Hell, I survived losing my mind in a zero visibility hailstorm outside Marfa, TX not long ago too. Therefore, the new de facto route for the circle tour continues northerly past Holland via the US-31 bypass. Next, its on to the Tip of the Mitt (aka the top of Michiganyoull notice locals regularly use their palm to denote locations within the state). 6 McR Points. 4) The Omelette Shoppe in Traverse City We went up to Sault Ste. (NOTE: The Lake Michigan Circle TourLoop route through Scottville was removed/decommissioned some time in late 2004 or early 2005 and no longer exists.). It makes you look funny, and even though literally no oneNO ONEcares what you look like when youre hurtling down a remote highway at a mile-a-minute in pissing rain, its still funny. Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake thats entirely inside the United States! Mackinac Island is the best place in the Midwest to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! The work impacts commuters on US-12. Lake Michigan Circle Route, on Ride with GPS. More than 1,000 miles long, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour would take about 14 hours without stops to complete. The Lake Michigan Circle tour delivers just that and with a good mix of great food and lazy winding roads its the perfect weekend ride. 2023 Edition of Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour Now State of Indiana Historical Marker: For one of the strangest attractions in the area, visit Saint Ignaces Mystery Spot, an area where gravity, allegedly, seems to have gone haywire. Try this feature for free with a RouteYou Plus trial subscription. After passing through Traverse City, you will continue north along the Traverse Bay and on toCharlevoix. Required fields are marked *. Try a classic IPA or a seasonal offering atThird Space Brewingwest of downtown, or head to the Deer District forGood City Brewing Co. Before jumping on Interstate Highway 43 to continue the tour, grab lunch and shop for goods at the up-and-coming Deer District across from the Fiserv Forum where the Milwaukee Bucks play. A storm was on the way, and the entire town of Green Bay knew it. Road Trip Itinerary: A Trip to All the Great Lakes - Fodors Travel Guide Ride Lake Superior Motorcycle Tour | Ride Lake Superior I had to admit, my dad gear perfectly matched my dad bike, and his matched his. Maybe the Lake Michigan Circle Tour? There are a few stairs to reach the top, so make sure to wear some comfortable shoes! Great tip. Look to ride my motorcycle around Lake Michigan this week, leaving Chicago Tuesday, staying away three nights. Not a crash, really. Do you have a map of this tour? I want to stay as close to the shore as possible most of the time. The Diners many patrons took a few long, laughing looks at Adventure Dad. You wont be needing your passport for this single-nation circle tour. There are no cars allowed on the island, due in part to an 1898 ban on horseless carriages that has remained unchanged. Take your time as you make the journey along the coast and around the Door County peninsula. Sorta. Old Mans Graveyard Road read the sign. The S.S. Badger docks on the Michigan side in the town of Ludington. Fall is an excellent time to visit this National Parkyoull still be able to take in its magnificence, but without all the crowds. Good enough for me, I thought. http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/721/Michigan/Michigans-Central-Lake-Michigan-Scenic-Tour.html. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? Alternatively, you may use, Baymont by Wyndham Bridgeport/Frankenmuth. I want to stay as close to the shore as possible most of the time. Shifted to sixth gear and hit the ton. Dotting the shoreline on both sides of the lake, each preserved to showcase their unique charm and architectural significance. A ferry between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI make it easy to bisect the huge body of water. Although not quite as scenic as Michigans side of the lake, youll be sure to soak in some beautiful views along the way regardless. Copyright2023 Samantha Brown Media Inc. |Privacy Policy & Terms of Service, This is Your Sign to Plan a Solo Wellness Vacation, 9 Underrated National Parks to Visit in the Summer, 14 Delightful Places for Afternoon Tea Around the World. Just 100 more miles to St. Ignace. Jokes