23 days in Great Lakes USA Itinerary

Step out of the city life by going to Lakefront Trail and Lake Michigan. Step off the beaten path and head to Starved Rock State Park and Buckingham Fountain. Venture out of the city with trips to Matthiessen State Park (in Utica) and Lake Geneva (Geneva Lake Shore Path & Geneva Lake). There's still lots to do: explore the world behind art at The Art Institute of Chicago, walk around Milton Lee Olive Park, try to win big at Horseshoe Hammond, and don't miss a visit to Millennium Park.

For ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Chicago road trip app.

London, UK to Chicago is an approximately 12-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 6 hours traveling from London to Chicago. In September, Chicago is somewhat warmer than London - with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) to allow time to fly to Duluth.

Visiting Gooseberry Falls State Park and Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive will get you outdoors. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Copper Falls State Park and Park Point. Explore Duluth's surroundings by going to Boat Tours & Water Sports (in Bayfield) and Two Harbors (Split Rock Lighthouse & Split Rock Lighthouse State Park). There's lots more to do: take in the views from Aerial Lift Bridge, walk around Leif Erikson Park, test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, and identify plant and animal life at Congdon Park.

To see reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Duluth journey planner.

Getting from Chicago to Duluth by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In September, Duluth is a bit cooler than Chicago - with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Thu) early enough to drive to Ely.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Fri): engage your brain at North American Bear Center and then see the interesting displays at International Wolf Center.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Ely travel route planner.

You can drive from Duluth to Ely in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Duluth in September, plan for a bit cooler nights in Ely, with lows around 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Fri) to allow time to travel to Mackinac Island.

Visiting Mackinac Island State Park and The Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House & Insect World will get you outdoors. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Boat Tours & Water Sports and Fort Mackinac.

To find ratings, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Mackinac Island tour planner.

Do a combination of flight and ferry from Ely to Mackinac Island in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car, bus, and ferry; or do a combination of taxi, bus, train, and ferry. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. Traveling from Ely in September, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Mackinac Island, with lows around 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Mon) early enough to travel to Marquette.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Tue): stop by Downtown Marquette, take in the awesome beauty at Sugarloaf Mountain, and then admire the majestic nature at Presque Isle Park.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, read our Marquette trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by combination of ferry and flight from Mackinac Island to Marquette takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. Traveling from Mackinac Island in September, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Marquette, with lows of 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Tue) early enough to drive to Munising.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Get outdoors at Oswald's Bear Ranch and Miners Falls. Get out of town with these interesting Munising side-trips: Manistique (Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring) & Palms Book State Park).

For more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Munising trip maker site.

You can drive from Marquette to Munising in an hour. In September in Munising, expect temperatures between 25°C during the day and 13°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sat) early enough to go by car to Traverse City.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Ludington State Park. Visiting Boat Tours & Water Sports and Empire Bluff Trail will get you outdoors. Change things up with these side-trips from Traverse City: Silver Lake State Park Pedestrian Dune Access (in Hart), Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (in Empire) and Blustone Vineyards (in Lake Leelanau). There's more to do: indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink and wander the streets of Front Street.

To find ratings, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Traverse City road trip site.

Drive from Munising to Traverse City in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 27°C, and evening lows to 14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly back home.