Road Trip Around Lake Michigan: The Ultimate Itinerary
Lake Michigan, also known as the ‘Caribbean of the North’ is a perfect destination for a road trip. Blue-green waters, hundreds of lighthouses, spectacular beaches, scenic towns rich in history, and delicious food await you on this epic adventure.
During this “circle tour” of the lake, you’ll drive over one thousand miles through two time zones and four states. You can do the full loop in as little as four days, do it in a more leisurely seven to ten days, or go all out exploring for a month or more.
Are you ready for your road trip around Lake Michigan? Let’s dive into the ultimate itinerary!
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Road Trip Around Lake Michigan Itinerary
In this itinerary, your road trip adventure begins in Chicago, where you’ll enjoy deep-dish pizza and catch amazing views of Lake Michigan from the top of Willis Tower.
Next, you’ll head north, visiting the scenic and historically fascinating towns of Wisconsin (and sampling cheese!).
Then, you’ll drive through upper peninsula Michigan, visiting a turquoise spring and eating famed Michigan pasties.
After that, you’ll cross the awe-inspiring Mackinac Bridge into the lower Michigan peninsula. Lighthouses, pristine beaches, cherry pies, and tulip festivals make for an amazing time!
To finish out the trip, you’ll circle through Indiana, visiting the sweeping beauty of Sand Dunes National Park.
Road Trip Around Lake Michigan Itinerary: Illinois
You can start your road trip around Lake Michigan at any point along the route, but if you’re flying in, I recommend starting in Chicago. It’s a major hub, flights are cheap, and there are plenty of car rental options.
Chicago offers a host of awesome activities to get your road trip off to a winning start. If you’d rather not see the sights on your own, here are the best private tours in Chicago.
1. Willis Tower
Welcome to Chicago! Home to amazing pizza, bustling Michigan Avenue, and the famous Bean.
To start, head over to Willis Tower. This famous skyscraper is a main feature of the Chicago skyline, soaring 1,450 feet into the atmosphere. And what better way to appreciate the views of Chicago and Lake Michigan than from the glass ledge of the Skydeck?
Note: You must book tickets to the Skydeck in advance. It costs $30-40 for people ages 12 and up, and $22-36 for people ages 3 to 11.
Next, check out Michigan Avenue, the Bean, and have lunch or supper at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. Yum.
2. Illinois Holocaust Museum
Another must-see stop in Chicago is the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie. This museum has many powerful displays about the holocaust, including an interactive hologram exhibit which allows you to ask questions to a holocaust victim and hear their answer. It is a moving and deeply meaningful experience.
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.
There is free parking.
Three hours is a good average for this stop.
Admissions costs $18 for adults (ages 12 and up) and $6 for children (ages 5 to 11).
The Museum offers free admission to all on the last Friday of every month.
3. Chicago Botanical Garden
If you enjoy botanical gardens, you’ll love the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe! Explore 385 acres of footbridges, waterways, and lush plant life.
Depending on the time of year, you may get to enjoy the butterfly garden, sensory garden, model railroad, tram, vegetable garden, and library. There are also dining options and a shop.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is about 25 miles north of downtown Chicago. Grab a map of the gardens when you get there, or opt for a guided tour.
The Gardens are open from 10 am to 6 pm daily.
Prices vary by date, but range from $14 to $18 on average. Parking costs approximately $8.
Route Tip: As you leave the garden, stay on Highway 41 north. Then, if you’d like to stick near the lakeshore, take Highway 137 through Waukegan. In Kenosha, deke back over to I-95 for a stop at Mars Cheese Castle. Or, take I-95 the entire way for the most direct route to Milwaukee.
Great Places to Stay in Chicago
Sentral Michigan Avenue is a lovely apartment in Chicago near Grant Park and the Buckingham Memorial Fountain. Choose between the studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and deluxe apartments.
It comes fully furnished with an equipped kitchen, living area, washing machine, wifi, garden with a grill, lake views, and access to a gym and pool.
