7 days in Chicago, New Era & Mackinaw City Itinerary

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Tue): take in panoramic vistas at Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower, then explore the world behind art at The Art Institute of Chicago, then contemplate the waterfront views at Chicago River, and finally stop by The Magnificent Mile. On the 20th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: engage your brain at Museum of Science and Industry, then engage your brain at Field Museum, then pause for some photo ops at Cloud Gate, and finally stroll around Millennium Park.

To see maps, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Chicago road trip planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from your home destination to Chicago. In September, plan for daily highs up to 78°F, and evening lows to 61°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Thu) early enough to go by car to New Era.

Hackley and Hume Historic Site and Little Sable Point Lighthouse will appeal to history buffs. You'll enjoy a bit of beach vacationing at Silver Lake State Park Pedestrian Dune Access and Oval Beach. Get out of town with these interesting New Era side-trips: Holland State Park Beach (in Holland) and Ludington State Park (in Ludington).

To see more things to do, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the New Era trip planner.

Getting from Chicago to New Era by car takes about 3.5 hours. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. Expect slightly colder temperatures when traveling from Chicago in September; daily highs in New Era reach 73°F and lows reach 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Mackinaw City.

On the 24th (Sun), stroll around Colonial Michilimackinac and then stroll around Burt Lake State Park. Here are some ideas for day two: let the kids burn off some steam at Animal Tracks, grab your bike and head to Little Traverse Wheelway, and then admire the majestic nature at Petoskey State Park.

For traveler tips, photos, maps, and other tourist information, read Mackinaw City trip planner.

Traveling by car from New Era to Mackinaw City takes 4 hours. When traveling from New Era in September, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Mackinaw City: temperatures range from 67°F by day to 54°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.