Destination: USA
LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: The Great lakes
TWO TO THREE WEEKS/CHICAGO TO NEW YORK
The five Great Lakes are the largest source of freshwater in the world, and the USA shares them with its chipper northern neighbor Canada - which is easy to visit (see Lonely Planet's Canada for more). This is a trip of magnificent, lonely wilderness, sophisticated urbanity and Midwestern charm.
If all you want is to get from Chicago to Manhattan, it's 820 highway miles - two modest days. Triple the distance, turn two days into two weeks, and you'll discover just how friendly the USA can be - and how lush, forested and wild. Sup where wolves run free and be warmed by Midwestern smiles.
Start in Chicago, dip a toe in Lake Michigan, then take I-94 to Wisconsin's Milwaukee and Madison; a short trip west on Hwy 60 leads to Taliesin, the mother of Frank Lloyd Wright sights. Continue on I-94 northwest to Minneapolis, which isn't just cold, it's cool.
Now, leave the big cities behind and take I-35 north; at Duluth, go east on Hwy 13 to Wisconsin's rugged Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. Make your way north along the heel of Michigan's Upper Peninsula 'slipper' to Houghton, where you can catch a ferry to Isle Royale National Park, home to wolves, moose and bears, but no cars. Then take Hwy 41 through Marquette, Hwy 28 to Pictured Rocks , and Hwy 2 to the awesome bridge over the Straits of Mackinac, which divide Lake Superior from Lake Huron.
After a quick visit to Mackinac Island, take I-75 to Detroit, then skirt Lake Erie on I-90 till you get to New York's famous Niagara Fall, where Lake Ontario pours over the cliffs. Cross to the Canadian side for the best views. Now you've seen all five Great Lakes! But keep going to New York City anyway. You've come this far, why stop now?
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