Trip to the UP Michigan

sp8gold wrote:
Vandalia is only the first night stop (leaving from Arkansas). Second night is Angola, IN (Pokagon State Park) then on the Mackinaw City. Among the many places we are going, Isle Royal and Apostle Islands are a couple of stops. Appreciate any and all information. Fall would suit me but some of our group still have jobs that limits their travel time.

We went last year in June and were surprised that the bugs weren't bad at all. Only when we stopped at Lake Goegebic State Park were they bad (it was raining too, so that might have juiced them up). I used to work in the woods in the UP 40 years ago and the black flies and mosquitoes in June were horrendous. Had to wear a headnet and use military issue 100% Deet from Vietnam.

But here's a list of places I would recommend. I'll go east to west, since you are coming up from lower Michigan.
Lower Michigan

• go up along Lake Michigan
• Several MI state parks you can stay at on the way up
• Definitely visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Drive the scenic drive in the national lakeshore
• Climb the big dune - if you dare!

Upper Peninsula

• Visit Mackinac Island
• Stay at Straights State Park, which is right on Lake Huron at the foot of the big bridge and very near where you catch the island shuttle

• Travel up I-75 from St. Ignace to Sault Ste Marie
• Visit the locks at the Sault
• Travel West on Tahquamenon Falls Scenic Byway
• Visit the light station and shipwreck museum at Whitefish Bay
• Visit Tahquamenon Falls State Park::

• Visit Kitchi-Ti-Kipi (Big Spring) near Manistique. You won't regret it.
• Travel up to Munising
• Visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
• Take the late boat trip to view the rocks - late afternoon/western sun really lights up the colors on the rocks
• Visit Bond and Agate Falls in Western UP
• Visit Porcupine Mountain State Park and Lake of the Clouds
• Visit Lake Gogebic State Park

In Wisconsin (on your way back home)

• Travel a bit west and visit Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
• Take the Apostle Island scenic boat tour
• Travel South through either Chequamegon or Nicolet National Forests
• Be sure to stop at Wisconsin Dells
• Take the Upper Dells Boat Tour-it is the true Dells experience
• To satisfy the kids you can also do Noah's Ark or Mount Olympus waterparks and ride some go-carts too
  

In Chicago (if you have time and energy left)

• Visit Museum of Science and Industry
• Field Museum of Natural History
• Adler Planetarium
• Shedd Aquarium
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Observation Deck on Sears Tower (or whatever they call it now that Sears has sold it)
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