Over 300 miles lengthy and touching three US states, Lake Michigan is the world’s largest lake set in a single nation – so it’s not shocking we spent most of our Lake Michigan street journey with youngsters reminding ourselves that this huge physique of water wasn’t the ocean.
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In the event you drove the entire 1,100-mile route, you would do it in round 15 hours with out stopping however the place could be the enjoyable in that? As a result of it’s actually not onerous to spend every week (or longer) exploring alongside the Nice Lake’s shores – dubbed the ‘faux-cean’ by a good friend’s daughter.
Whereas there’s lots to tempt on the Michigan facet, we determined to go up by means of Wisconsin, beginning in Chicago, passing Wisconsin’s two largest cities, then heading to fairly Door County on the peninsula between Inexperienced Bay and Lake Michigan. So should you fancy a extra uncommon US street journey with youngsters, right here’s how one can plan a 7-day street journey round Lake Michigan.
In the event you’re planning to rent a automobile on your Lake Michigan street journey with youngsters, certainly one of my favorite websites is Zest Automobile Rental whereas Uncover Vehicles is one other nice comparability web site for automobile rental
Day 1 and a pair of – Chicago
In the event you’re flying internationally (or throughout the US), you’re prone to be touchdown in Chicago – and even when not, you shouldn’t miss a go to to the Windy Metropolis whilst you’re visiting Lake Michigan.
It’s just about on the southern tip of the lake, so it really works nicely should you’re heading up both the west facet into Wisconsin (as we did) or the east facet into Michigan, after which doubling again, or should you deliberate to finish the entire circuit of Lake Michigan.
Alternatively it can save you your Chicago time for the top of the journey, or break up the times to bookend your one week Lake Michigan street journey with youngsters.
There are such a lot of issues to do in Chicago with youngsters that you would simply spend your complete week within the metropolis exploring, however should you solely do just a few issues, contemplate these.
Boat tour
There are few locations higher than the Chicago Riverwalk to walk and benefit from the sunshine. The 1.25 mile path has some nice views of the skyline, in addition to actions and loads of locations to seize some meals alongside the way in which – it’s additionally totally paved and lined with public artwork.
Or head out onto the water itself with a river tour or some kayaking. This 90-minute structure cruise is family-friendly and you may depart from the Riverwalk, whereas there’s additionally a 45-minute structure cruise in order for you a shorter possibility with youthful youngsters – nicely price doing, even should you discover it pouring with rain, as we did.
Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium could now not be the biggest aquarium on the earth, but it surely held that title for years and remains to be one of the spectacular with 32,000 animals inside the aquarium partitions.
You received’t simply see fish, there are displays with birds, snakes, amphibians, together with sharks. The Amazon Rising Exhibit has glass home windows proper all the way down to the ground, so it’s straightforward for youthful youngsters to see what’s occurring, from electrical eels and frogs to small monkeys.
Or drop by the Abbott Oceanarium exhibit to witness dolphins and beluga whales play, earlier than heading to the Wild Reef Exhibit beneath for beautiful corals, sharks and stingrays.
The Polar Play Zone is the right place for little ones to let off steam whereas taking part in costume up and fake (as penguins, after all)! Don’t overlook to go to the contact pool to see what starfish and stingrays really feel like too, plus you’re proper by the lake shore too.
Area Museum
Residence to world well-known 40ft T-Rex skeleton Sue, the expertly curated collections on the Area Museum are unmissable for anybody visiting Chicago with youngsters.
When you’ve mentioned whats up to the 67 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus, essentially the most full T-Rex exhibit on the earth, you may as well see the biggest dinosaur that ever lived, Maximo the Titanosaur.
Then take a stroll to see the mummies and hieroglyphics of the Inside Historical Egypt exhibit, earlier than travelling to the 1800s to go to the Pawnee Earth Lodge, or one of many momentary exhibitions.
Purchase skip-the-line tickets to the Area Museum with free cancellation, together with the possibility to go for a one-hour VIP tour and ticketed exhibitions
Benefit from the views
Wherever you’re in Chicago, you’ll be surrounded by the town’s well-known skyscrapers, which sprung up after the good hearth within the nineteenth century, and gave it its iconic skyline.
