great lakes cruise milwaukee

Great Lakes Cruises

Discover the natural wonders and historic ports of the Great Lakes aboard a Great Lakes cruise. Kayak Minnesota’s sea caves along it’s rugged North Shore, or tour Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Great Lakes await you.

Great Lakes and Georgian Bay (8-Day)

On this 8-day Great Lakes and Georgian Bay voyage aboard the 210-guest Pearl Mist, enjoy the beautiful and clear waters of the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world. Sail among the Thirty Thousand Islands and visit the many remarkable destinations along the way. Explore the delightful town of Holland, home to the only authentic Dutch windmill in North America. Wind down with the slow-paced lifestyle of Mackinac Island where visitors and residents travel by bicycle, horse-drawn carriage, or on foot. On your way to Parry Sound, marvel at the unique geologic formations and untouched wilderness that lines the shores of Georgian Bay.

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Great Lakes Explorer (8-day)

On this 8-day Great Lakes Explorer cruise from Milwaukee to Thunder Bay Wisconsin aboard the 378-passenger Viking Octantis or Viking Polaris, discover the maze of granite islands that comprise Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve while hiking and kayaking through its tranquil beauty and admiring sweeping vistas. Experience Victorian charm on Mackinac Island and venture into the boreal forests of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park on Lake Superior’s northern shore. Explore coastal wetlands replete with birdlife, comb pristine beaches and get acquainted with native cultures of the northern Great Lakes.

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Undiscovered Great Lakes

On this 8-day Undiscovered Great Lakes cruise from Thunder Bay to Milwaukee, Wisconsin aboard the 378-passenger Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, cross the width of Lake Superior from Duluth to the Soo Locks, exploring the Apostle Islands and Keweenaw Peninsula along the way. Hike along clifftop trails for sweeping views of the lake. Gain insight into the unique features and ecosystems of remote wilderness islands and admire Kakabeka Falls, the “Niagara of the North.” Step back in time at historic Fort William and on the quaint, car-free streets of Mackinac Island.

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Niagara & the Great Lakes

On this 8-day Niagara & the Great Lakes cruise between Toronto, Ontario to Milwaukee, Wisconsin aboard the Viking Octantis, discover North America’s wilderness alongside renowned cultural attractions while cruising the striking waterways of the Great Lakes. Immerse yourself in the lakes’ compelling shipping history, experience the power of thundering Niagara Falls and keep watch for scores of migratory birds at Point Pelee. Led by a team of experts, explore sheltered bays and woodlands to uncover complex ecosystems and hidden treasures.

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Great Lakes and Georgian Bay (12-Day)

On this enchanting 12-day Great Lakes and Georgian Bay cruise aboard the 210-guest Pearl Mist, travel through four of the Great Lakes and admire the magnificent scenery that surrounds you. Be awed by the immensity of Niagara Falls as our local expert guide shows you the best vantage points. Discover the history of the automobile at the Henry Ford Museum in Windsor and stop in Sainte-Marie, Ontario’s first European community.

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Great Lakes Explorer (15-Day)

On this 15-day Great Lakes Explorer voyage aboard the 210-guest Pearl Mist, experience Pearl Seas Cruises most immersive exploration along The Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system in the world. Take an exhilarating boat ride in Niagara Falls and come within feet of its misty spray. Visit the Cleveland Museum of Art, one of the top art museums in the country, before traveling to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit to learn how he changed the world of technology and manufacturing.

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St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes (16-day)

On this comprehensive 16-day St. Lawrence Seaway & Great Lakes cruise aboard the 210-guest Pearl Mist, explore the breathtaking landscapes, historic harbors, and cosmopolitan cities that make this region incredible. Begin your journey in Quebec City, before exploring the narrow cobblestone streets and alleyways of Montreal. Discover the cultural treasures of Toronto, then venture to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Visit Detroit, commonly known as The Motor City before visiting Parry Sound,and the Georgian Bay. Take Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride in Mackinac Island, past the famous Grand Hotel, and tour the homes of wealthy lumber barons in Muskegon. End your journey in Milwaukee with a visit to the legendary spots that make this city famous, including the Harley-Davidson Museum.

