You may find the best memories are the ones you never expected. In Michigan, the Lake Superior Circle Tour ( LSCT) runs from the state line at Ironwood to Sault Ste. 2) Northern Latitudes Distillery in Leland We are planning on using your itinerary this summer for a road trip with our 3 boys (ages 10,8,4). Long before marine radios, lighthouses were the only means to safely navigate the harbors, many of which were rocky. Your download is ready. 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. It felt nice, for 5 minutes. Traveling between Ludington Mi and Manitowoc Wi., the S.S. Badger can handle up to 620 passengers and well over 150 vehicles. If someone wants to reply to your post they can do it here or send you a private message through tripadvisor by clicking on your name below your picture. 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. Sign-up for our email newsletter & receive a free copy of our West Michigan Travel Guide! Youre not likely walking away from a spill at 50, so who cares what happens at double that? Paired with a Wisconsin brewed beer or an old fashioned, its the quintessential Sconnie meal. On the east side of South Haven, where BL I-196 ends at I-196/US-31 Exit 20, the route continues north into Allegan Co on I-196/US-31. Home Lighthouse Map + Circle Tour Lighthouse Driving Itinerary. The other? Sounds like a fun adventure to me! It was early September and I was finally home in NYC after six months of near nonstop traveling. Please wait, your print is being prepared. 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. Spend a day or a week exploring this lakeside road. Only 60 miles east of the bustling Duluth waterfront, Bark Bay, Wisconsin, provides a serene escape. If I take the shortest, quickest . We want to spend a couple days in Chicago to kick it off. 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. This Lake Michigan circle itinerary can be easily extended by spending a bit more time in each destination. Break it into two separate tripsthe north loop and the south loop. And like I said earlier, whats the point of riding a death trap if youre not gonna ride like old Grim himself is on the back riding bitch? Whatever the Upper Peninsula had in store for us, Ive faced worse. Sign up for the mailing list and get notified each time we upload a new blog post. Yeah it feels just as silly now as it did then. And those are just the ones weve been to there are many more. Dont forget to make a stop at the famousMackinac Island, where no cars are allowed. Lembeck is championing both the completion of a Lake Michigan "water trail" for kayakers, canoeists and other paddlers around the lake's entire shoreline as well as an interconnection between the water trail, the new U.S. Tunnel Of Trees, Mackinac Bridge & The U.P. I loved the info. From Chicago, drive 45 minutes over the state line to the Indiana Dunes. 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. Route 137 joins Lakeshore Drive (US-41), taking you past the Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier and the Shedd Aquarium. What most miss (traveling by car) is the heighten sense of appreciation that only can be felt by touring this region on a motorcycle. August 14, 2015. After passing through Traverse City, you will continue north along the Traverse Bay and on toCharlevoix. Do you have a map of this tour? You can also visit the: State of Michigan Historical Markers web site for additional places to visit: Head north on US-31, between Muskegon and Whitehall, and youll find Michigans Adventure Amusement Park and water park. You wont be disappointed. Cleveland. 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. Diabolic Technologic: Do Rider Aids Actually Help? There are no cars allowed on the island, due in part to an 1898 ban on horseless carriages that has remained unchanged. I would like a paper map, how do I get one? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Today, youll leave the Lower Peninsula and cross over the Mackinac Bridge to Michigans Upper Peninsula. 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. 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 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. Ohio Bike Week The Shores of Lake Erie Get Riders Going Early! Dotting the shoreline on both sides of the lake, each preserved to showcase their unique charm and architectural significance. Northeast of downtown Muskegon, the route continues northerly via M-120 to North Muskegon and northeasterly back to US-31. Stephanie. 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. For many, the Circle Tour is an opportunity to seek out an unrivaled collection of historical LIGHTHOUSES. State of Wisconsin Historical Markers: Indiana Dunes National Park. Fall colors explore here, and theres tons of great hiking and mountain biking. Lake Michigan Circle Tour by motorcycle from Chicago this We 8 years ago Save Hello. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Looking for some incredible yet underrated parks to visit this summer? Youve earned it after all that driving! Look to ride my motorcycle around Lake Michigan this week, leaving (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Catch the sunset at the Grand Haven State Park Lighthouse, then head over to the Musical Fountain in town (it plays nightly at dusk). Both are pretty neat little towns, and a world apart from those we passed in the UP. Follow the tour thru Green Bay and the route curves up into the scenic and interesting DOOR PENINSULA, a popular tourist destination often referred to as The Cape Cod of the Midwest and home to numerous lighthouses. Eight miles. Its one of my favorite places in the country. Some hail too, cus why not kick us while we were down? Certainly one of times that the motorcyclists saying .If I have to explain you wouldnt understand comes to mind. Or maybe it was indifference. Bicycle Route 35 (USBR-35) and the existing Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Holland (you can probably guess by the name) is a former Dutch settlement in Michigan. https://www.wmta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Lighthouse-Map-for-Web-2018.pdf, https://www.wmta.org/lake-michigan-lighthouse-map-circle-tour/lighthouse-driving-itinerary/, https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS15267, http://www.historyillinois.org/HistoricalMarkers.aspx. Still a great introductory route for the aspiring long distance rider, more experienced enthusiasts demand more in the way of technical maneuvering. Still I hauled enough gear from Brooklyn to both break my back and keep us covered for a few days well outside the city. Youre in wine country now sampling some locally-produced bottles is a must today! I want to stay as close to the shore as possible most of the time. A weekend and holiday playground for Milwaukee and Chicago residents, youll find quaint shops, wineries, restaurants, pretty campgrounds and more on this peninsula. More than 1,000 miles long, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour would take about 14 hours without stops to complete. 