Everything You Must Do on Lake Michigan This Summer

Those coastal folks can keep their salty , shark - ridden , tropical - storming oceans . Who require an sea when there are international nautical mile upon mile of pristine , fresh Lake Michigan shoreline for you to explore ? Whether you ’re enter on a Midwest circle tour of Indiana , Michigan , Wisconsin , and Illinois , or simply design a weekend getaway , here ’s everything you should be doing on thegreatestof the Great Lakes this summertime .

Take in theAir & Water Show

Chicago , ILThe one-year Air & Water Show is the second - largest festival in Chicago , and arguably the most famous one-year issue on the lake . It ’s free to attend , and boast both military and civilian daredevil pilots and escape stunting , historic aircrafts , and parachute teams , as well as boat - jumping and water - skiing . While much of the activity can be determine from anywhere on the lakefront , the event itself is free-base on North Avenue Beach … although , permit ’s be literal , the best place to consider it is from a sauceboat .

Take a hike atIllinois Beach State Park

Zion , ILWhile Illinois Beach State Park ’s 39,600 ft of beach access code make it the long public swimming area of any province park , many visitors come to hike up or stay overnight at the campground . The ballpark ’s five mile of tramp lead give visitor the chance to explore a singular landscape painting of marshes , wood biography , and prairie complete with prickly pear cacti , which apparently subsist in the Midwest . If rough it on a camping area is n’t your manner , you may opt to stay at the Illinois Beach Resort , which happens to be the only refuge on Lake Michigan .

Ride the 18-mile lakefront trail

Chicago , ILWhile Chicagoans do n’t always gibe on much , there is one thing they can all agree on : the Lakefront Trail is one of the absolute best ways to see the city . The paved lakefront route extends from the Ardmore St in Edgewater on the North Side all the way to 71st St , just south of beautiful Jackson Park . The route will take you past 18 miles of beautifully developed lakefront , let in a variety of sandy beach , recreation area , harbors , museum , car park , and plenty of chance for nifty shots of the Chicago skyline . Do n’t have a bike ? No problem ! you could rent one on the fly from any one of the unnumberable Divvy station place throughout the arena .

Get lost among the sand dunes

Chesterton , INDespite being just a light drive away from Chicago , Indiana Dunes National Lakeshoreappears to be worlds off . The park features 15 miles of coastline , great swimmable beaches , majestic sand dune , and a whopping 70 mile of hiking trails . Be sure to heed park warning and hold in for resolution , unless you ’re looking to literally get lost inside the backbone sand dune .

Hedge your bets atBlue Chip Casino

Michigan City , INBlue Chip Casino , Hotel & Spa is a favorite weekend getaway for those who want a bit more action after a daytime at the beach . Thanks to Blue Chip ’s faithful proximity to Indiana ’s good beaches , two golf game course of action , and Washington Park Zoo , visitors can spend their days in the sun , then remove up the casino ’s tables , restaurants , or night club in the eventide .

Explore a beachside artists' haven

Saugatuck , MIIn the late 1800s , this tiny township became a seaport for Chicago artists , earning it the nickname “ The Art Coast of Michigan . " It ’s easy to see what first attracted ocular creative person to the area : Saugatuck ’s Oval Beach was recently named one of the 25 best shorelines in the populace byConde Nast Travelermagazine . Over a one C by and by , the small town keep up its reputation as an artists ’ harbour by playing legion to stacks ofindependent art galleries .

Go off-roading atSilver Lake Sand Dunes

Mears , MIWhile Silver Lake Sand Dunes attracts plenty of beach - goer , many visitors prefer to explore all 2,000 land of the park ’s desert - like terrain by ORV , particularly since they ’re the only sand dune east of the Mississippi that permit visitors to drive private motorized vehicle during summertime month . While there are plenty of vender offer dune buggy rentals for solo adventures , first - timer – and those of us who are scared of tip over – can opt to take a lead dune drive .

Drink through a guided tour of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail

Leelanau Peninsula , MIWhile Midwest wine maker certainly do n’t have the same reputation as , say , Napa , Michigan actually happens to be an ideal environment to turn vino grapes given that it ’s on the same parallel as the wine-coloured region of France and Italy . While there ’s a handyLeelanau Peninsula Wine Trail Mapyou can follow , your good wager is to take a maneuver ( read : drive around ) tour so you could actually taste the goods .

