Tour Overview
🚨 Important Planning Notes
- Best Time to Visit: May through October for optimal lighthouse access
- Climbing Fees: Most lighthouses charge $5-8 for adults, $2-5 for children
- State Park Passes: Michigan Recreation Passport ($12) required for several locations
- Seasonal Hours: Many lighthouses have limited hours in spring/fall
- Weather Dependent: Some remote lighthouses may close due to weather
- Advanced Booking: Consider booking hotels in advance, especially in Door County
Suggested Starting Point
Chicago/Milwaukee Area: This itinerary assumes you're starting from the Chicago/Milwaukee region. The tour begins in Michigan City, Indiana and ends in Kenosha, Wisconsin, making it perfect for a loop trip.
Route: Michigan City, IN → South Haven, MI → Grand Haven, MI → Whitehall, MI → Silver Lake State Park, MI
Driving Time: ~4.5 hours (without stops)
Overnight: Ludington or Silver Lake area
Michigan City Pierhead Lighthouse
Built: 1904 • Height: 49 ft
Access: Free, walkable pier
Highlights: Most photographed lighthouse in Indiana, red & white striped
Location: Washington Park, Michigan City, IN
South Haven Lighthouse
Built: 1903 • Height: 35 ft
Access: Free viewing, catwalk tours available
Highlights: Classic red lighthouse, beach access
Distance: 45 miles north (1 hour drive)
Grand Haven South Pierhead
Built: 1905 • Height: 51 ft
Access: Free, walkable pier & boardwalk
Highlights: Most photographed lighthouse in Michigan, twin lights
Distance: 35 miles north (45 minutes)
White River Lighthouse
Built: 1875 • Height: 38 ft
Access: $5 adults, $2 children (museum)
Highlights: Museum, climbable tower, beach access
Distance: 20 miles north (30 minutes)
Little Point Sable Lighthouse
Built: 1874 • Height: 107 ft
Access: $5 adults, $2 children + state park fee
Highlights: One of Michigan's tallest, 130 steps to climb
Distance: 25 miles north (35 minutes)
Morning Start - Michigan City
Breakfast: Café Guliano (Italian-American, great coffee)
Address: 907 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN
Hours: 7:30 AM - 2 PM
Lunch - South Haven
Phoenix Street Cafe: Local favorite with lakefront views
Address: 612 Phoenix St, South Haven, MI
Specialties: Sandwiches, soups, fresh salads
Overnight - Ludington Area
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ludington: Clean, reliable, indoor pool
Address: 5323 W US Hwy 10, Ludington, MI
Rate: ~$140-180/night
Dinner - Ludington
The Mitten Brewing Co: Great local beer & gastropub fare
Address: 527 S James St, Ludington, MI
Specialties: Burgers, fish & chips, craft beer
Route: Ludington → Manistee → Traverse City → Mackinaw City
Driving Time: ~6 hours (without stops)
Overnight: Mackinaw City area
Note: This is the longest driving day - consider splitting into two days if preferred
Big Sable Point Lighthouse
Built: 1867 • Height: 112 ft
Access: $5 adults, $2 children + bus ride ($5 adult, $2 child)
Highlights: Black & white striped, Michigan's tallest
Location: Ludington State Park (6.5 mile hike or bus ride)
Manistee North Lighthouse
Built: 1927 • Height: 39 ft
Access: Free viewing from pier
Highlights: Red cylindrical tower, active beacon
Distance: 45 miles north (1 hour drive)
Mission Point Lighthouse
Built: 1870 • Height: 31 ft
Access: Free grounds, small museum donation
Highlights: 45th parallel, cherry orchards drive
Distance: 90 miles northeast (2 hours via scenic M-22)
Sturgeon Point Lighthouse
Built: 1869 • Height: 68 ft
Access: $5 adults, museum & grounds
Highlights: Lake Huron location, preserved keeper's quarters
Distance: 120 miles east (2.5 hours - detour)
McGulpin Point Lighthouse
Built: 1869 • Height: 34 ft
Access: Free grounds access
Highlights: Straits of Mackinac views, Mackinac Bridge
Distance: 50 miles north (1 hour)
Wawatam Lighthouse
Built: 1998 (replica) • Height: 20 ft
Access: Free viewing from shoreline
Highlights: Modern recreation, St. Ignace waterfront
Distance: 5 miles across Mackinac Bridge
Early Breakfast - Ludington
House of Flavors: Local institution since 1949
Address: 402 W Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI
Specialties: Pancakes, omelets, homemade ice cream
Lunch - Traverse City
The Cooks' House: Farm-to-table dining
Address: 115 Wellington St, Traverse City, MI
Note: Make reservations, highly rated
Overnight - Mackinaw City
Best Western Plus Dockside Waterfront Inn: Harbor views
Address: 505 S Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI
Rate: ~$180-250/night (book early!)
