Trip around Lake Michigan - destination recommendations

I'm in need of a vacation. An 18 month consulting gig is winding up at the end of June, so I plan to take the first 1-2 weeks in July off. I thought it would be nice to drive around the lake. I've never been to the UP or Door county. This also gives me flexibility, so if the project gets pushed out, I can delay the trip by a couple of weeks if needed. And if I am finished and have no next job lined up there is no reason to rush back.

I plan to leave Chicago towards Indiana / Michigan and work my way up along the coast to the U.P. and over the top retuning through Wisconsin. I know I'd like to shoot at the dunes on the south lake for a couple of days. I'd love to catch a storm coming across the lake from Chicago to Michigan right around sunset. I think I'll hug the lake making my way through the U.P. That's a big territory. Do you recommend any particular spots?

Also, I'll be lodging (indoors) along the way and welcome recommendations on hotels and non-creepy motels.

I like silver beach in St Joseph, MI http://maps.google.com …errien,+Michiga​n&t=h&z=17

that's the cool place too - http://www.meijergarde​ns.org/

and check out http://www.mackinacisl​and.org/

I've never done that "loop" trip myself but I've read reports of lots of people taking the trip on motorcycles and they all seemed to have enjoyed the ride.
You might find this site interesting; http://www.openroadjou​rney.com/loadroute.asp​?rid=3377.
Maybe you could make a photo blog about it here. I for one would like to see some photos of the trip.
Good luck and safe journey.

I second Mackinac Island. It costs $25.00 per person to get there but there's a 18th century fort, the light house, the harbor, and many other places to see. It's like a tropical island in Michigan, and no motorized vehicals are allowed. You'll need an entire day or more to see everything.

Hoosier Writer wrote in post #14083550
I second Mackinac Island. It costs $25.00 per person the get there....

So THAT'S how they get people to spend $300/night on a hideous room. Wow, much of the decorating on that island looks like an episode of Trading Spaces the "color blind, on acid" edition.

I must say though, that I am intrigued. It is very pretty there as long as you stay out side.

Depends on what you want. We did the UP several years ago, starting in Duluth and looking for waterfalls and lighthouses. Plenty of both. Didn't do Pictued Rocks, but will if I go back. Traveled the east coast of Lake Michigan a couple years ago and enjoyed all the quaint towns (Holland, Saugatuck, South Haven, Charlevoix, Spring Harbor, etc). Lots of scenic beaches and lighthouses. Sleeping Bear Dunes is scenic and fun.

Definitely stop at Saugatuck!! One of the coolest citys in Michigan.

sparker1 wrote in post #14084271
Depends on what you want. We did the UP several years ago, starting in Duluth and looking for waterfalls and lighthouses. Plenty of both. Didn't do Pictued Rocks, but will if I go back. Traveled the east coast of Lake Michigan a couple years ago and enjoyed all the quaint towns (Holland, Saugatuck, South Haven, Charlevoix, Spring Harbor, etc). Lots of scenic beaches and lighthouses. Sleeping Bear Dunes is scenic and fun.

Thanks, I will definitely add these to my list. I just found Lavender Hills Farm in Boyne City. I really want some wall art for my living room and Lavender images would look terrific. I had no idea lavender was grown this far north. Hmmmm, I'm going to have some hard decisions to make if I want to spend less than 2 weeks!

Dragoro wrote in post #14084452
Definitely stop at Saugatuck!! One of the coolest citys in Michigan.

Thanks!

krs2fer wrote in post #14082514
I've never done that "loop" trip myself but I've read reports of lots of people taking the trip on motorcycles and they all seemed to have enjoyed the ride.
You might find this site interesting; http://www.openroadjou​rney.com/loadroute.asp​?rid=3377.
Maybe you could make a photo blog about it here. I for one would like to see some photos of the trip.
Good luck and safe journey.

Thanks, that's a good recommendation. Thank God for GPS!

Kirill wrote in post #14082392
I like silver beach in St Joseph, MI http://maps.google.com …errien,+Michiga​n&t=h&z=17

that's the cool place too - http://www.meijergarde​ns.org/

and check out http://www.mackinacisl​and.org/

Hey, that's the place I visited with friends in 1996 when we watched a large thunderstorm roll across the lake. That was some show. I've always wanted to go back and shoot a storm from that location. We stayed at the Paw Paw campground, which is a funny name for something that appeared to be a front for the MI militia!

kristin6 wrote in post #14084003
So THAT'S how they get people to spend $300/night on a hideous room. Wow, much of the decorating on that island looks like an episode of Trading Spaces the "color blind, on acid" edition.

I must say though, that I am intrigued. It is very pretty there as long as you stay out side.

If you read some of the history of the island before you go it will make many of the sights more intersting. A movie "Somewhere in Time" was filmed there as well. There are also B&B places to stay at that date back to 1830s, back when it was a hub for the western fur trade.

Kristin6,

I live in Traverse City, with 30 min of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore park is a great area for pics and we have couple lighthouses as well here. Starting the 4th of July there is a huge festival here with an airshow as well that week (google National Cherry Festival for schedule of events) there are some great small towns in area and LOTS of wineries. If you would like to know more about the area drop me a line I would be more than happy to help you out.

Doug

eta:
check out the cut river bridge on us 2 just west of mackinaw bridge along the lakeshore, gorgeous view there as well.

Seconded on Sleeping Bear Dunes. Excellent sunsets there.

mmb wrote in post #14098377
Seconded on Sleeping Bear Dunes. Excellent sunsets there.

Thanks so much. Now I'm thinking I might just plan to skip the Ogden Dunes and drive straight up to the UP in one day. I live within 2 hours of the Ogden Dunes park, so I can go there another time.

Make time to go to Pictured Rocks in the UP. You will be glad you did.

Convex Creative wrote in post #14108876
Make time to go to Pictured Rocks in the UP. You will be glad you did.

I'll second that in spite of it not being part of the lake Michigan circle tour. Also Tehquamenon falls is a nice place to stop at as well (again not part of the circle tour)

If you do a Michican tour instead of a lake michigan tour I'd say make sure you stop by the sleeping bear dunes, mackanac island tehquamenon falls, Kitch-iti-kipi, and the pictured rocks.

Those are just the places I've been that I know are good. I've aso heard great things about the areas in the porcupine mountains like lake of the clouds (really hoping to make it up to the porcupine mountains this year)

gremlin75 wrote in post #14108962
I'll second that in spite of it not being part of the lake Michigan circle tour. Also Tehquamenon falls is a nice place to stop at as well (again not part of the circle tour)

If you do a Michican tour instead of a lake michigan tour I'd say make sure you stop by the sleeping bear dunes, mackanac island tehquamenon falls, Kitch-iti-kipi, and the pictured rocks.

Those are just the places I've been that I know are good. I've aso heard great things about the areas in the porcupine mountains like lake of the clouds (really hoping to make it up to the porcupine mountains this year)

Yeah Im planning to do a backpacking trip in the porcupine mountains this summer, myself!