GoJumpin

Traveling to see Lake Michigan for first time. Which is better, Michigan side or Wisconsin side--and why?

marilyn

Michigan side. Warmer currents, better towns, more resorty in feeling closer to Chicago and on up the mitten. I'm a lifelong Chicagoan who would be hard-pressed to name a vacation town on Lake Michigan north of Milwaukee until Door County, but there are many charming towns and areas in Michigan. Also the Indiana dunes, Sleeping Bear dunes and others around Petoskey the name of which I can't remember.

GoJumpin

Marilyn, thanks! I was trying to figure out how to squeeze in some side trips to other places during our 8-day vacation in Chicago. Door county was suggested by some, but seems like the drive would really cut into our vacation time!

pat

GoJump: You are right - don't bother driving to Door County if it's just a side trip - too far! Check out Michigan City, Indiana or New Buffalo, Lakeside & Union Pier in Michigan - all are two hours or less from Chicago.

cd

Let me tell you about Michigan City, IN. The beach at Michigan City is beautiful. You can walk for miles. The sand is clean and the waters clear. You can change to a bathing suit at the public restrooms in Michigan City which is located next to Washington Park Marina. (ask anyone for directions) You can walk out on the cat walk to the lighthouse and sit and watch all the boats coming and going. You can shop at the outlet mall which is "Lighthouse Place" just a few blocks from Washington Park Marina. Matey's and Swingbelly's, within a few blocks of the marina, have great hamburgs. The Blue Chip Casino is but a few miles away if you want to try your luck. Have a great time!

Samantha

I completely agree with the other posters. I grew up in Gary, Indiana and lived in 2 towns in Michigan. The Michigan side of the lake is much better than the Wisconsin side.

Michigan City and the Indiana dunes are nice (spent many summer days at the dunes) are nice, as well as towns like Grand Haven, Ludington, etc. If you're willing to drive even farther north in the state, Traverse City, Charlevoix, and Petoskey are picture perfect small towns, as well. There are lots of state parks dotted along the shoreline.

Except for Door county, I really don't think the Wisconsin side has much to offer (or at least not as much to offer) as the Michigan side.

GoJumpin

So glad I asked!! Can't wait to check out some of your suggestions on MI side. One other question--If I do decide to venture into WI as far north as Milwaukee, is there car ferry service across the lake into MI?

pat

GoJumpin: No. There are no ferries across the lake. It's way too big for a ferry between states.

jpm

Thanks for the info. I live in Wisconsin but have done all the cities up this side of the lake. Looking to do some long weekends over the summer and now I have a couple of new destinations in mind.

GoJumpin

Pat...sheesh! doesn't look that big on my wall map! guess that means swimming across is out of the question, too!!!

marilyn

Actually, there is a car ferry. I can't remember the name of the town it leaves from in Wisconsin, but it goes to Ludington, Michigan. The trip takes about 4 hours. Ludington is a pretty town with lots of B@Bs, near some spectacular dunes. Alas, my memory for names is REALLY bad this afternoon...

duh

I like the side above the water better.

Samantha

I do remember someone posting here a long time ago about a car ferry that goes across the lake in the late spring to early fall. Since Marilyn does know the MI town is Ludington, it might be worth it investigate via phone or a website if possible what the connecting WI town is.

dejahma

As another poster indicated there is a car ferry across the lake. I took it with my kids about 10 years ago. Thought it would be a neat experience but it was cold out (early may) and we had to mainly stay in the grim interior of the boat (definately not the love boat). If the weather is nice it could be one of those let's do it once and never again experiences. Liked the ferry across Lake Champlain in Vermont way better.

edmund

I prefer Lake Superior.

katie

For car ferry info see:
http://www.ssbadger.com/

Judy

Yes the MI side is definately wonderful.I've spent most of my summers just south of Ludington on the lake. You can walk for miles on the beautiful beaches, and some summers depending on the weather, the water warms up nicely.

The towns along the lake are sleepy tourist towns becoming more resortish and more expensive the further north you go from Ludington. Especially beautiful is the drive on Lake Shore Drive north from Manistee on up to the Petosky area. Not too many things can beat the blue of the lake from on top of a cliff on a crystal clear day.

There really aren't any big exciting touristy things to do or see. What you will get is a low-key trip without big crowds, some nice shopping, hiking and water sports, and the opportunity to see beautiful country.

I don't know much about the area south of Muskegon except for Mich. City which definetly has a great beach and surrounding sand dunes, but the city itself is not a place I would want to spend much time in.

There is a ferry that comes and goes daily from Ludington though last I heard it was relatively expensive especially if you take your car. The website is ssbadger.com
Happy travels

Rocky

GoJumpin, Hello from Michigan. I live in Michigan and have been to Wisconsin many times also. I would definitely say the Michigan side is better. You can always take the ferry from Ludington over to Wisconsin also to see both. The Leelanau pennisula is spectacular as is the area between Charlevoix and Harbor Springs (and north of that also). Many sights to see with beautiful beaches and views. Enjoy!