Lake Michigan: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome

  Welcome to Lake Michigan, known for stunning sunsets, fruit festivals, and dune-bounded beaches.

• Great Lakes

  Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes, the largest group of freshwater lakes by area, essential for shipping goods.

• Portage Lake

  Portage Lake reflects the blessings and curses of Michigan's lumber industry, with mills once flooding farmlands and causing mosquito problems.

• Portage Point Resort

  The historic Portage Point Resort, opened in 1903, has been a popular vacation spot for over a century, now restored for modern visitors.

• Laurentide and Lakes

  Glaciers from the Ice Age, including the massive Laurentide Ice Sheet, shaped Michigan’s diverse landscape of lakes, dunes, marshes, and hills.

• Old Facefull

  Old Facefull, an artesian well, offers a unique sight as water constantly flows from a pipe sticking out of the ground.

• Important Coastal Wetlands

  Coastal marshes along Lake Michigan are vital ecosystems, home to rare species like the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly, though many have been destroyed.

• Arcadia Marsh Boardwalk

  The Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve, one of the few remaining coastal marshes, features a 1.5-mile boardwalk trail ideal for wildlife enthusiasts.

• Inspiration Point

  Inspiration Point, one of the highest spots on the Lake Michigan coastline, offers breathtaking views of the coast and turquoise waters.

• Baldy Trails

  The Baldy Trailhead in the Arcadia Dunes Land Preserve features an accessible trail leading to a beautiful overlook of Lake Michigan.

• The Dunes

  Lake Michigan’s dunes are constantly changing, with different ecosystems depending on their distance from the water.

• Fruit Belt

  Lake Michigan’s moderate climate, fertile soil, and extended growing season make it an excellent region for fruit orchards.

• Green Point Dunes

  The Green Point Dunes Trail offers a hike through woods to a sandy beach and an overlook of the City of Boston shipwreck.

• Elberta and Frankfort History

  Elberta and Frankfort, with their rich history, are notable for their early settlers and connection to Father Jacques Marquette.

• Cherry Hut Detour

  The Cherry Hut, famous for its pies since 1922, is a delightful detour for a sweet treat.

• Frankfort Beach

  Frankfort Public Beach, with its sandy shores and picturesque lighthouse, is a perfect stop for beach lovers.

• Inland Lakes

  Inland lakes near Lake Michigan were formed by melting glaciers, creating smaller lakes and river channels.

• Crystal Lake History

  Crystal Lake, Michigan’s ninth largest inland lake, was originally a bay on Lake Michigan until sand dunes closed it off around 2,000 years ago.

• Point Betsie Lighthouse

  The Point Betsie Lighthouse, built in 1858, is a historic and picturesque beacon with guided tours available from Memorial Day weekend through late October.

• Sleeping Bear Intro

  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, stretching along 35 miles of Lake Michigan's coastline, is famous for its natural beauty, glacial features, and diverse ecosystems.

• Sleeping Bear Highlights

  For a comprehensive visit, stop at the Phillip Hart Visitor's Center in Empire and take the scenic 7.5-mile Pierce Stocking Drive for breathtaking views and photo opportunities.

• Old Indian Trail

  Old Indian Trail offers two 2.5-mile loops through historic paths once used by Native Americans, ideal for a quieter hike.

• Ghost Towns

  The area around Sleeping Bear Dunes is home to remnants of five abandoned logging communities from the 1800s.

• Aral Sawmill

  Aral, near Esch Beach, was once a thriving sawmill town with white pine forests, now a ghost town with remnants still visible.

• Pitcher's Thistle

  Pitcher's Thistle, a unique dune plant, thrives in sandy soil with a taproot up to six feet long and flowers once before dying.

• Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

  The 7-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive offers scenic views, interpretive stops, hiking options, and covered bridges.

• Glen Lake Overlook

  Glen Lake, known for its bright turquoise color, appears as two lakes but is one body of water with a shallow channel, offering a stunning view.Dune Overlook

• Dunes Scenic Overlook

  This place offers stunning views of North and South Manitou Islands, Sleeping Bear Bay, and the historic DH Day farm.

• Cottonwoods

  Look for Eastern cottonwood trees, the only common tree on the dunes, which anchor the shifting sands and stabilize the ecosystem.

• Beech-Maple Forest

  Enter a shaded forest with sugar maples and American beech trees, where deer and squirrels may be spotted.

• Hart and Stocking

  The scenic drive was initially named after Michigan senator Philip A. Hart but later renamed Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in 1979.

• Sleeping Bear Overlook

  This overlook provides unobstructed views from a wooden platform 450 feet above Lake Michigan, offering glimpses of Empire Bluffs and Platte Bay.

• North Bar Overlook

  From here, you can view North Bar Lake, which sometimes gets blocked by sand, creating a small channel connecting it to Lake Michigan.

• Leelanau Letters

  Kathleen Stocking's book "Letters from the Leelanau" offers insights into life in the Leelanau Peninsula and the creation of the national lakeshore.

• Dune Rescue

  Sliding down dunes can lead to dangerous situations requiring expensive rescues, so it's best to enjoy the view from designated spots.

• Glen Haven

  Explore Glen Haven Ghost Town, a once-thriving port town now restored with historic buildings like a blacksmith shop and general store.

• Glen Arbor

  Glen Arbor, originally inhabited by Native tribes and later settled by fur traders, now offers art galleries, wine tasting rooms, and cafes.

• Manitou Islands

  North and South Manitou Islands, part of Sleeping Bear Lakeshore, offer rich archeological history and primitive camping experiences.

• Point Oneida

  Point Oneida was a thriving lumber community that turned to farming after the timber ran out, fostering a close-knit community.

• Dunesmobiles

  In the 1930s, Dunesmobiles roared through the Sleeping Bear Dunes, offering thrilling rides up and over the sandy slopes.

• Piping Plover

  The endangered Great Lakes piping plover has made a comeback at Sleeping Bear Dunes, thanks to habitat protection efforts.

• Bohemian Beach

  Bohemian Road Beach offers a lovely, less crowded beach option where dogs are welcome, while Good Harbor Bay Beach is great for kids.

• Manitou Passage

  The Manitou Passage, a vital waterway for maritime trade in the 1800s, saw many shipwrecks as sailors sought shortcuts.

• Manitou Passage

  The Manitou Passage, a vital waterway for maritime trade in the 1800s, saw many shipwrecks as sailors sought shortcuts.

• Good Harbor Bay

  Good Harbor Bay Beach is perfect for swimming, walking, or sunset viewing, with leashed dogs allowed on half the beach.

• Leelanau Peninsula

  The Leelanau Peninsula, known as "Michigan's Little Pinky," offers a temperate microclimate ideal for growing fruits like cherries and grapes.

• Michigan Wine Country

  Leelanau Peninsula's AVA is known for producing well-balanced white wines, contributing to Michigan's growing wine industry.

• Leland Fishtown

  Leland's historic Fishtown, a thriving fishing community since the early 1800s, still operates today, preserving its rich history.

• Sturgeon

  The Great Lakes sturgeon, once near extinction, has made a remarkable comeback thanks to conservation efforts.

• Clay Cliffs

  Clay Cliffs Natural Area offers a 1.5-mile loop trail with stunning views of Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan from a 200-ft clay bluff.

• Beaver Island Strangites

  Beaver Island's history includes a stint as a self-proclaimed theocratic monarchy under James Strang, who declared himself king in 1850.

• Strang's Demise

  Strang's autocratic rule led to his assassination in 1856 by disgruntled followers, ending his theocratic reign on Beaver Island.

• Northport

  In Northport Harbor, a recently studied shipwreck, visible on Google Earth, revealed a wooden vessel with intact boilers.

• Grand Traverse Lighthouse

  The Grand Traverse Lighthouse, built in 1849, served as a navigational marker for ships traveling around the Leelanau Peninsula.

• Isthmus or Peninsula

  Peninsulas, like Michigan's two peninsulas, protrude into water, while isthmuses connect two landmasses, like Panama and Suez.

• Peshawbestown

  Peshawbestown, named after Chief Peshaba, highlights the complex history of treaties and land rights for the Odawa people.

• Michigan Cherries

  Michigan is a leading producer of tart Montmorency cherries, which are rich in antioxidants and essential for pies and preserves.

• 45th Parallel Park

  Approaching the 45th Parallel, this park marks the halfway point between the equator and the North Pole, offering a unique geographical spot.

• Suttons Bay

  Named after founder Harry C. Sutton, Suttons Bay evolved from a steamer "gas station" to a town sold for a National University project.

• Logging History

  Named after founder Harry C. Sutton, Suttons Bay evolved from a steamer "gas station" to a town sold for a National University project.

• Leelanau Cheese

  Leelanau Cheese, known for its award-winning raclette, has gained an international reputation for European-style cheeses.

• Cider Versus Wine

  Cider and wine both stem from fermented fruit juices, blurring traditional lines with creative combinations like apple wine and grape cider.

• Fur Trading

  Fur trading, particularly beaver pelts, was vital in Michigan's early economy, facilitated by Indigenous peoples trading with Europeans.

• Madeline La Framboise

  Madeline La Framboise, a successful fur trader with French and Odawa heritage, expanded her business across Michigan after her husband's death.

• Lumber and Warbler

  The lumber industry's impact on Michigan's forests threatened species like Kirtland’s warbler, which narrowly avoided extinction in the 1970s.

• Traverse City

  Traverse City offers abundant activities including water sports, skiing, cherry orchards, wineries, art, museums, and top-notch food spots, particularly on Front Street.

• Cherry Capital

  Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City owes its cherry abundance to early plantings by Presbyterian missionary Peter Dougherty.

• Tall Ship

  Traverse Tall Ship Company offers sails on the Manitou, a replica of an 1800s cargo schooner, providing a unique sailing experience on Grand Traverse Bay.

• Highway 22 End

  Highway 22 ends as it transitions into Highway 31 towards Mackinaw City, passing through Traverse City for a scenic continuation of your journey.

• Botanical Garden Sidetrip

  Barns Park, a former working farm for a psychiatric hospital, now hosts a botanical garden expanding its horticultural attractions.

• TC Walk

  Traverse City's walking tours highlight historic sites such as the old Whiting Hotel, City Opera House, and the Hannah Lay Mercantile store.

• Old Mission History

  Old Mission Peninsula, named after Rev. Dougherty’s relocated mission, is a 19-mile-long sliver of land known for its wineries and historic charm.

• Dennos Museum

  The Dennos Museum Center features a significant collection of Inuit art and exhibits on art, science, and cultural history.

• Hannah Lay Company

  Traverse City's timber industry thrived thanks to Perry Hannah and partners, who revitalized a lumber mill and drew workers to the area.

• Conclusion

  Thank you for joining the tour along Lake Michigan's coastline.