Trip Planner:   USA  /  Illinois  /  Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan, Illinois

4.8
#2 of 61 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, Chicago 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

(Chicago is the nearest city to Lake Michigan)

map
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lake Michigan Tours
Chicago Pedway Walking Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $23
75 reviews
Duration: 90 minutes
Buy tours from $23
Real Pirates of the Inland Seas Sail BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $34
1 review
Duration: 75 minutes
Buy tours from $34
Chicago Architecture Walking Tour at Night: Summer Lights and Fireworks BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $25
1 review
Duration: 2 hours
Buy tours from $25
View more tours
Lake Michigan Reviews
Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5
1,807 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By Petrs70 On June 29, 2018
    Pro nas suchozemce jako full view) It was from the Navy Pier and prochazka planetaria. Since you take pictures of the panorama of Chicago planetaria classic Br.
    View original
  • By Rob A On June 26, 2018
    It's a big lake and its fun to see. Everytime I visit Chicago I bring my companions to see. They are always impressed.  more »
  • By andymck72 On June 26, 2018
    Amazing place to enjoy views of Michigan Lake and Chicago downtown during a run on Lakefront Trail. Just few minutes from crowded city.  more »
View more on TripAdvisor »
Places to stay near Lake Michigan

Plan your trip to Illinois

  • 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.

Best things to do in Illinois

Popular
©
The Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Millennium Park
Chicago
Visit for: 1​h
©
Fox in a Box Chicago
Chicago
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Kid Friendly Attractions
©
Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
©
Wrigley Field
Chicago
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm
Homer Glen
Visit for: 4​h
Hidden Gems
©
Room Escape Games
Chicago
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
©
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago
Visit for: 1​h
©
Dana-Thomas House
Springfield
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Parks
©
Grant Park
Chicago
Visit for: 3​h
©
Milton Lee Olive Park
Chicago
Visit for: 30​min
©
Anderson Japanese Gardens
Rockford
Visit for: 2​h
Nature
©
Lake Shelbyville
Shelbyville
Visit for: 3​h
©
Starved Rock State Park
Utica
Visit for: 3​h
©
Lake Lou Yaeger
Litchfield
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Nearby
©
Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower
Chicago
Visit for: 1​h
©
Shedd Aquarium
Chicago
Visit for: 2​h
©
Navy Pier
Chicago
Visit for: 3​h
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Plans to Lake Michigan by other users

29 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM ISRAEL October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 27 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 15 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM CROATIA November, museums, popular PREFERENCES: November, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 2 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 2 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, hidden gems PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 42 days in Continental USA, Toronto & Niagara Falls BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND April, teens, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: April, teens, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 9 days in Chicago and Beyond BY A USER FROM PHILIPPINES November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 44 days in Continental USA BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 3 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 15 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA February, culture, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: February, culture, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 8 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM MEXICO October, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: October, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 32 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, kids, historic sites, museums, popular PREFERENCES: September, kids, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
View more plans