Lake Michigan Trips?

psubill78

psubill78

Member
Jul 20, 2011
624
Lake Michigan (IL/WI border, Southport Marina E Do
Boat Info
'05 Meridian 368 MY, '11 Baltik BA95 Dinghy. Still a Sea Ray lover at heart!
Engines
8.1L HO Mercruiser (840 horse), 10kw Kohler Genset, Torqueedo 1003 for Dinghy
Just about to start our 2nd season, and am looking for suggestions of things to do on Lake Michigan.

We are moored on the IL/WI border, and looking for things (other than heading to Chicago for the weekend - which weve done and will do again)...

My wife and I are in our early 30's, and we've got a soon to be 7 year old.

What are some of the fun places to visit, either day or weekend trips from the IL/WI side of Lake Michigan?
 
Head down to Hammond, over to Boaters Beach just east of there, and/or New Buffalo.
 
Head North to some of the Wisconsin marinas, There's always a lot going on in Milwaukee, Port Washington is fun, especially during Pirate fest and Fish Days. We will have our boat in Sheboygan this summer and my girlfriend and I are about the same age as you with a 6 year old. Sheboygan has a nice marina with a pool, hot tub and a nice beach. The waterfront area is very nice with a lot to do. When we want to go on a longer trip, we trailer up to Sturgeon Bay and Door County, WI.
 
sfergson727 said:
Cross the lake, every port on the Michigan side is great. Some highlights would include Grand Haven, South Haven, Holland, Saugatuck, Ludington, Leland, etc. If you go North, Frankfort, Charlevoix and Traverse City are worth the trip. Go a little further and hit Mackinac Island, one of the best destinations in the Great Lakes.
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Scott has great suggestions here.

New Buffalo is very nice, has some good places to eat, a gourmet grocery, and is near Warren Dunes State Park.

South Haven offers even more food choices, a near the dock grocery, as well as some fun bars. It too has sandy beaches with many people or more secluded options.

Saugatuck has a good number of shops and restaurants and a good dinghy dock near all of the action.

Grand Haven has Spring Lake for those rough days you want to stay off the big water and many attractions.

Leland is near Sleeping Bear Dunes and is a very cool town to have lunch and shop in.

You can almost never go wrong with any of these.

MM
 
I boat out of Racine and my favorite weekend trips are Milwaukee stay at the State Park Marina and go to one of the events at the Summerfest grounds, Port Washington and Sheboygan. If you cross the lake allow more time because its so nice over there you will want to spend more time!
 
Ditto’s on Milwaukee. McKinley Marina is a great clean marina w/ floating docks and easy access to city, beach, Sumerfest, Discovery Worldand Betty Brinn. Lake Shore State Park is other dockage option but, only electric for amenities. It is next to Summerfest and 300 yards from Discovery world, a kid’s Dream place, a half day chalked full of interactive exhibits and nice size aquariums. The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is across the street. The Milwaukee River is great cruise w/ plenty of restaurants and Free daily use public docks. Sumerfest has Big Bang Fireworks first night of sumerfest. Our 3rd of July fireworks are fantastic. The air show is joined by a tall ship and Navy boat display that will be impressive. Please PM if you have any questions. Have a great trip where every you decide!
 
Nice to see this thread. We are beginning our 1st full season on Michigan out of Marinette. Keep the ideas coming. Mike
 
Maybe I am old and it tempers my thoughts but I would like to inject a word of caution here. The question was day trips and weekend trips.
Like flying, a lot of boating accidents happen when someone leaves for a distant place on Friday evening's good weather and runs into trouble returning Sunday in snotty weather.
So I would suggest if you absolutely have to be back to work Monday, keep that in mind and provide another way to return if the weather takes a nasty turn. Or don't go. Be safe.
Doug
 
My favorite is Fish Creek, and with the shops & restaurants close to the harbor it makes it convenient for walking. I've been going most my life and am still not tired of it. The whole Peninsula is great for site seeing and has nice harbors, islands to explore, great fishing and the list goes on.
 
psubill78 said:
our friends are trying to convince us to do door county... what is so great there?

(btw - awesome boat!!!)
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There are many state parks, 25 I think, 4 or 5 quaint towns without McDonalds etc. and a bay on one side and a Great Lake on the other. What more could a vacationer want?

MM
 
Getting a guide from Lakeland Boating for Lake Michigan will get the juices flowing. I have one and it sure makes me miss Michigan water. www.lakelandboating.com
 
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