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Zlake superior explorer cruise - milwaukee to thunder bay, our complete program of shoreside discoveries.

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Board the mv Victory II in Milwaukee

On arrival at the airport, our chauffeured transfer takes you to the pier where the elegant mv Victory II awaits. Settle in to your outside stateroom before joining your fellow passengers for dinner with free-flowing house wines, cocktails and beverages.  Meals D

Ashore in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Our first visit on today’s shore excursion program is the National Railway Museum, dedicated to the preservation of our nation’s railroad heritage. Among its historic exhibits are the Dwight D. Eisenhower Command Car, the largest steam locomotive ever built, and the futuristic Aerotrain introduced by GM in the 1950’s. The museum also houses a rare collection of silver service plates and china that was used on railroads, steamships and early airlines.   Next up is the Heritage Hill State Park. Here at this 48-acre open air museum, you’ll find more than 30 historical structures brought here from sites across the state. These original buildings include log cabins from the fur-trading era, structures from Fort Howard that once occupied a site along the nearby Fox River, and stores and public buildings from the 1800’s. With enlightening insight from museum staff garbed in period clothing, today’s visit offers a look into Midwest life more than a century ago.  Meals B+L+D

Sturgeon Bay + Beautiful Door County

Step ashore in the port of Sturgeon Bay and visit the Door County Maritime Museum. Situated along the bustling waterfront, this museum showcases the region’s rich maritime heritage from its fishing fleet and hardy sea captains to the skilled craftsmen, bold inventors and lonely lighthouse keepers who have contributed so much to the area. We’ll also take you into the beautiful wooded landscapes of Door County, a peninsula that extends into Lake Michigan to form the sheltering waters of Green Bay. Get a glimpse of the grand waterfront homes along Cottage Row and tour the Alexander Noble House, built in 1875. Then meet the owner of Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery to learn about the history of the region’s many bountiful fruit farms. Comprised of orchards and vineyards, your tour of this family-run estate includes a wine tasting and a chance to pick delicious Door County cherries in the orchard.  Meals B+L+D

Mackinac Island

This morning, the mv Victory II will dock in St. Ignace where you’ll board the Star Line Ferry to Mackinac Island. From the Mackinac waterfront, a horse-drawn carriage tour is a great way to experience the Victoria-era ambience of this National Historic Landmark. Learn about the island’s history and see turn-of-the-century homes built by early captains of American industry. Then hop off at the Grand Hotel and take in the views from its famous verandah, the longest in the world! In the elegant main dining room, you’ll enjoy the hotel’s lavish Grand Buffet Luncheon.   Also today, you’ll tour Fort Mackinac - set high on a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. Built by the British in 1780, taken by the Americans in 1796, and reclaimed by the British at the start of the War of 1812, your guided visit offers rich insight into colorful chapters of American history. Then return to the waterfront where the ferry will take you back to St. Ignace to reboard the mv Victory II .  Meals B+L+D

Through the Soo Locks into Lake Superior

A delightful day of cruising is enriched by engaging talks with our onboard Great Lakes experts. Elegant dining in two distinctive venues, our ship’s Open Bar with house wine, beer and spirits, and convivial conversation with your fellow travelers adds to the experience. Today our ship will transit through the historic Soo Locks, where freighters, barges and tugboats traverse the 21-foot rise of the St. Mary’s River between Lake Huron and Lake Superior. The first lock here was built in 1855 and the canal was navigated by 27 vessels during its first year of operation. Today, more than 10,000 ships hauling 86 million tons of cargo pass through these historic parallel locks each year, even though they’re closed during the winter when ice shuts down shipping on the upper Great Lakes! As we navigate from Lake Huron upward through the locks, our experts will be on-hand to offer colorful historical insights. Once we reach the pristine northern waters of Superior, we’ll continue our voyage westward toward Marquette.  Meals B+L+D

