9 Most Scenic Drives in The Great Lakes
The shores of the Great Lakes sit in America’s rugged north-midwestern region, where some of the country’s most underrated national parks offer unmatched views. Mile upon mile of roads and highways offer an easy way to explore iconic lakeshores, laze on sandy beaches, and discover the history of the quaintest towns. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, these nine most scenic drives in the Great Lakes take you through some of America’s most exhilarating landscapes.
Copper Country Trail National Byway
The Copper Country Trail National Byway along US Highway 41 runs along the Keweenaw Peninsula. From Houghton to Hancock and Calumet to Copper Harbor, the route is alive with brilliant color in the fall, scenic snowscapes in winter, and lush green scenery in the spring and summer. The world’s heaviest and widest double-deck bridge is the launch point for the trail from Houghton. The Quincy Mine and Hoist House overlooking Hancock is the first sign you are in the heart of copper country. Visit the world’s largest steam hoist, Nordberg, or take a tour in the depths of the mine.
Calumet is the hub of Keweenaw’s copper boom. Remnants of the town’s grandeur boast some of the Upper Peninsula’s most noteworthy architecture. This leg of the journey takes you through the magnificence of Keweenaw National Historical Park, where 19 heritage sites tell the story of copper mining going back 7,000 years.
Consider a detour in Eagle Harbor, where Byzantine monks are rumored to run the best little bakery on the peninsula. The Jampot’s house-roasted coffee, tantalizing sweet treats, and other delights are well worth it. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park covers 700-acres where a restored 1844 military outpost, two historic lighthouses, and 19 buildings offer an immersive experience to end your sojourn. Expansive nature trails and breathtaking Lake Superior views are the ultimate final stop on your Copper Country journey.
Door County Coastal Byway
The Door County Coastal Byway travels State Trunk Highway 42 and Wisconsin Highway 57 along the Door Peninsula. The shores of Lake Michigan in northeastern Wisconsin are dotted with quaint towns, pastoral farmland, and over 300 miles of shoreline. You can zigzag your way from shore to shore or run up one side and down the other.
Sturgeon Bay’s Door County Maritime Museum is worth a visit for the views from the observation tower alone. The museum’s Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower depicts distinct tales of local history from shipbuilding and wrecks to Native American communities. Taste some of the most awarded cheeses in the world at Egg Harbor’s Wisconsin Cheese Masters Store. The goudas are of particular note, and you can grab a bag (or two) of cheese curds while you are there.
If the journey is about the food, a stop-off in Bailey’s Harbor on Lake Michigan is an unexpected delight. Koepsel's Farm Market is the oldest farm market in the county, where generations have created a foodie destination starting with their homemade jams, jellies, and fruit butters. You will also find an extensive collection of Wisconsin-made goods, fresh-baked items, locally sourced smoked fish, wines, and craft beers. Island Orchard Cider in Ellison Bay offers Normandy-style dry ciders in their taproom. Enjoy a flight, glass, or pitcher of their top sellers or small-batch-crafted limited releases on draft. Build your own snack board from an assortment of local provisions to pair with your cider.
Great Lakes Seaway Trail
The Great Lakes Seaway Trail follows the shores of Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River through New York and Pennsylvania. Traveling over 500 miles across the northern border of New York reveals an endless trail of eye candy from harbors and lighthouses to rolling farmland and charming homes. The journey begins in Massena and heads west along the St. Lawrence River; it follows New York State Route 37, among others. Head for Sackets Harbor, a sweet little village on Lake Ontario perfect for exploring the beauty of the Thousand Islands and the St. Lawrence River. Take a guided boat tour to discover magical island castles and the historic Rock Island Lighthouse while taking in the majesty of the waterway.
Head towards the city of Oswego to grab a bite at Happy Sparrow Café for their renowned sweet, yeasty kolache buns. Lunch on a savory selection and grab some sweet delights for the road. Coffee and kolache in hand, head towards Buffalo to experience the power of spectacular Niagara Falls. This natural wonder is located at Niagara Falls State Park, where 75,750 gallons of water tumble over the American and Bridal Veil Falls per second. You also have unbeatable views of the impressive Canadian Horseshoe Falls, where a mind-boggling 681,750 gallons flow over the massive rock formation. Take the park’s Niagara Scenic Trolley to see the park’s most awe-inspiring vistas and end your day watching as the falls light up at night.
