Cabin & House Rentals at the Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan boasts a number of stunning beaches that are hubs for swimming, sunbathing and water sports during the summer months. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire is one of Lake Michigan's most popular beaches, stretching for 35 miles and featuring dunes, bluffs, and breathtaking views.

Over at South Beach Park in South Haven, it's all about family fun. Whether it's playing beach volleyball, visiting the lighthouse, practicing tricks in the nearby skatepark, or just lazing and swimming at the beach, there is a lot to do.

Chicago, located on the southern shores of Lake Michigan, is home to some of the most famous art galleries and museums in the world. The Art Institute of Chicago houses works of art from Ancient Greece and Rome, examples of American art and modern artworks by famous names such as Picasso and Matisse, along with Grant Wood's iconic painting, American Gothic.

Fayette State Park on the Michigan side of the lake is a fascinating ghost town, full of historic buildings dating from the 1800s, when the area was famous for its iron smelting industry. Step back in time as you explore the 19th-century settlement. Afterward, head to its pleasant beach, where you can take a dip in the waters of Lake Michigan.

Lake Michigan is a great destination for family vacations; the lake has several beaches where you can swim or try watersports, or just enjoy hiking through the beautiful natural scenery. Chicago has plenty of attractions for kids of all ages. Navy Pier, with its fast food restaurants, fairground rides, and live entertainment, makes for a fun family night out.

Green Bay also has its own amusement park, Bay Beach, where many of the attractions still charge less than a dollar for a ticket. Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, is also home to one of America's best-loved zoos, the Milwaukee County Zoo, which is home to over 3,000 birds and animals, including tigers, lions, elephants, and giraffes.

Nature-loving families should make the most of the beautiful scenery in the quieter parts of Lake Michigan, away from the towns and cities. Door County is famous for its stunning fall colors, while Illinois Beach State Park is an ideal destination for active families, with six miles of beaches, swimming areas, and hiking trails to suit all abilities.

Lake Michigan's location allows visitors to choose their most suitable vacation. Chicago, the biggest city on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a fantastically vibrant city. Visit museums, take a stroll along Lakeshore Drive and the Chicago Riverwalk, or visit United Center to see the National Basketball Association's world-famous Chicago Bulls play.

Head to the smaller town of Manitowoc, just south of Green Bay, where you can enjoy the attractions of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, including a tour of a real submarine. From here, you can also take the four-hour ferry journey across Lake Michigan to the town of Ludington. Sports fans will want to visit Green Bay itself, home to the Green Bay Packers and their Hall of Fame museum.

If you're an aficionado of classic motorcycles, there's only one place to go on Lake Michigan: the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. Learn about the history of this classic American company, and get up close to some of the amazing machines they have built over the decades.

Chicago hosts dozens of annual festivals, showcasing live music, local produce, and, of course, the beautiful scenery of Lake Michigan. Each July, spectators gather on Lakeshore Drive to watch the start of the annual Chicago Yacht Club race across the waters of Lake Michigan to Mackinac, 333 miles to the north. If you prefer to take part in sporting activities, sign up for the Chicago Triathlon, which sees competitors swim in Lake Michigan before cycling and running through the city's streets.

The annual Milwaukee Air and Water Show, held every July, sees a range of vessels arrive in Lake Michigan to take part in demonstrations and displays, while aircraft perform spectacular stunts over the open water. Head to Mackinaw City in the far north of Lake Michigan for the popular Hopps of Fun beer and wine festival, held every fall. Sample local products while enjoying the colorful autumnal scenery.

Picturesque Mackinac Island holds its annual Lilac Festival every June. Held on the island for over 70 years, it includes the coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen and a Grand Parade with prizes for the best floats. Meanwhile. the village of Baldwin, just inland from Lake Michigan in the Huron-Manistee National Forest, holds its Troutarama celebration of fishing every July, with angling competitions and the chance to taste locally caught fish.

Wine Tours

On a Wine Tour of Southwest Lake Michigan, you'll visit award-winning wineries, meet expert vintners and sample different vintages from across the region. Get to know the difference between various grapes, and learn how Michigan's cool climate enhances the flavor of some varietals. Follow the tour with a glass of your favorite local wine and a picnic lunch.

Cycling Tours

Or embark on a cycling adventure around Lake Michigan and its numerous scenic trails. Many of the best tours start and end in Traverse City. Take in the amazing scenery as you bike along the paved path of Sleeping Bear Dunes before passing through the vibrant resort towns of Charlevoix, Boyne City, Petoskey, and Harbor Springs.

Boat Tours

Alternatively, enjoy time on the lake by going on a boat tour. Larger tours often take in the Milwaukee and Chicago skylines, while cruises near Sleeping Bear Dunes offer spectacular views of the dunes themselves, as well as the lake's countless bluffs, beaches, and lighthouses.