Marquette, Michigan

Set on the northern shores of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the lands around Marquette were well known by French missionaries as far back as the 1600’s and in later centuries by intrepid fur trappers. With the discovery of iron deposits in the mid-19 th century, the town of Marquette began to grow and prosper and by the late 1800’s steamships were also bringing summer visitors to fill the city’s hotels and resorts. Stepping ashore today in this historic town, your sightseeing will include the Michigan Iron Industry Museum and the still-operational Famous Eagle Mine site. At the Baumer Heritage Center, informative and entertaining exhibits will offer further insight into Marquette’s development from furs and mining to modern-day tourism.  Meals B+L+D

The Keweenaw Waterway + Houghton

Comprised of natural lakes and waterways as well as artificial canals that were dredged in the 1860’s, the Keweenaw Waterway traverses the Keweenaw Peninsula and provides a shortcut for freighters hauling ore from the rich copper mines of the Peninsula to larger cities along Lake Superior. Today you’ll step ashore in the village of Houghton, situated midway through the Keweenaw Waterway, for a tour of the famous Quincy Copper Mine. The mine operated for nearly a century, right up through World War II, and offers the rare chance for visitors to actually enter the mine itself! After lunch, you’ll visit the Houghton Lake Historic Village to see a restored vintage homestead and tour the Fireman’s Memorial Museum.  Meals B+L+D

Discover Duluth, Minnesota

The Sioux and Chippewa were the first to settle in the scenic hills that overlook the far western shores of Lake Superior. By the mid 1600’s, it was a fur trading outpost that was then claimed for France by Daniel Greysolon Sieur du Lhut, the French soldier and explorer for whom the city is now named. Stepping off ship today, your guided exploration begins with the Aerial Lift Bridge which stands guard over the harbor and then continues along the North Shore Scenic Driver, from where you’ll have commanding views over the city and its picturesque setting on Lake Superior. You’ll ascend to Hawk Ridge to learn about the unique natural phenomenon that occurs here annually as raptors migrating from the Arctic crest the ridge and seemingly come to a halt in mid-air as they encounter the vast expanse of Lake Superior below. Back in town, enjoy a guided walk along the waterfront to Leif Erikson Park to see an amazing replica of a Viking ship and then tour the Duluth Depot, which houses the unique collection of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore more of Duluth’s vibrant waterfront at your own pace.  Meals B+L+D

Disembark in Thunder Bay, Ontario

After breakfast and disembarkation here in Thunder Bay, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your homeward flight.  Meals B

Extend Your Trip

Free post-cruise stay in thunder bay.

Extend your journey with our complimentary post-cruise stay in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Set on the western shores of Lake Superior and cradled by the Nor’Wester Mountain Range, this vibrant urban community is a friendly place to relax and explore before heading homeward. We include transfers, sightseeing, hotel accommodations and your flight from Thunder Bay to Toronto.

Disembark the mv Victory II + Discover Thunder Bay

After breakfast onboard, you’ll disembark the ship to find our friendly local guide waiting at the pier to take you to Fort William Historical Park. Set on 250 acres overlooking the picturesque Kaministiquia River, this leading heritage and cultural center offers a chance to experience and learn about local life in the early 19th century at the peak of the North American fur trade. Start with an informative video presentation and continue through the Park to the old fur trading post where you’ll find dozens of finely-reconstructed historical buildings. Hands-on demonstrations and engaging staff in period garb bring the region’s history to life. After your visit, we’ll take you to the comfortable Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton for your complimentary overnight stay. The balance of this day is yours to relax and enjoy as you wish.

