From their crystalline waters to their mammoth size, the Great Lakes are among the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Superior are known for their stunning scenery and thriving waterside communities, making this region one of the most desirable destinations in North America.
Whether you’re a kayaker, diver, hiker, or sailor, there are numerous activities that make exploring the Great Lakes such a special experience. Additionally, these regions are full of local culture and centuries-old history that only adds to their appeal. For anyone thinking of visiting the region, here’s our guide to the Great Lakes.
Lake Erie
Situated between southern Ontario and parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, Lake Erie is the smallest of the Great Lakes by total volume. But for what Lake Erie lacks in size it more than makes up for with its fascinating history. Lake Erie played a key role in the economic development of the region, in no small part thanks to the historic Erie Canal. The canal opened up Lake Erie to countless commercial boats, which in turn aided in the development of many major cities along the coastline such as Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo. While these cities may no longer be centers of maritime industry, they remain among the most desirable places to visit in the Great Lake region.
In addition to its storied legacy, Lake Erie is home to many sites worth seeing today. One of the most picturesque buildings on the lake is the historic Marblehead Lighthouse in northern Ohio. This scenic building was constructed in 1821 and remains the oldest, continuously operating lighthouse anywhere on the Great Lakes. If you’re an oenophile, then you’d be delighted to know that the Lake Erie region is the largest grape-growing region in the U.S. outside of California. Water from the lake supplies over 20 wineries that encompass 18,684 acres of vineyards, making this area a must-visit for wine lovers. The lake is also home to one of the most important sites in music history: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Located on the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio, this beautiful angled glass structure was designed by architect I. M. Pei, and contains some of the most indelible artifacts from the history of rock music.
Lake Huron
Lake Huron serves as the border between northeast Michigan and neighboring Ontario, and has the longest shoreline of any of the Great Lakes measuring 3,827 miles. Given the prevalence of so much coastline, Huron is known for its stunning beaches, such as those found in Cheboygan State Park on the American side and Providence Bay Beach across the border in Canada. While you’re in Canada, consider visiting Big Tub Harbor, which is home to the wreck of a boat known as the Sweepstakes. This is one of the most spectacularly preserved shipwrecks anywhere in the region, and can be viewed during a glass-bottom boat tour.
Back in Michigan, Lake Huron is known for stunning natural wonders such as Turnip Rock in Port Austin. This unique rock formation juts out of the water and is best experienced by taking a self-guided kayak trip. For avid nature lovers, there’s also Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area in the town of Oscoda. This 5,000-acre expanse of wetlands provides bird-watching opportunities. Oscoda also serves as the endpoint of the annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon, a grueling 120-mile boat race that pits elite canoers against one another to the delight of the crowd.
Lake Michigan
Technically, Lake Michigan connects with Lake Huron through the Strait of Mackinac, leading scientists to consider them one lake with the largest surface area of any lake in the world. Even on its own, however, Lake Michigan is a sight to behold and serves as a beautiful backdrop to major cities such as Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you’re in Chicago, there’s no better way to experience the scenery of Lake Michigan than by visiting Navy Pier. This historic institution extends far out into the lake and is highlighted by its enormous 196-foot-tall Ferris wheel that provides views as far as the eye can see. Meanwhile, Milwaukee is home to 1,400 acres of beaches and parkland lying adjacent to the shoreline, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Lake Michigan also contains some of the most incredible natural sites in the country. One such place is the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, where visitors can take a buggy out along the dunes for a thrilling off-road experience. Adventurers should also consider stopping by Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak, northern Michigan’s first freshwater surf shop. Lastly, be sure to keep your eye out for Petoskey Stones while strolling along the waters of Lake Michigan. These prehistoric, fossilized rocks feature a stunning pattern made up of six-sided corallites, and are found at lakeside locations such as Petoskey State Beach.
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario sits between its namesake province and northern New York. On the Canadian side, the lake is home to the Ontarian capital, Toronto, which offers tons of entertainment and culture for visitors to enjoy, such as taking in a Maple Leafs hockey game or visiting the observatory atop the massive 1,815-foot-tall CN Tower. But the Toronto region also has plenty of natural beauty to enjoy along Lake Ontario, such as Scarborough Bluffs. This nine-mile stretch of 300-foot-tall cliffs is a dream location for hikers and photographers alike. There’s also the Toronto Islands, an 820-acre and car-free expanse. Home to 600 permanent residents, these islands provide an idyllic escape for day trippers looking to relax on the beach or stroll through its many gardens.
On the New York side, Lake Ontario is home to the historic Old Fort Niagara. The fort’s origins date back to 1726 when it opened as a French fortification, making the site a history buff’s dream. The Americans finally took over control of the fort in 1796, and it’s now considered the oldest surviving building in the Great Lakes region. Elsewhere in upstate New York, it’s worth exploring the Thousand Islands, which sit on an outlet of Lake Ontario along the Saint Lawrence River. This archipelago is composed of 1,864 islands that provide a great opportunity for fishers, divers, and even treasure hunters, as the islands are rumored to be the site of long-lost buried valuables.
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the northernmost Great Lake, lying adjacent to Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake, boasting a total surface area bigger than the states of Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire combined. In addition to its impressive breadth, the lake also captures the rich history of the region with notable historic sites such as the Whitefish Point Light Station, which was built in 1861 during the Lincoln administration. That lighthouse is an exhibit within the larger Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, which offers a fascinating look into the area’s maritime history and the many associated perils that unlucky boats endured.
Lake Superior is arguably the most stunning of the Great Lakes in terms of natural beauty, containing wondrous sites such as Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Paradise, Michigan. This 50,000-acre park is located within Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and contains lush waterfalls fed by the lakewater. Then there’s the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, known for its gigantic sandstone cliff formations. Kayakers can get up close to the cliffs themselves, providing unparalleled photographic opportunities to help capture the beauty of the region.
