lake michigan circle tour motorcycle route

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. For those riders living near Chicago, few tours offer the variety and unsurpassed scenic riding opportunities as the Circle Lake Tour around Lake Michigan. If I take the shortest, quickest . Which stops would you cut out while traveling with kids? My personal favorites are the twin piers and lights found in South Haven. Here's a nine-day, eight-night Circle Tour of Lake Michigan that takes in the highlights. Both Grand Haven and Muskegon are great stops for beach adventures, spectacular views of lakeside dunes, wilderness trails and more. 5) Grand Traverse Winery in the Old Mission Peninsula. And then, I fell over. This area is known for its series of scenic and accessible waterfalls, located primarily in Marinette Countys Parks System. Northeast of downtown Muskegon, the route continues northerly via M-120 to North Muskegon and northeasterly back to US-31. Paired with a Wisconsin brewed beer or an old fashioned, its the quintessential Sconnie meal. From Mackinaw City, youll cross the The Mighty Mac, the 10th largest over water suspension bridge in the world. Our original post about the Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the first long distance motorcycle trips we covered back in 2014. Please wait, the navigation is being prepared. This itinerary assumes that youre starting in Chicago, but you can start from any part of the circle! Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? The route then traverses Lake Michigan itself via the S.S. Badger carferry. 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. 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. The route then heads northeasterly along the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula via STH-57 through Jacksonport, meeting back up with STH-42 in Sister Bay. The Great Lakes Circle Tours are a total of four routes circling each Great Lake, with the exception of Lake Ontario. Chicago. Wed run the final stretch of pitch black highway at an average speed of 90 plus, tipping the ton whenever the wind died down long enough. 77 is a spectacular drive for nature lovers. Town . The work impacts commuters on US-12. . 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. At Escanaba, the circle tour continues southwesterly via M-35 along the Green Bay shoreline to Menominee. Next we arrive in Door County, the Cape Cod of the Midwest, for a classic Wisconsin fish . Chase Car Ready, Milwaukee Packout Tool Storage, Choose Your Motorcycle Transport Service Wisely, Velocity Philosophy (A Mannerly Guide To Speed), Green Meanie! Along with the primary Circle Tour route, several marked Lake Michigan Circle Tour Loops have been posted using white-on-brown signs. There are a few stairs to reach the top, so make sure to wear some comfortable shoes! The Upper Peninsula is beautiful. The other? 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. 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. Then, its on to Marinette, Wisconsins northernmost point on the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. At Exit 123, the circle tour departs I-43 and continues northeasterly via STH-28 into Sheboygan. 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. Most of the suggestions Ive listed are outdoors and/or free which is awesome! 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. On the east side of Holland, the route continues northerly following US-31 through Grand Haven and toward Norton Shores. They say the UP is no place for weenies. 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. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? Nothing is off-limits on the circle tour. The eastern coast of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin boasts about the same number, including a wonderful cluster in Door County. At Manitowoc, the circle tour leaves I-43 at Exit 149 and continues into downtown via US-151. & Tm Off, Get the best new gear, dreamy cabins, and epic adventure photography delivered to your inbox each week with Field Mag newsletters. Today the lights are automated and guide fishing boats and other pleasure craft to safety. Perhaps Michigan's most famous scenic route, M-22 stretches for over 115 miles along the shores of our beloved Big Lake. US Highway 2 runs between the Hiawatha National Forest and the Sault Ste. To save some money, take the ferry back over to the mainland and stay in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace for the night. You can now navigate. There are no cars allowed on the island, due in part to an 1898 ban on horseless carriages that has remained unchanged. A couple hundred yards in and the gravel turned to sand, my glasses fogged and so did my helmet's face shield. The road gently curves along the Lake Superior shore line with water on your right, and towering virgin timber covered hills on your left. Northeast of Manistee, the route turns northerly to follow M-22 through Onekama, Frankfort and Empire. CIRCLE MICHIGAN; P.O. This 1,300 mile/2,000 km ride around Lake Superior is an amazing adventure when travelling on motorcycle. There are a couple of primitive campgrounds that are only $10 a night both right on Lake Michigan! When you get to Mackinaw City, youll need to take the ferry over to Mackinac Island (pronounced like Mack-i-naw). We weret likely to hit the storm for an hour or so, so we tossed the newly acquired gear in our dry bag packs and put rubber to road. