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.

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.

Northwest Michigan Destinations

Lake Michigan water

Leelanau County, Michigan

Leelanau County is in Northwest Michigan, and is one of the most popular areas to visit in Michigan. This is the home of Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Lake Michigan water

Benzie County, Michigan

Benzie county is located in Northwest Michigan and is considered one of the best places for outdoor activties in Michigan.

Lake Michigan water

Manistee County, Michigan

Manistee County is located in Northwest Michigan and offers numerous beaches, golf courses, fishing spots, and shopping.

Suttons Bay, Michigan

Suttons Bay, in Leelanau County, about midway up the eastern shore of Leelanau Peninsula and is a very popular destination in the summer time.

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.

Arcadia, Michigan

While a small town, Arcadia has a lot to offer the adventurous outdoors-man with great fishing, boating, and golfing opportunities.

Ludington, Michigan

Ludington, on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a gem in West Michigan with beautiful beaches, great outdoor activities, and popular events.

Manistee Lighthouse

Manistee, Michigan

The “Victorian Port City” of Manistee is part of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour and is also the gateway to scenic highway M-22.

“Beautiful Morning” on Portage Lake | Todd & Brad Reed

Onekama, Michigan

Commonly known as the “Two Lake Town,” Onekama offers a combination of Lake Michigan shoreline and peaceful views of Portage Lake.

Frankfort, Michigan

Frankfort is located along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour and is home to attractions like the Betsie Pointe Lighthouse and The Garden Theater.

Empire, Michigan

Empire, Michigan

Located along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Leelanau County, Empire is located south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Glen Arbor, Michigan

Home of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Glen Arbor is located in Leelanau County, north of Empire, and south of Leland.

Leland, Michigan

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

Northport, Michigan

At the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, Northport is known for its fine marina, beautiful parks, downtown shops, scenic beaches, and more.

Traverse City, Michigan

Miles of sugar sand beaches along Lake Michigan, outdoor activities, and award-winning wineries make Traverse City the place to be.

Activities & Attractions in 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.

sunset over Lake Michigan Brad Reed

Traverse City to Green Bay

Do you want to travel between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin? Take a short cut across Lake Michigan on the car ferry.

Northwest Michigan Lighthouses

From Ludington north to the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, there are a dozen lighthouses to visit!

Manistee Lighthouse

Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse
photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography

Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations

manitowoc lighthouse

Manitowoc, Wisconsin

On the western shore of Lake Michigan lies Manitowoc, a community of roughly 35,000 and rich in maritime history.

Lake Michigan water

LaPorte County Indiana

LaPorte County, Indiana is adjacent to Michigan. LaPorte County, Indiana is part of the Southern Lake Michigan Circle Tour.

Harbor Springs, Michigan

Situated on a beautiful natural, deep harbor, this beautiful community has fabulous shopping and dining options overlooking the water.

Pentwater, Michigan

The small village of Pentwater, Michigan has so much to create memories for you and your family that won’t soon be forgotten.

Empire, Michigan

Empire, Michigan

Located along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Leelanau County, Empire is located south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

“Beautiful Morning” on Portage Lake | Todd & Brad Reed

Onekama, Michigan

Commonly known as the “Two Lake Town,” Onekama offers a combination of Lake Michigan shoreline and peaceful views of Portage Lake.