aside, I was damn happy to have a windscreen and more horses than Ive ever ridden before under me. Which stops would you cut out while traveling with kids? Continue on to Marinette, WI. Great Lakes Circle Tour - Wikipedia Your download is ready. Soon enough, youll find yourselves inDoor County, one of Wisconsins most popular destinations, known for its gorgeous beaches, wineries and historic lighthouses. Youll find the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route below. The Wisconsin leg of the tour starts at the Illinois border and moves north on Wisconsin Highway 32 alongside picturesque Lake Michigan. I went Mossy Oak, like a real local. Lake Michigan Circle Tour | Holiday Vacations A favorite Michigan road trip for motorcyclists is the Michigan State Highway M-25. Most do it over a week, and almost exclusively in the summer. Cherries, lighthouses and winding shoreline roads are all part of a 4-day Circle Tour. If someone wants to reply to your post they can do it here or send you a private message through tripadvisor by clicking on your name below your picture. Cheating Death on the Lake Michigan Loop: 1,000 Miles in 4 Days, https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/michigan-circle-tour-motorcycle-trip-report, This New High-Octane Electric Motorbike Is Geared for Off-Road Riding, Gear Review: Dodging Potholes & Cops in NYC with a Cake Electric Motorbike, This Modest Motorcycle Maker Builds Custom Bikes for Those Who Never Thought They'd Want One, This Solar Powered Dirt Bike Is Designed to Fight Poaching in Africa, This Street Legal Dirt Bike Is the Future of Everyday Adventure, 4,500 Miles of Open Road Therapy Across Canada, A Guide to Fly Fishing Gear for Anglers of All Levels, 18 Best Cabin Rentals in Washington State, This Is the Perfect Belt for Outdoor Activities, The 10 Best Cabin & Cottage Rentals in Alberta, Canada, The 10 Best Glamping Locations in Yorkshire, UK, Danner x Mystery Ranch Drop Colorful Hiking Gear Collab. Continue the tour by heading north out of LUDINGTON along US-31 and into the Victorian Port of Manistee. Thirty minutes or so later, with more camo than either of us had ever owned before in tow, we were ready for the north. Its a great trip, so beautiful! http://www.historyillinois.org/HistoricalMarkers.aspx Lake Michigan Circle Tour - Michigan Highways And dont miss one of the famous fish boils, a Door County specialty! Itinerary: Leg 1 - Chicago to Green bay Leg 2 - Green Bay to St. Ignace Leg 3 - Century ride around Mackinac Island Leg 4 - 24+hour ride home Map sources: https://www.adventurecycling.o. The trip spans 4 different Midwestern states and dozens of different cities. At Exit 47, route signage indicates that the circle tour exits US-31 and loops through downtown Holland following the former route of BUS US-31/BL I-196. Even though weve vacationed in west and northern Michigan our whole lives, we discovered things we had never seen before or hadnt seen in years. Have fun on the road! Our final morning brought about temps in the low thirties, and after that didnt thwart us, endless lane splitting nearly did. Wisconsin offers the best of Lake Michigans beauty and commercial appeal. Just a raw bike marketed at people who love to ride. I grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, so Im glad Sam mentions it. Driving through the Tunnel of Trees along Lake MIchigan north of Harbor Springs (and lunch or dinner at Legs Inn in Cross Village on a shelf overlooking the lake.) In St Joseph, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourcontinues northerly on M-63 into northern Berrien Co. At the nothern terminus of M-63, the circle tour proceeds northerly on I-196/US-31 toward South Haven. At the jct of US-31 & I-96, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourleaves US-31 and follows BUS US-31 through downtown Muskegon. When you get to the tip of the peninsula, take the car ferry over to Washington Island and explore popular attractions, like the Farm Museum andRock Island State Park. From Mackinaw City, youll cross the The Mighty Mac, the 10th largest over water suspension bridge in the world. With 142 miles to go before the designated lunch spot, we posed for a few last second photos and Adventure Dad and Cool Guy set off. The route leaves I-196/US-31 at Exit 18 and loops through South Haven using BL