Whatever the Upper Peninsula had in store for us, Ive faced worse. 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. 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. As the name implies, the route is a circle and weaves through four states Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and, of course, Wisconsin. Kayaking and canoeing are also great ways to explore the lake. The black Gore pants were a welcomed new addition picked up just a month before. You can also visit the: State of Michigan Historical Markers web site for additional places to visit: Motorcycle Cruiser may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Continue up to the Tip of the Mitt to Mackinaw City. State of Wisconsin Historical Markers: Drive a bit farther to get to the town of Ludington, where you can stop for coffee and some pastries at Red Rooster Coffee & Community or relax at Ludington State Park. It is just before the Shell station up on a hill. Nick stuck to his guns and opted to try Real Tree. This will be the first in a series concerning an excellent ride (mostly) around Lake Michigan. We crossed the impressive bridge and ripped down the northwestern corner of the mitten, with brief stops in Petasky and Traverse City. Countless restaurants and lodging choices make Ludington a must stop along the tour. Stop in Petoskeys downtown, which overlooks Lake Michigan and offers terrific shopping, then continue on to Mackinaw City. At Northport, M-22 and the Lake Michigan Circle Tourturn nearly 180 degrees to head southerly into Traverse City. 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. That sounds like an awesome trip! Exploring Lake Michigan's scenic shoreline by motorcycle. Spend some time exploring the town, and make sure to check out the Windmill Island and Tulip Gardens. Celebrate the father figures in your life with good food, special events, outdoor adventures, fishing trips, golf outings, and more throughout West Michigan. These loops may follow state highways or utilize city streets and county roads running closer to the shoreline. Also in downtown Manitowoc, a rather unique Lake Michigan Circle Tour spur route begins: travelling straight across the lake via Lake Michigan Carferrys S.S. Badger carferry! Explore everything this area has to offer from activities and attractions, to fairs and festivals, there's something here for everybody! And with that, youre headed to Manitowoc, home to the largest maritime museum on the Great Lakes, and where you can hop aboard the ferry back to Ludington. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? 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. In fact, no matter where you are in Wisconsin, this happens every single Friday. There are several camping options in the area, including Duck Creek RV Resort, which is across the street from Michigans Adventure. Still a great introductory route for the aspiring long distance rider, more experienced enthusiasts demand more in the way of technical maneuvering. 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. It's a 147-mile scenic two-lane trunk line running from Port Huron to Bay City, Michigan. At Escanaba, the circle tour continues southwesterly via M-35 along the Green Bay shoreline to Menominee. 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. Routes. The Diners many patrons took a few long, laughing looks at Adventure Dad. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? after the big bridge if you know. The route continues northerly from Scottville and through Manistee on US-31. In these areas, the LMCT follows the route of Sheridan Rd very closely. I grew up in Zion IL. We knew it too. Experience the beauty of Lake Michigan and scenic locales in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois including two nights on Mackinac Island. Thanks for any help. Adult tickets cost $27 per person with the option of adding a bike pass for $12. Our original post about the Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the first long distance motorcycle trips we covered back in 2014. 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. Northeast of Manistee, the route turns northerly to follow M-22 through Onekama, Frankfort and Empire. 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 Stephanie. The Lake Michigan Circle Tourenters Michigan from Indiana on US-12 south of New Buffalo and proceeds northerly through New Buffalo to I-94. Built in 1874, this lighthouse is a great place to take in the grandeur of Lake Michigan and the surrounding sand dunes. Mackinaw is a cool little town, home to the largest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere, and really the only thing keeping Michigans Upper Peninsula connected to the real worldor from being annexed by Canada for that matter. If you search via Google there are many sites that list great motorcycle roads in every state. The other? As the cityscape gets smaller on your rearview mirror, more outdoor fun awaits. MatthewC65. https://www.wmta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Lighthouse-Map-for-Web-2018.pdf. State of Indiana Historical Marker: Marie. Between Mackinaw City and St Ignace, the Lake Michigan Circle Touris jointed by the Lake Huron Circle Tour. Minutes later the shouldering trees receded and we were all alone on the waters edge. Stayed in state parks all around the lake down to Holland. 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. Southwest of Sturgeon Bay, the tour continues southwesterly via STH-57 into Green Bay. Taste some fudge, bike around the island, and shop in the quaint downtown area. It was really rainy too. 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. I want to stay as close to the shore as possible most of the time. I saw your comment and was wondering if you had any additional suggestions/tips for camping. Pere Marquette beach there is indeed beautiful. Lake Michigan Circle Tour by motorcycle from Chicago this We 8 years ago Save Hello. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Experience the highlights of a 4 state tour exploring the shoreline beach towns & backroads most which lead to an amazing view of Lake Michigan. And those are just the ones weve been to there are many more. 