Great Lakes extended road trip
Sep 4th, 2017, 11:39 AM
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Great Lakes extended road trip
I am just beginning to to plan an extended summer 2018 road trip for my husband and I
- over sixty, able to hike but not bikers etc.
- trip length 5 to 8 weeks if no family / business emergencies.
NO CAMPING LOL
FOCUS Scenery, nature, unusual experiences, maybe golf if nothing else to do. Love waterfalls and lighthouse views.
CONS - not into cities or historical sites particularly ....although we have read about the Erie Canal road tour and are intrigued.
After experience with Forum help on a 2015 western trip, would not even THINK of starting this without all of you! There were sights we would never have been able to enjoy without this community.
Prelim plan to travel from Florida around Memorial Weekend, moving fairly quickly along east coast
( we can always cover those states on shorter, future trips from Florida)
spending time in Maine for Acadia and New Hampshire before starting the lakes.
Definitely intend to renew our passports before then, so we can cross to / from Canada for most scenic routes. LOVE local roads vs interstates
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and tips - or skips.
- over sixty, able to hike but not bikers etc.
- trip length 5 to 8 weeks if no family / business emergencies.
NO CAMPING LOL
FOCUS Scenery, nature, unusual experiences, maybe golf if nothing else to do. Love waterfalls and lighthouse views.
CONS - not into cities or historical sites particularly ....although we have read about the Erie Canal road tour and are intrigued.
After experience with Forum help on a 2015 western trip, would not even THINK of starting this without all of you! There were sights we would never have been able to enjoy without this community.
Prelim plan to travel from Florida around Memorial Weekend, moving fairly quickly along east coast
( we can always cover those states on shorter, future trips from Florida)
spending time in Maine for Acadia and New Hampshire before starting the lakes.
Definitely intend to renew our passports before then, so we can cross to / from Canada for most scenic routes. LOVE local roads vs interstates
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and tips - or skips.
Sep 5th, 2017, 03:57 PM
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You must go to the UP; drive around the circle of it- it is awesome, then if you head down through Michigan (the most beautiful State as far as I'm concerned and I've been to all 50 plus over 50 countries), drive across the bridge and stay in St. Ignace. Traverse City is nice and drive down the lakeshore of Lake Michigan. Send me a note if you stop in Dowagiac- I'll buy you a glass of wine!
Sep 8th, 2017, 04:06 AM
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Michigan's Upper Peninsula has many scenic opportunities including Tahquamenon Falls (and a great many other Falls), Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Keweenaw Peninsula, Porcupine Mountains, Isle Royale National Park, Cut River Bridge, and Kitchitikipi Springs.
Most people go to Mackinac Island for the lack of horses and for the history, but once you get away from the small town, it is 85% State Park and not crowded. It was actually the 2nd National Park in the US after Yellowstone, but there was no Park Service back then and when the Fort was closed there was no one to administer the park, so it was turned over to the State of Michigan.
Most people go to Mackinac Island for the lack of horses and for the history, but once you get away from the small town, it is 85% State Park and not crowded. It was actually the 2nd National Park in the US after Yellowstone, but there was no Park Service back then and when the Fort was closed there was no one to administer the park, so it was turned over to the State of Michigan.
Sep 8th, 2017, 04:51 AM
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Consider driving across New York State using state Rt 20... it runs across the top of the Finger Lakes, is near the Erie Canal, and runs by Letchworth State Park... there are dozens of possible attractions, wine regions, and scenery...
You can pick it up near Albany and ride it west, all the way to the Buffalo Niagara region...
You can pick it up near Albany and ride it west, all the way to the Buffalo Niagara region...
Sep 24th, 2017, 07:19 AM
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We traveled through the upper & lower peninsulas last summer. There is so much to do in Michigan.
In the UP, we came upon Sault Ste. Marie's Engineer's Day, when the Soo Locks are open for one day a year. It demonstrated the history and mechanics of the giant Great Lakes ships, and we found it fascinating. In 2018, it will be on June 29. You can also walk across the bridge to Canada that weekend, which was fun. There are basic restaurants & hotels in Sault Ste. Marie.
We stayed at the Best Western in Munising. You can take a boat tour out on the lake to see where the ice caves form in the winter. Beautiful scenery.
Mackinac Island is beautiful, especially after the day trippers depart. You can hire a bike to ride around the 8 mile path around the island's coast.
Another stop was in Holland, home of the iconic red lighthouse. And a must-stop is the Deboer Bakkerij for a simply amazing breakfast, and you'll want to bring some bakery treats for the road!
The Ford Rouge plant in Dearborn is interesting, with an American history museum as the starting point.
There are so many things to explore!
In the UP, we came upon Sault Ste. Marie's Engineer's Day, when the Soo Locks are open for one day a year. It demonstrated the history and mechanics of the giant Great Lakes ships, and we found it fascinating. In 2018, it will be on June 29. You can also walk across the bridge to Canada that weekend, which was fun. There are basic restaurants & hotels in Sault Ste. Marie.
We stayed at the Best Western in Munising. You can take a boat tour out on the lake to see where the ice caves form in the winter. Beautiful scenery.
Mackinac Island is beautiful, especially after the day trippers depart. You can hire a bike to ride around the 8 mile path around the island's coast.
Another stop was in Holland, home of the iconic red lighthouse. And a must-stop is the Deboer Bakkerij for a simply amazing breakfast, and you'll want to bring some bakery treats for the road!
