lake Michigan Routing

ddndoug wrote:
Any thoughts on traveling in the reverse order? (up thru WI and down thru MI) Some members have mentioned that they like to travel this way due to the scenery (in this case the lake shore) being on the same side of the road that you are traveling, in case you want to pull over for scenic outlooks.

Just a thought.


Doug

That is a long way to back an RV:B

But it is a good point about pulling over for scenery.

Any thoughts on traveling in the reverse order? (up thru WI and down thru MI) Some members have mentioned that they like to travel this way due to the scenery (in this case the lake shore) being on the same side of the road that you are traveling, in case you want to pull over for scenic outlooks.

Just a thought.


Doug

At Harris, MI on Hwy 2 there is a casino campground that has reasonable rates for water & electric hookups and they have a dump station. Island Resort Casino. You do not have to go into the casino unless you choose to. They also have a gas station there.

Nothing to add as far as attractions, but after you leave the Dells avoid I-90 between Rockford and Chicago (major construction). Take I-39 South from Rockford instead.

You'll be on a limited access highway until you get to Holland. From there you'll get into some traffic and traffic lights as well as an accessible 4-lane up through Grand Haven. After Grand Haven it will be a limited access highway until the Ludington area. North of Scottville it's 2-lane other than the Traverse City area, but back to 2-lane after TC. Pulling your RV this route shouldn't be a problem as many others are doing the same thing.

As far as attractions go it depends upon what you enjoy doing. There is plenty of opportunity to visit the Lake Michigan shoreline from south to north. Holland State Park beach is a very busy place while the beach space near Ludington State Park is extensive.

South Haven and Saugatuck have downtown tourist interests with eateries, artsy stuff, and other interesting shops as well as on the water marina lifestyles. There is an European windmill in Holland. An amusement park/water park called Michigan Adventure is near Muskegon. There are dune buggy rides near Silver Lake State Park west of Hart. If you like fresh fruits & vegetables you will find plenty of roadside stands, but you need to be off the limited access highways to find them.

Getting up into the northern Lake Michigan area is Sleeping Bear Dunes north of Manistee & Empire. A nice ride is M-22 just north of Manistee near the casino. It winds through a nice countryside, small villages, views of Lake Michigan and takes you to Empire and north to Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. If you want you can climb a very large dune at the dune climb near Glen Lake. The Leelanau peninsula (Michigan's little finger) has wineries, more artsy stuff, and plenty of cherry farms in & around small towns like Glen Arbor, Leland, and Suttons Bay. Traverse City is the largest city in the north country and has most anything you want or need. Towns like Charlevoix and Petoskey are well-known as tourist destinations with all that goes with that. When we lived near Petoskey for about 20 years we liked to go out to dinner in Harbor Springs, just across Little Traverse Bay from Petoskey. Pier One or the New York Café are on the expensive side, but popular. Charlevoix has some nice restaurants too.

The Lake Michigan side of the state has plenty of tourist attractions. You'll see signs for them along your way, but what this area really has to offer is sun, sand, water, woods, and relaxing activities. There aren't what I would call major attractions, but people flock to this area all summer and early fall. I will admit that Mackinac Island and the surrounding area is considered a major attraction though. Following U.S. 2 along northern Lake Michigan you'll find lot of woods, some nice scenery and beaches where the highway runs along the lake. Enjoy your trip!

No problems going up w side of lower pen., and I can't imagine 2 causing you any problems. As far as sights, sleeping bear and mackinac island are don't miss, imo. If your able to go further north in up, I'll add soo locks at Sault Ste. Marie, shipwreck museum at whitefish point, and pictured rocks. Lots of others, too.