43 days in Great Lakes USA Itinerary

A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.

Step off the beaten path and head to Milwaukee Art Museum and Lake Michigan. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Chicago: Matthiessen State Park (in Utica), Starved Rock State Park (in Oglesby) and Lakefront Brewery (in Milwaukee). Next up on the itinerary: admire the masterpieces at The Art Institute of Chicago, get outside with Outdoor Activities, walk around Millennium Park, and enjoy breathtaking views from Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower.

To find reviews, traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Chicago day trip planning site.

Edinburgh, UK to Chicago is an approximately 11-hour flight. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time to Central Standard Time, which is usually a -6 hour difference. In July, Chicago is somewhat warmer than Edinburgh - with highs of 33°C and lows of 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly to Ludington.

Ludington is a city in the state of Michigan. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Stearns Park and Big Sable Point Lighthouse. Venture out of the city with trips to Oval Beach (in Saugatuck), Holland State Park Beach (in Holland) and Beer Tastings & Tours (in Traverse City). There's lots more to do: admire the majestic nature at Ludington State Park, stroll through Silver Lake State Park Pedestrian Dune Access, see Off-Road Tours, and ride a horse along Stony Lake Stables.

To find maps, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Ludington trip itinerary builder website.

Fly from Chicago to Ludington in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Chicago to Ludington, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Chicago in July, things will get little chillier in Ludington: highs are around 28°C and lows about 16°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) so you can go by car to Empire.

Empire is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Discover out-of-the-way places like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Cherry Republic of Glen Arbor. Explore Empire's surroundings by going to Leland (Van's Beach & Fishtown). The adventure continues: admire all the interesting features of Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, enjoy the sea views from Point Betsie Lighthouse, and trek along Empire Bluff Trail.

For reviews, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Empire trip itinerary builder tool.

Traveling by car from Ludington to Empire takes 2 hours. July in Empire sees daily highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Saint Ignace.

Saint Ignace, usually written as St. Start off your visit on the 24th (Mon): see the interesting displays at Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum Inc., then enjoy the sea views from Wawatam Lighthouse, and then don't miss a visit to Soo Locks. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get great views at Castle Rock, then take in the exciting artwork at Fort de Baude Museum, then enjoy the sea views from Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and finally take in the views from Mackinac Bridge.

For reviews, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Saint Ignace trip itinerary builder website.

You can drive from Empire to Saint Ignace in 3 hours. Another option is to do a combination of taxi and bus. July in Saint Ignace sees daily highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) to allow time to ride a ferry to Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island is a city in Mackinac County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Mackinac Island State Park and Fort Mackinac. There's much more to do: discover the deep blue sea with Great Turtle Kayak Tours, take in the dramatic natural features at Arch Rock, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, and contemplate the long history of Fort Holmes.

For other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Mackinac Island day trip planning site.

You can ride a ferry from Saint Ignace to Mackinac Island in an hour. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in July, and nighttime lows around 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Fri) early enough to travel to Paradise.

Paradise is an unincorporated community in Whitefish Township, Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Michigan.Paradise is on the northeastern portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the western side of Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, about 60mi by road from Sault Ste. Start off your visit on the 29th (Sat): contemplate the waterfront views at Tahquamenon Falls and then admire the majestic nature at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 30th (Sun): get engrossed in the history at Whitefish Point Light, see the interesting displays at Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, and then visit a coastal fixture at Point Iroquois Lighthouse.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Paradise online holiday planner.

Do a combination of ferry and car from Mackinac Island to Paradise in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, bus, and taxi. Traveling from Mackinac Island in July, Paradise is little chillier at night with lows of 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Munising.

Munising is a city on the southern shore of Lake Superior on the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Explore hidden gems such as Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Miners Falls. Explore Munising's surroundings by going to Manistique (Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring) & Palms Book State Park) and Oswald's Bear Ranch (in Newberry). There's much more to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Miners Castle Rock, take an in-depth tour of Pictured Rocks Interpretive Center, take in the dramatic scenery at Wagner Falls, and take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find other places to visit, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Munising online trip builder.

Drive from Paradise to Munising in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and shuttle. In July, daily temperatures in Munising can reach 27°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Thu) so you can drive to Marquette.

Marquette is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Marquette County. On the 4th (Fri), take in the awesome beauty at Sugarloaf Mountain, immerse yourself in nature at Presque Isle Park, and then take a stroll through Downtown Marquette. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Sat): take in the awesome beauty at Hogback Mountain, then hike along Iron Ore Heritage Trail, and then view the masterpieces at Lakenenland Sculpture Park.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Marquette trip builder.

Getting from Munising to Marquette by car takes about an hour. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in August, and nighttime lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sat) early enough to drive to Ontonagon.

Explore hidden gems such as Porcupine Mountains State Park and Fort Wilkins State Park. Venture out of the city with trips to A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan Tech (in Houghton), Quincy Mine (in Hancock) and Brockway Mountain Drive (in Copper Harbor).

For photos, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Ontonagon trip itinerary planning website.

Getting from Marquette to Ontonagon by car takes about 2.5 hours. In August, daily temperatures in Ontonagon can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Wed) so you can go by car to Duluth.

Situated on the westernmost point of the Lake Superior, Duluth represents a booming port city.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive and Enger Park. Change things up with these side-trips from Duluth: Two Harbors (Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls State Park, &more). The adventure continues: take in the views from Aerial Lift Bridge, see the interesting displays at S.S. William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum, appreciate the extensive heritage of Lakewalk, and explore the striking landscape of Congdon Park.

Discover how to plan a Duluth trip in just a few steps with Inspirock's itinerary builder.

Drive from Ontonagon to Duluth in 3.5 hours. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Ontonagon to Duluth. In August, daytime highs in Duluth are 26°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Wisconsin Dells.

Named after a nearby scenic gorge famous for its steep sandstone formations, Wisconsin Dells features more than 20 water parks, making it one of the most popular vacation areas in this region.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to EAA Aviation Museum and Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Step out of Wisconsin Dells to go to Madison and see Wisconsin State Capitol, which is approximately 1h 5 min away. And it doesn't end there: admire the majestic nature at Devil's Lake State Park, kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, see the interesting displays at Circus World, and play a few rounds at Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf.

To see reviews, photos, maps, and other tourist information, read Wisconsin Dells travel itinerary planner.

You can drive from Duluth to Wisconsin Dells in 5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Duluth in August: highs in Wisconsin Dells hover around 30°C, while lows dip to 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) so you can go by car to Sister Bay.

Sister Bay is a village in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Boat Tours & Water Sports and Peninsula State Park. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Sister Bay: Washington Island (Jacobsen Museum & Schoolhouse Beach) and Plum Bottom Gallery (in Egg Harbor). There's lots more to do: visit a coastal fixture at Cana Island Lighthouse, view the masterpieces at Edgewood Orchard Galleries, sample the tasty concoctions at Door County Brewing Co., and make a trip to Holy Transfiguration Chapel and Woods.

For maps, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Sister Bay road trip planning website.

You can drive from Wisconsin Dells to Sister Bay in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and car; or do a combination of train, bus, and car. August in Sister Bay sees daily highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Mon) early enough to travel back home.