Trip Planner:   USA  /  Illinois  /  Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan, Illinois

4.8
#2 of 38 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.
Create an itinerary including Lake Michigan

(Chicago is the nearest city to Lake Michigan)

map
Lake Michigan Tours
Chicago Pedway Walking Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $23
Chicago Urban Adventure Cruise BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $35
Chicago New Year's Eve Dinner Cruise with Buffet BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $230
Private Morning Sail on Lake Michigan BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $390
Private Sunset Sails BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $390
Private Day Sailing on Lake Michigan BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $390
View more tours
Lake Michigan Reviews
Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
1,779 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • September 25, 2017
    We have 'visited' this Great Lake (the only entirely US one) now in three different states - Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan - and we've passed it by on many occasions when driving through Indiana. I...  more »
  • September 24, 2017
    This marina has a beach to walk for miles picnic tables shops restaurants sight seeing paths swimming a light house you can walk out to was a beautiful day if your ever in port Washington Wisconsin st...  more »
  • September 17, 2017
    The Lake is beautiful, super seems a reasonable extension of beach sand. An avenue with a boardwalk for hiking and biking. Give a casual air to the city.
    View original
View more on TripAdvisor »

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
©
Robie House
Chicago
Visit for: 2​h
Kid Friendly Attractions
©
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Chicago
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
©
Wrigley Field
Chicago
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
Lincoln Memorial Garden
Springfield
Visit for: 1​h
Museums
The Field Museum
Chicago
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Springfield
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Oriental Institute Museum
Chicago
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Hidden Gems
©
Beer Tastings & Tours
Chicago
Visit for: 3​h
©
Dana-Thomas House
Springfield
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
©
Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Parks
©
Grant Park
Chicago
Visit for: 3​h
Anderson Japanese Gardens
Rockford
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Milton Lee Olive Park
Chicago
Visit for: 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.

Where to stay in Chicago

©
The Midwest's major center for business conventions, Chicago boasts many affordable places to stay, with most hotels located around the airport and the city's central business district. To discover the city from a comfortable base within walking distance of most tourist attractions, aim for one of the big chain hotels in the downtown area. If you're traveling on a limited budget and wish to get a deeper sense of Chicago's many diverse neighborhoods, consider staying away from the pricey city center and explore suburbs on a commuter train line for easy city access.
Live like a local, find unique places to stay
Millions of travel reviews on TripAdvisor

Plans in Illinois by other users

32 days in United States, Quebec City & Whistler BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA November, popular PREFERENCES: November ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 5 days in Springfield & Chicago BY A USER FROM NETHERLANDS December, popular PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 42 days in United States & Vancouver BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA October, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 22 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM ISRAEL December, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 22 days in Chicago BY A USER FROM POLAND August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, fast-paced, popular PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Fast-paced 9 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES November, popular PREFERENCES: November ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 49 days in United States & Toronto BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 33 days in United States BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA October, culture, relaxing, beaches, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: October, culture, relaxing, beaches, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 35 days in United States BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA October, culture, relaxing, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: October, culture, relaxing, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 19 days in United States BY A USER FROM UZBEKISTAN December, popular PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 21 days in United States BY A USER FROM UZBEKISTAN December, popular PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 20 days in United States BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA December, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: December, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
View more plans