Dinner - Mackinaw City
Dixie Saloon: Steaks & seafood with Straits views
Address: 401 E Central Ave, Mackinaw City, MI
Specialties: Whitefish, prime rib, local beer
Route: Mackinaw City → Paradise, MI → Gulliver, MI → Escanaba, MI → Baileys Harbor, WI
Driving Time: ~4 hours (without stops)
Overnight: Door County, Wisconsin
Note: Remote areas with limited services - fuel up and bring snacks
Whitefish Point Lighthouse
Built: 1849/1861 • Height: 80 ft
Access: $14 adults (includes museum)
Highlights: Oldest operating Lake Superior light, Edmund Fitzgerald museum
Distance: 80 miles north (1.5 hours)
Crisp Point Lighthouse
Built: 1904 • Height: 58 ft
Access: Free (remote location, 18-mile unpaved road)
Highlights: Most remote lighthouse, pristine Lake Superior beach
Distance: 50 miles west (1.5 hours on rough roads)
Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse
Built: 1895 • Height: 78 ft
Access: $5 adults, museum & tower climb
Highlights: "Only Choice Point," great Lake Michigan views
Distance: 90 miles south (2 hours)
Peninsula Point Lighthouse
Built: 1865 • Height: 40 ft
Access: Free, easy walk from parking
Highlights: Bird migration viewing, Green Bay entrance
Distance: 30 miles south (45 minutes)
Cana Island Lighthouse
Built: 1869 • Height: 89 ft
Access: $12 adults (includes haywagon ride)
Highlights: Most iconic Wisconsin lighthouse, 97 steps to climb
Distance: 80 miles southeast (1.5 hours)
Early Breakfast - Mackinaw City
Mackinaw Bakery: Fresh pastries & coffee
Address: 110 Langlade St, Mackinaw City, MI
Hours: 6 AM - 6 PM (seasonal)
Lunch - Paradise (Whitefish Point)
Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub: Local brews & hearty food
Address: Upper Falls area, Paradise, MI
Specialties: Whitefish, pasties, craft beer
Overnight - Door County
Bailey's Harbor Ridges Resort: Cozy lakefront cottages
Address: 2297 Ridges Rd, Baileys Harbor, WI
Rate: ~$150-200/night
Dinner - Baileys Harbor
Harbor Fish Market & Grille: Fresh Lake Michigan fish
Address: 8080 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI
Specialties: Door County fish boil, whitefish
Route: Door County → Neenah → Fond du Lac → Milwaukee → Racine → Kenosha
Driving Time: ~4.5 hours (without stops)
End Point: Kenosha (easy return to Chicago area)
Note: Urban areas with good dining options
Kimberly Point Lighthouse (Neenah)
Built: 1945 • Height: 49 ft
Access: Free grounds viewing
Highlights: Lake Winnebago, funded by Kleenex family
Distance: 120 miles southwest (2 hours from Door County)
Fond du Lac Lighthouse
Built: 1933 • Height: 57 ft
Access: Free exterior viewing
Highlights: Art Deco design, Lakeside Park
Distance: 30 miles south (45 minutes)
North Point Lighthouse
Built: 1888/1912 • Height: 74 ft
Access: $8 adults, museum & tower climb
Highlights: Milwaukee's Lake Park, three lighthouse combination
Distance: 60 miles southeast (1 hour)
Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse
Built: 1906 • Height: 53 ft
Access: Free viewing from pier
Highlights: Red tower, active solar-powered beacon
Distance: 5 miles south (15 minutes)
Windpoint Lighthouse
Built: 1880 • Height: 108 ft
Access: Tours first Sunday monthly (Jun-Oct)
Highlights: Wisconsin's tallest, operational beacon
Distance: 30 miles south (45 minutes)
Kenosha Lighthouse Studio