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. You pass by famous landmarks such as Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Lincoln Park Zoo and Calumet Park. Sign up for our WMTA Travel Newsletter. They got us. Sign-up for our email newsletter & receive a free copy of our West Michigan Travel Guide! 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: Required fields are marked *. . 4 h 45 m. 304 mi. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59394631', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago Tuesday, staying away three nights. is quite rural, but offers many opportunities to immerse yourself in nature. 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. The work impacts commuters on US-12. If weather permits, stretch your legs along the sandy shoreline, or hike the West Beach Dune Succession Trail and boardwalk. And well, I guess I just like a good time too much to learn. Most will budget a 4day long weekend to allow plenty of time to explore and stop at the almost endless stream of small towns and scenic over looks. The Sherwood Point lighthouse is one of 10 beacons in Door County. I would like a paper map, how do I get one? Try this link. The town could be mistaken for one in the Netherlands, with plenty of tulips, windmills, and European-style architecture. A 45-minute drive from Inspiration Point will bring you the main attraction of the day, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 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. This was nice, sure, as autumn was close to being in full bloom. October was completely empty. We want to spend a couple days in Chicago to kick it off. Diabolic Technologic: Do Rider Aids Actually Help? https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS15267 I loved the info. For more descriptions of our favorite motorcycle rides and destinations, visit the Rides and Destinations section of MotorcycleCruiser.com. About Lewis Black: Today, Lewis Read More , Memorial Day is just around the corner, and what better way to kick off the summer than by exploring the beautiful state of Michigan? The route leaves US-12 and continues northerly on I-94 from Exit 4 toward St Joseph. In Michigan, the Lake Superior Circle Tour ( LSCT) runs from the state line at Ironwood to Sault Ste. A Motorcycling Human Idiot Might Write Your Next Riding War Story, Wreck to Reckoning: Coping With Rider Fear. 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. 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. 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.) Here we felt the Midwestern niceness the region is known for. After a couple tries we were directed to a motel with vacancy. 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. In downtown Manitowoc, the route continues northerly via US-10 to STH-42. At any point along the tour, if youd like to stay the night and spend more time at a city or harbor town, there are plenty of lake resorts,campsites,cabinsandhotelsfor your choosing. Although its only a 15-minute drive across the Straits of Mackinac, the Upper Peninsula feels like a different world from the colonial vibe of Mackinac Island. 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! Have fun on the road! In addition to resources on GoRVing.com, both Michigan and Wisconsins tourism boards do a great job of pointing you toward RV campgrounds along the route. Sign up for the mailing list and get notified each time we upload a new blog post. You wont be needing your passport for this single-nation circle tour. It was wet. 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. But we found lunch at some funny named town next to another funny named town, between two more towns with funny names. Both are pretty neat little towns, and a world apart from those we passed in the UP. They also serve as tourist attractions. Be aware that last minute hotel (and campground / State Park) reservations in tourist areas (along the water) are often hard to come by on weekends and during holiday weeks (which would be this week and next week). 1) Horizons bookstore in Traverse City- one of Americas great bookstores Or maybe it was indifference. Chicago Summer Activities: The 21 Best Things to Eat, See, and Do, Winter in Chicago: The Best Things to Eat, See, and Do. The Upper Peninsula let us out alive only because I asked nicely. Thirty minutes or so later, with more camo than either of us had ever owned before in tow, we were ready for the north. Both Grand Haven and Muskegon are great stops for beach adventures, spectacular views of lakeside dunes, wilderness trails and more. 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. Your download is ready. If I take the shortest, quickest . Next stop? Don't want to see this ad anymore? 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. And then, I fell over. Get West Michigan Travel News, Events and Specials delivered to your inbox. If you can, allot a few days here. We'll be riding our Harley touring bikes on this trip. It is one of the best Motorcycle Rides in North America. The trip includes; chase vehicle support, hotel accommodations and of course fantastic riding with a fun group. 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. Certainly one of times that the motorcyclists saying .If I have to explain you wouldnt understand comes to mind. Eight miles. From Glen Arbor, the circle tour continues northerly on M-22 through Leland to Northport. More than 1,000 miles long, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour would take about 14 hours without stops to complete. Along the way, youll drive through the Tunnel of Trees, one of the most scenic routes that feels like youre getting swallowed by all the nature around you. There are two ways to tackle this 900-mile, 14.5-hour drive. Lake Michigan Circle Route, on Ride with GPS. Pssh. 