I-196. (File/WWMT) COLDWATER, Mich. The Michigan Department of Transportation is expected to start a $2.4 million project May 1, just west of downtown Coldwater . It felt nice, for 5 minutes. Most will budget a 4-day long weekend to allow plenty of time to explore and stop at the almost endless stream of small towns and scenic over looks. In Michigan, the Lake Superior Circle Tour ( LSCT) runs from the state line at Ironwood to Sault Ste. We'll be riding our Harley touring bikes on this trip. This route listing lists the official route as well as any locally-designated and marked Lake Michigan Circle Tour Loops, which are generally posted with brown signs. Home ofLambeau Fieldand thePackers Hall of Fame, also tour theOneida National MuseumandNational Railroad Museumwhile youre there. It sucked. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. There are plenty of places to park your RV for a night or extended stay. My personal favorites are the twin piers and lights found in South Haven. There are two ways to tackle this 900-mile, 14.5-hour drive. Our original post about the Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the first long distance motorcycle trips we covered back in 2014. While the Lake Michigan Circle Tourremains on I-196/US-31 at Saugatuck/Douglas, a locally-designated Lake Michigan Circle TourHarbor Tour loop route is signed concurrently with A-2/Blue Star Hwy between Exits 36 and 41. Fifteen minutes north of Pentwater, youll be in Ludington, where you may catch the ferry back to Manitowoc. Art lovers will adore Pentwater, which hosts arts and crafts fairs all summer long. Nick being Nick, owned zero rain gear until eight miles prior. Have fun on the road! Next up is Wisconsins oldest settlement, Green Bay. My near neon orange coat has long been a standby. In addition to resources on GoRVing.com, both Michigan and Wisconsins tourism boards do a great job of pointing you toward RV campgrounds along the route. I loved this info and grew up 50 miles north of Chicago in Zion. If weather permits, stretch your legs along the sandy shoreline, or hike the West Beach Dune Succession Trail and boardwalk. Motorcycle Touring Around Lake Michigan | Motorcycle Cruiser After a couple tries we were directed to a motel with vacancy. Because Nick is a fellow to follow if its adventure you want, and one to avoid at all costs if its not. https://www.wmta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Lighthouse-Map-for-Web-2018.pdf, https://www.wmta.org/lake-michigan-lighthouse-map-circle-tour/lighthouse-driving-itinerary/, https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS15267, http://www.historyillinois.org/HistoricalMarkers.aspx. Today, youll leave the Lower Peninsula and cross over the Mackinac Bridge to Michigans Upper Peninsula. We were wet. It's a 147-mile scenic two-lane trunk line running from Port Huron to Bay City, Michigan. Michigan gonna eat you alive, he texted just before my arrival. Petoskeys downtown overlooks Lake Michigan and offers terrific shopping. Perhaps Michigan's most famous scenic route, M-22 stretches for over 115 miles along the shores of our beloved Big Lake. After your morning pick-me-up, continue driving north until you reach Inspiration Point. Indiana is but a blip on the Circle Tour, passing through industrial Gary (birthplace of Michael Jackson), then onto Dunes Highway near the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Head south down I-43 Sheboygan and into Milwaukee. When you hit Kenosha, not far from the border, we suggest visiting the harbor towns two scenic lighthouses Southport Light Station Museum featuring an 1800s lighthouse andNorth Pier Lighthouse, which houses an art studio. At Green Bay, the circle tour transitions to the final seven miles of I-43 northwesterly to that highways northern terminus at US-41/US-141. Depending on what theyre interested in, Id recommend checking out Lincoln Park Zoo, the Childrens Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, and the Museum of Science and Industry! When you hit Sheboygan, make a pit stop at the scenicKohler-Andrae State Parkto see incredible lake views and explore the area's beaches and sand dunes. As a lifelong Mighigander, I have a few must see places that I visit whenever I vacation on the Lake Michigan shoreline: They say the UP is no place for weenies. Instead I picked up my BMW R 1200 