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 stunning we spent most of our Lake Michigan street journey with children reminding ourselves that this huge physique of water wasn’t the ocean.
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In case you drove the entire 1,100-mile route, you might 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 per week (or longer) exploring alongside the Nice Lake’s shores – dubbed the ‘faux-cean’ by a pal’s daughter.
Whereas there’s lots to tempt on the Michigan aspect, we determined to move up by way of Wisconsin, beginning in Chicago, passing Wisconsin’s two greatest 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 children, right here’s find out how to plan a 7-day street journey round Lake Michigan.
In case you’re planning to rent a automotive to your Lake Michigan street journey with children, one in every of my favorite websites is Zest Automobile Rental whereas Uncover Vehicles is one other nice comparability web site for automotive rental
Day 1 and a pair of – Chicago
In case 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 when you’re visiting Lake Michigan.
It’s just about on the southern tip of the lake, so it really works properly should you’re heading up both the west aspect into Wisconsin (as we did) or the east aspect 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 tip of the journey, or cut up the times to bookend your one week Lake Michigan street journey with children.
There are such a lot of issues to do in Chicago with children that you might simply spend your entire 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 best way – 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 if you’d like a shorter choice with youthful children – properly price doing, even should you discover it pouring with rain, as we did.
Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium might now not be the biggest aquarium on the earth, nevertheless it held that title for years and remains to be one of the vital spectacular with 32,000 animals throughout the aquarium partitions.
You gained’t simply see fish, there are reveals 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 children 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 under for gorgeous corals, sharks and stingrays.
The Polar Play Zone is the proper place for little ones to let off steam whereas enjoying gown up and faux (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
House to world well-known 40ft T-Rex skeleton Sue, the expertly curated collections on the Area Museum are unmissable for anybody visiting Chicago with children.
When you’ve stated hey to the 67 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus, probably 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 Historic Egypt exhibit, earlier than travelling to the 1800s to go to the Pawnee Earth Lodge, or one of many non permanent exhibitions.
Purchase skip-the-line tickets to the Area Museum with free cancellation, together with the prospect to go for a one-hour VIP tour and ticketed exhibitions
Benefit from the views
Wherever you might be in Chicago, you’ll be surrounded by 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 stage (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 enduring Willis Tower – previously often called 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 flooring, 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 often called The Bean.
It’s price realizing that there are sometimes occasions on throughout the summer season months, particularly, so the park is barely open to ticket-holders – test town’s calendar should you actually wish to stand 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 often a winner with children anyway, however you shouldn’t miss a slice of Chicago’s well-known deep pan pizza pie when you’re within the metropolis.
You gained’t be wanting locations to attempt it, though Lou Malnati’s payments itself as Chicago’s finest – it could have been in contrast to every other pizza I’ve had (and I’ve had loads) however I devoured mine. It’s properly price reserving forward (or get takeaway)… and undoubtedly arrive hungry!
That’s solely a style of a few of our favourites with lots extra issues to do in Chicago with children, in addition to close to town
Day 3 – Chicago-Milwaukee
Wisonsin’s greatest metropolis is barely round 90 minutes from Chicago and whereas it may not spring to thoughts as probably the most family-friendly place to spend a while, there are some nice issues to do with children.
Catch a ball recreation
Head to the American Household Area (previously Miller Park) to see a baseball recreation. The Milwaukee Brewers are probably the greatest groups round this yr, however whether or not you’re an avid fan or a complete novice, there’s nothing fairly just like the environment, 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 gear, 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 loads of breweries, which suggests loads of brewery excursions and when you may not instantly suppose it’s an important thought with children, quite a lot of are family-friendly.
We headed to Lakefront Brewery with loads of households consuming within the bar as properly. Whereas I wouldn’t take a toddler onto the tour, tweens and youths may discover out extra about what goes into brewing – for sure, they will’t attempt 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 attempt, each right here and utilizing tokens within the bar. The Bumblebear, made with actual honey, received the thumbs up from me, though there’s every thing from darkish beer to IPAs to lagers to extra beers than I may identify, in addition to check batches. Or go to for the Friday barbecue, full with polka music (reservations important).
Try a museum
There are many nice museums in Milwaukee as properly, from the Betty Brinn Youngsters’s Museum, nice for youthful children, to the Milwaukee Public Museum for a style of historical past, from prehistoric occasions to Previous Milwaukee and on.
Or Discovery World is true on the shores of Lake Michigan, with loads of likelihood for teenagers to get palms on among the many science and know-how reveals.
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 recognize the historical past and designing their very own customized creation. For one thing significantly quirky, you might even head to the Nationwide Bobblehead Corridor of Fame & Museum.
Take a tour
With solely someday in Milwaukee, there are some enjoyable excursions to introduce you to town. This two-hour tour of Milwaukee mixes a strolling tour and a bus tour, so you possibly can see a few of the highlights shut up in addition to masking a bit extra floor than you’d handle on foot alone.
Or attempt a Milwaukee meals tour, wandering round Downtown Milwaukee as you attempt a string of Wisconsin specialities, brats and cheese curds to barbecue, and custard.
Go to a water park
In case your children love water parks, save a while to move simply exterior Milwaukee to Springs Water Park with an enormous 45,000 sq. toes to get pleasure from, from a chilled-out lazy river to extra thrilling rides, whirlpools and extra.
