The routing the Lake Superior Circle Tour has roots which stretch There is a touching story that goes with it. To go bowling! 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. These tours were originally conceived as an aid for travellers who wished It is one lake, but the locals like to use the bridge to divide the lake. Yes! They have pretty much anything you can think of with M-22 on it be sure to grab a Michigan route 22 sweatshirt here. Motorcycle Cruiser may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. The State of Michigan has It's an app that looks like part of a map with a location marker and the letter " G ." 2 Add a destination. The Lake The Hall is located just north of an oil refinery spewing flames from its chimneys and just south of some railroad tracks occupied by boxcars blocking the view of the lake. Family Road Trip around Lake Michigan Camping Itinerary 4 years ago Save Hi! Night 9 another night at Platte River- if I can get it, vs Eastpointe RV Park in Grand Haven? included on this website has been personally researched by the website It says biking is around 1.9 miles. Then you can walk to the lighthouse tower, museum, gift shop, and beach. From the Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting, Indiana, to St. Ignaces Mystery Spot in Michigan, to a fish boil at the Pelletiers in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Lake Michigan Circle Tour Along Lake Michigan, state and county parks, major cities and harbor towns dot the freshwater coastline. What if you concentrated on the northern half? This is a 115 mile route from Elkhart Lake in the north to Whitewater Lake in the south using various local roads and county highways. In the fall, vibrant colors and farm markets line the road of this scenic highway. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour covers four states and 105 lighthouses - and will also lead travelers to miles of beaches, quaint harbor towns, parks and natural areas, unique attractions and. (If we stay here could we bike into Peninsula State Park? Well skip New Buffalo, since we just published a guide Southwest Michigan (and they call us all FIPS, anyway) and head north to Holland, where Midwestern kitsch meets Dutch kitsch: theres a windmill surrounded by tulips; a breakfast joint named the Wooden Shoe restaurant; and Nelis Dutch Village, an amusement park duplicating the Hans Brinker version of Amsterdam the locals ancestors fled, which is nothing like the modern, libertine Amsterdam, which developed afterand perhaps becauseall the religious folk moved to West Michigan. Go on a tour to experience what it would have been like to be the lighthouse keeper and visit the gift shop for a souvenir or use the well-maintained clean modern bathrooms (very handy with kids). Would hate to miss the tunnel of trees but would hate to ruin our RV roof, too. It is quiet and relaxing here. Just a few miles north, the M-22 highway takes travelers to the turn off for the Point Betsie Lighthouse, a don't-miss attraction while in Benzie County. Point Betsie Lighthouse sits proudly on the shore of Lake Michigan in Frankfort, Michigan. Explore Community. ), (2 out of 2 members found this review useful. If you do too, walk the grounds around the lighthouse buildings and keep your eyes open for an old grave marker. Otherwise expect two weeks before Peak Color begins to show. 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. This was another really hot day. Its a Lake Michigan metropolis, and we already live in one of those. Jamie Elvidge, Photography by Jamie Elvidge, Top Long-Distance Touring Motorcycles of 2022, Harley-Davidson Screamin Eagle 135 Crate Engine Preview, 2023 Indian Motorcycle Sport Chief First Look Preview, Harley-Davidson Freewheeler First Look Preview, 2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Special First Look Preview, Buell Motorcycles Modern FXR-Inspired Super Cruiser, Harley-Davidsons Breakout Returns for 2023, 2023 Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary Models. Bridge, like its cousin the LHCT. The trail was recommended route south by one of the bloggers that rode around the lake. You can zoom in on Google Earth Google Maps and see (and drop the yellow street view man down on the road and look around). Navy pier? Originally, I was planning camping in Warren Dunes State Park (Read more about it in my post: Small but Beautiful Warren State Park in Michigan). During the summer, if you get up around 6:00 am to see the sun ascend of the water. This is why I went the additional miles to state park. There is so much to do here! and Ontario promoted the route. Flickr/Doug Kerr. Here I should talk about the hotel a little bit. If you click the icons on the map, you will see more information about that point of interest. When ancient glaciers melted to the north, water and unfathomably large masses of ice fell away to the south . WMTA was tapped to produce the first guide book. And if you look north, you can spy Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In Grand Haven part of the south pier will be closed for construction finish up this summer. The best of the best. One that you can drive over and over again, creating a new adventure each time! Interestingly, there isnt a parking lot, so you have to park on the shoulder of Point Betsie Road. of, At Marinette, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour enters Michigan on the, From the mainline Lake Michigan Circle Tour route in downtown Manitowoc Have you thought about what to take on your drive? We have rented a house here for many years. If I had to navigate with paper maps, or Google maps on the phone, or written notes (as I have done before), it would have taken a lot more time on some days. Matriarch/barmaid Marcy Skowronski died a few years