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Along the way you can visit wineries, experience small-town friendliness and really appreciate the change of seasons. This will be the first in a series concerning an excellent ride (mostly) around Lake Michigan. So we did as anyone in need of last minute supplies and something to take their mind off the impending doom does: go to Walmart. Downtown is a short exit off US-31 and has a great brewery, Pigeon Hill, and I believe a distillery nearby as well. Then panic set in. There are two ways to tackle this 900-mile, 14.5-hour drive. 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You could easily spend three nights in lower or upper michigan. 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)! Maybe the Lake Michigan Circle Tour? As a native to the Pacific Northwest, I will be the first to admit to my coastal bias. Your email address will not be published. It was now mid-October, and we had just four free days. The route continues south on US-41 through Menominee and enters Wisconsin at Marinette. 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. (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.). The Dunes Highway continues on to Michigan City (which is actually in Indiana), then into the Great Lakes State. There are 373 campsites over four campgrounds. Today, youll do some sightseeing and finish off strong with some hearty Chicagoan food. Dotting the shoreline on both sides of the lake, each preserved to showcase their unique charm and architectural significance. At Exit 47, route signage indicates that the circle tour exits US-31 and loops through downtown Holland following the former route of BUS US-31/BL I-196. Our rain gear held strong and confidence grew. Lake Michigan Circle Itinerary: A 7-Day Road Trip Through 4 States, Planning your Lake Michigan circle road trip, Day 1: Indiana Dunes, Holland, & Grand Haven, Day 3: Traverse City & the Leelanau Peninsula, If you have more time on your Lake Michigan circle tour, The Ultimate 3-Week South Island New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary, USA Bucket List Destinations: 150+ of the Best Places to Visit in All 50 States, 19 Stunning New Zealand Lakes That Will Blow Your Mind. It's a 147-mile scenic two-lane trunk line running from Port Huron to Bay City, Michigan. Do you have a map of this tour? The route through the U.P. 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. After all, we'd done it each of the two days prior, and would do again the following two100 mph in rain, wind, fog and under sunny skies too. 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. Here we felt the Midwestern niceness the region is known for. 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. Is that available? Sorta. Manistee is also considered the gateway to one of the most prized stretches of road in all of the Midwest; M-22 of Northern Michigan. Biking is a popular way to get around the island, as are horse-drawn carriages. Marie back to my home near St. Paul. Certainly one of times that the motorcyclists saying .If I have to explain you wouldnt understand comes to mind. A Motorcycling Human Idiot Might Write Your Next Riding War Story, Wreck to Reckoning: Coping With Rider Fear. Known as the Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City is one of Americas Top 10 beach towns and a definite town to put your kickstand down and explore. We squeezed out of our soaked gear, cranked the room temp to 90 and tried to shake the soggy chill from our tired bones. If/when you do come to Chicago, my advice is to also get out of downtown and into the real neighborhoods, as they all offer cool restaurants, shops, pubs, festivals, etc. Many lighthouse keepers inhabited these structures, or lived nearby and walked the dangerous catwalks out to the light. Mackinac Island was founded in 1780 and occasionally, it seems like time has stopped completely. Pere Marquette beach there is indeed beautiful. Shifted to sixth gear and hit the ton. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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.) I wondered if you have a map of this tour? 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. There are plenty of delicious dinner spots here Rustic Roots, Mamas Thai Cafe, and Righteous Cuisineare some good options. Chicago Summer Activities: The 21 Best Things to Eat, See, and Do, Winter in Chicago: The Best Things to Eat, See, and Do. I want to stay as close to the shore as possible most of the time. We are planning on using your itinerary this summer for a road trip with our 3 boys (ages 10,8,4). 