Experience Nature and Adventure and Family Fun in The Great Lakes

Overview

The Great Lakes Region is made up of the five major lakes in the Midwest, Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, together they are the largest body of interconnected freshwater. Nestled along the United States and Canada border in East Central North America, where four of the lakes can be seen from Ontario. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will find an abundance of activities in this region with plenty of things to see and do, fantastic destinations to visit, and endless opportunities for family fun in the great outdoors. The Great Lakes Region is made up of the five major lakes in the Midwest, Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, together they are the largest body of interconnected freshwater. Nestled along the United States and Canada border in East Central North America, where four of the lakes can be seen from Ontario. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will find an abundance of activities in this region with plenty of things to see and do, fantastic destinations to visit, and endless opportunities for family fun in the great outdoors.

The Great Lakes are an iconic destination in the Northern midwest connecting visitors to eight states that share their shorelines with at least one of the Great Lakes. They include New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. This region contains 7 National Parks, dozens of lakeshores, monuments, memorials, museums, and other quirky attractions. The Great Lakes are a great destination for fun-filled family trips like no other with over 3,000 miles of coastline leading to beaches, boating, swimming, fishing, and some quaint small towns. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities to check out in the region with amusement parks, water parks, recreational parks, and more.

The Great Lakes offer a broad spectrum of recreational activities on the water such as power boating, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and diving. The beauty and nature of the lakes are so serene, immerse yourself in nature and the spectacular surrounding scenery of the verdant forest and abundant shorelines.

The Great Lakes region leads visitors to spectacular National Parks, hidden cascading waterfalls, small-town beach resorts, fabulous art galleries, and ample water sports opportunities like boating, canoeing, and even scuba diving. There are thousands of places of interest along the shorelines to experience a wide spectrum of unforgettable and totally travel-worthy vacation memories. The Great Lakes also provide crucial wildlife habitat and a scenic backdrop for a wide variety of outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, and kayaking. The clarity of the pristine waters, with the silence of the forested wilderness, types of wildlife that can be seen include moose, deer, bears, eagles, and migratory birds.

Things to See and Do

Visit Gibraltar Island on the shores of Lake Erie and check out the historical sites. The island is named after the famous Rock of Gibraltar and is a great place to visit in Ohio’s Great Lakes region. The tiny islands offer different tours that allow visitors to soak up the spectacular views of the island and learn all about its deep history. There is a castle on the island worth visiting.

Experience Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore a take a guided tour of the 400-foot-high coastal Sleeping Bear Dunes located on Lake Michigan. Visit Isle Royale National Park to get a glimpse of the wildlife including bears and moose, this little-visited park lets you get back in touch with nature. Take a leisurely cruise to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a boat trip around Wisconsin’s pretty lighthouse-studded islands.

Visit some of the many incredible lighthouses dotted around the Great Lakes such as Superior Entry Lighthouse which is an excellent destination for those who want to see a landmark and to soak up the beauties nestled on Lake Superior’s shores. A walk on rocks is required to reach the lighthouse, a unique walk along the stones is a fun outdoor activity, and exploring the lighthouse and grounds is even more fun. Be sure to visit the lighthouse before sunset for one of the most awe-inspiring sunsets in the region.

Visit the Apostle Islands which consist of 22 Lake Superior Islands situated off the Bayfield Peninsula in Northern Wisconsin. The waters here have weathered the sandstone rock formations that create a unique system of caves across multiple islands. Here visitors can find anything from caves, to trail systems and so much to explore. Get around the islands on a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle boarding and take a guided tour through the most famous feature the Apostle Islands have to offer. These 22 Islands all have their own unique characteristics, with breathtaking features.

The Big Spring known as Kitch-iti-kipi has many meanings in the Chippewa language; Mirror of Heaven, The Great Water, The Blue Sky I See, The Roaring, Big Cold Water, and Bubbling Springs. This famous freshwater spring is located on the southern side of the Upper Peninsula at Palms Book State Park. It is known as The Big Spring as it pumps out over 10,000 gallons of water a minute from fissures under the limestone at 45F!!

The M22 scenic highway is located in Northern Michigan where magic can be found along the way leading to one of the most popular destinations in the Midwest. The highway offers epic views, endless sand dunes, and accessible trails that connect to the family-friendly park. The Leelanau Peninsula is famous for its pristine lakeshores with expansive Lake Michigan views hundreds of feet above sea level. These popular dunes can be quite deceiving, visitors can run or roll down the giant sand hill in minutes, but it can take hours to hike back up!!

Fathom Five National Marine Park< is a National Park located on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. The park is jam-packed with outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, and visiting some of the unique landmarks found here. Visitors have access to a beach and to explore some of the Great Lakes shipwrecks, the park is home to some of the most beautiful views and is an excellent way to experience the landmarks of the Great Lakes.

Harrisville State Park is also located on the shores of Lake Huron in Michigan. The park offers diverse landscapes and is a great place to immerse yourself in the great outdoors with opportunities to hike, camp, swim, and so much more.

Niagara Falls is nestled on the Canadian/New York border, the largest waterfalls on planet Earth flow down from the four Great Lakes to the west, traveling through the Niagara River towards Lake Ontario. There were over 5.5 billion gallons of water per hour that flowed through the falls before the US and Canada started diverting water for power. Take the iconic Maid in the Mist boat adventure at the base of the falls gets you right in the action.

