Again, while we're definitely fans of spirited riding, we'd rather enjoy worthy stopping points as opposed to rushing through. Spend a day or a week exploring this lakeside road. Its a trip you will appreciate for a long time, especially if you are lucky enough to ride during the Fall and catch the change of seasons and the Fall colors. One day, roast marshmallows at a remote campsite . My husband and I took a weeks vacation to drive around Lake Michigan a number of years ago stopping and staying in many of the lakeside towns along the way. Continue on to Marinette, WI. Wisconsin offers the best of Lake Michigans beauty and commercial appeal. The Jamesport Brewing Company, downtown on James Street, is the perfect spot for a quick bite to eat and relax in an old Victorian style pub. Get West Michigan Travel News, Events and Specials delivered to your inbox. This guide will help you map the perfect itinerary with suggested food, lodging, hikes, waterfalls, cruises, lighthouses, and more outdoor activities. Route: Buckle up for your nearly five-hour ride to what many call The North Coast (tacking on an hour for Eastern Standard Time), following I-90 E all the way. Stayed in state parks all around the lake down to Holland. 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). 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. Early in the summer of 2011, my brother, Larry, and I began to plan a weeklong motorcycle loop around Lake Superior. In Michigan, the Lake Superior Circle Tour ( LSCT) runs from the state line at Ironwood to Sault Ste. As for photos . This itinerary assumes that youre starting in Chicago, but you can start from any part of the circle! It follows M-26 to Houghton and then follows US 41 north to Copper Harbor. 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. This area is known for its series of scenic and accessible waterfalls, located primarily in Marinette Countys Parks System. 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). Is it a natural phenomenon or cheesy tourist roadside stop? 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 Follow US- 95 N and US-60 to AZ-71 N in Maricopa County. The route continues northerly via I-43 from Sheboygan to Manitowoc. Depending on what theyre interested in, Id recommend checking out Lincoln Park Zoo, the Childrens Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, and the Museum of Science and Industry! M-22 is a 116-mile stretch of road that winds through the scenic countryside of Manistee, Benzie and Leelanlau counties. It was really rainy too. Find all of Rider 's Michigan motorcycle travel features here. Michigan gonna eat you alive, he texted just before my arrival. At the jct of US-31 & I-96, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourleaves US-31 and follows BUS US-31 through downtown Muskegon. Begin with a tour of Lambeau Field and the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The M-185 Bicycle Route is 8.2 miles (13 km) long and takes about an hour to complete. Sign-up for our email newsletter & receive a free copy of our West Michigan Travel Guide! Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 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. Request your free copy of the Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour. 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. 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. Pancakes are a great way to cheer up. If you search via Google there are many sites that list great motorcycle roads in every state. 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)! https://www.in.gov/history/2350.htm They say the UP is no place for weenies. 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. The farther north you drive, the more scenic and less populated the landscape. This Lake Michigan circle itinerary can be easily extended by spending a bit more time in each destination. They also serve as tourist attractions. Look to ride my motorcycle around Lake Michigan this week, leaving (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Here's an idea of what the weather in this area is like to help get your planning started! Take your time as you make the journey along the coast and around the Door County peninsula. Our rain gear held strong and confidence grew. I agree with StrangTripper - three nights doesn't leave much time to check things out. CIRCLE MICHIGAN; P.O. Diabolic Technologic: Do Rider Aids Actually Help? 5. plenty of places to park your RV for a night or extended stay. Stay in a luxury hotel, a cozy lodge or a charming bed and breakfast. Its a great trip you wont want to miss. At STH-57, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourturns northeasterly via STH-42/STH-57 past Sturgeon Bay. In any case, put the Circle Tour of Lake Michigan on your list of must do rides and plan to do it on Harley-Davidson. 