Classic Great Lakes Self-Drive
Member Savings
Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)
Overview
What's this trip about?
Compare to similar trips
Details
View Similar Trips
Itinerary
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Chicago.
Spend the day exploring Chicago. Don't miss taking an architecture boat trip on the Chicago River to admire, and learn all about, Chicago's superb twentieth century buildings. This evening, perhaps take in a baseball game at Wrigley Field or enjoy this buzzing city's excellent restaurants and nightlife.
Enjoy another day in the 'windy city'. Visit 360 Chicago, one of the city's tallest buildings, for far-reaching views of Navy Pier, the beaches along Lake Michigan, and the buildings and shops of the Magnificent Mile. No visit is complete without seeing Cloud Gate, or simply 'the bean' in Millennium Park.
Collect your hire car and drive along the southern and eastern coasts of Lake Michigan to the little town of Whitehall. After leaving greater Chicago there are some lovely smaller settlements and places of interest to explore en route such as Saugatuck Dunes State Park.
Drive north along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan to Traverse City, with the settlements getting smaller and more rural as you drive north. You may wish to stop at Ludington Sate Park and the little town of Manistee on the way for lovely views over Lake Michigan.
Spend a full day exploring the amazing, and huge, sand dunes in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. You may wish to take the ferry to the little islands of North and South Manitou or take the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Other options include a visit to Grand Traverse Lighthouse or go wine tasting at some of the nearby wineries.
Enjoy another scenic lake-edge drive today as you make your way to Mackinac Island. This coastline is dotted with small villages and pretty state parks. Park your car at Mackinaw City and then take the foot passenger ferry over to Mackinac Island. The afternoon is free to explore this car-free island.
Mackinac Island is a delightful natural retreat, with plenty of lovely walking and cycling paths affording magical sea views. Most of the island is a state park and transportation is confined to horse and carriage. Visit historic Fort Mackinac and the island's lovely limestone bluffs and emerald green forests.
Return to your car and drive across the Straits of Mackinac to Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This is a delightfully scenic drive through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and past Munising Falls and Rock River Falls Canyon.
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is lightly populated and full of picturesque forests, lakes and mountains. Its many state parks are a haven for wildlife including black bears, wolves, and birdlife. Moose in particular thrive in large numbers here. There is also a wide vari...
Head inland, away from Lake Superior, today as you drive south to Green Bay. You may wish to stop at Escanaba River State Park before crossing into Wisconsin. This afternoon explore the Green Bay Botanical Garden, visit Heritage Hill State Historical Park or take in a National Football League Green Bay Packers game.
Leaving Green Bay, drive along the Door Peninsula to the little town of Ephraim. This scenic peninsula has 300 miles of shoreline, 11 lighthouses, and is known for its cherry and apple orchards. There are five state parks that provide opportunities for walking, cycling, swimming and fishing.
Drive along the western shore of Lake Michigan to the city of Milwaukee. There is time this afternoon to explore this lakefront city and enjoy its resurgent shops, restaurants and nightlife.
Spend a day exploring Milwaukee including the Pabst Theater, the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Greek Orthodox Church, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The highlight for many though is the Harley Davidson museum which celebrates over 100 years of these iconic motorcycles.
Continue your drive south along the shore of Lake Michigan back to Chicago. Drop off your hire car prior to boarding your onward flight.
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Audley Travel Reviews & Ratings
Other Audley Travel Reviews
Trip of a lifetime to Mexico!
Absolutely amazing two week trip to Mexico. Phoebe was very knowledgeable and helped us plan a fabulous itinerary. The hotels she'd recommended were perfect and in e...
10/10 to Audley travel
10/10 to Audley travel. Louise and Robyn put together a trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar for us. The whole experience was amazing from start to finish. We did an 8 day ...
Exceptional company that listened…
Exceptional company that listened carefully to our ideas and formulated an amazing itinerary as a result. Every detail was thought of resulting in an extraordinary t...
Travelers also viewed
Tour Operator
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations
