Touring the Great Lakes: Lake Erie in Ohio

Of all the Great Lakes, Lake Erie is the smallest. It is also the most shallow and warmest of the great ones and flows through four American states and two countries. When visiting the Great Lakes in Ohio, Lake Erie is the one you will spend time with.

The Great Lakes in Ohio offer a variety of different terrains for outdoor lovers. You can visit wetlands, rivers, beaches, forests, prairies, savannas, and even glacial islands. The major cities bordering Lake Erie in Ohio include Toledo and Cleveland.

Much in the way of attractions, history and outdoor interest can be found by following the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail. This trail encompasses 293 miles and goes from Conneaut to Toledo.

A jaunt to the Lake Erie Islands, located on the southern shore of the lake and often referred to as America’s North Coast, by ferry and include nine islands. Other than the islands themselves you can visit the Glacial Grooves on Kelleys Island or spend time at Crystal Cave, home of the world’s largest geode.

Lake Erie, and its working waterfronts, is the cornerstone of what Ohio is today. Ohio’s ports, like Toledo, Huron, Conneaut, and Cleveland, were instrumental with connecting the United States with other countries. Museums showcasing the state’s history of shipwrecks, war, and industry litter the Lake Erie shoreline.

For lighthouse lovers, the Great Lakes in Ohio offer so much. The oldest American lighthouse is the Marblehead Lighthouse operating in Ohio since 1822. Other notable Ohio lighthouses include the Conneaut Harbor Lighthouse, Fairport Harbor Marine Lighthouse, the Cleveland Harbor East Entrance Lighthouse, the Breakwater Lighthouse, and the lighthouse at the Lorain Breakwater Lighthouse.

For those wanting to take in all that the Great Lakes in Ohio has to offer, take a moment to consider the Lake Erie Circle Tour. This tour is a scenic drive for over 200 miles along Lake Erie and Ohio’s north coastline.

For thrill seekers, the amusement parks along Lake Erie are not to be missed. Cedar Point in Cleveland is considered to the roller coaster capital of the world. There are other great places to visit like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo or African Safari Wildlife Park.

Whatever the draw to the Great Lakes in Ohio, there is more than enough to do and keep busy while exploring all that Lake Erie has to offer.

Touring the Great Lakes: the Great Lakes in Michigan

The name of the state of Michigan derives from the Chippewa word for “large lake.” This state is really the epicenter for the Great Lakes in the United States. Michigan boasts shorelines from four of the five Great Lakes. When visiting the Great Lakes in Michigan you have your pick when it comes to selecting a lake. Michigan is known as the “Land of the Inland Seas” and the nautical lifestyle comes naturally to its residents.

Ports and marinas are a mainstay here and the horizon is speckled with sailboats, fishing boats and cruise ships. The lakes themselves have a deep impact on Michigan weather and have assisted the state’s farming efforts. Michigan leads the country in blueberries, cherries, and grapes and also has its fair share of vineyards and orchards.

The Great Lakes in Michigan give the state over 3,200 miles of coast including beaches and cliffs. The diversity of the land near the Great Lakes offers visitors everything from sand dunes to beaches to gorgeous waterfalls. Some of the best beaches in Michigan include the Oval Beach in Saugatuck, the beach at Ludington State Park, and Esch Road Beach. Lighthouse lovers can enjoy the over 120 lighthouses that populate the Great Lakes coasts.

Tourists spend over $17 billion a year visiting the Great Lakes in Michigan. Michigan is a global destination for scuba divers because of the Michigan Underwater Preserves that include 11 underwater areas where divers can explore protected shipwrecks. Nature lovers will enjoy the Pictured Rocks of Lake Superior, multicolored sandstone cliffs that go for 15 miles.

While in Michigan take a look at the state’s lone national park, Isle Royale National Park. This national park is actually an island located in Lake Superior. The park includes the Isle Royale and over 400 smaller islands. Other protected areas in Michigan include the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and the Keweenaw National Historical Park.

For history buffs, a trip to Mackinac Island should be on the to do list. This island was a pivotal place during the Revolutionary War as the British sued it to control the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

The list of attractions and things to do when visiting the Great Lakes in Michigan is endless. You may find yourself needed to take multiple trips to soak it all in. If you truly want a Great Lakes experience, Michigan offers it all.

Touring the Great Lakes: The Great Lakes in Indiana

It might not be well known that you can visit the Great Lakes in Indiana, but this mid-western state enjoys over 25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. All of the state’s Lake Michigan shoreline is maintained by the National Parks Service and the lake itself is great for all kinds of water fun such as swimming, skiing, and fishing. Lake Michigan is known for its fishing as you are likely to catch many a walleye, trout or salmon.

Great city choices for those interesting in visiting the Great Lakes in Indiana are Michigan City, Indiana and Gary, Indiana.

Lake County in Indiana is often referred to as Lake Michigan’s South Shore. The South Shore is a mere half hour drive from downtown Chicago. Many visit the South Shore for the lakefront casino boats, the Deep River Waterpark and tons of historical sites, memorials, and museums. The history of the country’s steel industry can be observed here.

Many tourists come to Michigan City in the summer, including residents of Chicago, to visit Lake Michigan and the city’s various attractions. On a clear day one can actually see the Chicago skyline from across the lake. This is just one of the ways to visit the Great Lakes in Indiana.

One of the major attractions here is the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore park. This park includes about 15 miles of sandy beaches as well as the sand dunes and marshes the area is known for. Visitors should check out the singing sands, sand that emits sounds based on the wind passing over the dunes or simply by walking along the sand. The park is a popular destination for campers and favorite activities include bird watching, fishing, swimming, and hiking.

For lighthouse enthusiasts you have to swing by the Old Michigan City Light. This is one of the state’s few lighthouses and even inspired the Michigan City’s largest shopping center – the Lighthouse Place Outlet Mall.

Other must sees include the Bailly Homestead, a pioneer fur trading post, West Beach, and Mt Baldy. What is so important about the Bailly Homestead is that it is so well preserved. West Beach is a popular beach with public access. Mt Baldy is the largest living dune and moves four to five feet each year.

There must be quite an appealing allure to touring the Great Lakes in Indiana if Chicago locals drive here to visit Lake Michigan.

Touring the Great Lakes: Lake Michigan in Illinois

When deciding to visit the Great Lakes, the state of Illinois may not be the first destination to come to mind. However, the Great Lakes in Illinois harbors much of the Lake Michigan shoreline making it a find destination for those wishing to tour the Great Lakes.

Lake Michigan encompasses over 22,400 square miles and is the only Great Lake located completely within the United States. Technically both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are the same large lake connected only by the Straits of Mackinac.

There are many Illinois cities along the shoreline of Lake Michigan including Chicago, Lake Forest, Evanston, Highland Park, Wilmette, and Waukegan. Chicago’s history is very closely connected to Lake Michigan as the city was founded in the early 1800’s near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. One of the many advantages of the lake in Chicago is that it works to temper the weather allowing the residential neighborhoods to be warmer in the winter and slightly colder in the summer.

The Great Lakes in Illinois is also home to the North Shore area near Chicago. North Shore is an affluent area and home to some of the richest communities in America. North Shore has also been an important background for many Hollywood films, including those of John Hughes like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club. Other popular movies featuring North Shore include Risky Business, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Uncle Buck, Home Alone and Cheaper by the Dozen.

If you are thinking about visiting the Great Lakes in Illinois, there are many local attractions you should see. Ravinia Park is a must for music lovers. It is located in Highland Park, Illinois and includes many performing arts facilities both indoor and outdoor. It is also home to the country’s oldest outdoor music festival and the summer home for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

For outdoor enthusiasts, there is the award winning bicycle path and trail in Wilmette called Green Bay Trail or a visit to Illinois Beach State Park that showcases over six miles of Lake Michigan’s shoreline.

If lighthouses are your thing, Grosse Point Light in Chicago cannot be missed. The lighthouse was built in the late 1800s as the major lighthouse for those approaching Chicago. The lighthouse is open for tours daily but it is best to visit during summer as you can only view the keeper’s museum area on weekends from June through September.

There is plenty to see when visiting the Great Lakes in Illinois. While it may not be the most popular destination, it is well worth the visit for those interested in the Great Lakes.