Highlights Loop
While not an officially designated scenic route, the so-called Highlights Loop is a veritable “best of” list of Great Lakes scenery from Detroit to Chicago. From sandy beaches to charming lakeshore communities, and foodie destinations to Indigenous heritage, every mile introduces a vision more beautiful than the last. Although it's recommended that travelers spread this trip over 10 days, you can cover shorter trips along the route to discover the most magical moments in three states.
For example, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is worth the four-hour scenic drive from Detroit. Climbing the stupendous 450-foot-tall sand dunes is quite perilous, but the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive affords the most beautiful views of Lake Michigan, the Glen Lakes, and the dunes from the safety of your vehicle.
The soothing rural landscape, lake views, and vineyards along the Old Mission peninsula are a must-see for wine lovers. Chateau Chantal Winery in Traverse City offers afternoon wine tasting for day trippers or cozy B&B stays. On the Wisconsin side of the Loop, travelers discover two stunning state parks boasting pristine white sand beaches. Harrington Beach State Park’s sandy shoreline shines, although both parks are highly rated. Cool City Brewing Company is a little further north, where an eclectic mix of flights makes for a tasty afternoon. Sample food, beer, cocktails, or coffee on the picturesque coast of Two Rivers. Who can say no to food flights?
Red Arrow Highway
Artsy tipplers will find paradise on a leisurely day trip along Michigan’s Red Arrow Highway. The scenic route covers a short jaunt between St. Joseph and New Buffalo along the shores of Lake Michigan. Traveling south from St. Joseph offers plenty of shoreline scenery and intriguing pit stops for wine, art, and antique lovers.
St. Joseph sits at the mouth of the St. Joseph River with a downtown historic district made for long strolls. Krasl Art Center is the perfect launch point for your cultural journey, where you can discover historical, contemporary, and thematic exhibitions featuring national and global artists. If you live for vintage finds, Harbert Antique Mall is conveniently located right on the highway. Prepare to spend hours browsing the impressive collection of antiques and vintage items, from art to furniture and lighting to rugs.
Continue onto Sawyer to discover the compelling work of sculptor Fritz Olsen. The Fritz Olsen Art Gallery is a popular destination for art lovers, where a peaceful garden invites quiet contemplation. The diverse collection of Olsen's elegant stone and bronze sculptures is an experiment in harmony and movement.
St. Julian Wine is Michigan's longest-running winery and the most-awarded winery in the state. They have been crafting unique wines, ciders, and spirits for over a century, and their Union Pier tasting room offers an opportunity to understand what all the hype is about. Sample their offerings by the glass, in original cocktails, or refreshing slushies best enjoyed in the summer on their spacious patio.
Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail
The Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail is a scenic 293-mile drive along the coast of Lake Erie from Toledo east to the Pennsylvania border, offering unique scenery and distinctive historic, cultural, and natural experiences. Although this is a road trip, Sandusky, Port Clinton, and Marblehead all offer ferries and tours to explore the picturesque Lake Erie Islands, including the 20-minute ride on the Kelleys Island Ferry. Admire the views of Marblehead lighthouse from the ferry and explore Glacial Grooves and Kelleys Island State Park.
After your island jaunt, head to Huron to marvel at miles of pristine beaches and taste the bounty of Lake Erie farmland. The Chef’s Garden Farm Market is just minutes from the sandy shoreline, where a wonderful foodie experience includes culinary demos using farm-fresh ingredients, from veggies and herbs to edible flowers. Geneva-on-the-Lake is a seaside town with a retro vibe, where you can take in the scenery at Geneva State Park. The beaches, peaceful forests, and freshwater marshes combine all the most beautiful aspects of the region and what makes this Great Lake so compelling.
Your road trip ends in lovely Conneaut, where you can settle in at Buccia Vineyards. This quirky little vineyard is bursting with rustic charm that did not go unnoticed by leading wedding mavens from The Knot and Wedding Wire. Cozy suites include a wine tasting and breakfast, and you can order artisanal flatbread, cheeses, and charcuterie to accompany their unique selection of small-batch wines.