There’s an important splash zone for teenagers, 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 children.
Get extra concepts of family-friendly issues to do in Milkwaukee right here as properly, 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 stunning place to walk round and discover.
Begin by trying out 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 flooring commentary 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. Preserve a watch out for the fudge shops, in addition to all of the statues of Bucky Badger, the mascot of the College of Wisconsin-Madison staff.
There’s additionally a sculpture of a badger with its cub, which is moderately extra true to life, proper all the way down to the claws and mini snarl, moderately than the cheery black and white striped ones!
We stopped for lunch at Dotty Dumplings Dowry, which – regardless of the identify – has some nice burgers. Get the cheese curds as properly, 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. Choose 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 one in every 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 seaside, or discover the paths at UW-Madison Arboretum.
If exploring the realm gained’t hold your children entertained, there are many different household points of interest in Madison too – spot polar bears on the Henry Vilas Zoo or take a look at the interactive reveals at Madison Youngsters’s Museum.
Or with older children, head out on a spooky Madison: Haunts and Terrors strolling tour to find ghostly happenings and ghoulish tales from throughout town’s historical past.
In search of ideas to your Lake Michigan street journey with children? Try my recommendation on planning a street journey with children, my street journey packing listing, street journey actions for teenagers and the finest street journey snacks for teenagers
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 moderately than chains, a chilled-out lifestyle, and having fun with the countryside.
You possibly can pace 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 purchasing.
In case you’ve received time, you might look in on the free Door County Historic Museum, the place children 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 way of Fish Creek. In case you fancy a break, take a look at the family-friendly Door County trolley excursions – there’s a 30-minute choice 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 exterior peak season although, when the crowds descend.
We stayed throughout late Could after Memorial Day weekend when the climate was attractive and all over the 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 dwelling, you possibly can anticipate to should share these little communities with loads of others.
And should you suppose your children is perhaps bored away from the cities, there’s lots to do – in reality, like my daughter, you’ll be wishing you’d stayed longer.
Nowhere is just 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 under), earlier than heading again to Chicago.
Cave Level
As soon as, way back, this space of Wisconsin was deep beneath water on the equator – pushed north over thousands and thousands of years, immediately you’re getting a take a look at historic seabed by the shores of Lake Michigan.
Worn away by the crashing of the waves, Cave Level is a improbable place to discover with children – simply one in every of my daughter’s favourites – with jutting rock ledges, some attractive viewpoints and trails main by way of the woods. You possibly can even spot fossils within the rocks as you go.
It goes with out saying to watch out if the climate’s unhealthy or when you have youthful children. In case you’re visiting with older children, 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 attempt it with little ones personally).
Cease in at Bailey’s Harbor on the best way there or again – there are some nice locations to eat and a few cute outlets to choose up souvenirs
Eagle Tower, Peninsula State Park
Towering 60 toes above the Peninsula State Park, Eagle Tower is an effective way to absorb 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 info boards dotted alongside: we selected to stroll up the steps and stroll down the ramp to get the most effective of each worlds.
Peninsula Park has some straightforward trails to comply with by way 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 present $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, working alongside Eagle Path to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse – appropriate for all ages, though once more, I’d recommend it with older children as you’d kayaking by way 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 large fan, so we performed a pair throughout our keep.
Pirates Cove in Sister Bay was simply the most effective – 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 good contact, and has spinners with additional 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 identified) plus some nice views. For a shorter choice, 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 identify.
Eat some cherries
You’ll drive previous infinite cherry orchards as you discover Door County – go to in early Could and you may see them in blossom, or journey later within the yr and you may choose your individual.
Everytime you go to, there are farm outlets galore to choose up every thing from cherry pie to cherry salsa.
Spot the rooftop goats
Preserve a watch 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 received a superb 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 depart with out shopping for a fluffy memento goat to your children, 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 loads newer right here, there are an entire 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 in all my favorite days out in Door County throughout our Lake Michigan street journey with children 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 beautiful views throughout the 30-minute journey (they pack the vehicles 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 automotive. There’s additionally the Washington Island Cherry Practice Excursions, which has no less than three stops and guided commentary, lasting as much as two hours.
Don’t miss Schoolhouse Seashore with its completely easy curved stones – nice for skimming, constructing cairns or simply lobbing into the extremely clear turquoise water! Or take a wander alongside the quick Heritage Climbing Path within the woods, which could be very child-friendly.
You’ll additionally cross 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 identify suggests) nice soup!
Permit no less than half a day, together with loads of time for the ferry crossings, however you may additionally be capable of slot in some extra of the issues to do round Door County when you head again to the mainland.
For extra concepts of issues to do throughout a day on Washington Island with children, take a look at this publish
Day 7 – Door County
When you’ve got time earlier than setting off, profit from it by visiting just a few extra Door County points of interest from the Day 5 listing above.
Obtained 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 aspect 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 when you have an in a single day flight dwelling, you possibly can nonetheless match one thing in earlier than hitting the freeway south or alongside your route.
Alternatively, you might 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 children, take a look at my itinerary for a Midwest street journey
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own, primarily based on our personal Lake Michigan street journey with children
Primary picture/Downtown Milwaukee/cherry timber courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels