22 days in Great Lakes USA Itinerary

Chicago is known for sightseeing, museums, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the world behind art at The Art Institute of Chicago, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, learn more about the world around you at Field Museum, and learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Lincoln Park Zoo.

To find other places to visit, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Chicago trip planner.

Phoenix to Chicago is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Mountain Standard Time (MST) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. Traveling from Phoenix in July, expect nights in Chicago to be little chillier, around 67°F, while days are colder, around 83°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Traverse City.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Traverse City: Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (in Glen Arbor) and Empire (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire Bluff Trail, &more). Next up on the itinerary: get outside with Outdoor Activities and learn the secrets of beer at a beer tour and tasting.

To find maps, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Traverse City trip builder website.

Getting from Chicago to Traverse City by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time is 1 hour. Traveling from Chicago in July, Traverse City is little chillier at night with lows of 59°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Ludington.

On the 19th (Wed), enjoy the sand and surf at Silver Lake State Park Pedestrian Dune Access, then ride a horse along Stony Lake Stables, and then stroll around Ludington Waterfront Park. On the 20th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: enjoy the sand and surf at First Street Beach, admire the majestic nature at Ludington State Park, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Stearns Park.

To find maps, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Ludington trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Traverse City to Ludington takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In July, plan for daily highs up to 76°F, and evening lows to 57°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to drive to Sheboygan.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Fri): bet on your favorite at Road America, then tee off at Whistling Straits Golf Course - Straits and Irish, and then take in nature's colorful creations at Bookworm Gardens.

To find traveler tips, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Sheboygan vacation planning tool.

Traveling by car from Ludington to Sheboygan takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a -1 hour difference. In July in Sheboygan, expect temperatures between 79°F during the day and 58°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Fri) early enough to drive to Wisconsin Dells.

Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Sat): brush up on your military savvy at Portage WWII History Museum, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and then kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks. On your second day here, immerse yourself in nature at Devil's Lake State Park, then admire the landmark architecture of Taliesin Preservation: Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center , and then play a few rounds at Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf.

Planning Wisconsin Dells trip won't be overwhelming when you use Inspirock's itinerary maker.

Drive from Sheboygan to Wisconsin Dells in 2.5 hours. In July, plan for daily highs up to 80°F, and evening lows to 59°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) so you can drive to Ontonagon.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Ontonagon: A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan Tech (in Houghton), McLain State Park (in Hancock) and Houghton County Historical Museum Complex (in Lake Linden).

For photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Ontonagon driving holiday planner.

You can drive from Wisconsin Dells to Ontonagon in 4.5 hours. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Wisconsin Dells to Ontonagon due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Wisconsin Dells in July, plan for a bit cooler days in Ontonagon, with highs around 75°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 55°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Munising.

Venture out of the city with trips to Manistique (Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring) & Palms Book State Park). Spend the 27th (Thu) exploring nature at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

For reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Munising online travel route planner.

Getting from Ontonagon to Munising by car takes about 3 hours. Expect a daytime high around 74°F in July, and nighttime lows around 56°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) early enough to travel to Mackinac Island.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Sun): pick up some new knowledge with Forge a Memory, contemplate the long history of Fort Mackinac, and then see some colorful creatures with Great Turtle Kayak Tours. Keep things going the next day: admire the majestic nature at Mackinac Island State Park, take in the dramatic natural features at Arch Rock, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at St Anne's Catholic Church.

To find traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Mackinac Island road trip planning tool.

Traveling by combination of car, bus, and ferry from Munising to Mackinac Island takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, bus, and ferry. In July, daytime highs in Mackinac Island are 73°F, while nighttime lows are 58°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Mon) so you can travel to Sandusky.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Tue): visit a coastal fixture at Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, steep yourself in history at Eleutheros Cooke House and Garden, and then get in on the family fun at Cedar Point.

Ask Inspirock to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Sandusky fast, fun, and easy.

Do a combination of ferry and flight from Mackinac Island to Sandusky in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, bus, and train. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Mackinac Island in July, with highs in Sandusky at 82°F and lows at 66°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) to allow time to drive to Rockbridge.

Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Wed): get outside with Outdoor Activities, then look for all kinds of wild species at Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, and then identify plant and animal life at Rock Bridge.

For where to stay, reviews, photos, and tourist information, use the Rockbridge trip planner.

Drive from Sandusky to Rockbridge in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train, bus, and taxi; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Sandusky in August, Rockbridge is slightly colder at night with lows of 60°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Wed) so you can fly back home.