We are leaving soon from 60 miles south of Chicago to land in Tahquamenon Falls, Mackinac, and Sleeping Bear Dunes for our vacation. The options are to travel through Chicago, Milwaulkee, and Green Bay to get to the UP or hug the lake in Indiana to Grand Rapids to I-75 in central Michigan to the UP. The Wisconsin option is 30 min longer (and includes Chicago but I'm not afraid of that). Any roads under heavy construction on either side of the lake that would cause me to take one route more than the other?Thanks for your help. We're looking forward to a great time in cooler temps.Brian

I'd go up US31, US131, or US127 all in Central/Western Michigan.

The only good reason I would see (personally) to travel up the WI side would be if you had some specific sights in mind to stop at along the way. For example, if you wanted to stay a night or two in the Door County peninsula. The western shores tend to be sandy beaches (MI side of L. Mich.) and the eastern shores, I believe, tend to be more stony. Not sure if that will matter to you, just thought I'd mention it.When at Sleeping Bear area, if you'd like to swim, just north of Empire take Voice Rd west to Bar Lake Rd, and north to the N. Bar Lake. This nice little lake is separated from L. Michigan by a sand bar and is much warmer than the big lake, but you can walk just a little ways (maybe 50 yards?) and be at the big lake too. In Mackinaw City, at the dead end by the dock entrance, walk north (left) a half-block to the local bakery. Great pecan rolls and the best homestyle cinnamon bread I've eaten (outside of my sister's kitchen). Mackinac Island is a great place to ride a bike all the way around the island (no cars, nice water views), so take bikes if you have 'em or plan to rent some on the island.If you get as far west as Manistique, the Big Spring at Palms Book SP is worth a visit. Blue-green water so clear you can easily see the fish at the bottom, 40' below. That plus historic Fayette SP would make a nice little day trip.

Thanks for the extra info, Mike. We stopped at Pictured Rocks in 2003. I'd like to eventually do Porcupine Mountains one day. Ecclesiastes is my summer study. Very rich information to ponder!

rexlion wrote:The only good reason I would see (personally) to travel up the WI side would be if you had some specific sights in mind to stop at along the way. For example, if you wanted to stay a night or two in the Door County peninsula. The western shores tend to be sandy beaches (MI side of L. Mich.) and the eastern shores, I believe, tend to be more stony. Not sure if that will matter to you, just thought I'd mention it.When at Sleeping Bear area, if you'd like to swim, just north of Empire take Voice Rd west to Bar Lake Rd, and north to the N. Bar Lake. This nice little lake is separated from L. Michigan by a sand bar and is much warmer than the big lake, but you can walk just a little ways (maybe 50 yards?) and be at the big lake too. In Mackinaw City, at the dead end by the dock entrance, walk north (left) a half-block to the local bakery. Great pecan rolls and the best homestyle cinnamon bread I've eaten (outside of my sister's kitchen). Mackinac Island is a great place to ride a bike all the way around the island (no cars, nice water views), so take bikes if you have 'em or plan to rent some on the island.If you get as far west as Manistique, the Big Spring at Palms Book SP is worth a visit. Blue-green water so clear you can easily see the fish at the bottom, 40' below. That plus historic Fayette SP would make a nice little day trip.I agree with those who say the trip through Michigan is the better route with lots of sandy beaches and many many state parks. Nice two lane roads too. I also second the idea of a visit to Kitchi-Ti-Kippi. However, unless the earth has shifted gears...the West side of Lake Michigan is the Wisconsin side, not the Michigan side. There is actually plenty of sand on both the east and west shores of Lake Michigan (and the south shore too, for that matter), but the statement bolded above has its directions reversed, as far as I can tell.

Live in west central Il. and once we get north of Chicago we take the 2-lane closest to the Lake and forget the interstate. Much more interesting.

Illinois/Wisconsin or Indiana/Michigan - UP Trip

rexlion
Explorer
Jun 10, 2017
The only good reason I would see (personally) to travel up the WI side would be if you had some specific sights in mind to stop at along the way. For example, if you wanted to stay a night or two in the Door County peninsula.

The western shores tend to be sandy beaches (MI side of L. Mich.) and the eastern shores, I believe, tend to be more stony. Not sure if that will matter to you, just thought I'd mention it.

When at Sleeping Bear area, if you'd like to swim, just north of Empire take Voice Rd west to Bar Lake Rd, and north to the N. Bar Lake. This nice little lake is separated from L. Michigan by a sand bar and is much warmer than the big lake, but you can walk just a little ways (maybe 50 yards?) and be at the big lake too.

In Mackinaw City, at the dead end by the dock entrance, walk north (left) a half-block to the local bakery. Great pecan rolls and the best homestyle cinnamon bread I've eaten (outside of my sister's kitchen). Mackinac Island is a great place to ride a bike all the way around the island (no cars, nice water views), so take bikes if you have 'em or plan to rent some on the island.

If you get as far west as Manistique, the Big Spring at Palms Book SP is worth a visit. Blue-green water so clear you can easily see the fish at the bottom, 40' below. That plus historic Fayette SP would make a nice little day trip.
sch911
Explorer
Jun 10, 2017
I'd go up US31, US131, or US127 all in Central/Western Michigan.

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