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. Fall is an excellent time to visit this National Parkyoull still be able to take in its magnificence, but without all the crowds. I would like a paper map, how do I get one? Spend some time exploring the town, and make sure to check out the Windmill Island and Tulip Gardens. I dont recommend trying to do this in less than 5 days, however, as that would be too much driving at once to be enjoyable. The envisioned "Tri-Modal Corridor" would . There are a couple of primitive campgrounds that are only $10 a night both right on Lake Michigan! Harbor Spring Michigan is a must-do. If you can, allot a few days here. Southwest of Sturgeon Bay, the tour continues southwesterly via STH-57 into Green Bay. The first is to complete it all at once. Nick being Nick, owned zero rain gear until eight miles prior. Our original post about the Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the first long distance motorcycle trips we covered back in 2014. will appreciate if you can share it. So what'd we do? Diabolic Technologic: Do Rider Aids Actually Help? Lake Michigan Circle Tour by motorcycle from Chicago this We 8 years ago Save Hello. We had no choice. The link above is from a Google search. Your download is ready. But its also super fun. Also, since theres a lot to do here, I think it warrants more time and thus a separate visit. Jamie Elvidge, Photography by Jamie Elvidge, Top Long-Distance Touring Motorcycles of 2022, Harley-Davidson Teases All-New 2023 CVO Street Glide, Harley-Davidson Screamin Eagle 135 Crate Engine Preview, 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide 121 Revealed, King of the Baggers Indian Challenger Ride Review, Buell Motorcycles Modern FXR-Inspired Super Cruiser, 2023 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special Anniversary Review, 2023 Indian Motorcycle Sport Chief First Look Preview, First Ride: Ducatis Diavel V4 Defies Categorization, Harley-Davidson Freewheeler First Look Preview. Simply leave your camper or RV on the mainland and head over for the day or even overnight. The eastern coast of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin boasts about the same number, including a wonderful cluster in Door County. The Lake Michigan Circle Tourenters Michigan from Indiana on US-12 south of New Buffalo and proceeds northerly through New Buffalo to I-94. You could easily spend three nights in lower or upper michigan. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Built by, Lake Michigan Circle Tour (Maps, Photos And More), Lake Michigan Circle Tour: A Simple, Secluded Motorcycle Trip. We crossed the impressive bridge and ripped down the northwestern corner of the mitten, with brief stops in Petasky and Traverse City. It sucked. On day 6 of our Lake Michigan circle itinerary, youll cross into our fourth and final state Wisconsin. More than 1,000 miles long, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour would take about 14 hours without stops to complete. Most will budget a 4-day long weekend to allow plenty of time to explore and stop at the almost endless stream of small towns and scenic over looks. Land of New Glarus beer, Cheeseheads, and Midwestern hospitality, driving down Wisconsins lakeshore is a pleasure in and of itself. 77 is a spectacular drive for nature lovers. Still a great introductory route for the aspiring long distance rider, more experienced enthusiasts demand more in the way of technical maneuvering. Pere Marquette beach there is indeed beautiful. Made it as far as Mackinaw Island, but not the upper peninsula, It was the hottest two weeks MI had experienced all summer. 6. 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. 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. Additionally, you can add stops to your trip in the following locations: Thanks for reading this Lake Michigan circle itinerary! Try this on a Harley.. so much more fun. The Diners many patrons took a few long, laughing looks at Adventure Dad. Paired with a Wisconsin brewed beer or an old fashioned, its the quintessential Sconnie meal. 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. This pair welcomes charter fishing and leisure boats, guiding them into the busy harbor. Minutes later the shouldering trees receded and we were all alone on the waters edge. Home Lighthouse Map + Circle Tour Lighthouse Driving Itinerary. Most of the suggestions Ive listed are outdoors and/or free which is awesome! Try this link. If youre going now, check out some of the many craft breweries along the way Greenbush (Sawyer, MI), New Holland (Holland, MI), Founders (Grand Rapids, MI), Right Brain, Workshop, & North Peak (Traverse City, MI), Shorts (Bellaire, MI), 3 Floyds (Munster, IN) and tour the not-so-small Miller brewery in Milwaukee! In fact, no matter where you are in Wisconsin, this happens every single Friday. End your week-long trip right where you started the Windy City, one of the greatest big cities in the world! http://www.historyillinois.org/HistoricalMarkers.aspx Downtown is a short exit off US-31 and has a great brewery, Pigeon Hill, and I believe a distillery nearby as well. Something to share with the kids someday, ya know. The route continues northerly from Scottville and through Manistee on US-31. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. There are not many motorcycle tours that take riders through a 4-state journey and are accompanied by almost endless views of one of the bigger lakes in America. Plus, you'll get the Trendy Girl's Guide to Chicago PDF, completely free! Built in 1874, this lighthouse is a great place to take in the grandeur of Lake Michigan and the surrounding sand dunes. I currently live in Chicago, where Ive been for several years. Mackinac Island is the best place in the Midwest to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! Shopping in Saugatuck, swimming in Lake Michigan all along the way, seeing Dorr County, WI, Lambeau Field and New Buffalo for the first time. Ride the Circle Tour around Lake Michigan. It still suckedmy foot took the bulk of the 550+ lbsbut at least the damning sand offered a soft landing. 