Located in North America, covering eight states and overlapping the Canadian border, the Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes by total area. There are five main lakes; Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Fed by the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River, Lake Superior is the second largest lake in the world by area. If you were to combine the area covered by the Lakes, it would be almost as large as the UK, and would cover the states of New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire in total.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Lake Superior. Photo by: Zack Frank/Stock
When is best to travel to the Great Lakes?
In summertime, the area around the Lakes won’t be as hot as other parts of America, because the water traps the heat and cools the air. However, this will be peak time for tourists to visit so you may want to avoid a visit in the summer as you’ll be faced with inflated prices and competition for the best views and activities. As with any destination like this, shoulder-season (spring or autumn, nearest to summer but not actually in summer) is the best time to visit. In autumn, the water releases the heat it’s stored from the summer, and in spring the foliage is in full bloom.
Although you’ll get the highest temperatures in the summer, you’ll also get the highest risk of rainfall. While the sun will make the beaches and islands more tempting, be prepared! The winter cold and heavy snow may make exploration more difficult but it’s sure to be quieter.
Activities at the Great Lakes
The Lakes are spread across eight states so there’s no shortage of things to do or see. Minnesota is home to 1400 designated wildlife areas so if nature-spotting is your thing, then be sure to check some of these out. Wisconsin is great for fishing, with over 72 million caught per year.
The Lakes are often referred to as inland seas because they have several characteristics in common with seas, such as high winds, strong currents, waves, and high depths. The area is popular for water sports and fishing. You can take a cruise or enjoy some sport fishing, yachting, sea kayaking or kitesurfing.
As the Lakes have been used over the years for trading, there are several shipwrecks caused by hidden reefs and storms. Explore the marine sanctuary of Thunder Bay on Lake Huron where there’s a great concentration of wrecks. Alternatively, the stretch of coastline from Grand Marais to Whitefish Point of Lake Superior is known as the Graveyard of the Great Lakes due to the number of wrecks that lie on the seabed. The Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve is an underwater museum aimed to protect these.
Northern Lights over Lake Superior. Photo by: DavidMohn/Stock
Go hiking along the rugged peninsulas and rocky cliffs, following dunes or exploring national parks. See if you can spot some of the great wildlife including black bears, moose, and white-tailed deer.
It’s also possible to catch the Northern Lights from the Great Lakes area several times a year. There are a couple of Facebook pages you can check out to see what the chances are of catching a glimpse during your visit. Near Lake Superior, particularly at the top of Oberg Mountain, you’re in with a chance between late autumn and early spring. Those staying around the Keweenaw Peninsula may also be lucky, or in Northern Wisconsin.
What to visit around the Great Lakes
Lake Huron
Joined with Lake Michigan as no land separates the two, only the Straits of Mackinac keep the two apart. It rests on the border between Canada and America, split between the states of Ontario and Michigan. The second largest of the Great Lakes, it has a surface area of 23,007 miles. The world’s largest lake island, Manitoulin Island, can be found on Lake Huron. It’s named for an underwater cave where it’s said a spirit dwells.
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve protects the 116 shipwrecks that rest on the lakebed. You can catch a glass-bottomed boat tour from Alpena to view some of them without getting too wet.
Take a visit to Fort Gratiot Light, the first lighthouse to be built in Michigan, which guards part of Lake Huron’s south coastline. It’s the second oldest on the Great Lakes and stands 82 feet high. Climb over 90 steps with a tour guide to the top for incredible views over Port Huron and the lake.
Lake Ontario
Toronto city skyline along Lake Ontario. Photo by: anderm/Stock
This lake’s tourism is fed mostly by one main attraction. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Niagara Falls? Visit this stunning natural phenomenon and get soaked upon the Maid of the Mist.
Those with an interest in photography should visit Rochester, hometown of Kodak, where you can find the Eastman Museum. This museum is dedicated to George Eastman, founder of Kodak, which is based in his home and features one of the oldest film archives.
Across the border, Toronto sits on Lake Ontario. Visit the CN Tower, the city’s tallest landmark reaching 550metres towards the sky. Daredevils should experience EdgeWalk– the world’s highest hands-free walk around the tower’s ledge.