Check Rates and Book a Stay at Sentral Michigan Avenue
Road Trip Around Lake Michigan: Wisconsin
Now that you’ve enjoyed Chicago and its surroundings, it’s time to head north to Wisconsin, home of cheese, frozen custard, a maritime museum, and the Green Bay Packers.
4. Milwaukee
Before reading Milwaukee, I recommend stopping at Mars Cheese Castle. This castle is loaded with (you guessed it!) cheese, fried cheese, cheese spreads, meats, popcorn, and a deli with sandwiches. It is open from 9 am-7 pm every day. (It’s also the perfect bathroom stop).
Continue into Milwaukee for a stop at famed Kopp’s Frozen Custard. They have several flavors of the day in addition to chocolate and vanilla. This shop dates back to 1950, when it began as a simple roadside stand. There are three different locations in Milwaukee, open 10:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Another great stop in Milwaukee is Grant Park, one of the oldest parks in the county. It dates back to 1911 and was home to German horticulturalist Frederick C. Wulff.
Be sure to walk the Seven Bridges Trail while you’re there. It is a two-mile nature trail that crisscrosses ravines.
If you’re planning your trip for late June or early July, don’t miss the Milwaukee Summerfest, the largest music festival in the world.
And if you need to fuel up on food, check out the Milwaukee Public Market. It is similar to Seattle’s famous Pike’s Place Market, with vendors, restaurants, classes, and more. It is open 10 am to 8 pm Monday through Saturday, and 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays.
Getting thirsty? Wet your whistle at any one of Milwaukee’s top craft breweries, such as Rock Bottom Brewery or Sprecher Brewery.
Route Tip: Take I-43 north from Milwaukee for easy access to Harrington Beach Park and Sheboygan.
Great Places to Stay in Milwaukee
Kinn Guesthouse Bay View in Milwaukee is a great hotel with a cool concept. Guests loved the amazing aesthetics, big windows, and awesome location. It is within walking distance of many restaurants, shops, and a theater.
Check Rates and Book a Stay at Kinn Guesthouse Bay View.
5. Harrington Beach
Continue north, with an optional stop at Harrington Beach. This state park has a mile-long stretch of sand along the Lake Michigan shore and a lovely limestone quarry lake. It’s a perfect spot to picnic or camp. Admission is $11 per car.
If you’re looking for something more upscale, keep going north to Sheboygan.
6. Sheboygan
Sheboygan is home to the World Bratwurst Eating Contest, the tallest flagpole in the United States (338-feet high), and the Dairyland Surf Classic (the largest lake-surfing competition in the world).
If you want to stay in a resort, I recommend visiting Destination Kohler, a ritzy complex with its own spa and golf course.
Looking for a more local experience? Head to the popular Majerle’s Black River Grill. Reserve ahead, as this place gets hopping. Go through the bar to the restaurant in the back. They are usually open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm. Try a brat, or the tasty perch.
7. Wisconsin Maritime Museum
Continue your journey to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Originally a ship-building community, Manitowoc is home to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
This Smithsonian museum has amazing guided tours, an incredible WWII submarine (the USS Cobia), interactive exhibits, and stories from people who served on submarines.
The museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm. If you can, take one of their Nook & Cranny tours. It’ll be well worth it! Check admission and special tour ticket prices.
Route Tip: If you choose to visit Door County, get off Interstate 43 in Manitowoc. Take Highway 42 north through Two Rivers and onto Sturgeon Bay.
8. Door County
Door County is a gorgeous peninsula with beaches, parks, theaters, farms, wineries, and art galleries.
You don’t have to go to Door County on your road trip around Lake Michigan, in fact, it’s easy to bypass. Many itineraries skip it altogether. However, if you have the time for it, you should definitely visit. It’s a lovely area with plenty of activities to enjoy, including some great hikes and good bike trails to explore.
