Destinations
❮Main Menu
When it comes to The Great Lakes Region, think of 11,000 miles of stunning coastline filled with towering sand dunes, jagged cliffs, fairy-tale lighthouses, hiking trails, endless water activities, and plenty of stunning destinations to visit. The Great Lakes are an ideal vacation destination for families to explore the great outdoors through different activities, so many things to see and do, and plenty of adventure to be sought out. Discover nature and adventure through these spectacular states in the Midwest, a diverse area is home to America’s 5 Great Lakes which offers everything from snorkeling to shipwrecks, star gazing, stunning beaches, islands, boat rides, and more. Check out the things to see and do in the Great Lakes region and get out and explore some of the most incredible places in the US.
You can learn more about Nature and Adventure in The Great Lakes by clicking here.
Discover the heart of America, fondly referred to as the Prairie state, Illinois is home to stunning skyscrapers, fantastic cultural attractions, and exciting outdoor adventures.
The Midwestern state of Indiana is home to many hidden gems and fantastic culture. Eat some pie in the Amish Country, meditate in Bloomington’s Tibetan temples, and admire the big architecture in Columbus.
Michigan is the home of many fantastic things to see and do - majestic lakes, beautiful diverse landscape, fabulous food, hidden gems, and quirky locales, just to name a few.
Minnesota is a place for adventure travel, culture, entertainment, and thrill. Explore the wilderness of the state, including Superior National Forest and the North Shore of Lake Superior, or cultural attractions, like the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Wisconsin, where residents proudly refer to themselves as “cheeseheads,” produces 2.5 billion pounds of cheese each year. It is home to hundreds of miles of scenic Great Lakes shoreline along Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes and the only one located completely inside the boundaries of the United States. It is referred to as `the Third Coast` and is known for its peaceful lakeside scenes and the best beaches you won`t find on either coast.
Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and the largest freshwater lake in the world. Spanning through three US states Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and a huge portion of the northern Ontario, Canada.
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes and is the Great Lake considered most `off-the-beaten-path`. Much of the area along Lake Huron is rural, with many state parks and forests, federally-protected shores, and campgrounds dotting the eastern coast of Michigan.
Lake Erie is the southernmost of the five Great Lakes. It is connected to the other Great Lakes by the Detroit River and the Niagara River, respectively.
Driving Time
Milwaukee Airport - Lake Michigan Shore North Area: 30 - 50 mins. approx.
Lake Michigan Shore North Area - Green Bay: 40 mins - 1 hr. 25 mins. approx.
Green Bay - Mackinac Straits: 4 hrs. 20 mins. approx.
Mackinac Straits - Traverse City: 2 hrs. 10 mins. approx.
Traverse City - Holland: 2 hrs. 45 mins. approx.
Holland - Grand Rapids Airport: 45 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Detroit - Ann Arbor: 45 mins. approx.
Ann Arbor - Detroit Airport: 35 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Chicago, IL - Illinois State Beach, IL: 1 hrs 3 mins approx.
Illinois State Beach, IL- Lake Michigan Shore South, WI: 3 hr. 8 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Cleveland - Toledo: 1 hr 48 mins. approx.
Toledo – Indiana Dunes: 3 hr. 6 mins. approx.
Indiana Dunes - Chicago: 54 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Milwaukee, WI- Lake Michigan Shore South, WI: 3 hrs. 32 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Boston - Springfield: 1 hrs. 40 mins. approx.
Springfield - Albany: 1 hr. 30 mins. approx.
Albany - Rochester: 3 hrs. 30 mins. approx.
Rochester - Niagara Falls: 1 hr. 35 mins.
Niagara Falls - Buffalo: 25 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Minneapolis - Duluth : 2 hrs. 20 mins. approx.
Duluth - Minneapolis Airport: 2 hr. 25 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Grand Rapids- Kalamazoo: 50 mins. approx.
Kalamazoo - Ann Arbor: 1 hr. 40 mins. approx.
Ann Arbor - Detroit: 45 mins. approx.
The Great Lakes consist of four of the largest lakes in the US; Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Erie all found within the state of Michigan.
Colleges in the Great Lakes regions are pretty impressive, with states such as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin offering some powerhouse schools worth visiting.
There are many charming nostalgic lighthouses to see in the Great Lakes region, they conjure up; memories of a different era and often call to mind the romance of the open water and ships making their way with the lonely lighthouse keepers maintaining a dutiful watch.
Close
more details
