Mopnmom

Hi Everyone -
Hubby and I are at a loss for ideas for summer vacation. We'd like to stay in the Great Lakes area this year rather than traveling the states. One thought has been the Pictured Rocks in the U.P. Any other sites/attractions up there and do we dare go without reservations? We'd like to be free and clear of deadlines and might even throw in a the tent.
Another thought is Door County in Wisconsin...any suggestions?

bucky

I've been to Door Couty many times and it's very pleasant, but it does get crowded in the summer and I think you would need reservations. There are campgrounds but you probably need reservations for those as well. For July and August, many places are probably already booked. We like the Landings in Egg harbor (condos in town, not on the water) and also The Shallows resort in Egg Harbor.

Although it's crowded in summer, there are several nice state parks on the peninsula so you can usually get away from the crowds and enjoy some nice hikes. Peninsula state park is the most crowded, and the town of Fish Creek right by the entrance is one of the busiest towns, and consequently, not my favorite place to stay.

The water on the green bay side (egg harbor) is warmer than the Lake Michigan side, but there aren't many beaches on green bay. You can swim off the pier at the Shallows resort, which is fine as long as you don't have little ones. The peninsula is so narrow its easy to drive over to the other side, where there are some beautiful beaches. We haven't been in several years, but the state park north of Bailey's Harbor (Northport I think its called?) used to be pretty uncrowded and very beautiful. Also Whitefish Dunes state park very nice.

You can drive up to the tip and take a ferry over to Washington Island which is also pretty.

bucky

I haven't been to Pictured Rocks but my sisters have and they said it was beautiful. It would probably be less crowded than Door County since it is further from Chicago. Door County is about 4 hours from Chicago, so it is a very popular summer trip, especially since there aren't many other places near the city other than Harbor Country at the botttom of Lake Michigan.

Keith

Unless you are going in June, I would be sure to get reservations.


Other destinations in the Eastern end of the UP:

Seney National Wildlife Refuge: Visitor Center, bike or hike 70 miles of trails, or take a 7 mile self-guided auto tour on the Marshland Wildlife Drive.

Tahquamenon Falls: 2nd largest falls east of the Mississippi. Though it is a tremendous leap down in size from Niagara, the falls are beautiful.

Whitefish Point: lighthouse, museum, agate hunting on the shore.

Grand Marais: On Lake Superior just east of the Pictured Rocks is an interesting little town with nearby sand dunes.

Fayette State Park is on Lake Michigan in the Garden Peninsula, it is a ghost town/mining community plus there are 7 miles of hiking trails.

Soo Locks: Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. The worlds busiest locks (in tonnage) is used by freighters up to 1,000 feet long to get between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. You can take a boat tour though the locks and maybe visit Sault Ste Marie, Ontario as well.

Native American casinos.

Mackinac Island & the Straits of Mackinac.

Keith

janesch

Last summer we began our trip in Chicago (which we loved). Then we went to Door County (gorgeous). Then onto Duluth (one day stay - very nice)via the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Then to north shore of Minnesota - did the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for three days and Grand Marais. Terrific trip - Great Lakes are fabulous.

tomboy

Mopnmom gies no clue as to her interests, but if this helps.....

We've been up twice in last 15 years, never a reservation anywhere. Only needed if one can't ever tolerate a less-than-ideal experience in life.

Fayette (above) is wonderful.
Gogebic State Park (further west) is nice; the lake it's on has great bass fishing.
Sylvania Wilderness (still further west)is just that --wild--no motors allowed, no short fish allowed to be caught, nice hikes. Borders on Wisconsin.
Keweenaw Peninsula (incl Copper Harbor, Fort ???) is also interesting.
And finally, Porcupine Mountains State Park (no snowy peaks, but sort of similar to West virginia

Keith

tomboy, I visited Lake of the Clouds (in the Porcupine Mountains State Park) one fall day many years ago. Looking down on the lake surrounded by all those trees in their fall colors was like looking down on the world's most beautiful garden.

Keith

mum1345

Absolutely you can go without reservations! I'd recommend the Keweenaw, the Porkies, Pictured Rocks. Lots of state land (State Forest for rustic camping, State Parks for more amenities) if you bring your tent. What kinds of things do you like to do?

Cali

I don't know if you plan to go to the North Shore of Lake Superior but I really think it is great. We enjoy being in Duluth and seeing the freighters come thru the ship canal and visiting the museum and the many shops and restaurants. There are also a number of hotels right down on the lake and that is fun. From there you can go up the shore and take the scenic route from Duluth to Two Harbors and that is so pretty. Several fun restaurants there too. In Two Harbors you can go down to the harbor and docks and view the former lighthouse which is now a B&B (or even stay there) and then go on up the shore and about 1 mile north of Two Harbors you can stop at "Betty's Pies" which is a landmark. Good food and pies too. Make sure you stop at Split Rock Lighthouse - it is a fun place to visit. There are also many restaurants between Two Harbors and Silver Bay. Silver Bay is more of a company town and the main thing there is the taconite shipping facility. From Silver Bay up to Grand Marais there are several small towns and it is fun to walk around Tettagouche State Park which is beautiful. My favorite place is Grand Marais, MN. It is built on a natural harbor and has a lot of art and shops and restaurants. You can go up the Gunflint Trail into the Boundary waters Canoe Area too. From Grand Marais you can go to Grand Portage National Monument and also can take the boat to Isle Royale National Park from there (closer than the boat from Michigan) and of course a few more miles north is Thunder Bay, ONT. All in all a fun trip.

audra

Hi Mopnmom, have you considered the great lake of Erie?

The Lake Erie Islands are spectacular. Lots of things to do besides swimming, including Perry National Park on Put-in-Bay, great restaurants and shopping.

Also close is Cedar Point, voted year after year by Roller Coaster Magazine as best amusement park in the WORLD. Lovely beachfront accomodations and clean, sandy beach too.

Cleveland is a great place for a vacation! The one and only Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is worth the trip alone. Many other world class museums, such as the Cleveland Museum of Art and the renowned Cleveland Orchestra, voted by Time Magazine as *Best Band in the Land*. Playhouse Square Center is the 2nd largest performing arts complex in the country, offering Broadway Musicals. Then of course there are many beaches, sports teams and attractions (Football Hall of Fame), lot of interesting neighborhoods (Little Italy has amazing food!), upscale dining and shopping downtown and the suburbs, and the music / club scene in The Flats and The Warehouse District is great fun.

Do a search here for any of this for more detailed information.

lildaisy

There a lot of great things to do in WIsconsin during the summer. I have lived here my whole life. There are many WI websites to help (www.cheesestate.com, www.wisconsin.gov)
Door COunty is a very popular and wonderful place to visit. Peninsula State Park is a nice place to camp, bike, hike, and swim. There are also many nice hotels in Door County.

There are many breweries, wineries, and cheese factories that are fun to take a tour of and taste the samples. There is a website that will send you a map of these i think.

If you like camping there are many wonderful state parks and private campgrounds for that (Devil's Lake, High Cliff, Hartman's Creek)

Milwaukee always has something going on. SUmmerfest is fun. There are bands, food, rides, etc. There are many festivals on the summerfest grounds. A Brewer game might be fun. Downtown Milwaukee has a lot of bars. Fun at night! The State Fair is also a good time.

Madison is a party town! STate street is bussling with people, shops, and restaurants.

WIsconsin Dells has a fun waterpark, casino, and downtown for shopping and drinking.

I hope I have gicen you ideas. ANy other questions, I'd be happy to help.

Have a great summer!