Lake Superior
For stunning natural formations, visit the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It’s a 42-mile stretch with incredible views of the sandstone cliffs between Munising and Grand Marais. You’ll see natural archways, sand dunes and waterfalls. It’s a great place for hiking to fully immerse yourself in the surroundings. If you don’t want to tackle the area on foot, you could take a kayak out on the lake to see all the formations in the cliff-face.
Along the lake, waves can reach up to 20ft high due to its depth and size, and so draws in many surfers. The ideal time to go is in spring or fall when the wind is more likely to whip up surf-able waves. The Third Coast Surf Shop located on Lake Michigan offer surfing lessons; they’re unique in being the only shop on the Lakes that offer this service. Only those skilled in surfing should go up against the high waves that Lake Superior can produce.
Explore one of the many national parks around the Lake, including Gooseberry Falls State Park, Voyageurs National Park and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Lake Superior Provincial Park is one of the largest of its kind in Ontario. Hike some of the 11 trails around the park to take in some of the stunning natural formations, including those made by volcanic activity. There are campsites available for those that would like to spend days exploring the park by foot alone. Take the trail to the Agawa Rock Pictographs, paintings on rock faces, which overlook Lake Superior.
Lake Erie
Marblehead Lighthouse on Lake Erie. Photo by: sara_winter/Stock
Wander parts of the Erie Canal and discover some of its 36 locks along the 363-mile stretch of waterway between Albany and Buffalo. Today, it’s recognised as one of the most successful and influential of its kind. It’s one of the most important works of construction and civil engineering in North America, having enabled New York a huge advantage over other ports for shipping goods during its peak in the 19th century.
Visit Cleveland for the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. See exhibitions on the legends of rock, such as Blondie, The Who, Michael Jackson, and Jimi Hendrix, plus many more in-between. Plan your visit to coincide with a documentary screening or a live performance.
We wouldn’t be a very good car rental broker if we didn’t encourage you to find out more about what gets us on the roads… pop along to Detroit and the Henry Ford Museum. It doesn’t just contain car-related memorabilia however, you’ll also find exhibits about the Industrial Revolution and items showcasing pop culture, among others. You’ll be able to see the limo that Kennedy was riding in when he was assassinated, the bus involved in Rosa Parks’ arrest, and the airplane that first flew over the North Pole, plus many more.
Lake Michigan
Chicago, a must-visit if you want to indulge in rock, jazz or blues live music, sits to the west of Lake Michigan. Catch a performance at Lincoln Hall, Thalia Hall or Chicago Theatre. The city is also a hive for art-lovers, with the Art Institute of Chicago and its 300,000 artworks requiring your attention.
Those who love the thrill of two wheels and a high-powered engine should head north to Milwaukee and the Harley Davidson Museum. Learn more about the history of the manufacturer and view bikes through the stages of their development. Witness what’s left of a bike that was carried 4,000 miles in a shipping container following the 2011 tsunami that hit Japan. View a wall of fuel tanks that showcases their evolution.
The city also has a long-standing brewing history, with it once being the number one beer-producing city in the world. There are several breweries that run tours including the Milwaukee Brewing Company, Lakefront Brewery and Sprecher Brewing Company.
You can also visit one of the most beautiful spots in America, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Take a drive along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive; it may only be 7.4 miles long, but you’ll find yourself pausing at the five overlooks to take in the views. Time your trip for an incredible sunset. Pack a picnic and spend some time climbing the dunes.
Lake Michigan. Photo by: Paul Lemke/Stock
Taking the Great Lakes Circle Tour
It is possible to drive around the entirety of the Great Lakes, excluding Lake Ontario. The Circle Tours are scenic roads that connect all the Lakes, allowing visitors to drive around them completely and take advantage of all the activities on offer. The route consists of the state or provincial highway which is closest to the shoreline, so visitors remain close to the Lakes.
Your Great Lakes trip
If you’re planning on visiting the Great Lakes, what activities are you most excited about ticking off on your itinerary? If you’ve been before, what hotspots would you recommend for other visitors? Let us know in the comments below. Get a quote for your car hire to explore the Great Lakes using the following form.
Written by Jessica Juby.
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