The Ford Rouge plant in Dearborn is interesting, with an American history museum as the starting point.
There are so many things to explore!
Sep 25th, 2017, 05:39 AM
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No camping..meaning no tents? What about cabins/yurts? Or are you looking for hotels only?
Are you looking to circumnavigate each lake?
Lake Superior is huge and the Canadian side can be fairly remote but amazing. I'm mostly familiar with the Minnesota side of Lake Superior (generally called the North Shore). There are quite a few waterfalls and state parks along that stretch.
Check out a couple links below for more on waterfalls and lighthouses. I'm sure there are lighthouses on the Canadian side of Lake Superior but that website seems to focus on the U.S. side only.
http://www.lighthousefriends.com/lake_su.html
https://midwestweekends.com/plan_a_t...minnesota.html
Are you looking to circumnavigate each lake?
Lake Superior is huge and the Canadian side can be fairly remote but amazing. I'm mostly familiar with the Minnesota side of Lake Superior (generally called the North Shore). There are quite a few waterfalls and state parks along that stretch.
Check out a couple links below for more on waterfalls and lighthouses. I'm sure there are lighthouses on the Canadian side of Lake Superior but that website seems to focus on the U.S. side only.
http://www.lighthousefriends.com/lake_su.html
https://midwestweekends.com/plan_a_t...minnesota.html
Sep 26th, 2017, 02:09 PM
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If you do come to Michigan & go to Mackinaw City or to Mackinac Island stay away from booking any hotels through the Mackinaw City Chamber of Tourism. 14 hotels owned by the Lieghio Family & they are run down, unsanitary & the management will treat you like dirt if you complain. I've been to Mackinaw several times & I think this last weekend was one of my worst experiences. The Upper Peninsula is beautiful especially if you can see Pictured Rocks & Tahquamenon Falls. There are many beautiful quaint little towns all throughout Michigan. M-22 is usually a ride people like to endeavor! Suttons Bay the Peninsula, Harbor Springs, Elk Rapids, Charlevoix, Grand Haven, Saugatuck! So many! If you come, enjoy!
Sep 27th, 2017, 03:34 AM
#13
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Motels I have stayed at and can recomend in Mackinaw City include the Riviera, Holiday Inn Express, Rainbow, Clearwater Lakeshore, Beachcomber, American Boutique Inn and Deerhead Inn B&B. None are owned by the family mentioned.
Aug 18th, 2019, 01:04 PM
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awesomemom we had to postpone so now I am back to planning for summer 2020. We definitely want to spend time throughout the UP. We are not campers, so how far out to I need to make motel reservations during late June and July?
We also want to spend a night night at the lodge at Isle Royale and want to look up family gravesites in Ishpeming along with all the other beautiful sites we've read about.
PS we are on Home Exchange with our lakeside home near Disney, if anyone is interested in ten days or so at our place this winter for time at yours for us in July!
We also want to spend a night night at the lodge at Isle Royale and want to look up family gravesites in Ishpeming along with all the other beautiful sites we've read about.
PS we are on Home Exchange with our lakeside home near Disney, if anyone is interested in ten days or so at our place this winter for time at yours for us in July!
Aug 18th, 2019, 01:06 PM
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Michigan 2020 planning
UPDATE now planning for 2020, but probably JUST Michigan (with possibly side trip from Detroit over to Niagara Falls)
Mid June to Mid-August timeframe, to include time in Detroit.
Some people laugh about our planning that much time in one state, but we love to take the side roads and spend a few days here there And everywhere without rushing. Of course, that includes slow drive time from central Florida in both directions. We will most likely approach via western Ohio.
Mid June to Mid-August timeframe, to include time in Detroit.
Some people laugh about our planning that much time in one state, but we love to take the side roads and spend a few days here there And everywhere without rushing. Of course, that includes slow drive time from central Florida in both directions. We will most likely approach via western Ohio.
Last edited by bkington1858; Aug 18th, 2019 at 01:32 PM.
Aug 18th, 2019, 01:08 PM
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BuffaloGirl if we do Niagara Falla this trip ( now Michigan, not New England) we will be approaching via Canada. Any thoughts about Canadian side vs US views etc of Falla?
Aug 18th, 2019, 01:11 PM
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Thanks Keith It’s now 2019 and I’m actually back to planning this trip for basically Michigan only during mid-June to mid-August. Would love any more tips or updates. Example, how far It do I need to make those hotel reservations?
Aug 18th, 2019, 01:29 PM
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bryantkj thanks for the heads up about avoiding that booking site! We have heard the best time to be on Mackinac Island is AFTER the last ferries leave, so any Lodging recommendations there?
Aug 19th, 2019, 06:13 AM
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I’m not BuffaloGirl, I’m sure she’ll chime in. The Canadian side offer a direct full views of the Falls, while from the US site you’’ll be viewing them from the over the top / side combination. Also, if you’re not pressed for time, the Niagara Falls City offers lots of charm besides those crowded touristy spots. Check out the “Things to do”
Aug 20th, 2019, 05:54 AM
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You reeled me back. Haven't been on here in a couple of years, but was emailed the tag. Late June is active, but not so busy that you need reservations far out, unless there is a specific place or room you really want. It is busier around the 4th of July, but the real peak is about July 10 - August 20.