However in addition to seeing them from floor degree (and by boat), you possibly can head as much as the highest of a number of to profit from the views from on excessive.
At 1,450 toes tall, the long-lasting Willis Tower – previously generally known as the Sears Tower – has unmatched views out throughout 4 completely different states and as much as 50 miles from its glass Skydeck observatory.
Much more thrilling, head to The Ledge to expertise the exhilarating feeling of standing on high-strength laminated clear glass that juts out 4.3 toes from the 103rd ground, so you possibly can look straight down from 1,353 toes up within the air!
Or take a look at tickets to 360 Chicago, previously the John Hancock Constructing Observatory, 1,000ft above Michigan Avenue the place you may as well get tickets for Tilt – leaning in opposition to the glass because it slowly tilts away from the constructing so there appears to be nothing between you and the bottom – as you possibly can see from my photographs, the views are nonetheless fairly spectacular even should you don’t fancy that.
Spot The Bean
No journey to Chicago is full and not using a cease at Millennium Park. You’ll discover exhibitions and particular programmes of occasions in addition to the beautiful gardens, plus the mesmerising Cloud Gate, higher generally known as The Bean.
It’s price realizing that there are sometimes occasions on through the summer season months, particularly, so the park is just open to ticket-holders – test the town’s calendar should you actually wish to rise up near the Bean as we had been fenced out and needed to be content material with a long-distance peek.
Have some deep dish pizza
Pizza is normally a winner with youngsters anyway, however you shouldn’t miss a slice of Chicago’s well-known deep pan pizza pie whilst you’re within the metropolis.
You received’t be in need of locations to strive it, though Lou Malnati’s payments itself as Chicago’s greatest – it could have been not like some other pizza I’ve had (and I’ve had lots) however I devoured mine. It’s nicely price reserving forward (or get takeaway)… and positively arrive hungry!
That’s solely a style of a few of our favourites with lots extra issues to do in Chicago with youngsters, in addition to close to the town
Day 3 – Chicago-Milwaukee
Wisonsin’s largest metropolis is just round 90 minutes from Chicago and whereas it may not spring to thoughts as essentially the most family-friendly place to spend a while, there are some nice issues to do with youngsters.
Catch a ball recreation
Head to the American Household Area (previously Miller Park) to see a baseball recreation. The Milwaukee Brewers are top-of-the-line groups round this 12 months, however whether or not you’re an avid fan or a complete novice, there’s nothing fairly just like the ambiance, even when (like me!) you’ve by no means seen a single baseball recreation earlier than.
If you wish to go all out, you possibly can e-book parking to go tailgating earlier than the sport, though should you aren’t packing tenting chairs and cooking tools, it’s additionally straightforward to seize some meals inside too. And if there isn’t a recreation on throughout your go to, you may as well have a look round on a tour.
Go to a brewery
Milwaukee has a variety of breweries, which suggests a variety of brewery excursions and whilst you may not instantly assume it’s an amazing concept with youngsters, quite a lot of are family-friendly.
We headed to Lakefront Brewery with loads of households consuming within the bar as nicely. Whereas I wouldn’t take a toddler onto the tour, tweens and youths may discover out extra about what goes into brewing – evidently, they will’t strive the samples included with the tour (adults do want ID) though there are non-alcoholic alternate options.
And there’s lots for grown-ups to strive, each right here and utilizing tokens within the bar. The Bumblebear, made with actual honey, bought the thumbs up from me, though there’s every part from darkish beer to IPAs to lagers to extra beers than I may title, in addition to take a look at batches. Or go to for the Friday barbeque, full with polka music (reservations important).
Try a museum
There are many nice museums in Milwaukee as nicely, from the Betty Brinn Kids’s Museum, nice for youthful youngsters, to the Milwaukee Public Museum for a style of historical past, from prehistoric instances to Outdated Milwaukee and on.