Complimentary flight to Toronto

Breakfast this morning is included with your stay. At the appropriate time, you can transfer to the airport using the Hampton Inn’s convenient airport shuttle. Our Post-Cruise Stay includes your flight to Toronto where you can connect to your homeward journey.  Meals B

$379 port charges are extra

Family + Friends

Every A+R Journey is carefully crafted with more than 7 decades of expertise helping our guests to experience the world in a more authentic and caring way. Choose from more than 105 Original Journeys With Never More than 16 Guests or book your tour as a Completely Private Experience – whether it’s just the two of you, a small group of friends, or your entire family.

Similar Trips

America's Great Lakes

Our Great Lakes cruise from Chicago to Toronto encompasses all five of the Great Lakes - revealing their rich maritime history, indigenous cultures and captivating natural beauty. Aboard the elegant small ship mv Victory I, the finest ship on the Great Lakes, our deluxe cruise includes fine dining, enriching onboard experts, all excursions, an open bar, airport transfers and gratuities.

Canada by Land, Water + Rail

With the smallest groups in the Americas, our journey uniquely begins in a small Canadian fishing port. Traveling all the way across British Columbia, we’ll show you more of its history, beauty and wildlife.

Our Pacific Northwest

Our Pacific Northwest tour features the smallest groups in the Americas, combining the bounty of Portland, Oregon’s vineyards and its Pacific Coast with a luxury Columbia River cruise aboard the American Empress.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Located on the scenic shore of Lake Michigan and featuring a cruise dock located in the heart of downtown, Milwaukee offers an exceptional blend of stunning natural beauty, big city arts, exciting entertainment, and Midwestern charm. Milwaukee is home to award-winning restaurants, acclaimed architecture, and cultural attractions.

Popular shore excursions

• Visit the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum.
• Take in the Milwaukee Art Museum with its iconic “wings”, designed by world-renowned architect and sculptor Santiago Calatrava.
• Enjoy the charming downtown RiverWalk connects the European heritage-inspired Old World Third Street with the Historic Third Ward district.
• Shop at the lively Milwaukee Public Market.
• Enjoy numerous shops, art galleries, and breweries.

Cruise Lines

Listed below are the cruise lines that dock at this port.

American Queen Voyages

Pearl Seas Cruises

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

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America's Great Lakes Cruises

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Explore our list of 7 cruises

Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan, Superior: on the US-Canada border, the five Great Lakes represent a unique opportunity for a cruise. It is a great feeling to relax into the Indian summer, enveloped by the immensity of these spaces, full of blazing nature. 

All about cruises America's Great Lakes

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A Voyage Along the Great Lakes – with Smithsonian Journeys

Lake Superior – a life-sized expedition

Expedition in the heart of the American Great Lakes

Natalie Dessay and her friends, on the Great Lakes

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

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Essential Great Lakes

They represent another American dream. A cruise on the Great American Lakes is all about getting to know the two iconic countries of North America, Canada and the US, intimately. Here are the sites not to be missed during your trip to four of these lakes: Ontario, Erie, Huron and Michigan.

Essential Trips — The Great Lakes

In our imagination, the Great Lakes open onto infinite space. In fact, there are vast coniferous forests burnished with golden tones during the Indian summer, immense lakes interrupted by lush green islands and bays of turquoise water, rivers becoming torrential waterfalls... Before leaving for these legendary lands, here is some useful information .

Explore Great American Lakes

Canada : exploring the spectacular Great Lakes

Look over Niagara Falls

They are certainly the iconic site of this Great American Lake region . With a flow rate of 2,800 m3, the Niagara Falls are imposing in all their splendour. From Table Rock, a guided walk allows you to follow the crest of the Horseshoe Falls , one of the waterfalls that make up Niagara.

Discover the exciting life of Toronto — Canada

Toronto proudly sits on the banks of Lake Ontario. Canada's largest city knows how to draw travellers into its beating heart. With its lively streets, its different quarters with varied cultural influences , such as the Chinese and Polish quarters, Little India and Portugal Village, bars, restaurants and shops of all kinds elicit charm. To end this beautiful visit, climb to the top of the CN Tower and enjoy a 360° view over the city.

