Motorcycle Touring Around Lake Michigan | Motorcycle Cruiser Wisconsin Highways: Other Routes: Lake Michigan Circle Tour Been looking at lots of sites and see nothing. Harbor Spring Michigan is a must-do. At Manitowoc, the circle tour leaves I-43 at Exit 149 and continues into downtown via US-151. On the north side of Manitowoc, the tour continues northerly via STH-42 through the communities of Two Rivers, Kewaunee and Algoma into Door Co and the Door Peninsula. And then, I fell over. Pancakes are a great way to cheer up. The envisioned "Tri-Modal Corridor" would . The other? The Upper Peninsula is beautiful. Mackinac Island is the best place in the Midwest to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! It also shows most of the Lake Michigan Lighthouses on the route. 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. 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. If you go through the UP on US 2 and pass through Manistique there is a restaurant called The Three Seasons as you first start getting into town if you are heading West that I usually see bikes at. The other? 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. One day, roast marshmallows at a remote campsite . But I didn't, so we didn't. When planning a trip to the Mackinaw Bridge/ Soo Locks area of the eastern UP, this is a must. 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. I grew up in Zion IL. 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. 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. Shopping in Saugatuck, swimming in Lake Michigan all along the way, seeing Dorr County, WI, Lambeau Field and New Buffalo for the first time. Grand Algoma Tour; Deer Trail; St. Joseph Island; Thunder Bay. You pass by famous landmarks such as Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Lincoln Park Zoo and Calumet Park. Fun fact: the Indiana Dunes just became a National Park in February of 2019, making it the third-newest park after White Sands (December 2019) and New River Gorge (December 2020)! Touristy, sure, but I adore any place where no cars are allowed (heres my travel guide to the island). Thirty minutes or so later, with more camo than either of us had ever owned before in tow, we were ready for the north. M-22 is a 116-mile stretch of road that winds through the scenic countryside of Manistee, Benzie and Leelanlau counties. As a Chicago area motorcycle rider we are always looking for new routes & tours that will give us the most bang for the buckor as we like to say; the most smiles for the miles. Pssh. You can now navigate. For 2016, Windy City Motorcycle Tours offers a fall guided tour of Lake Michigan. 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. Lake Michigan is the largest freshwater lake in the U.S., and the sixth largest in the world. This viewpoint off of the main highway is one of the best places to get a birds eye view of the Lake Michigan shoreline. They recognized each states scenic appeal and the impact of the shoreline and its connection with the many State Parks, breath-taking overlooks and historic Lighthouses along the way. South of Mackinaw City, where US-31 ends, the route continues northerly on I-75 crossing the Mackinac Bridge and entering the Upper Peninsula at St Ignace. One day, roast marshmallows at a remote campsite and the next, toast to new and old friends at an iconic big-city brewery. I agree with StrangTripper - three nights doesn't leave much time to check things out. 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. (Side note: It was right about here when I realized by bike in fact came equipped with heated gripsa feature that would have been REALLY nice to know of just 20 hours earlier.). On day 6 of our Lake Michigan circle itinerary, youll cross into our fourth and final state Wisconsin. Nick approached with caution and a shit-eating grin. The eastern coast of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin boasts about the same number, including a wonderful cluster in Door County. With its rich. Kayaking and canoeing are also great ways to explore the lake. I highly recommend Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat Park, the wineries on Traverse Bay, and the trip back in time on Mackinaw Island! Celebrate the father figures in your life with good food, special events, outdoor adventures, fishing trips, golf outings, and more throughout West Michigan. 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. If you have some time, make a quick detour to Grand Rapids there, you can check out the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, appreciate art at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and have a drink at one of the many breweries. Soon enough, youll find yourselves inDoor County, one of Wisconsins most popular destinations, known for its gorgeous beaches, wineries and historic lighthouses. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Your email address will not be published. Rent a bike (or bring your own) and bike around the perimeter of the island. Adult tickets cost $27 per person with the option of adding a bike pass for $12. . 7 Motorcycle Road Trips for Fall | Travel Wisconsin Nick laughed at the idea of camping this far into fall. Great tip. 2) Northern Latitudes Distillery in Leland Our final morning brought about temps in the low thirties, and after that didnt thwart us, endless lane splitting nearly did. 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. As a native to the Pacific Northwest, I will be the first to admit to my coastal bias. We squeezed out of our soaked gear, cranked the room temp to 90 and tried to shake the soggy chill from our tired bones. Well known locally as the home of the historic Ramsdall Theater and beautiful 2-mile river walk stretch. While there is no wrong answer, few will argue that the September-October season is the most inspiring time to make the trip; providing a glimpse of the changing colors of Fall and the promise of almost perfect riding weather. 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. Lake Michigan's 1640 miles of shoreline are often referred to as the Third Coast (as in, not the East or West Coast). These loop routes are detailed below the mainline route below: Thanks to Chris Bessert and the Michigan Highways site for the route. Any advice is greatly appreciated! 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. Mesa-Globe-Punkin Center Loop. Lake Michigan Circle Route, on Ride with GPS. Northeast of downtown Muskegon, the route continues northerly via M-120 to North Muskegon and northeasterly back to US-31. Hi Niki! You may find the best memories are the ones you never expected. A Tale of Two Lakes: Riding the Great Lakes Circle Tour Specifically, since the last week of August, 2016. Treat Yourself To The 9 Best Scenic Drives In Michigan - OnlyInYourState Your download is ready. Why not drive around Lake Michigan? From there, its on to Green Bay, home of the Packers and historic Lambeau Field. At STH-57, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourturns northeasterly via STH-42/STH-57 past Sturgeon Bay. I wondered if you have a map of this tour? 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. Long before marine radios, lighthouses were the only means to safely navigate the harbors, many of which were rocky. I had to admit, my dad gear perfectly matched my dad bike, and his matched his. From Chicago, drive 45 minutes over the state line to the Indiana Dunes. More than 1,000 miles long, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour would take about 14 hours without stops to complete. Your email address will not be published. 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. Pere Marquette beach there is indeed beautiful. 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. Note: Hotels on Mackinac Island are notoriously expensive. Built by, The *Better* Lake Michigan Circle Tour (Motorcycle Map). The Bukk is a clean-sheet design that showcases Cakes sustainability-minded and utilitarian approach, offering more power for off-road riding, From daily errands around Brooklyn to battery range-breaking Rockaway beach runs, we put the eye-catching, $11,470 electric motorcycle to the test, The modest shop designs and builds classic looking, modern performing custom bikes that are above all else, fun to ride, Swedish electric motorbike maker CAKE has partnered with Southern African Wildlife College and Goal Zero to help anti-poaching units protect Africas endangered wildlife, A lightweight, clean-running, commuter-friendly bike from CAKE, a new venture by the founder of Swedish brand POC, How a hellish cross country motorcycle ride helped this photographer make peace with the loss of his best friend and companion, Field Mag is a registered trademark with U.S. Pat. Along Lake Michigan, state and county parks, major cities and harbor towns dot the freshwater coastline. Running down sand dunes, exploring Mackinac Island, and camping/biking/hiking around Door Peninsula would be my must-dos with kids.