Or Discovery World is correct on the shores of Lake Michigan, with loads of likelihood for youths to get fingers on among the many science and know-how displays.
And for one thing a bit completely different? How concerning the Harley Davidson Museum, based in Milwaukee – youthful ones will benefit from the creativeness station, whereas teenagers can admire the historical past and designing their very own customized creation. For one thing severely quirky, you would even head to the Nationwide Bobblehead Corridor of Fame & Museum.
Take a tour
With solely sooner or later in Milwaukee, there are some enjoyable excursions to introduce you to the town. This two-hour tour of Milwaukee mixes a strolling tour and a bus tour, so you possibly can see among the highlights shut up in addition to protecting a bit extra floor than you’d handle on foot alone.
Or strive a Milwaukee meals tour, wandering round Downtown Milwaukee as you strive a string of Wisconsin specialities, brats and cheese curds to barbeque, and custard.
Go to a water park
In case your youngsters love water parks, save a while to go simply outdoors Milwaukee to Springs Water Park with an enormous 45,000 sq. toes to take pleasure in, from a chilled-out lazy river to extra thrilling rides, whirlpools and extra.
There’s an amazing splash zone for youths, with water cannons, a 600 gallon dump bucket and extra water play areas, in addition to a lily pad rope stroll in one other space. Set within the Ingleside Resort, it’s round 20 miles from Milwaukee itself, so a simple drive to suit into your Lake Michigan street journey with youngsters.
Get extra concepts of family-friendly issues to do in Milkwaukee right here as nicely, together with the zoo and methods to discover the lakefront
Day 4 – Milwaukee to Madison
Round an hour or so additional north is Wisconsin’s state capital, Madison, a college city that’s a beautiful place to walk round and discover.
Begin by testing the state capitol constructing – the dome is the largest within the US by quantity. It’s open to the general public and there are free excursions, or head as much as the sixth ground statement deck should you’re visiting throughout summer season. It’s price realizing that should you go to on a Saturday, there’s additionally a preferred farmer’s market within the sq. across the capitol.
Then stroll down vibrant State Road, which is full of quirky unbiased outlets, plus loads of locations to eat and drink. Hold an eye fixed out for the fudge shops, in addition to all of the statues of Bucky Badger, the mascot of the College of Wisconsin-Madison crew.
There’s additionally a sculpture of a badger with its cub, which is quite extra true to life, proper all the way down to the claws and mini snarl, quite than the cheery black and white striped ones!
We stopped for lunch at Dotty Dumplings Dowry, which – regardless of the title – has some nice burgers. Get the cheese curds as nicely, an addictively good Wisconsin speciality.
Then head all the way down to the waterfront and the college Union constructing – anybody is welcome to wander inside. Decide up a cone at Babcock Corridor ice cream, then head out to the brightly colored chairs on the again by the lakeside. There’s additionally a German beer corridor if the climate isn’t so good.
When the solar’s shining, hire a kayak, paddleboard or canoe and discover Mendota or Monona Lake (Madison is certainly one of solely two main US cities to be constructed on an isthmus, set between the 2 lakes), calm down at BB Clarke park with its sandy seashore, or discover the paths at UW-Madison Arboretum.
If exploring the realm received’t preserve your youngsters entertained, there are many different household sights in Madison too – spot polar bears on the Henry Vilas Zoo or take a look at the interactive displays at Madison Kids’s Museum.
Or with older youngsters, head out on a spooky Madison: Haunts and Terrors strolling tour to find ghostly happenings and ghoulish tales from throughout the town’s historical past.
In search of suggestions on your Lake Michigan street journey with youngsters? Try my recommendation on planning a street journey with youngsters, my street journey packing listing, street journey actions for youths and the greatest street journey snacks for youths
Day 5 – Madison to Door County
Persevering with additional north, Door County is without doubt one of the prettiest components of not simply Wisonsin however all of America – lakefront communities the place it’s all about native companies quite than chains, a chilled-out lifestyle, and having fun with the countryside.