GS from Countryside, IL and we hit the road with the goal of running the iconic Lake Michigan Circle Touror the Michigan Loop, as we preferred. lake michigan circle tour - Motorcycle route | RouteYou This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Head north on US-31, between Muskegon and Whitehall, and youll find Michigans Adventure Amusement Park and water park. Drive a bit farther to get to the town of Ludington, where you can stop for coffee and some pastries at Red Rooster Coffee & Community or relax at Ludington State Park. Plan now at www.WindyCityMotorcycleTours.com or call Tim Farrell at (630)834-6571 for full details. Grand Algoma Tour; Deer Trail; St. Joseph Island; Thunder Bay. Jamie Elvidge, Photography by Jamie Elvidge, Top Long-Distance Touring Motorcycles of 2022, Harley-Davidson Teases All-New 2023 CVO Street Glide, Harley-Davidson Screamin Eagle 135 Crate Engine Preview, 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide 121 Revealed, King of the Baggers Indian Challenger Ride Review, Buell Motorcycles Modern FXR-Inspired Super Cruiser, 2023 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special Anniversary Review, 2023 Indian Motorcycle Sport Chief First Look Preview, First Ride: Ducatis Diavel V4 Defies Categorization, Harley-Davidson Freewheeler First Look Preview. They got us. Rent a bike (or bring your own) and bike around the perimeter of the island. Mackinac Island was founded in 1780 and occasionally, it seems like time has stopped completely. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Its a great trip you wont want to miss. Mackinaw is a cool little town, home to the largest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere, and really the only thing keeping Michigans Upper Peninsula connected to the real worldor from being annexed by Canada for that matter. Lake Michigan Circle Tour (Maps, Photos And More) ~ TRO CIRCLE MICHIGAN; P.O. Youre not likely walking away from a spill at 50, so who cares what happens at double that? Copyright 2023 Motorcycle Cruiser. 5) Grand Traverse Winery in the Old Mission Peninsula. South of Mackinaw City, where US-31 ends, the route continues northerly on I-75 crossing the Mackinac Bridge and entering the Upper Peninsula at St Ignace. MDOT to start US-12 resurfacing and bridge repair in Coldwater We knew it too. Nick said yes, and very little else. Diabolic Technologic: Do Rider Aids Actually Help? If you go through the UP on US 2 and pass through Manistique there is a restaurant called The Three Seasons as you first start getting into town if you are heading West that I usually see bikes at. The general feeling around Chicago was we were too latewe had missed the Midwestern riding season. Just Announced: Comedian Lewis Black at the Kalamazoo State Theatre, Legendary award-winning comedian Lewis Black makes his triumphant return to the Kalamazoo State Theatre on Friday, November 10, 2023, as part of hisOff The Railstour. You could easily spend three nights in lower or upper michigan. One more trip to Walmart brought about a tough decision: Real Tree or Mossy Oak. Nick felt it was more a dentist on vacation look. I liked your comment around the Lake Michigan tour that you and your husband did, that is some thing that me and my wife would like to do this coming week, do you have a map or places that you may recommend to stop by. 6. Explore 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan featuring a unique ecosystem with native birds and plants. You wont be disappointed. Four or five cups of coffee help too. Follow US- 95 N and US-60 to AZ-71 N in Maricopa County. Sundays best in Escanaba. There are a couple of primitive campgrounds that are only $10 a night both right on Lake Michigan! And rainy. Just when we thought we were home free, a last second decision to change ferrys added a hundred more miles to our final tour day and brought us into Muskegon, MI well after dark. Again, while we're definitely fans of spirited riding, we'd rather enjoy worthy stopping points as opposed to rushing through. The route then heads northeasterly along the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula via STH-57 through Jacksonport, meeting back up with STH-42 in Sister Bay. A the US-41/US-141 split in Abrams, the circle tour veers northeasterly to follow US-41 through Oconto and Peshitgo on its way to Marinette.