Some of the places you should consider visiting on your foray into Door County include:
✔️Cave Point County Park, Sturgeon Bay – Famous for its underwater caverns, picturesque coves, and plethora of activities. Visitors to this park can enjoy many water sports (kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing), hiking, boating, and rock climbing.
✔️Northern Sky Theatre, Fish Creek – This professional theater company operates during the summer season, offering spectacular live shows in an outdoor setting in the woods.
✔️Door County Trolley, Egg Harbor – This popular tour agency gives tours in their iconic red trolleys. You can choose between any number of tours, such as their scenic lighthouse tours, wine tours, pub crawls, and ghost tours (visiting haunted houses).
9. Green Bay
Green Bay, home to the Green Bay Packers, is your next stop. This city is also known as Titletown.
If you’re coming in from Door County, stop for a picnic and stretch break at Wequiock Falls. This small county park features a ravine with a Niagara escarpment rock formation and a waterfall. The falls is at its fullest in the spring, but is also very beautiful surrounded by autumn-colored trees or frozen into a frosty wonder in winter.
Depending on your interests, you can tour Lambeau Stadium and the Green Bay Hall of Fame. Alternatively, visit the Art Garage, an NGO focused on creativity and community. Enjoy the live music, take a dab at painting, and enjoy the surroundings in this converted cannery.
If you’re in Green Bay on a Thursday, don’t miss the Titletown Night Market, complete with food trucks, live music, and happy hour specials.
Route Tip: From Green Bay, take Highway 41 towards Marinette, Wisconsin and Menominee, Michigan.
Great Places to Stay in Green Bay
Astor House in Green Bay is a unique hotel only 8 kilometers from the Railroad Museum. There is a hot tub available for guests, and each unit comes with a seating area, TV, wifi, air conditioning, and cozy bed. Some also have dining areas and balconies.
Check Rates and Book a Stay at Astor House.
Road Trip Around Lake Michigan: Upper Peninsula Michigan
It’s time to leave Wisconsin behind and head into Upper Peninsula Michigan. Cities are few and far between, but there are still plenty of things to see, from historic downtowns to lighthouses to turquoise springs.
10. Menominee
Just across the border from Marinette, Wisconsin, you’ll enter Menominee. The city was named for an Indian tribe and means “Wild Rice.”
Check out the historic downtown and stop for fluffy doughnuts at Stephenson Bakery Inc.
Route Tip: From Menominee, take Highway 35 through Escanaba.
11. Escanaba
One of the best sights in Escanaba is Sand Point Light House. This fully restored and furnished lighthouse was built in 1867.
Nine keepers and their families lived in the lighthouse and kept the light burning to warn ships away from treacherous Sand Point. One of the first female lighthouse keepers kept vigil here. How cool is that?
Check for the most updated hours, but the lighthouse should be open for visitors from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Route Tip: Take Highway 2 through the rest of the Upper Peninsula, with a side trip on Country Road 442 if you’re visiting Kitch-iti-kipi.
12. Kitch-iti-kipi
Another must-see spot on your road trip around Lake Michigan is the state’s largest natural spring: Kitch-iti-kipi. Although it means going slightly off route, I think it is worth a bit of deviation!
This spring in Palms Brook State Park is 40 feet deep, 200 feet wide, emerald green, and so clear that you can see down to the limestone bottom. Gorgeous!
One of the nicest ways to enjoy the spring is by taking a clear-bottom raft across the pond. Keep an eye out for sunken logs and lake trout!
This park is open from 8 am to 10 pm year-round. Day passes cost $9. Expect to spend one or two hours enjoying the spring before continuing your journey.
13. St. Ignace
Drive on to St. Ignace, one of the oldest cities in Michigan. Visit Wawatam Lighthouse, then pick up some of Michigan’s famous pasties at Lehto’s Pasties (pronounced pass-tees) to keep your body fueled.
If you like, get them to go and eat them at Bridge View Park. Here you’ll get a bit of history and splendid views of the “Big Mac.”
Crossing the Mackinac Bridge is a rite of passage during your road trip around Lake Michigan, so getting some pictures ahead of time will add to the fun.
The bridge is 5 miles across (1.5 miles suspended), making it the third-longest total suspension bridge in the world. It took four years to build.
Be ready for high winds as you cross which will add a dose of adrenaline to your trip.
✔️Interested in seeing Mackinac Island? Check out this guide to Visiting Mackinac Island In October.
Great Places to Stay in St. Ignace
Bavarian Haus Lakefront Inn in St. Ignace is a beautiful hotel on the shores of Lake Huron (yup, just around the corner from Lake Michigan). The rooms are bright and spacious, with wifi, a TV, and a fridge.
You can also enjoy the hotel’s fitness center, indoor pool, whirlpool tubs, and sauna. They offer a free shuttle service to the Mackinac Island Ferry.
Check Rates and Book a Stay at Bavarian Haus Lakefront Inn.
Road Trip Around Lake Michigan: Lower Peninsula Michigan & Indiana
You’ve come a long way on your road trip, and now it’s time to explore Lower Peninsula Michigan and Indiana, with their beaches, festivals, sand dunes, and more.
14. Mackinaw City
Although Mackinaw City is really only a village of approximately 800 or so people, it’s one of Michigan’s most popular tourist destinations. There are more lighthouses to see here, including Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. Enjoy the informative visit and amazing views of the strait.
Mackinaw City is also a great place to delve into history, with a visit to Fort Michilimackinac. Costumed interpreters demonstrate various trades. There are exhibits in each of the sixteen buildings, including a movie. From June to mid-August, you can witness archaeologists continuing excavations that began in 1959.
The Hours at Fort Michilimackinac vary by season, so check before you go. Admission costs $14.50 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $8.75 for kids (ages 5-12).
Be sure to check out our post on free things to do in Mackinaw City, as well as the best places to eat.
Route Tip: If you have the time for a meandering journey from Mackinaw City to Traverse, consider cutting over to Cross Village on W Levering Road, then taking Highway 119 towards Harbor Springs. This lovely scenic highway will give you great views of the shore, farms, and a wooded section known as the Tunnel of Trees. Then, take Highway 31 into Traverse City.
15. Traverse City
Now it’s time to enjoy Traverse City, Cherry Capital of the World!
No visit to Traverse City would be complete without eating a cherry pie. Head to Grand Traverse Pie Company for a slice of Old Mission Cherry, Cherry Peach, Cherry Rhubarb, or Lighthouse Cherry Apple Crumb pie.
And if you aren’t a fan of cherries, don’t worry, they have other pie flavors, as well as savory quiches, pot pies, salads, and more.
Consider visiting the Acoustic Tap Room, home of the original Northern Michigan Mead. They offer a hard cider and mead sampling flight (like wine tasting for mead) which could be fun.
Another amazing thing to do in Traverse City is have a blast at the Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park. Rafts, rivers, slides, and hot tubs, what more can I say?
If you’re a foodie, try to get a reservation at the exclusive The Cook’s House, by Chefs Patterson and Blakeslee. This fine-dining experience features an incredible menu that changes daily and only 26 seats.
Route Tip: If you don’t mind a scenic route (and side trip), take Highway 22 out of Traverse and go to the wine country of Leelanau. You can go all the way to Grand Traverse Lighthouse, then continue on the peninsula’s westward side until you reach Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. If you’d rather a more direct journey, leave Traverse City and cut across the peninsula on Highway 72 until you reach Empire, then head north on Highway 22 to Sleeping Bear.
Great Places to Stay in Traverse City
Cherry Tree Inn & Suites in Traverse City is a laid-back resort-style hotel with amazing views of East Bay and the Old Mission Hills. The rooms come with a TV, DVD player, video games, microwave, fridge, wifi, and air conditioning. Kids will love the nautical-themed playground.