You’ll be able to velocity up the freeway however you’d be lacking out, so take the street to Manitowoc and Two Rivers, earlier than following the coast previous Alaska and Algoma in the direction of Sturgeon Bay – cease to stretch your legs right here, seize some lunch at Sonny’s Pizza, and stroll down third Avenue for extra souvenirs, espresso and window procuring.
In the event you’ve bought time, you would look in on the free Door County Historic Museum, the place youngsters can lock one another within the jail cell, in addition to discovering a bit extra concerning the space. Or hike a part of the Sturgeon Bay part of the Ice Age Path, which begins right here and stretches for 1,200 miles – look out for the mammoth statue by Sonny’s.
Then cross from the lake shore over to the bay shore heading in the direction of Egg Harbor, and proceed north by means of Fish Creek. In the event you fancy a break, take a look at the family-friendly Door County trolley excursions – there’s a 30-minute possibility in Egg Harbor.
In the direction of the northern tip, Ephraim and Sister Bay are simply two of the prettiest locations to remain, with some nice locations to eat in Sister Bay – attempt to go to outdoors peak season although, when the crowds descend.
We stayed throughout late Might after Memorial Day weekend when the climate was attractive and in every single place had opened up after the winter however peak season hadn’t fairly begun. From mid June, when the US faculties break up, till round October when the final leaf peepers have headed residence, you possibly can anticipate to need to share these little communities with a variety of others.
And should you assume your youngsters may be bored away from the cities, there’s lots to do – in truth, like my daughter, you’ll be wishing you’d stayed longer.
Nowhere is simply too far-off, so it’s straightforward to start out exploring after arriving from Madison, plus you’ll have time over the subsequent two days, together with a go to to Washington Island (see beneath), earlier than heading again to Chicago.
Cave Level
As soon as, way back, this space of Wisconsin was deep below water on the equator – pushed north over tens of millions of years, as we speak you’re getting a have a look at historical seabed by the shores of Lake Michigan.
Worn away by the crashing of the waves, Cave Level is a implausible place to discover with youngsters – simply certainly one of my daughter’s favourites – with jutting rock ledges, some attractive viewpoints and trails main by means of the woods. You’ll be able to even spot fossils within the rocks as you go.
It goes with out saying to watch out if the climate’s unhealthy or you probably have youthful youngsters. In the event you’re visiting with older youngsters, you possibly can kayak round Cave Level (this tour is open to all ages, however because it lasts 2 1/2 hours, I wouldn’t strive it with little ones personally).
Cease in at Bailey’s Harbor on the way in which there or again – there are some nice locations to eat and a few cute outlets to select up souvenirs
Eagle Tower, Peninsula State Park
Towering 60 toes above the Peninsula State Park, Eagle Tower is an effective way to take in the views out over Inexperienced Bay and in the direction of fairly Ephraim.
There are 96 steps up, or an 850 foot accessible ramp with data boards dotted alongside: we selected to stroll up the steps and stroll down the ramp to get the perfect of each worlds.
Peninsula Park has some straightforward trails to comply with by means of the woodland, together with a two-mile loop from the parking zone by Eagle Tower, plus shorter trails, in addition to extra viewpoints dotted round too. You’ll want a allow to go to, however you will get day passes to the state park (at the moment $13 for the day for autos with out of state license plates).
If you wish to see Peninsula State Park from one other angle, head out on a kayaking tour from Ephraim, operating alongside Eagle Path to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse – appropriate for all ages, though once more, I’d recommend it with older youngsters as you’d kayaking by means of Inexperienced Bay to get there
Play mini golf
I’m unsure the place I’ve seen so many mini golf programs in such a small area – Sister Bay has a number of, Fish Creek has its personal, as does Ephraim. My daughter is a big fan, so we performed a pair throughout our keep.
Pirates Cove in Sister Bay was simply the perfect – actually enjoyable, simply difficult sufficient with out being too irritating and loads of pirate theming throughout the 18 holes.
The 18-hole Evergreen course at Fish Creek is wheelchair accessible, which is a superb contact, and has spinners with further challenges and obstacles each few holes, in addition to the potential for knocking just a few factors off your rating.
