Lake Superior Road Trip

[DGS49]

I'm planning a road trip from Pittsburgh to Thunder Bay, Ontario, with a major stop at Mackinaw City, Michigan - probably ferrying to the Island of a similar name. I will be driving over the northern shores of Lake Superior, spending a few days at Thunder Bay, then coming back through Duluth, the Twin Cities, and Chicago (not planning to stop there), then back home.

Anyone know of any interesting things or parks along that route. My total will be six days, but I'm flexible.

 

[petro]

I only know the North Shore in MN.
Here is a guide of interesting things in Duluth.

Skyline Drive Duluth Mn | Fall Color

www.superiortrails.com

North of Duluth, the drive is very scenic, with State Parks and scenic waterfalls right off the highway.
Split Rock Lighthouse is a popular stop.

Split Rock Lighthouse | Minnesota Historical Society

Behold 1000 watts of ship-stopping power at Split Rock Lighthouse! Experience the sights, the history, and the technology behind this signature Minnesota landmark anchored on the rocky coast of Lake Superior.

www.mnhs.org

 

[Mortis]

I'm planning a road trip from Pittsburgh to Thunder Bay, Ontario, with a major stop at Mackinaw City, Michigan - probably ferrying to the Island of a similar name. I will be driving over the northern shores of Lake Superior, spending a few days at Thunder Bay, then coming back through Duluth, the Twin Cities, and Chicago (not planning to stop there), then back home.

Anyone know of any interesting things or parks along that route. My total will be six days, but I'm flexible.

I frequently visit The Mackinac Bridge by staying at the Parkside INN,[Bridgeview] which overlooks the Bridge and everywhere nearby. There is plenty of places to visit and shop along that area.

Have fun!

Parkside Inn Bridgeview

Best Location in Mackinaw City!!! Parkside Inn is nestled in Mackinaw's most beautiful location, overlooking the MACKINAC BRIDGE, Lighthouse, Lakeshore Park w/1000' beach access, Lighthouse Museum, Iron Workers Memorial & Straits of Mackinac where lakes Michigan & Huron meet. WALK TO: Fort, Old...

mackinawcity.com

 

[jwoodie]

I'm planning a road trip from Pittsburgh to Thunder Bay, Ontario, with a major stop at Mackinaw City, Michigan - probably ferrying to the Island of a similar name. I will be driving over the northern shores of Lake Superior, spending a few days at Thunder Bay, then coming back through Duluth, the Twin Cities, and Chicago (not planning to stop there), then back home.

Anyone know of any interesting things or parks along that route. My total will be six days, but I'm flexible.

I would like to take that trip some day. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[odanny]

If I could do it over again I would have spent one night at the Grand Hotel. We stayed in St. Ignace for much less but there is not much there, no tourist vibe like the island has. We did spend one night in an old, tiny room on the island, and it was over $300 for a night. At least go on a tour of the Grand, I think it is $10, and never did that either. Did see a lot of other interesting things there, loved the fort up on the hill. Saw the summer vacation home for the governor very near the fort.

The Grand has (allegedly) the largest front porch on any building in the world.

Mackinac Island Vacation Specials | Grand Hotel

From Family Added Value Days and wine appreciation weekends to holiday celebrations, Grand Hotel has the perfect Mackinac Island vacation package for you.

www.grandhotel.com

 

[DGS49]

Halfway through. The highlight so far has been the drive from the Soooooo to Thunder Bay. That road that goes along the north shore of Lake Superior is the most spectacular I've seen, including US1 in California.

We spent a day and a half at Mackinaw City. Stayed at the Best Western and toured around the Island. We went to the Grand, but declined to go inside, which cost $12 - not for a tour, just to get in. It would have been quite a bit better if I had been able to ride the bike, but I was with my wife and she doesn't ride. The Island is like a New England town, only better and with a Midwestern flavor.

Thunder Bay is not a lively as I expected. We went to the Fort William Historical Park, which was extremely well done, and interesting. It seems that Thunder Bay was a major trading post "back in the day" (early 1800's). That road - the only road that covers the trip, is on a very nice 2/3 lane road with a max speed of 90kph, which is a little light. I rode at 65mph and had no issues moving with traffic.

I'm going to do three of the indoor museums tomorrow (Saturday). If it were Summer, I'd take a boat tour or two, but it's a little cool for that now.

The Tesla adds half hour for every 250 miles of travel, which I knew but didn't actually realize until I saw how it worked out. The downside is that the Superchargers are not always near any useful stops. We have had to walk as far as a half mile from the charger just to pee, let alone get something decent to eat. When you are stopping for half an hour or more to charge the battery, you don't want to stop for refreshment in addition to that.

 

[odanny]

Stayed at the Best Western and toured around the Island.

We stayed at the one in St. Ignace, had a room facing Lake Superior, but didn't spend a minute on the patio because the entire door was covered in Mayflies, which are always thick late in the summer.

 

[Jarlaxle]

On the way back-Liberty Air Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio.

 

[Winco]

I'm planning a road trip from Pittsburgh to Thunder Bay, Ontario, with a major stop at Mackinaw City, Michigan

IN AUGUST of this year, we (lovely Wife and I) traveled from MN, to WI, through the UP, and down through Mackinaw.

Over the Great Bridge, and into The Mitten.

I LOVED the Michigan area, in every way.

 

[Winco]

We spent a day and a half at Mackinaw City. Stayed at the Best Western and toured around the Island.

We just didn't have TIME to go to the Island.
Would love info on it, wish we could have, but we had to move onward.

I would really enjoy hearing about your visit on the Island.

 

[DGS49]

With my Tesla, I had a ten hour drive ahead of me when we took the ferry over to Mackinack Island. It is as nice as everyone says it is, and of course the Grand Hotel is spectacular in every way, taking guests back to the 1890's in high style. The grounds are also fabulous and designed around the same theme. Because we didn't have a lot of time we did not do the tour of the hotel, but it remains on our bucket list.

I can't overemphasize how spectacular the drive over Lake Superior was. the only downside was the fact that you see these vistas when you are traveling at 100k/hr, and if you want to make the most of it you have to make it a point to pull over or pull off and get those shots or videos.