Chicago and the Great Lakes Holidays

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do across the Great Lakes. You might fancy kicking things off in Canada with a trip to Niagara Falls. Get up close on a thrilling boat tour or complete the Journey Behind the Falls for a totally unique experience. 

Over in Michigan, by the Canadian border, Isle Royale National Park is a good place to go if you’re a fan of outdoor adventure. Walk the trails and go looking for black bears and moose. 

If you want to spend time discovering different towns and cities, you’re in luck with a Great Lakes holiday. 

Enjoy the slow life in car-free Mackinac Island by Lake Huron, or swing by Lake Erie and visit Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

We can’t talk about the Great Lakes’ cities without mentioning Chicago. Illinois’ largest city, here, you can browse avant-garde sculptures at Millennium Park, see masterpieces at The Art Institute of Chicago, or catch a concert at one of the live music venues. 

Toronto is worth a visit, too. A trip to the top of the CN Tower is a must, catching panoramic views of the cityscape below. Then you can head back down to ground level, exploring all the quirky corners, markets, and museums this city offers. 

Other not-to-miss places include Cleveland, with its excellent theatre district and rock n’ roll scene, and Minneapolis, a go-to spot for baseball fans and architecture aficionados. 

If you’re planning a holiday to this region of North America, you’ll likely want to spend some time exploring the lakes themselves. A good place to start is Lake Superior – the world’s largest freshwater lake. Here, you’ll find picturesque lighthouses, gnarly rock formations and hidden waterfalls, all waiting to be discovered. 

Lake Michigan also has a lot going for it, and there are plenty of places to visit along the shoreline. One idea is to base yourself around Traverse City, enjoying beach days and waterfront bike rides, before making your way to Torch Lake for a day trip. 

Alternatively, you could head towards the equally beautiful Lake Huron. Rent out a kayak and explore the wonders of the water, passing hidden grottos and rocky outcrops along the way.

There’s never a bad time to visit Chicago and the Great Lakes, with every season having its own perks. One of the best times to go is autumn. During these months, you’ll catch the landscape as its most vivid, with the colourful forests of Ontario being a particular highlight.

If you go a little earlier, during summer, you’ll get super toasty temperatures, perfect for days spent chilling by the lakeshore and overnight camping trips. 

For hiking and city sightseeing, we’d recommend a trip in one of the spring months. But if you’re looking for something different, why not opt for a winter holiday? Hit up the region’s best ski slopes and catch all the Christmas and New Year festivities.