Take a ship tour
Together with the kayak excursions, there are some nice boat journeys to discover Door County from the water. This 90-minute boat tour round Peninsula State Park contains some historical past of the realm, in addition to a bit on the geology of the Niagara escarpment (because it’s recognized) plus some nice views. For a shorter possibility, this hour-long cruise from Fish Creek takes you to the Strawberry Islands.
Or head out on a two-hour cruise from Sister Bay in the direction of Plum Island Lighthouse and the notorious ‘Dying’s Door’ crossing, which supplies the county its title.
Eat some cherries
You’ll drive previous infinite cherry orchards as you discover Door County – go to in early Might and you may see them in blossom, or journey later within the 12 months and you may decide your individual.
Everytime you go to, there are farm outlets galore to select up every part from cherry pie to cherry salsa.
Spot the rooftop goats
Hold an eye fixed out for the goats grazing on the roof at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay – the sloping roofs are grassed over, and should you go to throughout daytime whereas the restaurant is open, you’ve bought a great likelihood of recognizing just a few of the herd nonchalantly munching away.
We beloved the Swedish pancakes on the menu inside too, though should you handle to go away with out shopping for a fluffy memento goat on your youngsters, you’re doing higher than I did!
Go to a vineyard
Door County is on an analogous latitude as northern Portugal, an space well-known for its wines. And whereas wine rising is lots newer right here, there are a complete string of wineries to cease off and luxuriate in just a few tastings should you fancy.
Not a fan of wine? There’s additionally cider, beer and whisky brewed and distilled round right here too.
Day 6 – Washington Island
One among my favorite days out in Door County throughout our Lake Michigan street journey with youngsters was heading to its northernmost level, Washington Island.
It’s solely a brief drive from Ephraim and Sister Bay to the ferry from North Level over to the island, with some pretty views through the 30-minute journey (they pack the automobiles in tight, so hop out quick if it’s busy!). Or you will get the passenger ferry from Gills Rock.
There are bikes and golf buggies to rent on the island, or it’s straightforward to drive round should you’re taking your automobile. There’s additionally the Washington Island Cherry Prepare Excursions, which has at the least three stops and guided commentary, lasting as much as two hours.
Don’t miss Schoolhouse Seaside with its completely clean curved stones – nice for skimming, constructing cairns or simply lobbing into the extremely clear turquoise water! Or take a wander alongside the quick Heritage Mountain climbing Path within the woods, which may be very child-friendly.
You’ll additionally move a lavender farm as you discover the island, and you may have a look contained in the previous Put up Workplace too, earlier than grabbing one thing to eat or drink – burgers and ice cream at Albatross Drive In, espresso and baked items at Purple Cup, whereas throughout the island Jackson Harbor Soup has nice views and (as its title suggests) nice soup!
Permit at the least half a day, together with loads of time for the ferry crossings, however you might also be capable of slot in some extra of the issues to do round Door County when you head again to the mainland
Day 7 – Door County
In case you have time earlier than setting off, profit from it by visiting just a few extra Door County sights from the Day 5 listing above.
Bought extra time? As an alternative of heading south from Door County straight again to Chicago, take the street north from Inexperienced Bay to cross over to Michigan and its forests and state parks. Go to Mackinac Island and take the bridge throughout the Straits of Mackinac to the east facet of Lake Michigan, the place you’ll discover Traverse Metropolis (additionally well-known for its cherries) and Grand Rapids, amongst different stops.
The drive again to Chicago airport takes round 4 hours, relying on visitors, so you probably have an in a single day flight residence, you possibly can nonetheless match one thing in earlier than hitting the freeway south or alongside your route.
Alternatively, you would plan your Chicago days on the finish of this street journey round Lake Michigan, once you’re over the jetlag, so that you’re again within the metropolis within the run-up to your flight.
For an additional street journey from Chicago with youngsters, take a look at my itinerary for a Midwest street journey
Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own, primarily based on our personal Lake Michigan street journey with youngsters
Foremost picture/Downtown Milwaukee/cherry bushes courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels