Day 1
Saugatuck to Ludington
Day 1
Arrive in Saugatuck
Start your journey in Saugatuck, a town on the Kalamazoo River known for its art scene and beautiful parks. Here, you'll have the chance to stretch your legs, poke your head in some beautiful galleries and grab a bite to eat.
Travel Tip
If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat before kicking off your road trip, make the most of your time in Saugatuck at the Lake Shore Resort for breathtaking Lake Michigan and incredible hospitality.
Day 1 Activity
Saugatuck Art Galleries
Dozens of painters, sculptors and ceramicists call Saugatuck home, and many of their galleries are located downtown. Stroll north along Butler Street, venture inside in whichever galleries catch your eye.
Travel Tip
In addition to the Saugatuck art scene, there are plenty of boutique shops and cafés if you'd like to shop or enjoy a light lunch.
Day 1
Drive to Grand Haven
Head north from Saugatuck along US 31, passing through the outskirts of Holland, and continue on to Grand Haven, an area noted for its beautiful beaches and picturesque lighthouses. Here, you'll snag something to eat, explore a gorgeous soft-sand beach and discover two picture-worthy lighthouses.
Travel Tip
Find a scenic detour off US-31 at Windmill Island Gardens in Holland. Here you can explore stunning gardens and find the De Zwaan windmill, an authentic 18th-century Dutch windmill.
Day 1 Dining
Lunch in Grand Haven
There are lots of good dining options in Grand Haven. Consider unwinding after your drive with fresh fish or a burger at Snug Harbor, a waterfront restaurant with great views of Lake Michigan from the deck. If you're looking for somewhere more laid-back, head to The Unicorn Tavern to sample some Belgian-inspired comfort food.
Travel Tip
Find more culinary experiences in Grand Haven from casual to fine dining.
Day 1 Activity
Grand Haven State Park
After lunch, head to the beach at Grand Haven State Park. Take a quick dip in Lake Michigan or stroll along the Grand Haven South Pier. The two red lighthouses on the south pier, built in 1839, are perfect for a sunny photograph from the beach.
Travel Tip
With an accessible playground, beach wheelchairs and a track chair, Grand Haven State Park is the perfect stop for everyone in your group to enjoy Michigan’s outdoors.
Day 1
Drive to Ludington
Hop back on US-31 and continue up the coast. Arrive in Ludington, a small-town home to 28 miles of beaches, historic lighthouses and landmarks, and a lively downtown. Here, you'll grab dinner and settle down in your lodging for the night. If you have the time, downtown Ludington is worth exploring further – it was voted the 2024 Best Historic Small Town in the U.S. by USA Today.
Travel Tip
If time permits, stop in Muskegon to explore the USS Silversides Submarine Museum. Board the USS Silversides, a preserved Gato-class World War II submarine, and the USCGC McLane, a Prohibition-era cutter, and then explore the history of both vessels in a two-story museum.
Day 1 Dining
Dinner in Ludington
Treat yourself to a relaxing dinner in Ludington. Jamesport Brewing Company offers local craft beers and pub fare close to the waterfront. Try a cherry bourbon burger or lake perch sandwich for local flavor, paired with craft beer brewed below the restaurant.
Travel Tip
If you prefer an upscale dining experience, try Table 14 in downtown Ludington. Owned by a husband-and-wife team, Table 14 is acclaimed for its creative Charleston-influenced cuisine and intimate setting. The crab soup and shrimp and grits are favorites.
Day 1 Lodging
Stay in Ludington
Built in 1905, Cartier Mansion Bed & Breakfast is a historic neoclassical mansion-turned-inn that offers ten elegantly furnished rooms, a tranquil conservatory, a Victorian-style library and more. Another option is Summer's Inn of Ludington, a restored vintage motel with the feel of a B&B.
Travel Tip
Find more places to stay in Ludington, including options with incredible Lake Michigan views and walkable beach access.
Day 2
Ludington to Traverse City
Day 2
Ludington to Frankfort
After a hearty breakfast at your lodging of choice, continue your journey north. Head north on M31 until you hit Manistee, then trade M31 for M22 and follow it along Lake Michigan. Enjoy the rolling farm country and lakeside sections of the drive. As you grow closer to Frankfort, you'll start to catch glimpses of sweeping dunes.
Travel Tip
The Arcadia Overlook on M-22 is the perfect place to stop and stretch your legs. Climb a staircase – 122 steps – at this turnout for a breathtaking look at the glittering Lake Michigan shoreline.
Day 2 Activity
Point Betsie Lighthouse
Continue north through Frankfort – don’t worry, you'll be back to the charming little town in a bit – to the Point Betsie Lighthouse 10 minutes north of town. After a short walk from the road, you can explore the lighthouse that serves as a vital U.S. Coast Guard navigation aid, the Boathouse Museum and the Fog Signal Building.
Travel Tip
If you would like to extend your trip and explore more of the area, you can reserve an unforgettable night in the Keeper’s Quarters of the Point Betsie Lighthouse for groups of up to six people.
Day 2 Dining
Lunch in Frankfort
Return to Frankfort and stop for a meal at any of the delicious restaurants around town. Stormcloud Brewing Company is a favorite, with a large beer garden and mouth-watering flatbread pizza. Dinghy's Restaurant and Bar is another excellent choice, with the award-winning ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and the house Sandwich of Your Dreams being standout favorites.
Travel Tip
After lunch, take some time to meander through downtown Frankfort. Unique Victorian homes line the streets, and the specialty shops and galleries are full of interesting finds.
Day 2
Frankfort to Sleeping Bear
From Frankfort, continue north on M22 into Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Travel Tip
If you haven’t had enough of the Lake Michigan scenery, visit Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area just 20 minutes west of US-31 on your way to Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Day 2 Activity
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses towering dunes, maple-beech forests and sparkling lakes. Drive Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a 7.4-mile loop that highlights the dynamic and varied landscape of the park. At, Stop #9, follow the boardwalk to a panoramic vista atop a 450-foot dune bluff, with endless blue water below and the Manitou Islands in the distance.
Travel Tip
If you're feeling adventurous, try the Dune Climb – a popular 0.7-mile climb up a dune. It's a workout and will tire your legs, but it's worth it to say you climbed a dune.
Day 2
Sleeping Bear Dunes to Traverse City
As the afternoon winds down, drive toward Traverse City by dropping down to M-72 and cutting inland.
Travel Tip
Another option is to continue north along M-22 into the Leelanau Peninsula, where you can stop and taste a couple of flights at some of the area's incredible wineries.
Day 2 Dining
Dinner in Traverse City
Traverse City has a range of amazing restaurants in which to indulge. Trattoria Stella, an elegant dining experience located in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a former asylum-turned-marketplace, is an excellent option. The Italian-style restaurant prioritizes fresh ingredients on a menu that changes daily.
Travel Tip
If you missed out on wine tasting earlier, don't sweat – the restaurant has an extensive wine list.
Day 3
Traverse City to Mackinaw City
Day 3
Traverse City to Petsokey
Bid farewell to Traverse City as you continue north for Petoskey, a delightful town known for its hiking, historic Gaslight District and Petoskey stones. As you head north along M-31, you'll enjoy plenty of gorgeous coastal views.
Travel Tip
When you reach Kewadin, take note of the 45th Parallel marker on the west side of M-31. Here, your road trip has taken you to the halfway point between the equator and North Pole!
Day 3 Activity
Explore Petoskey
Park near Petoskey's colorful Victorian-era storefronts and explore on foot. Browse the galleries and boutiques, and perhaps pick up a new summer read at McLean & Eakin Booksellers, an independent bookstore.
Travel Tip
If you need a sweet pick-me-up for the road, browse the delectable and Michigan-made selection at Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen.
Day 3
Petoskey to Mackinaw City
Hop back on M-31 for a short drive north, starting your journey up the state to Mackinaw City. You'll know you're getting close when the cream-colored towers of the Mackinac Bridge – the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere – start to come into view. You'll finish your trip in Mackinaw City with two big cultural stops.
Travel Tip
If you’re planning your road trip during fall, opt for driving along M-119. Known as the “Tunnel of Trees,” this longer route offers coastal views and immersion in stunning fall color.
Day 3 Activity
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Swing by Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse right at the base of the bridge. This 1889 limestone lighthouse overlooks the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. You can take fantastic photos of the Mackinac Bridge from the beach, and the lighthouse has a small museum and optional tower climb for a bird's-eye view of the Straits.
Travel Tip
Consider returning after sundown to catch a view of the Mackinac Bridge lit up at night – a beautiful sight you're not likely to soon forget.
Day 3 Activity
Colonial Michilimackinac
Reconstructed based on historical maps and decades of archaeological excavation, Colonial Michilimackinac invites you to step back in time to an 18th-century fort and fur trading village. Costumed interpreters bring this living history museum to life and are happy to answer questions or provide demonstrations.
Travel Tip
If you have time, there are 13 additional reconstructed buildings filled with exhibits to explore.
Day 3 Dining
Dinner in Mackinaw City
There are a range of dining options in Mackinaw City. Darrow's Family Restaurant is a good choice, known for hearty comfort food, large portions and incredible homemade pies. You can also try some Michigan specialties like whitefish or pasties.
Travel Tip
Find more options to eat in Mackinaw City from the rustic Dixie Saloon Brewery to the waterfront Hook Lakeside Grill.
Day 3 Lodging
Stay in Mackinaw City
Mackinaw City and the surrounding area boast accommodations for every budget with over 2,400 hotel and motel rooms and luxurious B&Bs.
Travel Tip
Prefer camping under the stars? Head back west to Wilderness State Park for incredible dark sky viewing and quiet beach walks along Lake Michigan.
Ready to explore the Lake Michigan coastline?
This itinerary is designed with three days in mind, but there are many wonderful places to linger along the way. Ever better, there are plenty more adventures to be had now that you've reached the top of the Lower Peninsula. Mackinac Island is only a short ferry ride away, and the Upper Peninsula and all its natural beauty await just across the Mackinac Bridge.