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. Have fun on the road! http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/721/Michigan/Michigans-Central-Lake-Michigan-Scenic-Tour.html. As for photos . The trip spans 4 different Midwestern states and dozens of different cities. A 45-minute drive from Inspiration Point will bring you the main attraction of the day, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. If weather permits, stretch your legs along the sandy shoreline, or hike the West Beach Dune Succession Trail and boardwalk. 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. Home ofLambeau Fieldand thePackers Hall of Fame, also tour theOneida National MuseumandNational Railroad Museumwhile youre there. Make sure to stop at Cherry Republic Gift Shop and Pyramid Point Trailhead along the way. The black Gore pants were a welcomed new addition picked up just a month before. A storm was on the way, and the entire town of Green Bay knew it. 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. As in, blow-you-off-your-bike-with-ease windy. 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. 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. Meander through the communities of Whitehall, New Era, Shelby, and Hart, as well as Silver Lake Sand Dunes. Spanning 1000 miles and four states (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan), the Michigan Loop route is a local tradition. Spend some time exploring the town, and make sure to check out the Windmill Island and Tulip Gardens. I grew up in Zion IL. A ferry between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI make it easy to bisect the huge body of water. 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. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. I loved this info and grew up 50 miles north of Chicago in Zion. Perhaps Michigan's most famous scenic route, M-22 stretches for over 115 miles along the shores of our beloved Big Lake. Is it a natural phenomenon or cheesy tourist roadside stop? Wisconsin offers the best of Lake Michigans beauty and commercial appeal. Most of the suggestions Ive listed are outdoors and/or free which is awesome! Hanging out in Chicago. 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. Jackpine is a primitive hike-in tent-only campground. In fact, no matter where you are in Wisconsin, this happens every single Friday. Think fried cod or perch served with tartar sauce, potato pancakes, apple sauce and coleslaw. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour (LMCT) enters Illinois at Winthrop Harbor in northeastern Lake County and continues south through Zion, Waukegan, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Winnetka and Evanston. You wont be needing your passport for this single-nation circle tour. Fall is an excellent time to visit this National Parkyoull still be able to take in its magnificence, but without all the crowds. Lake Michigan has over 50 beautiful lights, with the majority in Michigan and Wisconsin. So what'd we do? When you get to Mackinaw City, youll need to take the ferry over to Mackinac Island (pronounced like Mack-i-naw). This was the unsolicited advice we received as we mounted our bikes on the morning of day two. I'd done at least a partial circle of Lake Superior a few times - always by myself, always in a hurry and always skipping most of Michigan's shore by short-circuiting the return straight from Sault Ste. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Better late than never. Its a great trip, so beautiful! A couple hundred yards in and the gravel turned to sand, my glasses fogged and so did my helmet's face shield. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour covers approximately 950 miles and puts you in the saddle with about 15 hours of (continuous) riding. 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. Just when we thought we were home free, a last second decision to change ferrys added a hundred more miles to our final tour day and brought us into Muskegon, MI well after dark. And rainy. State of Illinois Historical Markes: Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? Taste some fudge, bike around the island, and shop in the quaint downtown area. The Diners many patrons took a few long, laughing looks at Adventure Dad. I highly recommend Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat Park, the wineries on Traverse Bay, and the trip back in time on Mackinaw Island! 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. Chicago in particular is a really family-friendly city. Four or five cups of coffee help too. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Required fields are marked *. At Exit 123, the circle tour departs I-43 and continues northeasterly via STH-28 into Sheboygan. 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. The route continues northerly from Scottville and through Manistee on US-31. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour enters Wisconsin from Illinois via STH-32 and proceeds northerly through the downtowns of Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee, all the while following STH-32 religiously. 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. A Motorcycling Human Idiot Might Write Your Next Riding War Story, Wreck to Reckoning: Coping With Rider Fear. Fresh pavement and empty roads were the perfect excuse to do so. 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. 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.) Upgrade now. Experience the highlights of a 4 state tour exploring the shoreline beach towns & backroads most which lead to an amazing view of Lake Michigan. 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. 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. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? Is that available? 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. is quite rural, but offers many opportunities to immerse yourself in nature. At Exit 23, the route exits I-94 and continues northerly into downtown St Joseph via BL I-94. The route continues south on US-41 through Menominee and enters Wisconsin at Marinette. It is just before the Shell station up on a hill. Stop in Petoskeys downtown, which overlooks Lake Michigan and offers terrific shopping, then continue on to Mackinaw City. will appreciate if you can share it. This 29-mile route from Hayward to Glidden on State Hwy. This pair welcomes charter fishing and leisure boats, guiding them into the busy harbor. 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. 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

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