Great Lakes Area
 

Thinking about taking the family to the Great Lakes area next summer. We enjoy scenic drives, the great outdoors and enjoying the local food. Any recommendations on the best of the lakes region and "must sees" by boat and/or car in about 8 days? Considering flying into Madison or Chicago. Appreciate any suggestions!

The drive around Lake Superior is supposed to be very pretty.

There is a show on PBS called Great Lakes Port of Call that has wonderful information on areas around the lake. <BR>You can access their website at: <BR>http://www.greatlakesportsocall.com/

Great trip idea and a ton of possibilities to explore. Here are some of my favorites: Door County, Wisconsin; Mackinac Island & area, Michigan; Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (near Munising area, Upper Peninsula of Michigan; U.S.S. Badger Careferry running between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan). Also check out some of the waterfalls (there is a large one in the easter U.P., but I can't spell it... "Tacquamagon" Falls?" Happy Trails!

If you are going to include Lake Erie, there are a bunch of things you can do. You can go to digitalcity.com and look under Cleveland or Sandusky. If you like roller coasters, you MUST GO to Cedar Point. In my opinion, it's the best in the world for roller coasters. They've been reported on the travel channel as one of the best in the USA. <BR> <BR>You can travel to Port Clinton and hit the Isalnds. There are plenty of information boothes once there to point you to the many attractions. If you like wine, there's a winery on Put in Bay. There's an archeolgical groove at Kelly's Island. <BR> <BR>If you make it to Cleveland, besides the boating, there's Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, Science Center (with interactive things to do for kids and adults), plenty of restaurants for kids and adults. If you have access to AAA, the tourbook is the best for information. <BR> <BR>When it comes to scenery, there's the Metro Parks. There is hiking and arboretums, orchards, beaches for swimming,and many other kid friendly activites.Some places have horseback riding too. You can call the Cleveland Metro Parks for information. <BR> <BR>There is also camping in many areas around Lake Erie. Enjoy!

Your topic covers a LOT of area... Here are some things I know about and can recommend: <BR> <BR>Local Food: A Pasty in Northern Michigan area <BR> <BR>Mackinac Island (MI) - Access by ferry; no-autos on the island (even the UPS delivery man has a bicycle). Fudge; Carriage Rides; Very nice bike path around the island (bike rentals all over). <BR> <BR>Pictured Rocks Nat. Lakeshore: Beautiful, along Lake Superior. Hardly crowded. Walk along the beach and visit the lighthouse. Dirt road is an experience not to miss. Slabs and slabs of beautiful sandstone along the shores. (not yet taken by artists!). <BR> <BR>Taquamenon Falls in the UP of MI. <BR> <BR>Isle Royale Island in Lake Superior. Access via ferries in Michigan or Minnesota. More at NPS's site www.nps.gov\isro Isolated. Hiking trails. Lodge. <BR> <BR>Sault St. Marie (MI and ONT) has to Soo Locks. Visitor Center. See the locks and can take a ride in them. <BR> <BR> <BR>

I can't believe nobody has yet mentioned Niagara Falls, which is right between two lakes, Erie and Ontario. And there is so much to do within a few hours drive of the Falls that you could easily spend two weeks and still not see it all; Toronto, Niagara on the Lake, a lot of Ontario in itself, Old Fort Niagara, wineries, etc., etc., etc.

Wow! Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I realize it's a big area to cover. Do you think we should we concentrate on seeing the lakes by car, boat or a combo? Or maybe narrow down our visit to one particular lakes area, given our limited time?

You're right, the Great Lakes IS a big area to cover, but I think no matter what parts you end up in, you won't be disappointed. It probably would be best to limit yourself to a particular area/lake. Do one each summer - something to look forward to! <BR> <BR>I grew up by the Indiana/Illinois border and have lived in Cheboygan and Escanaba, Michigan. I'm partial to the area from the Mackinac Bridge down to Traverse City. The towns of Petoskey, Charlevoix, and T.C. are wonderful and T.C. is famous for its cherries, although I think they're in abundance at the beginning of summer. Have some fudge in Mackinaw City. It's a totally touristy thing to do, but the taste is oh-so yummy! I second the suggestion to try pasties. If you're unfamiliar with them, they're basically a pot pie filled with meat, but much better. I've had them in the U.P. only, but I'm sure they're lower-state wide, also. <BR> <BR>The shoreline/scenery in the U.P, near Marquette is picture perfect. Door county in Wisconsin is a lovely area, as a previous poster mentioned. As you can tell, there are SO many areas to explore! <BR> <BR>Enjoy your planning. That's half of the fun! :-)

Your best bet would be to see it by boat. Get a chart and plot which are must see places. Then the next year, you can stop and see the places you missed. Ginny is right, Great Lakes Port O Call is a great show and the website has great information on "must see" port cities. Have fun!

I think Gordon Lightfoot said you're supposed to avoid Lake Superior. <BR>Something about an Indian curse. <BR>I'd stay away. <BR>Pretty limestone is just the cheese in the mousetrap.

<BR>Easiest to fly into O'hare, rent a car and do the drive around Lake Michigan. Most of the sights have already been mentioned: starting with Wisconsin, see the "Dells" and Door County (Green Bay & the Packers stadium), into the Michigan "UP" and up to the south side of Lake Superior to see the pictured rocks near Munising, then Taquaminen (sp?)Falls; on to St Ignace & a ferry boat to Mackinac Island, then across "the" bridge & down the west coast of Michigan with all the many beach attractions.

Lake Superior...North Shore! The drive north of Duluth is spectacular. There is Gooseberry Falls & Spilt Rock Lighthouse to see. If you do this trip, you must stop at the Rustic Inn Cafe, best pie I've ever tasted. Duluth is a wonderful city, with lots to do for the kids. Glensheen Mansion is a must see in Duluth.

Alot depends on your style. If you like a natural environement, stay away from the whole Cleveland/Sandusky/Niagara Falls thing, as well as the Wisconsin Dells. Not that those don't offer tons to do, it's just really not what most would consider the "quintessential Great Lakes experience." <BR>Flying into Chiago offers a lot of possibilities, not the least of which is that great city. See the Cubs, eat deep dish pizza, go to the Field Museum, Museum of Science & Industry, & the Shedd Aquarium. <BR>From Chicago, you can do a circuit around Lake Michigan or go up to the UP & Lake Superior. With 8 days, I think I'd try to pick Lake Michigan OR Lake Superior. <BR>The whole east coast of Lake Michigan (west side of the state of Michigan) is beautiful. Don't miss Holland, Grand Haven, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Sleeping Bear Dunes, & Mackinac City & Island. <BR>If you go to the UP you must eat a pasty. Nothing special but a unique experience. I like them with gravy, but some prefer ketchup. In the UP, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Taquamenon Falls, & Isle Royale are breathtaking in their natural beauty. No, don't go out on a boat in a storm, but other than that Gordon will sleep well if you enjoy Lake Superior - the commercial boats won't go out in a storm anyway.

call up the wisconsin dells on fodor's and there are about 20,000 people who say it is awful. <BR> <BR>agree that the leelenau peninsula and mackinac island are tops. start in traverse city and circle the peninsula on m-22. wonderful little towns, wineries, sleeping bear national park and dune climb. heaven. accomodations fill up early in the year. drive up through charlevoix, can visit walloon lake and horton's bay, hangout of mr. hemmingway, petoskey, also, take back roads along this route through harbor springs, cross village and sturgeon bay. mackinac island is great, especially at night when the day-tourist "fudgies" leave. then go to sault ste. marie and see the big boats. <BR> <BR>chicago has nice waterfront, shops, the art museum, and the "sue" dinosauer nat. history museum along with other great things.

This is a great area. We loved Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel. We biked the entire island. It was great. We also loved Door County. We stayed at Bailey's Harbor Yacht Club in Bailey's Harbor which is central to all of Door County and enjoyed it. However, our favorite seaside harbors in Door County is Sister Bay and Fish Creek. Look up infor at http://www.doorcountyvacations.com/MAPS%7E1.HTM and stay right on the water. We are boaters, but I am not familier with any place where you could rent a boat for this kind of trip. The boats are privately owned. Have a great vacation!

I happen to live on Lake Superior in the U.P. of MI and as many places as I've been, this is the most beautiful. Grew up 10 miles from Tahquamenon Falls. If you're flying into Madison, travel straight north to Marquette and then make a trip east to Sault Ste Marie then south to Mackinaw and hit the island then follow US 2 back west along Lake MI shoreline all the way down to Escanaba then into WI.Many many scenic things to experience. On your way back definitely hit Door County<BR>Have fun

Oh yea, forgot to mention. If you're in Paradise, MI to see Tahquamenon Falls and Whitefish Pte. Shipwreck Museum, please stay at the Best Western Lakefront Inn and Suites. The MOST beautiful hotel. It's brand new and the only hotel like it on Lake Superior in that area.

I'll second the suggestion for Lake Michigan's eastern coast. Don't miss Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Leelenau peninsula. Traverse City is also quite nice. Mackinac Island is a neat spot and very pretty, but also very touristy--be sure you make hotel reservations well in advance if you go.

You definitely cannot experience the Great Lakes in one trip. If you are flying into Chicago, then follow the advice on the board for that area. However, another option would be to fly into Buffalo (yes, Buffalo) to get the real feel of a Great Lakes city. Take a tour of the grain elevators that once made the city one of the largest shipping ports in the world. Spend a day checking out the architecture and take the kids to the Anchor Bar, the place that invented Buffalo wings. Enjoy an ice cream on the waterfront. It isn't commercialized. A beautiful place to sit, take in the skyline and lighthouse, and watch the boats go by. The weather is beautiful during the summer. Move on to Niagara Falls. If you have never seen it, it's about time. There is so much to see and do there with kids. Visit Old Fort Niagara - just down the road from the Falls on the American side. It's been there since the French and Indian War. It sits at the mouth of the lower Niagare river and Lake Ontario. Then drive around the southern border of Lake Ontario and visit the quaint towns and count the lighthouses along the way. (You can even take a cruise along the Erie Canal if you have the time). Follow Lake Ontario up to the Canadian border, and around the northern part of the lake to Toronto and spend a few days. The kids will love it there and you will too (that's a whole other post). Drive back to Buffalo (about an hour). Pick up some Canadian beer at the duty free shop before crossing the bridge and enjoy. Have fun.