ago, at 93, but Holler House still has the oldest bowling alley in Americatwo sloping lanes of planks laid down in 1908, with real live pin boys. Day 11 Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Drive to Chicago- eat some pizza. from the GLIN Ephraim? When I got to downtown Chicago, the temperature was 94 F (34 C). And if you look to your right, you will see Big Glen Lake. Skip Door County and go straight to Pictured Rocks? The M-119, aka the Tunnel of Trees, is one of Michigan's most popular scenic drives. Clearly, at less than 500 miles, the trip should be able to be enjoyed over 3 days. Today, even though, the day was really hot, and I had some headwind, the ride wasnt really hard. Diabolic Technologic: Do Rider Aids Actually Help? Michigan Highways > Other Routes > Great Lakes Circle Tours. Two days later, an overburdened mail Road Trips & Trip Planner: Michigan Circle Tour spur route, West This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. Here you will find Old Fishtown a historic dock with the old fish shanties that are in use today. The next one from Chicago to Manitowoc, WI. Department of Transportation, Lake Directly across the water is Green Bay on the Wisconsin side. We have other suggestions here too. only enters two jurisdictionsMichigan and Ontario. No worries, we compiled a list of items that will help you survive your next hike (with or without kids). This historic national landmark is an ideal vacation spot! The Great Lakes Circle Tour is a driveable 900-mile loop, and while you take on the almost 15-hour drive, a better plan is to break it into separate trips. One of the hosts told me, as I have already mentioned about, US Hwy 12 was not safe, and offered to lead me out of town tomorrow morning and get me safely to the trailhead of Prairie Duneland Trail in Chesterton. Alternatively, opt to drive through Indiana, towards Michigan. So, first I had to get to the west side of Michigan. Ready For Playback! RoadTripJourney.com, Bike Routes, Roads, and Maps: From Detroit and areas east: Take I-96 west to the US 31 interchange. 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. My Warmshowers hosts were wonderful. For full information, please see our disclaimer here. It was not the case. Other suggestions? There are other amazingly scenic routes. Check out the M-22 Challenge. Youve seen those M-22 stickers on SUVs parked on the North Side? However, the section across the state to Lake Michigan shoreline in South Haven will be part of another post about the Lake to Lake Trail Route #1. Hi! When I was thinking about the trip, this section was giving me the most stress. Lake Michigan Carferry S.S. Badger spur route. Just steps from the road, Gooseberry, Kakabeka, Rainbow and Tahquamenon falls alone make the drive worthwhile. You might notice a dirt path leading from the top platform into the trees. Inside the front doors, the inflated heads of Hall of Fame inductees dangle from the ceiling, like decapitated Thanksgiving floats. Their tastes in food have followed, making the area a great stop for ice cream (Oink's Dutch . However, the LMCT is also the longest Want a photo of evidence that you have experienced M-22 scenic drive? The forth from Mackinaw City, MI to Sliver Lake, MI. carrier unloaded 700 requests for the Guide from Illinois and Wisconsin. Just 14 months after Morgan introduced his The cubs drowned, but Gitchi Manitou raised their bodies, transforming them into North and South Manitou islands. Yoopers are famous for complaining about tourists who cross the Bridge with a five-dollar bill and one pair of underwear, and dont change either. The first official Great Lake Circle Tour, Rule one: We're not taking highways on this trip. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. back decades when tourism associations in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota Sometime around the middle of June I began riding south, and so my Lake Michigan tour by bicycle had begun. 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. When the Chicago Tribune and Milwaukee Journal ran articles in 1988 about This road trip is a wonderful journey along Lake Huron Shoreline and up the coast towards Upper Peninsula Michigan. 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. You can read more about it in my post here: Bike Ride on the Chicagos Lakefront Trail. Cruise this scenic drive through four counties during the fall to see all the autumn colors or make stops along the way any time of the year. All rights reserved. Plenty of campgrounds around but they require getting to a SouthShore Line or Metra train stop with an hour ride into town. Exit onto southbound US 31 and head into Grand Haven, Michigan. (Can we bike to the Mackinac ferry from here?). The master boiler calls out boil on! and splashes oil onto the flames beneath his kettle. Parts of the road are very narrow and trees are literally at the edge of the road with no shoulders. 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. Michigan Officially part of the US-10 Highway, the east-west Badger route also is a shortcut for the Lake Michigan . Explore museums, magnificent art, historical treasures and renowned culinary experiences in Michigan. I, myself, while planning my ride, was looking for information like that. We are road trippers by heart and don't mind a good pace. A lot of expensive, beautiful homes there to enjoy passing by along the shoreline. It was one of those, Oh, what is that? The deep blue waters of the lake which, at its biggest point, is about . You have two ways of getting here. Their campsites are booked already. What makes Michigans 3,200 miles of freshwater coastline and thousands of inland lakes, rivers and streams so different is simple: Its how we use them. Calumet Trail: If you are touring through, avoid the Calumet Trail. Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA), Great This is Lake Michigan's eastern peninsula, which shelters Traverse Bay. Since I was staying with the Warmshowers host last night, one of them offered to guide me on local roads to the trailhead of Prairie Duneland Trail in Chesterton, and thus avoiding the horrible Calumet Trail and busy US Hwy 12. U.S. 12 passes Garys steel mills, then winds through the Indiana Dunes. A key attraction on the tour is 105 Lake Michigan . Along its route, US 31 has been dedicated in memory of a few different organizations, and sections of it carry the Lake Michigan Circle Tour(LMCT) moniker. Need itinerary help but also need help with campground locations- we are not planning to tow a vehicle but will have our bikes, so if we are staying at a campground two nights in a row, would like things to be within biking distance! Peruse the lighthouse museum to gather the stories of the families that once lived there. I wanted to explore the Indiana Dunes State Park, to which I have never been before. Day 9 Would like to spend another day at Sleeping Bear Dunes but am unsure I can get another night at Platte River Campground. Yes you can bike from TeePee Campground in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? the Mackinac Bridge. Around Lake Michigan Turn by Turn Directions Return to Route. Regajohn and Bluebygrace- our motorhome is a Class C, 32' long, and about 11 feet tall. Thanks everyone for the great advice! They can be just as colorful as the sunsets. I probably would have gone wrong way few times here and there, during some complicated ride days So, having it all on my Garmin helped a lot. In my opinion, Mill Creek Campground in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you see Pictured Rocks, Lake of the Clouds in Porcupine Mountains, the Mackinac Bridge and M-22 to Sleeping Bear Dunes and south to Arcadia, I dont think youll miss the tunnel of trees experience. Expanding my bike touring experience, I decided go on a longer one month tour, to ride around Lake Michigan. But its about 2.5 miles to the docks. A short history from the WMTA website: The Circle Tour route and its first Guide were the culmination of innovation Latest Podcast: "Dale!" After her first family road trip, Melissa discovered her love for traveling to new places and capturing her family's experiences exhilarating. Day 1: New Buffalo to Saugatuck (90 miles) Near the border with Indiana, New Buffalo is the gateway to Lake Michigan's "Harbor Country," a series of beach towns strung together by the Red Arrow Highway and a popular cottage retreat for Chicagoans. Michigan Carferry's S.S. Badger which ferries automobiles, In Wisconsin, the mainline of the LMCT follows signed state highway Perhaps Michigan's most famous scenic route, M-22 stretches for over 115 miles along the shores of our beloved Big Lake. All rights reserved. And if you enjoy wine, you will find some amazing ones throughout the city. M-22 goes right through Suttons Bays historic shopping district you will find food, drink, clothing, furniture, science, and garden jewels. a closed loop around the lake. So he backtracked to Ludington and crossed the lake on the S.S. Badger, also missing Door County. To view this map on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click Menu, click Your Places, click Maps, and you will find it there. Note: about one-third of the distance is on M-23, which is a two-lane highway, speed limits in that area are probably 35 or 45 miles per hour. North pier will be open. For a roaring instant, they blossom into an orange bonfire, with a sinister exhaust of black smoke. Spectacular sand dunes tower over 3,000 acres of land between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan. Sandy beaches, friendly towns, and tons of things to see and do are the stars along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. If wild adventure is more your style, ride the dunes at Silver Lake. At the top of the lookout, you are about 800 feet above the water, which explains the gorgeous panoramic views. Maybe they have a shuttle? 7 days | 10 Meals | Air Fare included. the two Circle Tours in the state. Superior Circle Tour was the first route established in 1986, If you love Lake Michigan, this is the drive for you. Department of Transportation. the Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior Circle Tours. Saved. A scenic drive that takes you through Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Here are some of the highlights you'll find along the route's south to north path. Included as part of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, the scenic M-22 highway meanders through three counties and many towns which will surely capture your heart. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. was promoted by local tourist organizations as early as the 1960s, the first Illinois and Indiana all jumped on board with the concept and helped complete You will also find an M-22 store here. Night 3 Campground at Munising- tourist park? Copyright 2023 Motorcycle Cruiser. each of the Circle Tours: With the shortest length of any of the Great Lakes Atmosphere was historic, and we liked that about it. This 116-mile scenic drive will wind you through lush forests, quaint beach towns, and a stunning national lakeshore, all while catching views of the crystal blue-green waters of the Lake Michigan shoreline. The total accommodation including bathroom was probably less than half the area that it was supposed to be according to Hotels.com description. You will find the visitor center just off of M-22 in Empire where you can get maps, park passes, public bathrooms, and learn about the local maritime history. 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