Check Rates and Book a Stay at Cherry Tree Inn & Suites.
16. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
After enjoying all Traverse City has to offer, it’s time to shake things up and head to one of the best beaches in America: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The drive alone is stunning. Add in sweeping dunes, towering bluffs, historic farms, and incredible views of the lake, and you have a recipe for a fabulous time.
You can hike, camp, stargaze, fish, hunt, and backpack at Sleeping Bear.
The entrance costs $25 per car for one to seven days.
17. Ludington State Park
If you haven’t had enough of beaches (and I hope you haven’t), consider making Ludington State Park the next stop on your Lake Michigan road trip itinerary.
It’s a perfect spot for nature lovers. It has incredible beaches, hardwood forests, sand dunes, and marshlands. It’s also a very popular camping destination.
Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or canoe your way around Hamlin Lake, or swim along the seven miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.
Another great activity at Ludington is the hike to Big Sable Point Lighthouse. If you’re there between May and the end of October, take one of the tours that runs between 10 am and 5pm.
In the evening, enjoy a folk music performance in the outdoor amphitheater.
If you’re there in winter, try snowshoeing!
18. Holland Michigan
Holland Michigan, famed for its tulip festival in May combines small-town charm with over 100 specialty shops. Eat, shop, and meander your way through the cobblestone sidewalks of downtown, then head to Windmill Island Gardens.
This scenic, but operational, Dutch windmill still grinds wheat into flour to this day. Check out the Netherlands-style buildings, gift shop, and gardens.
In summer and early fall, enjoy an amazing flower display. Or, if you’re on your road trip around Lake Michigan in the spring, you’re in for a treat, as the beds are planted with approximately 150,000 tulips!
The Gardens are open 9:30 am to 6 pm. Admission costs $12 for adults and $6 for kids ages 3-15.
Route Tip: From Holland, follow I-196 south to South Haven, Benton Harbor, and New Buffalo. (The New Buffalo Beach and Lighthouse make for a nice stop).
Great Places to Stay in Holland, Michigan
Staybridge Suites is a nice hotel in Holland, Michigan. It is only a couple miles from the town center with easy access to the main street, shops, restaurants, and attractions. Guests loved the location, comfy rooms, friendly staff, ample breakfast, and amenities.
Check Rates and Book a Stay at Staybridge Suites.
19. Indiana Sand Dunes National Park
It’s time to finish your road trip around Lake Michigan with one last state: Indiana! And what better way to enjoy it than by visiting Indiana Sand Dunes National Park?
Soak in the scenic vistas from the dunes or hike one of the nature trails. Heron Rookery Trail is especially nice in the spring when the wildflowers bloom. However, if you’re there in the fall, consider the Glenwood Dunes Trail for the best views of autumn colors.
The park charges an admission fee of $25 per family vehicle.
How Long Does It Take To Drive Around Lake Michigan?
If you were to drive around Lake Michigan without stopping, it would take approximately 17 hours.
Although you can catch beautiful views from the road, stopping is a big part of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour’s attraction!
You can spend anywhere from several days to several months traveling around the lake, shopping, exploring museums, camping, trying local fare, and enjoying the outdoors.
What Road Goes Around Lake Michigan?
There is no single road that goes around Lake Michigan. Instead, there are a variety of different interstates and highways.
Choose the best route for you based on what stops you’re making and how much time you have to take scenic byways.
I go into more detail about which roads I recommend in my “route tips” in the itinerary above.
Conclusion: Road Trip Around Lake Michigan
There are thousands of possibilities when it comes to what to do, where to go, where to stay, and what to eat on your circle tour of Lake Michigan!
Use this itinerary as a guide, follow it to a tee, or mix and match as you see fit. The important thing is to tailor the journey to your interests and hobbies, whether that’s hiking, wine tasting, history, water sports, or something else entirely.
As you can see, taking a road trip around Lake Michigan is an epic adventure! Trust me, it’s going to be awesome!
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