8 days in Michigan Itinerary
8 days in Michigan Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Michigan trip planner
Start: Chicago
Drive
1
Grand Rapids
— Few hours
Drive
2
Ludington
— 1 night
Drive
3
Empire
— 2 nights
+2
Taxi to Traverse City, MI, Bus to Mackinaw, Ferry to Mackinac Island
4
Mackinac Island
— 2 nights
+2
Ferry to Mackinaw, Bus to Newberry, MI, Drive to Munising
5
Munising
— 2 nights
Taxi to Marquette, Fly to Chicago O'Hare
End: Chicago
Sat, Jul 25 - Sat, Aug 1
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31
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See full calendar
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Furniture City
The second largest city in Michigan and a hub of furniture manufacturing, Grand Rapids bears the nickname "Furniture City." However, the destination's original name came from the rapids of the Grand River that once ran through the downtown area.On the 25th (Sat), take in nature's colorful creations at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and then identify plant and animal life at Cascade Peace Park.
To find photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Grand Rapids trip itinerary planner.
Chicago to Grand Rapids is an approximately 3-hour car ride. You can also fly; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Chicago to Grand Rapids. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from Chicago in July since evenings lows in Grand Rapids dip to 61°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sat) early enough to drive to Ludington.
Things to do in Grand Rapids
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
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Ludington is a city in the state of Michigan. Kick off your visit on the 26th (Sun): tour the pleasant surroundings at Stearns Park, admire the majestic nature at Ludington State Park, then stop by The Jam Farm, and finally walk around Ludington Waterfront Park.
To see where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Ludington road trip website.
You can drive from Grand Rapids to Ludington in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Grand Rapids in July, you will find days in Ludington are little chillier (76°F), and nights are about the same (57°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Empire.
To see where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Ludington road trip website.
You can drive from Grand Rapids to Ludington in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Grand Rapids in July, you will find days in Ludington are little chillier (76°F), and nights are about the same (57°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Empire.
Things to do in Ludington
Highlights from your trip
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Empire is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. Start off your visit on the 27th (Mon): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. On the next day, admire all the interesting features of Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, then trek along Empire Bluff Trail, and then trek along Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
For where to stay, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Empire trip builder site.
You can drive from Ludington to Empire in 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 75°F in July, and nighttime lows around 57°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Tue) early enough to travel to Mackinac Island.
For where to stay, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Empire trip builder site.
You can drive from Ludington to Empire in 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 75°F in July, and nighttime lows around 57°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Tue) early enough to travel to Mackinac Island.
Things to do in Empire
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
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2
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Mackinac Island is a city in Mackinac County in the U.S. Kick off your visit on the 29th (Wed): look for gifts at Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island, learn about all things military at Fort Mackinac, then explore the striking landscape at Arch Rock, and finally admire the majestic nature at Mackinac Island State Park. Here are some ideas for day two: take a memorable tour with Tours, examine the collection at The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, then pause for some serene contemplation at St Anne's Catholic Church, and finally identify plant and animal life at The Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House & Insect World.
To see maps, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Mackinac Island trip planner.
Traveling by combination of taxi, bus, and ferry from Empire to Mackinac Island takes 5.5 hours. In July in Mackinac Island, expect temperatures between 73°F during the day and 58°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Thu) to allow time to travel to Munising.
To see maps, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Mackinac Island trip planner.
Traveling by combination of taxi, bus, and ferry from Empire to Mackinac Island takes 5.5 hours. In July in Mackinac Island, expect temperatures between 73°F during the day and 58°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Thu) to allow time to travel to Munising.
Things to do in Mackinac Island
Highlights from your trip
2
nights
2
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Munising is a city on the southern shore of Lake Superior on the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. On the 31st (Fri), get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, stop by Open Wings Pottery & Gallery, then take in the dramatic natural features at Miners Castle Rock, and finally take in the dramatic scenery at Miners Falls. On the 1st (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: walk around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and then take in the dramatic scenery at Spray Falls.
To see where to stay, photos, ratings, and tourist information, read Munising holiday planner.
Getting from Mackinac Island to Munising by combination of ferry, bus, and car takes about 7 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry, bus, and taxi. In July, daytime highs in Munising are 74°F, while nighttime lows are 56°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Sat) early enough to travel back home.
To see where to stay, photos, ratings, and tourist information, read Munising holiday planner.
Getting from Mackinac Island to Munising by combination of ferry, bus, and car takes about 7 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry, bus, and taxi. In July, daytime highs in Munising are 74°F, while nighttime lows are 56°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Sat) early enough to travel back home.
Things to do in Munising
Highlights from your trip
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Michigan travel guide
Great Lakes State
A state inextricably tied to its waterways, Michigan does water activities better than almost any other place in the country. Things to do in the state include numerous opportunities to swim, fish, sail, motorboat, and canoe. The country's only state to stretch over two peninsulas, Michigan features a long freshwater coastline. In a land of nearly 65,000 inland lakes and ponds, you can never be too far from a natural water source. Michigan's major claim to fame is its status as the center of the U.S. automotive industry, with the Detroit metropolitan area housing the country's three major car manufacturers. The city is also a major center of culture, the birthplace of the Motown Sound, and the home of several museums and other tourist attractions. Farther from the big urban centers, Michigan offers visitors a world of apple and cherry orchards, rustic villages, and picturesque vineyards.