The Bruce Peninsula is a vast 60-mile stretch of land that separates Georgian Bay from Lake Superior. The northeast side of this unique Great Lakes lakeshore is home to some world-famous features like The Grotto. The park is very well preserved. The Great Lakes Natural Wonder, the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore, is a 42-mile stretch of shoreline on Lake Superior. Enjoy the massive trail system of the North Country Trail. This coastline is epic and can be explored on foot or by guided kayak tour, and daily cruise expeditions.

Swimming

Swimming is also a popular activity on the lakes during the summertime with some stunning beaches to visit for the day, the waters of the Great Lakes envelop your soul while absorbing the breathtaking natural landscapes. The clean, freshwaters of the Great Lakes are a must for swimming opportunities, cooling off from a hot summer's day, or jumping in and out during a polar bear dip in the icy, annual tradition!! The region boasts some incredible sandy and rocky beaches where visitors can relax, take a dip, and enjoy a picnic on the lakeshores with the family. Snorkeling in the Great Lakes is one of the best water activities to experience. Dive into the mesmerizing freshwaters with unique locations that allow access to seeing preserved shipwrecks.

Hiking

Go Hiking through the Great Lakes Region and transport yourself through some of the most breathtaking views that these tranquil lakes have to offer. Check out the mighty waves on Lake Superior, watch them crash against the cragged rocks below, and soak up that soothing sound. The vast amount of environments in the Great Lakes region offers everything from marshes to old-growth forests, meadows to rock outcrops, and plenty of parks that surround the lakes and offer spectacular views of the scenery.

There are many endless winding trails that weave their way through the region, they range from easy to advanced. Hiking the Great Lakes region will transport you to some of the most breathtaking views the lakes have to offer, like the mighty waves of Lake Superior crashing against the rocks below. There are a wide variety of environments in the area, from marshes to old-growth forests, from meadows to rocky outcrops. Many of the parks surrounding the lakes contain outlook spots that provide breathtaking views. There are seemingly endless trails winding their way through the region, ranging from easy to advanced.

The Empire Buff Trail sits on the southern end of the Sleeping Bear Lakeshore, a 1.5-mile round trip hike above sea level offering spectacular panoramic views of the majestic sand dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Cycling

Cycle the Great Lakes region is one of the best and most immersive ways to experience the area. Cycling in this region is so much fun and offers something for everyone and all abilities. There are trails ranging in difficulty from easy-going boardwalks, to challenging mountain-biking courses. Enjoy thousands of breathtaking cycling trails dotted throughout the Great Lakes region including the famous Waterfront Trail which extends over 2,236 miles from the shores of Lake Superior all the way around the remaining Great Lakes to the St Lawrence River.

Camping

Go Camping!!! The Great Lakes are the gateway to so many fantastic camping destinations found in the thick forests, along the beaches and shorelines, atop rocky outcrops, and even on islands. South Manitou Island is set on the sparkling shorelines of Lake Michigan offering endless camping fun! The island has many attractions to discover and is great for outdoor lovers! The clear fresh waters, verdant forests, endless hiking trails, and more. There are many unique camping spots in the Great Lakes region for the perfect camping getaway. Camp at Harrington Beach State Park on Lake Michigan, this is an excellent outdoor destination for adventure with campsites, woods, beaches, and hiking trails. Campers can go biking, and bird watching, and enjoy a number of water activities such as swimming and kayaking. There are cabins available for rent, for those who do not wish to camp outdoors.

Boating

The Great Lakes boasts miles and miles of coastline which leads visitors to a ton of great beaches such as Empire Beach, Orchard Beach, and Rogers City Beach. Spending a day relaxing on any one of these beautiful beaches allows for sunbathing, sandcastles, swimming, picnics, and so much more. Boating in the Great Lakes is one of the best activities due to the vast lakes and gateway to so many spectacular destinations. A family day out on the boat can be one of the greatest ways to enjoy the waters. There are options for rent boats, as well as guided tours and lessons on every type of boat such as sailboats, pontoon boats, and power boats. Explore the lakes at your leisure by boat and enjoy all the spectacular surrounding views.

Fishing

The Great Lakes boasts miles and miles of coastline which leads visitors to a ton of great beaches such as Empire Beach, Orchard Beach, and Rogers City Beach. Spending a day relaxing on any one of these beautiful beaches allows for sunbathing, sandcastles, swimming, picnics, and so much more. Boating in the Great Lakes is one of the best activities due to the vast lakes and gateway to so many spectacular destinations. A family day out on the boat can be one of the greatest ways to enjoy the waters. There are options for rent boats, as well as guided tours and lessons on every type of boat such as sailboats, pontoon boats, and power boats. Explore the lakes at your leisure by boat and enjoy all the spectacular surrounding views.

Amusement Parks

Amusement Parks can be found dotted around the Great Lakes region; perfect for families with children that seek fun and adventure. Cedar Point Amusement Park never disappoints its young thrill seekers!! There are over a dozen roller coasters, this park is a dream come true for teens and tweens. There is Snoopy Space Race and Snoopy Bounce for the little kids to enjoy some slow-paced fun. The park offers an abundance of family rides, along with plenty of vendors to grab lunch, drinks, and snacks. There are plenty of different theme parks to choose from including Great American Adventures where visitors can ride go-karts, golf at the indoor driving range, mini golf, and check out Water Wars for an exciting water balloon battle. Legoland Discovery Center is located in Michigan, the ultimate indoor LEGO playground. Sea Life Michigan is the largest aquarium in Michigan featuring over 250 species including sharks, rays, seahorses, and over 12 interactive exhibits.