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. As the name implies, the route is a circle and weaves through four states Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and, of course, Wisconsin. Nick being Nick, owned zero rain gear until eight miles prior. From there, its on to Green Bay, home of the Packers and historic Lambeau Field. This was the unsolicited advice we received as we mounted our bikes on the morning of day two. Back on US-31, the circle tour continues northerly toward Ludington, leaving US-31 twice: once to follow the route of BUS US-31 through the downtowns of Whitehall and Montague in northern Muskegon Co; and again to follow the route of BUS US-31 through downtown Pentwater in Oceana Co. At the end of the US-31 freeway near Ludington, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourturns east following US-10/US-31 toward Scottville. The riders: Doug - Yamaha Stratoliner CJ - Suzuki Intruder LC 1500 Me - Yamaha 950 Tourer (left to right, me (with Monkey), CJ, and Doug) The tools: And those are just the ones weve been to there are many more. Teri. Even though weve vacationed in west and northern Michigan our whole lives, we discovered things we had never seen before or hadnt seen in years. Taken mid-trip, these two are out of sync but make a perfect starting point. 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. Explore 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan featuring a unique ecosystem with native birds and plants. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Thank you Samantha for your suggestions as well. The route leaves I-196/US-31 at Exit 18 and loops through South Haven using BL I-196. 3) Scalawags Seafood in Traverse City and Mackinaw City And rainy. Had I known the conditions that lay ahead, perhaps I'd have heeded the not-so-subtle warnings. M-22 is a 116-mile stretch of road that winds through the scenic countryside of Manistee, Benzie and Leelanlau counties. 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. Running down sand dunes, exploring Mackinac Island, and camping/biking/hiking around Door Peninsula would be my must-dos with kids. I love the city, but its probably not the best place to visit on this driving tour. Nick laughed at the idea of camping this far into fall. 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. A favorite Michigan road trip for motorcyclists is the Michigan State Highway M-25. I hope you found it helpful for planning your own road trip. Copyright 2023, West Michigan Tourist Association | Email: travel@wmta.org. "Well take these memories to our grave, whether we wind up there tomorrow or fifty years from now.". Made it as far as Mackinaw Island, but not the upper peninsula, It was the hottest two weeks MI had experienced all summer. The route of the mainline Lake Michigan Circle Tourin Michigan follows signed state trunkline routes in its entirety, although in some places the nearest state highway to the Lake Michigan may be several miles away. 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). 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. I certainly wouldnt call myself one, nor Nick, but man, I sure left US 2 with my tail between my legs. But we found lunch at some funny named town next to another funny named town, between two more towns with funny names. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour covers approximately 950 miles and puts you in the saddle with about 15 hours of (continuous) riding. 1) Horizons bookstore in Traverse City- one of Americas great bookstores Note: Hotels on Mackinac Island are notoriously expensive. Follow US- 95 N and US-60 to AZ-71 N in Maricopa County. Bicycle Route 35 (USBR-35) and the existing Lake Michigan Circle Tour. 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. Art lovers will adore Pentwater, which hosts arts and crafts fairs all summer long. The city is well known for itscraft breweries. This Lake Michigan circle itinerary can be easily extended by spending a bit more time in each destination. 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. South Read More . A weekend and holiday playground for Milwaukee and Chicago residents, youll find quaint shops, wineries, restaurants, pretty campgrounds and more on this peninsula. Before leaving Door County, stop in Sturgeon Bay, a ship-building hub, and visit must-see attractions, like theDoor County Maritime Museum,Door Peninsula Wineryand Cave Point County Park. Minutes later the shouldering trees receded and we were all alone on the waters edge. Make sure to stop at Cherry Republic Gift Shop and Pyramid Point Trailhead along the way. Continue on to Marinette, WI. Try this feature for free with a RouteYou Premium trial subscription. A ferry between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI make it easy to bisect the huge body of water. At the jct of US-31 & I-96, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourleaves US-31 and follows BUS US-31 through downtown Muskegon. Just a topple. For more, see Camping around Lake Michigan. There are several opinions as to the best time of the year to take the Circle Tour, as well as which direction to travel; thru Michigan first and back around through Wisconsin or clockwise heading along the lakes west coast first. Route 137 joins Lakeshore Drive (US-41), taking you past the Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier and the Shedd Aquarium. The Lake Michigan Circle Tourenters Michigan from Indiana on US-12 south of New Buffalo and proceeds northerly through New Buffalo to I-94. Eight miles. It's a nice way to bring attention back to the matter at hand, like a sip of coffee in the midst of a boring meeting. Lake Michigan Circle Tour. 