Built: 1906 • Height: 50 ft
Access: Art gallery inside, free viewing
Highlights: Community art space, red tower
Distance: 25 miles south (30 minutes)
Kenosha (Southport) Light Station
Built: 1866 • Height: 55 ft
Access: Museum tours by appointment
Highlights: Historic keeper's house, Simmons Island
Distance: 2 miles south (5 minutes)
Breakfast - Door County
White Gull Inn: Award-winning breakfast
Address: 4225 Main St, Fish Creek, WI
Specialties: Door County cherry pancakes, farm-fresh eggs
Lunch - Milwaukee
Lakefront Brewery: Tour & lunch combo
Address: 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI
Specialties: Brewery tours, cheese curds, local beer
Final Night - Kenosha Area
Country Inn & Suites Kenosha: Reliable chain, good value
Address: 7515 125th Ave, Kenosha, WI
Rate: ~$110-140/night
Celebration Dinner - Kenosha
The Boat House Pub & Eatery: Waterfront dining
Address: 4917 7th Ave, Kenosha, WI
Specialties: Fresh fish, steaks, lake views
Complete Driving Route
This 4-day tour covers approximately 800 miles through some of the most scenic coastal areas of the Great Lakes region.
Day-by-Day Routing
📍 Day 1: Southern Shore (200 miles)
Route: Michigan City, IN → New Buffalo → South Haven → Kalamazoo → Grand Haven → Whitehall → Silver Lake State Park
Highways: I-94 W → I-196 N → US-31 N → Local roads
Key Stops: Washington Park (Michigan City), South Haven Pier, Grand Haven State Park, White River Light Station, Silver Lake Sand Dunes
📍 Day 2: Central to Northern Michigan (350 miles)
Route: Ludington → Manistee → Traverse City → Harrisville → Mackinaw City → St. Ignace
Highways: US-31 N → M-22 N → US-131 N → I-75 N → US-2 W
Key Stops: Ludington State Park, Manistee North Pier, Old Mission Peninsula, Sturgeon Point, McGulpin Point
📍 Day 3: Upper Peninsula to Wisconsin (180 miles)
Route: Mackinaw City → Paradise → Crisp Point → Gulliver → Escanaba → Baileys Harbor, WI
Highways: I-75 N → M-123 N → County roads → US-2 W → WI-57 S
Key Stops: Whitefish Point Museum, Crisp Point (remote), Seul Choix Point, Peninsula Point, Cana Island
📍 Day 4: Wisconsin Shore (250 miles)
Route: Door County → Neenah → Fond du Lac → Milwaukee → Racine → Kenosha
Highways: WI-57 S → US-141 S → I-41 S → I-94 S → Local roads
Key Stops: Kimberly Point, Lakeside Park, Lake Park Milwaukee, Milwaukee Harbor, Wind Point, Kenosha Harbor
🚗 Driving Tips & Considerations
- Fuel Planning: Fill up before remote areas (Day 3 especially)
- Road Conditions: Crisp Point requires 18 miles of unpaved road - consider 4WD
- Ferry Crossings: Mackinac Bridge toll (~$4), no reservations needed
- GPS Reliability: Download offline maps - some areas have poor cell service
- Seasonal Closures: Some lighthouses close November-April
- Traffic Considerations: Milwaukee area can be congested - plan extra time
- Parking: Most lighthouses have free parking, some charge state park fees
Alternative Routing Options
🚗 Shorter 3-Day Option
Skip: Sturgeon Point, Crisp Point, Upper Peninsula detours
Focus: Main Lake Michigan shore route
Miles: Reduces total to ~600 miles
Best for: Families with young children
⛵ Extended 5-Day Option
Add: Mackinac Island overnight, more Door County exploration
Focus: Photography and leisure time at each stop
Miles: Similar distance, more time
Best for: Photography enthusiasts