Southeast Wisconsin Photo | Lake Michigan Destinations

Take the Southern Lake Michigan Circle Tour

For the purpose of this article, we are starting the Southern Lake Michigan Circle Tour in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and continuing south (counter-clockwise) around Lake Michigan, eventually ending in Ludington, Michigan, where you can ride the S.S. Badger car ferry back to Wisconsin.

Southeast Wisconsin

After leaving Manitowoc, travel on I-43 south through to Sheboygan.
Continuing south out of Sheboygan, and into Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin and famous for its breweries.
Leaving Milwaukee, you will get on WIS-32 and travel to the Wisconsin-Illinois state border.

Illinois Lakeshore

The short stretch of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour through Illinois travels along Route 137 and then joins Lakeshore Drive (US-41) right at the Lake Michigan coastline through the suburbs of Chicago. You pass by famous landmarks such as Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Lincoln Park Zoo and Calumet Park. It’s a spectacular view of the City of Chicago, as well as the splendor of Lake Michigan.
The circle re-joins US-12 south of Chicago, and takes you into Indiana.

Indiana Lakeshore

Indiana has the shortest amount of miles along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. It follows both US-12 (also known as the Dunes Highway, closest to the lake) and I-94, which parallel each other and begins in Hammond on the westerly side.
It continues through Gary, which is a major industrial area.
After Gary, the Circle Tour follows the Dunes Highway near the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. At County Line Road, you’ll find a location for parking at the entrance to the Marquette Hike/Bike Trail.
The Dunes Highway takes an eastern route through the towns of Burns Harbor, Porter and Chesterton.
Before leaving Indiana, you enter Michigan City, the east end of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore at Mount Baldy.
You then travel northeast into Michigan.

Southwest Michigan

After leaving Indiana, the Michigan route of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour begins. The Circle Tour enters Michigan on US-12 just south of New Buffalo, and continues north on US-12, into New Buffalo.
After traveling through New Buffalo, the tour leaves US-12 and continues north on I-94 (Exit 4) toward St. Joseph.
At Exit 23, the route exits I-94 and continues north through downtown St. Joseph by following BL I-94.
From St. Joseph, continue north on M-63.
At the northern terminus of M-63, the tour continues north on I-196/US-31 toward South Haven.
At Exit 18, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route leaves I-196/US-31 and takes you into South Haven via BL I-196.
Exit 20 on the east side of South Haven marks the end of BL I-196, at which point you will continue north on I-196/US-31 into Allegan County, and on toward the Saugatuck / Douglas area.
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour remains on I-196/US-31 at Saugatuck / Douglas, and there is also a locally-designated Harbor Tour loop route which follows the A-2 Blue Star Highway between Exits 36 an 41. Blue Star Highway presents a more leisurely route as opposed to strictly following I-196/US-31.
Continue north on I-196/US-31 toward Holland Exit 44, when I-196 splits off to the east, and brings you into the Central West Michigan segment of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour.

Central West Michigan

Following I-196/US 31 north, you enter Holland, known for its Dutch heritage and the famous Tulip Festival in May. Downtown Holland has various shops and eateries that will keep you entertained for hours.
Heading north, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour follows its lakeshore route on US-31 through Grand Haven, home of the Coast Guard Festival. Here you can visit the beaches, book a charter boat or dine at one of the fantastic restaurants in the area.
Continue up to Muskegon, home to beaches and dunes, wilderness trails, and the P.J. Hoffmaster State Park.
After heading north beyond Muskegon, you will leave the city traffic behind and enter a more scenic and leisurely stretch of US-31. Along this highway, there are many exits to visit communities of the White Lake Area (Whitehall and Montague) and the Silver Lake Area (Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Mears, and Hart).
The Silver Lake Sand Dunes area is a great place to find adventure and fun, with both Silver Lake and Lake Michigan in close proximity.
Further north you’ll discover Pentwater—an artsy little community along Lake Michigan and Pentwater Lake.
Just 15 minutes north of Pentwater brings you back into Ludington, and the Southern Lake Michigan Circle Tour is complete.