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. At any rate, we survived, literally limping into St. Ignace with puddles of water squishing out our boots with each step. Four or five cups of coffee help too. I want to stay as close to the shore as possible most of the time. https://www.in.gov/history/2350.htm Yeah it feels just as silly now as it did then. There are a couple of primitive campgrounds that are only $10 a night both right on Lake Michigan! Lake Michigan has over 50 beautiful lights, with the majority in Michigan and Wisconsin. The Upper Peninsula is beautiful. The park encompasses hundreds of acres of sand dunes, lakeshore, and forest. At Exit 123, the circle tour departs I-43 and continues northeasterly via STH-28 into Sheboygan. You can get around best without a car, and parking is really expensive. From picturesque beaches to historic landmarks, Read More , Fathers Day is Sunday, June 18th! Summer and fall are both wonderful times to take this trip since many of the activities are outdoors. Nick being Nick, owned zero rain gear until eight miles prior. 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? Required fields are marked *. 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. The State of Michigan has signed each of the circle tours for the Great Lakes the state touches: the Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior Circle Tours. I had to admit, my dad gear perfectly matched my dad bike, and his matched his. West Michigan provides a paper map of the circle tour. Kick back and relax on one of the 8 beaches or hike through dunes, forests, and wetlands. Some hail too, cus why not kick us while we were down? 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). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Why not drive around Lake Michigan? For more information check out www.WindyCityMotorcycleTours.com. Motorcycle Type : Cruiser. Something to share with the kids someday, ya know. Just a topple. This Lake Michigan circle itinerary can be easily extended by spending a bit more time in each destination. The shoreline of the Upper Peninsula is a glorious piece of . Perhaps Michigan's most famous scenic route, M-22 stretches for over 115 miles along the shores of our beloved Big Lake. 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. I certainly wouldnt call myself one, nor Nick, but man, I sure left US 2 with my tail between my legs. Have fun on the road! Here's a nine-day, eight-night Circle Tour of Lake Michigan that takes in the highlights. 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. Many are open during the summer offering a climb to the top to enjoy the magnificent views of Lake Michigan. A lot more. Built by, The *Better* Lake Michigan Circle Tour (Motorcycle Map). Fall colors explore here, and theres tons of great hiking and mountain biking. 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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. Simply leave your camper or RV on the mainland and head over for the day or even overnight. A ferry between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI make it easy to bisect the huge body of water. 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. 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. Photo: Elyse Clark. This viewpoint off of the main highway is one of the best places to get a birds eye view of the Lake Michigan shoreline. "Well take these memories to our grave, whether we wind up there tomorrow or fifty years from now.". 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. From soaking up the summer sun to hitting the trails after a fresh snowfall, Wisconsin has no shortage of activities for every season. Which stops would you cut out while traveling with kids? Take theLittle Traverse Wheelway, which connects Petoskey to Charlevoix andHarbor Springs. A few more fun, winding roads too. Head north on US-31, between Muskegon and Whitehall, and youll find Michigans Adventure Amusement Park and water park. Instead I picked up my BMW R 1200 GS from Countryside, IL and we hit the road with the goal of running the iconic Lake Michigan Circle Touror the Michigan Loop, as we preferred. Request your free copy of the Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour. Marie back to my home near St. Paul. The current Apache Trail links Apache Junction at the edge of the Greater Phoenix . 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. Ohio Bike Week The Shores of Lake Erie Get Riders Going Early! Next up is Wisconsins oldest settlement, Green Bay. In Wisconsin, the mainline of the Lake Michigan Circle Tourfollows signed state highway routes in its entirety, although in some places the nearest state highway to the Lake Michigan may be several miles away. Indiana is but a blip on the Circle Tour, passing through industrial Gary (birthplace of Michael Jackson), then onto Dunes Highway near the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. 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. The general feeling around Chicago was we were too latewe had missed the Midwestern riding season. I grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, so Im glad Sam mentions it. Please wait, your print is being prepared. Many are dog and kid-friendly and also serve food. A Motorcycling Human Idiot Might Write Your Next Riding War Story, Wreck to Reckoning: Coping With Rider Fear. Spanning 1000 miles and four states (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan), the Michigan Loop route is a local tradition. 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Chase Car Ready, Milwaukee Packout Tool Storage, Choose Your Motorcycle Transport Service Wisely, Velocity Philosophy (A Mannerly Guide To Speed), Green Meanie! If you love Lake Michigan, this is the drive for you. Your scenic trip along M-22 will bring you intoLeelanau Countyand the small village ofEmpire, headquarters for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore,named the most beautiful place in the United States by the viewers of Good Morning America. With its rich blue waters, white sand beaches and nothing but water on the horizon, its easy to see why this town is called the Caribbean of the North. plenty of places to park your RV for a night or extended stay.