Dine in a French Renaissance castle

Charlevoix , MICharlevoix is one of the more unique beach towns located along Lake Michigan . While you could get your fill of sun , breakers , and moxie at beautiful Fisherman ’s Island State Park , it ’s worth setting aside plenty of time to explore the Ithiel Town itself , which features a embarrassment of funky little “ mushroom house ” that look like something straight out of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tarradiddle . Speaking of fairy tales : visitors can book a tour and dinner party atCastle Farms , a French Renaissance - dash rook build up in 1918 by Albert Henry Loeb , former VP of Sears , Roebuck and Company .

Celebrate the 4th of July at an original Revolutionary War fort

Mackinac Island , MIIf you ’re going to celebrate Independence Day , there ’s no respectable place to do it than atFort Mackinac , which was take by the Brits throughout the Revolutionary War . Visitors can see a 38 - shooter salutation and soldier demonstrations , then savour firework from the shoreline or one of several fireworks cruises . practiced of all , Mackinac Island – which is locate on the border between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan – is 100 % car - gratis , meaning you wo n’t get stuck in hellacious post - fireworks traffic . While you ’re there , be trusted to terminate by The Pink Pony Bar & Grill , one of the most iconic parallel bars in Michigan .

Pitch a tent atHiawatha National Forest

Gladstone , MISpanning a whopping 880,000 landed estate , Hiawatha National Forest offer diverse scene , feature acres of beautiful timber , as well as snowy sand beach and spans of beautiful , unexploited shoreline . In addition to offering cabins as well as a traditional campground , there ’s also the option to partake in what the Department of Agriculture refer to as " naive camping " , something in all likelihood best saved for people who either did n’t drop out of Boy / Girl Scouts , or wish to pretend they ’re on an episode ofAlaskan Bush People .

Take a ferry to Washington Island andRock Island State Park

Door County , WILocated six miles off mainland , Washington Island is the largest and most popular of Door County ’s 30 islands . Home to just 660 lasting occupant , the island is the only one inhabited class - round . From Washington Island , visitor can take a passenger ferry to the historical , uninhabited island of Rock Island State Park . Before direct back to mainland , be sure to arrest and get your “ Bitters Club Card ” at Nelsen ’s Hall Bitters Pub on Washington Island .

Kayak toCave Point County Park

Sturgeon Bay , WIYes , that is really Wisconsin . Cave Point County Park is contiguous to the more popular Whitefish Dunes State Park , yet tends to get missed by many visitors . One of the out-and-out best ways to visit the park is by kayak , as this give you the chance to search the ocean cave , which are n’t seeable by land . agree toDoor County Kayak Tours , the water in this domain is calm , making it a great tour for beginners .

Ponder the origins of the name Egg Harbor while picking cherries

Door County , WINot only is Door County famous for its tart Montmorency cherries , but it ’s likely one of the more beautiful areas in the US to go cherry - picking . Once you ’ve apprehend enough cherry tree to last you a lifetime , head over to Egg Harbor and sip some Door County Cherry Wheat beer atShipwrecked Brew Pub . Does anyone else see Humpty Dumpty being floated into a dock when they get wind the name Egg Harbor , or are we just weird ?

Eat a kringle on North Beach

Racine , WIGiven that Racine take place to be the kringle capital of the US , and North Beach happens to be one of the top beaches in America according toUSA Today , it ’s only natural to combine both together for maximum Dominicus / sugar - coma pleasure . While you ’ll find a handful of bakeries offering Kringle in Racine , O&H Danish Bakeryis one of the more democratic options . While research all 2,500 Akka of shoreline at North Beach , be trusted to stop by the Beachside Oasis , which boast hot medicine , food , cocktail , and a kid ’ play area .

Learn how to fish with Brew City Charters

Milwaukee , WIIf you ’ve always desire to try capable - water fishing , but are completely clueless , the team atBrew City Chartersis more than felicitous to act as the granddaddy you never had . They ’ll teach you everything from how to identify Pisces to how to set a sauceboat and use GPS . While you may not walk aside a sportfishing professional , you ’ll likely come home with some yummy salmon or trout . Plus , you’re able to always head to Lakefront Brewing for a brewery tour , some cold ace , and a fish small fry .

signalize up herefor our daily Milwaukee e-mail and be the first to get all the intellectual nourishment / drink / fun in the Brew City .

chicago air and water show