along Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Ontario, and Erie. If you love Lake Michigan, this is the drive for you. Copyright 2023 Motorcycle Cruiser. Please wait, your download is being prepared. As a native to the Pacific Northwest, I will be the first to admit to my coastal bias. On the north side of Port Washington, the tour rejoins I-43 and contines northerly via I-43/STH-32 toward Sheboygan. Dig into these great stories and get inspired for your next Wisconsin vacation. Nick being Nick, owned zero rain gear until eight miles prior. 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. 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. Most Lake Michigan lighthouses were built in the 1800s when ship traffic was at its heaviestespecially during the lumbering era. 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). Many people enjoy taking the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, visiting as many of these lighthouses as possible. Diabolic Technologic: Do Rider Aids Actually Help? Like, really bad. Experience the highlights of a 4 state tour exploring the shoreline beach towns & backroads most which lead to an amazing view of Lake Michigan. Explore the Riviera of the Midwests charming towns, like the wine lovers haven of New Buffalo; St. Joseph and its delightful lighthouse and beach; and Holland, known for its Dutch heritage, quaint shops and restaurants, and its annual springtime Tulip Festival. Hanging out in Chicago. Enter to win a giveaway for a free night's stay at Hotel Walloon! Take theLittle Traverse Wheelway, which connects Petoskey to Charlevoix andHarbor Springs. Biking is a popular way to get around the island, as are horse-drawn carriages. 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. At Escanaba, the circle tour continues southwesterly via M-35 along the Green Bay shoreline to Menominee. You wont be disappointed. 4 h 45 m. 304 mi. Your print is ready to download. Spanning 1000 miles and four states (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan), the Michigan Loop route is a local tradition. Manistee is also considered the gateway to one of the most prized stretches of road in all of the Midwest; M-22 of Northern Michigan. Maybe the Lake Michigan Circle Tour? 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. Upgrade now. You can now navigate. If you would like to join our guided tour of Lake Michigan we are reserving spots now. And with that, youre headed to Manitowoc, home to the largest maritime museum on the Great Lakes, and where you can hop aboard the ferry back to Ludington. A 45-minute drive from Inspiration Point will bring you the main attraction of the day, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. But I couldnt help but gripe that it would be nice to see the lake, as you know, its a big deal in the region. It felt nice, for 5 minutes. 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. Indiana Dunes National Park. 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). Box 541; Trenton, MI 48183; 800-513-6424; Upper Peninsula & Itineraries . The work impacts commuters on US-12. Ohio Bike Week The Shores of Lake Erie Get Riders Going Early! Again, while we're definitely fans of spirited riding, we'd rather enjoy worthy stopping points as opposed to rushing through. Once youve gotten enough beach time, drive 1 hour and 40 minutes along the Dunes Highway to Holland, a city in the state of Michigan. 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. Something to share with the kids someday, ya know. 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. 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. Bicycle Route 35 (USBR-35) and the existing Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Your email address will not be published. I hope you found it helpful for planning your own road trip. Your email address will not be published. Start your journey in Manistee and travel through Benzie and Leelanau Counties before winding up in Traverse City. JavaScript is required for this feature, but it is either disabled or not supported by your browser. 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. quintessential, must-do American road trips, Things to do at Indiana Dunes National Park, Things to do on Wisconsin's eastern coast, Things to know before your Lake Michigan circle trip, Chicago Summer Activities: The 21 Best Things to Eat, See, and Do, Winter in Chicago: The Best Things to Eat, See, and Do, Dune Climb: uphill sand climbs and hiking. Soon enough, youll find yourselves inDoor County, one of Wisconsins most popular destinations, known for its gorgeous beaches, wineries and historic lighthouses. Routes. 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.

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