Loop the Lake with a Circle Tour Shortcut!
Not enough time to do the complete Lake Michigan Circle Tour in one trip? Here are suggested routes which utilize one of Lake Michigan’s ferry services to take a short cut across the lake, thus allowing you to loop the lake with less travel time.
Please note that these Circle Tour Loops which utilize a shortcut across the lake will only be possible to travel during May – October, which is when the ships are making their daily crossings.
Choose From SIX TRAVEL TOURS Around Lake Michigan

Entire Circle Tour
LOOP # 1
This is the BIGGEST TOUR, with nearly 1,100 miles of shoreline to travel and discover!

Northern Half Tour
LOOP # 2
This is one of two different Half Tours. When you travel the NORTHERN HALF TOUR, you will see some of the most beautiful scenery from around the Lake Michigan shoreline. Cross-lake ferry service from Ludington, Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin is provided by the S.S.Badger car ferry.
Leave the driving to the S.S. Badger during a relaxing, four-hour cruise experience.

Extended Northern Half Tour
LOOP # 3
The best of the north with a little south mixed in.
This EXTENDED NORTHERN LOOP utilizes the cross-lake ferry service of Lake Express, cruising at a fast pace from Muskegon, Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Middle Tour
LOOP # 4
This MIDDLE LOOP gives you maximum time on a boat crossing Lake Michigan. Cruise both car ferries–each one way–for a exciting experience.
One cruise is traveled from Ludington, Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin aboard the S.S. Badger historic (and modernized) car ferry.
The other cruise is traveled from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Muskegon, Michigan aboard the Lake Express car ferry.

Southern Half Tour
TOUR # 5
This SOUTHERN HALF loop takes you through the largest cities on Lake Michigan. Your travels will include a shortcut across the Lake via the S.S. Badger car ferry. The trip takes you from Ludington, Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Short Southern Tour
TOUR # 6
This tour utilizes the fast Lake Express car ferry from Muskegon, Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to cross Lake Michigan. Your driving time on this SHORT SOUTHERN loop will give you a taste of the lakeshore’s city life.