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. And dont miss one of the famous fish boils, a Door County specialty! You can also visit the: State of Michigan Historical Markers web site for additional places to visit: I loved this info and grew up 50 miles north of Chicago in Zion. Lake Michigan circle road trip itinerary Day 1: Indiana Dunes, Holland, & Grand Haven From Chicago, drive 45 minutes over the state line to the Indiana Dunes. You can get around best without a car, and parking is really expensive. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Looking for some incredible yet underrated parks to visit this summer? This 29-mile route from Hayward to Glidden on State Hwy. Their historical significance, as well as their various shapes and colors, makes a lighthouse run a fascinating destination. 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. Tomahawk Wisconsin A tour through Northern Wisconsin. 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. It is one of the best Motorcycle Rides in North America. The origin of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour dates back to 1988 and a combined marketing effort led by governors from both Michigan and Indiana. Now I know what youre thinkingand the answer is yes, hitting triple digit speeds in a hailstorm is super stupid. 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. Lake Superior Circle Tour; Algoma. We squeezed out of our soaked gear, cranked the room temp to 90 and tried to shake the soggy chill from our tired bones. ), and explore many great restaurants. State of Illinois Historical Markes: When planning a trip to the Mackinaw Bridge/ Soo Locks area of the eastern UP, this is a must. At Exit 23, the route exits I-94 and continues northerly into downtown St Joseph via BL I-94. https://www.wmta.org/lake-michigan-lighthouse-map-circle-tour/lighthouse-driving-itinerary/ Ride Lake Superior an Epic Motorcycle Tour through Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota . I liked your comment around the Lake Michigan tour that you and your husband did, that is some thing that me and my wife would like to do this coming week, do you have a map or places that you may recommend to stop by. Thats all we covered before having to pull over under an overpass and toss on our rain gear. Nothing is off-limits on the circle tour. 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. In Sister Bay, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourturns back southwesterly via STH-42 through Egg Harbor to Sturgeon Bay once again. Just a topple. Youre one click away from getting the latest travel tips, great new vacation ideas & fun destinations directly in your inbox! 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. 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. 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. Lake Michigan has over 50 beautiful lights, with the majority in Michigan and Wisconsin. This was the unsolicited advice we received as we mounted our bikes on the morning of day two. If you would like to join our guided tour of Lake Michigan we are reserving spots now. Countless restaurants and lodging choices make Ludington a must stop along the tour. 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. Only 60 miles east of the bustling Duluth waterfront, Bark Bay, Wisconsin, provides a serene escape. after the big bridge if you know. 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. Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake thats entirely inside the United States! 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 4 h 45 m. 304 mi. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? Wisconsin is well known for many things; among them cheese, the Green Bay Packers and great roads for riding! Many are dog and kid-friendly and also serve food. Sign up for our WMTA Travel Newsletter. Hi Niki! The Lake Michigan Circle Tourthen turns northerly via US-41/US-141 in Howard. When you purchase through links on my site, I may make a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). For those riders living near Chicago, few tours offer the variety and unsurpassed scenic riding opportunities as the Circle Lake Tour around Lake Michigan. 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. For more beaches, historical museums and boating fun, stop at the next city over, Manitowoc. With its rich. Turns out it was just the name of a road. As the name implies, the route is a circle and weaves through four states Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and, of course, Wisconsin. Kick back and relax on one of the 8 beaches or hike through dunes, forests, and wetlands. While your bike isn't a boat, you can still capture some great photos. I would love a paper map of the circle tour. As a native to the Pacific Northwest, I will be the first to admit to my coastal bias. Stop in Petoskeys downtown, which overlooks Lake Michigan and offers terrific shopping, then continue on to Mackinaw City. (least kid-friendly activities). The route then traverses Lake Michigan itself via the S.S. Badger carferry. Old Mans Graveyard Road read the sign. Your print is ready to download. These loop routes are detailed below the mainline route below: Thanks to Chris Bessert and the Wisconsin Highways site for providing the route.

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lake michigan circle tour motorcycle route