Top 5 places to visit in America’s Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are so big that they seem more like oceans, stretching nearly 100,000 square miles across the border between the USA and Canada. You’ll find incredible contrasts between iconic cities like Chicago and Minneapolis, and the idyllic scenery of traffic-free Mackinac Island, sleepy Marquette on Lake Superior, and the incredible Sleeping Bear Dunes rising above Lake Michigan’s eastern shore. Here are top 5 places to visit on a holiday to the USA’s Great Lakes:

Chicago

The Windy City is America’s third largest with a skyline that rivals New York, as well as a proud musical heritage, fascinating museums and galleries, and delicious food. Take in Chicago’s grandeur from above on Skydeck, the highest observation deck in the USA, or from 360 Chicago on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center. A more leisurely way to see the city is on a boat cruise on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. Chicago also has a fantastic collection of museums and galleries with highlights including Impressionist paintings at The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Field Museum with the largest and most complete T-Rex ever discovered. After a busy day’s sightseeing, feast on Chicago’s renowned food along the Magnificent Mile on a Signature Dish Bike Tour, then catch some live jazz and blues in the city’s legendary bars.

Mackinac Island

Native Americans consider Mackinac Island (pronounced Mackin-aw) as sacred ground, and this tiny island of just four square miles on the north-west edge of Lake Huron is worth the pilgrimage for its peaceful scenery of limestone bluffs, forests and beaches. There are no cars allowed and most of the island is protected in a state park, so it’s an idyllic haven for sailing, cycling, hiking and riding on horse-drawn carriages. The geological highlight is Arch Rock, 45 metres high above the Straits of Mackinac, while the historic highlight is Fort Holmes, constructed by the British during the American Revolution. Be sure to try the island’s fudge, a famous local speciality.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes have been voted the most beautiful place in America and it’s easy to see why, gazing on these stunning stretches of sand backed by verdant forest and spectacular inland lakes. The protected Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore covers 35 miles on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore. Highlights include a dune climb rising 85 metres, overlooking the shimmering Glen Lake, hiking the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, and visiting Glen Haven Historical Village. Take a boat trip across to the historic village on North Manitou Island and lighthouse of South Manitou Island, then leave plenty of time to simply relax in the beautiful surroundings. Nearby Traverse City is surrounded by many award-winning wineries, so a vineyard and tasting tour is highly recommended here.

Lake Superior

Nicknamed the Freshwater Sea, Lake Superior is the biggest of the Great Lakes and the largest freshwater lake in the world, with spectacular islands and rugged rocky shores lined with lighthouses and beaches. The town of Marquette is one of the most beautiful in the region with six lighthouses and nine waterfalls nearby, and forested peninsular Presque Isle Park extending into Lake Superior. On the western shore is Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive, while Pattison State Park has Big Manitou Falls, the highest waterfall in Wisconsin.

Minneapolis & St Paul

Nicknamed the City of Lakes, Minneapolis has more than 20 lakes and an incredible 180 parks, so it’s one of the best cities in North America to experience nature on your doorstep. The Chain of Lakes are connected by 15 miles of paved shoreline paths, popular for biking, hiking and kayaking, while the 16-metre Minnehaha Falls lead to a trail into the Mississippi River Valley. Other highlights of Minneapolis include Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and Stone Arch Bridge with 23 arches stretching 640 metres across the Mississippi. Don’t miss the neighbouring city of St Paul, which boasts the second largest unsupported marble dome in the world at the Minnesota State Capitol, as well as a Renaissance-style Cathedral.

Ready to explore further? Browse Journeyscape’s range of Holidays to the Great Lakes.