Lake Huron Circle Tour
The scenic M-25 runs along Lake Huron’s western shore, covering just under 150 miles from Bay City to Port Huron. This drive along Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is part of the Lake Huron Circle Tour covering the full “thumb” of Michigan’s iconic “mitten.” The views from Bay City to Port Austin are mostly about the pastoral countryside with the odd glimpse of the lake. The Sand Point Nature Preserve is your first stop, where the protected coastal lands in the Saginaw Bay Watershed are the habitat for dozens of bird species. Listen to songbirds as you explore the wetlands, ponds, and marshes, and discover the majestic splendor of Lake Huron.
Port Austin’s position at the very tip of the thumb affords breathtaking views from Port Crescent State Park. Take the Point aux Barques trail to admire the famed Turnip Rock, a unique “flowerpot” formation in Lake Huron. FYI, the park offers stupendous stargazing as a Designated Dark Sky Preserve. Stretch your legs at Lake Huron Roadside Park in Port Sanilac, where wooden stairs lead down to the lake. Although you cannot access the beach itself, the views from the platform are worth the effort. Prepare yourself for the climb back up to your car. Heading towards Lexington, the last stop is Port Huron, where dinner and drinks await at Vintage Tavern. Enjoy terrace-style dining, taking in the views of the town and river from the rooftop while indulging in chef-crafted dishes and signature cocktails.
Tunnel of Trees
The Tunnel of Trees is a 20-mile scenic drive from Harbor Springs to Cross Village. Named after the beautiful canopy of trees that afford intermittent views of Lake Michigan, this is a road best traveled in the fall. The highway wends its way along Lake Michigan with ample coastal views and plenty of worthy stops for foodies. Harbor Springs is the starting point where you can stock up on chunky gourmet cookies at Tom’s Mom’s for the road.
Good Hart is an old Native American Village just off the “tunnel,” where the lovely Middle Village Park is hidden behind St. Ignatius Mission Church. The path runs alongside the church and passes a sacred Odawa burial ground, so stick to the trail. The trail is quiet and shady, and the observation deck has seating to relax and admire the lake. The beach is scattered with lovely patches of long grass, creating a pretty picture against the shimmering water.
Have lunch in Cross Village at the iconic historic landmark, Legs Inn. The restaurant’s back garden offers unmatched views of the lake, while the inn itself is a Great Lakes experience you will not soon forget. The handcrafted woodwork of Polish immigrant Stanley Smolak was created in the early 1920s, where the distinct row of inverted stove legs on his unique roof railing inspired the inn’s name. The lovely stone façade and interior fantastical creatures carved into tree roots, limbs, and driftwood do not overshadow the inn's homestyle Polish fare.
Lake Superior Circuit Tour
The Lake Superior Circle Tour is a 1,300-mile scenic drive around the lake through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada. Clearly this route is impossible to cover in a day. However, a short stretch along Minnesota State Highway 61 in Minnesota takes you from Duluth to Grand Portage in about three hours. Pack a lunch and plenty of snacks, as the stops on this route are all about the scenery.
Your first scenic outlook prepares you for the majesty that lies ahead. Located just before you hit Split Rock Lighthouse and State Park, the lighthouse sitting atop a massive rock outcrop will blow you away. The park itself has a rugged pebble beach on the shores of Superior and serene views of Ellingsen Island. Temperance River State Park cuts through a picturesque narrow gorge. Trails and bridges offer inspiring views of the gorge, Temperance River, and waterfalls and lead down to the beach at Lake Superior. You can hike to the top of Carlton Peak to take in the majesty of the entire area.
Keep your eyes peeled for Gooseberry Falls, which is visible from the highway. Take the State Park's short trail to the 20-foot-high Lower and Middle falls or follow the trail on the west side of the river to reach the full splendor of the 35-foot Upper Falls. Your last stop is High Falls at Grand Portage State Park. An easy jaunt takes you through a silent boreal forest to Minnesota’s tallest waterfalls, soaring 120 feet.
Road trips offer a leisurely way to discover the magnificence of the Great Lakes states. Spend a day running up one side and down the other on one of many Great Lakes peninsulas. Follow the St. Lawrence Seaway to discover the serenity of Lake Ontario and the formidable power of Niagara Falls. Discover new foodie delights at wineries, breweries, and farms in Michigan, or explore the majesty of the National Parks of America’s north-midwestern region. No matter which routes you choose, these nine most scenic drives in the Great Lakes promise to take you on a spellbinding journey.
