Trip Planner:   USA  /  Illinois  /  Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan, Illinois

4.8
#1 of 76 in Nature in Illinois
Water Body Nature / Park
More like an inland sea than a lake, Lake Michigan boasts a shoreline 2,600 km (1,600 mi) long, making it the fifth largest lake in the world. Nearly 12 million people live along the lake's shores, most of them in the metropolitan areas of Chicago and Milwaukee. You can explore a seemingly endless network of beaches, orchards, historical sites, award-wining wineries, parks, camping areas, and recreational resorts located along the shoreline, or choose to see the giant lake from the comfort of a traditional schooner or modern tour boat. For an urban experience on the lake, explore Chicago's 15 beachfront areas and marinas. For travelers who use our custom trip planner, Racine holidays become easier to arrange, with trips to the Lake Michigan and other attractions mapped out and timetabled.
Improve this listing »
Create an itinerary including Lake Michigan
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Lake Michigan Reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5
1,845 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By CaptTrouble
    My husband and I took a long walk along the shore of Lake Michigan on a very hot day. It was along North Lake Shore Drive, so there was some traffic noise. There was a wonderful breeze off of the...  more »
  • By sandien2019
    When I think of a lake I can see the other side. No way that is true. It is huge like an ocean. The water is beautiful!  more »
  • By Sachin M
    This is truly a great lake in every sense. It is enormous, gigantic, massive. I have never come across a lake of this scale which actually looks like a sea or ocean. There is lot of calmness to it...  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »

Plan your trip to Racine

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Racine

See all ›
©
SC Johnson Headquarters
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
©
Wind Point Lighthouse
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min
©
Racine Zoo
3.7
Duration: 2 hours
©
North Beach Park
4.6
Duration: 2 hours

Side trips from Racine

©
Six Flags Great America
Gurnee
3.5
Duration: 8 hours
©
Rotary Botanical Gardens
Janesville
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Geneva Lake Shore Path
Lake Geneva
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
©
Geneva Lake
Lake Geneva
4.6
Duration: 2 hours

Hidden gems in Racine

©
Hot Shop Glass
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
©
River Bend Nature Center
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
©
Reefpoint Marina
4.4
Duration: 4 hours
©
Racine Heritage Museum
4.6
Duration: 2 hours

Historic Sites in Racine

©
Racine Masonic Center
3.5
Duration: 2 hours

Shopping in Racine

©
Regency Mall
1.5
Duration: 2 hours
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Plans to Lake Michigan by other users

3 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, popular sights Preferences: August Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 3 days in Oak Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, popular sights Preferences: October Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 14 days in Muskegon BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, kids, popular sights Preferences: July, kids Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 21 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, teens, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, hidden gems Preferences: July, teens, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife Attraction style: Hidden gems Pace: Medium 22 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, kids, popular sights Preferences: August, kids Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 4 days in Midwest BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, teens, popular & hidden gems Preferences: July, teens Attraction style: Popular & hidden gems Pace: Medium 13 days in Naperville, Aurora & Chicago BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, popular sights Preferences: July Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 13 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND July, culture, romantic, hidden gems Preferences: July, culture, romantic Attraction style: Hidden gems Pace: Medium 31 days in New York City, Chicago & Orlando BY A USER FROM BRAZIL July, popular & hidden gems Preferences: July Attraction style: Popular & hidden gems Pace: Medium 15 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, teens, kids, popular sights Preferences: June, teens, kids Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 27 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, popular sights Preferences: September Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 11 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, popular & hidden gems Preferences: August Attraction style: Popular & hidden gems Pace: Medium
See more plans