Northwest Michigan Photo | Lake Michigan Destinations

Travel Michigan's Northwest Region

Northwest Michigan is all about small towns, big dunes, and the most scenic roads in between.

The biggest natural attraction in Northwest Michigan is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Other destination-worthy dunes are the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, the dunes of the Ludington State Park, and the Arcadia Dunes.

Northwest Michigan is home to the S.S. Badger, a cross-lake car ferry service between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

This is just the beginning of all there is to discover in Northwest Michigan. Click on a destination below for more details.

Northwest Michigan Destinations

Elberta, Michigan

Along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, across the lake from Frankfort, the Village of Elberta is a pleasant destination with much to see and do.

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Leland, Michigan

The charming town of Leland is a great “walking around” town. Spend the day exploring Historical Fishtown, local wineries, beaches, and more!

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Experience Northwest Michigan

There are some amazing activities and attractions to experience in Northwest Michigan!

US-10 continuance map

Highway US-10

The Highway US-10 continuance crosses Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan via the SS Badger car ferry.

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Traveling the Lake Michigan Circle Tour in Northwest Michigan

The Northwest region of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the most beautiful drives in the entire state. Stretching from Ludington to Traverse City, the Northwest Region is about 125 miles long and travels through Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau, and Grand Traverse Counties, mainly along the M-22 highway. Less populated than the Central West and Southwest regions of Michigan, here you will find yourself in a terrain dominated by forests, farmland and natural area.

After leaving Central West Michigan, continue traveling north on US-31 for 12 miles, until the freeway ends near Ludington. If you have time, be sure to take a side trip west into Ludington on Lake Michigan. Otherwise, turn east on US-10 toward Scottville. After about 4.5 miles on US-10, and just before you reach Scottville, you will next turn north onto US-31 headed toward Manistee.

You will travel north on US-31 for about 20 miles to Manistee. Known as the “Victorian Port City,” Manistee has a rich history, beautiful beaches and a vibrant downtown to explore. US-31 intersects M-22 at the Little River Casino north of Manistee, and the Lake Michigan Circle Tour continues on M-22 north towards Onekama.

Onekama, known as the “Two Lake Town,” has public access to both Portage Lake and Lake Michigan. This small town is 13 miles north of Manistee and offers great dining options as well as shopping and music events in the summer. Ten miles north of Onekama is the small township of Arcadia, home to Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course and Inspiration Lookout.

M-22 continues north into Benzie County. Ten miles past Arcadia, you’ll reach Elberta: a small town home to many nature trails and the Betsie River Valley Bike Trail. Just two miles north, turn left on Forest Ave. towards Elberta’s sister town Frankfort, which offers an abundance of dining options as well as a charming downtown full of boutiques and shopping opportunities. Off Forest Ave, turn right onto Bellows Street which turns back into M-22, continuing north towards Empire.

Just outside of Frankfort, you will pass the Point Betsie Lighthouse, a wonderful spot along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour to take in the beauty of the shoreline. Another 18 miles north and you will reach the small town of Empire, home to the visitor’s center for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The area has several trails and nature areas perfect for exploring and viewing the beautiful coast of Lake Michigan.

M-22 continues eight more miles before reaching Glen Arbor, a top visitor destination. This family and bike friendly town has a active downtown full of shopping and dining. Another 20 miles north and you will arrive in Leland, also with a bustling downtown and unique businesses. Leland is home to historic fishtown, an area preserved like the fishing shanties in the early 1900s. Located where the Leland River empties into Lake Michigan, it is a great spot to buy fresh fish.

The Lake Michigan Circle Tour continues 12 miles north of Leland along the M-22 highway to reach Northport, the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. This area is even more sparsely populated than previous towns and you will find yourself in the heart of Northern Michigan nature. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour then turns south along the Grand Traverse Bay and reaches Suttons Bay in 13 miles. Much of the Leelanau Peninsula is considered wine country, with several renowned wineries throughout the area.

The Northwest region of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour ends with Traverse City, 16 miles south of Suttons Bay and the end of the M-22 highway. Traverse City, the Cherry Capital of the World, is the most developed city in northern Michigan with an outstanding downtown area.

The Lake Michigan Circle Tour continues into the Northern Michigan Region as you return to US-31, heading north towards Elk Rapids.

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Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations

Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is known for more than just beer. Visit the Harley-Davidson Museum, and enjoy festivals and entertainment.

East Chicago, Indiana

East Chicago, Indiana is part of the Indiana Lakeshore along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Be sure to visit the nearby Indiana Sand Dunes.

Whiting, Indiana

Whiting is a small town with a lot of personality. Stand on its beach and you’ll get a grand view of Chicago’s skyline.

Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Michigan

Silver Lake Sand Dunes offers sand dune adventures and much more! Ride the dunes, splash in Silver Lake, and enjoy the expansive dune views!

Peshtigo, Wisconsin

One attraction of importance to Peshtigo is the Peshtigo Fire Museum, which reflects the city during the time period after a devastating fire.

St. Ignace, Michigan

Located in the Straits of Mackinac, and known as the “Gateway” to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace has more than 300 years of history.