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. But I say the middle coast is incredibly underrated. Not a crash, really. Its proximity to Canada, heavily forested hills, and lack of decent cell service make it feel like youre at the ends of the earth. http://www.historyillinois.org/HistoricalMarkers.aspx 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. Welcome to the Great Lakes Circle Tour website, dedicated to the past, present and future of the scenic routes encircling four of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie. Nick stuck to his guns and opted to try Real Tree. Fall is an excellent time to visit this National Parkyoull still be able to take in its magnificence, but without all the crowds. Shopping in Saugatuck, swimming in Lake Michigan all along the way, seeing Dorr County, WI, Lambeau Field and New Buffalo for the first time. Experienced travelers or even those looking to add an additional travel element to the journey will enjoy the Ferry ride across the lake and will take advantage of the S.S. Badger Shuttle. But somehow we missed Silver Lake Sand Dunes, still need to go back to see them! Four or five cups of coffee help too. When it comes to Great American road trips along the water, Californias Pacific Coast Highway gets all the press. 4 h 45 m. 304 mi. Youre not likely walking away from a spill at 50, so who cares what happens at double that? It felt nice, for 5 minutes. Please enable JavaScript or upgrade your browser. At Green Bay, the circle tour transitions to the final seven miles of I-43 northwesterly to that highways northern terminus at US-41/US-141. Its a great trip, so beautiful! Your email address will not be published. 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. Michigan gonna eat you alive, he texted just before my arrival. Check this list below, I truly love nothing more than a good cup of tea (I even pack my, There are not many places in the world that compare to Ireland. Spend some time exploring the town, and make sure to check out the Windmill Island and Tulip Gardens. Plan now at www.WindyCityMotorcycleTours.com or call Tim Farrell at (630)834-6571 for full details. Another memorable motorcycle tour in fall is the Great Divide National Scenic Byway that takes travelers through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northern Wisconsin. My near neon orange coat has long been a standby. Ludington, located in Central Michigan, is known as one of the best campgrounds on Lake Michigan. Have fun on the road! http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/721/Michigan/Michigans-Central-Lake-Michigan-Scenic-Tour.html. Windy City Harley-Davidson Authorized Rentals. Eight miles. Hell, I survived losing my mind in a zero visibility hailstorm outside Marfa, TX not long ago too. Id say that the majority of this itinerary is actually super kid-friendly, especially if you go at your own pace and leave some extra room to stop between cities. 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. If weather permits, stretch your legs along the sandy shoreline, or hike the West Beach Dune Succession Trail and boardwalk. Their historical significance, as well as their various shapes and colors, makes a lighthouse run a fascinating destination. These tours were originally conceived as an aid for travelers who wished to stick close to the shorelines of the lakes in their journeys. In St Ignace, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourcontinues westerly along US-2 for more than 140 miles through Manistique and Gladstone to Escanaba. Grand Algoma Tour; Deer Trail; St. Joseph Island; Thunder Bay. 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. Once there, head to US-93 N in Yavapai County from AZ-71 N, which merges onto US-93 N. End your journey at AZ-97 N. Required fields are marked *. Long before marine radios, lighthouses were the only means to safely navigate the harbors, many of which were rocky. Head south down I-43 Sheboygan and into Milwaukee. Stay in a luxury hotel, a cozy lodge or a charming bed and breakfast. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. We'll be riding our Harley touring bikes on this trip. I loved this info and grew up 50 miles north of Chicago in Zion.

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