Stroll in Quebec — Canada

There is a particular pleasure to strolling in Quebec . The old fortified town is full of historic buildings such as the Château Frontenac and the imposing Citadelle. Wander through the paved streets of the Petit-Champlain quarter edged with bistros and restaurants, walk along the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, or cross the suspension bridge above Montmorency Falls at 83 metres high.

Cross the Welland Canal and the Port Colborne Lock

Less well-known than Panama, Suez and Corinth Canals, the Welland Canal is no less than a jewel of engineering. 42-km long and punctuated by eight locks, it links Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Sailing down this canal takes an even more impressive turn at Port Colborne where there is one of the longest locks in the world at 420 metres.

top at Flowerpot Island — Canada

Among the 30,000 islands making up Georgian Bay, Flowerpot Island is certainly one of the most extraordinary. It is part of the Fathom Five National Marine Park. The island gets its name and its reputation from two rock formations in the shape of a flower pot that stand over the crystal clear waters. However, people come here more for hiking trails leading to the lighthouse, allowing them to discover rare flora , and for swimming. The water is cold, the bed rocky and steep.

Fly over Georgian Bay by helicopter — Canada

You might think that you're in the Mediterranean, but the coniferous forest edging the cliffs that fall into turquoise waters remind you that you're in Canada. On the northeast branch of Lake Huron, Georgian Bay has the clearest waters of the Great Lakes . To admire these incredible landscapes, nothing is better than a helicopter tour . Isolated creeks with sheer drops, lush vegetation clothed with golden tones in autumn... the scenery is exceptional!

Horse riding in Honora Bay — Canada

At the north of Georgian Bay, in Honora Bay, Manitoulin Island is a real delight with its tree-filled landscapes, waterfalls, calm waters and houses edging the lake. Choosing to roam through this landscape on horseback is about getting off the beaten track, through forests, fields and over hills, meandering along the Niagara, with a stunning view over the La Cloche Mountains. It's also the opportunity to see white-tailed deer, foxes, hares and even bald eagles.

Helpful tips

Things to do. Civility and calmness are the values that are much appreciated in Canada and the USA. If you are not satisfied with a service, it is best not to shout, but to try to find a solution through discussion.

Don'ts. In Canada, smoking is forbidden in all public places such as parks, cafés, and restaurant terraces.

Unique features

The Georgian Bay includes no less than 30,000 islands , which makes it the largest freshwater archipelago in the world.

Essential phrases

Bonjour / bonsoir : Good morning / Good evening Au revoir : How are you? Bienvenue : Welcome Excusez-moi / s’il vous plaît : Excuse me / Please Merci : Thank you Oui / non : yes / no Comment allez-vous ? : How are you? Très bien, merci, et vous : Fine, thank you, and you? Je m’appelle… : My name is...

Impossible de visiter l’Ontario sans goûter au sirop d’érable , produit dans la région depuis des siècles. Grand territoire agricole, l’Ontario fournit des légumes et des fruits de qualité. Parmi eux, les pêches servent à la conception de beignets fort appréciés. Côté salé, la poutine québécoise, ces frites recouvertes de fromage et d’un jus de viande, a fait son chemin jusque sur les bords des Grands Lacs. Dans les grandes villes comme Toronto, la culture culinaire reflète les vagues d’immigration successives. Saveurs françaises et britanniques restent ancrées dans la tradition.

Myths & legends

Although dream-catchers have a more decorative function today, they have a real significance for the Ojibwes from the Lake Huron region. Legend has it that the first dream-catcher was woven by a spider, the reincarnation of a young boy's grandmother whose tribe suffered from famine following a curse struck by an evil spirit. Hung at the entrance of his house, it filtered out the nightmares, allowing only good omens to pass through it. From then on, abundance returned to the village, saving the inhabitants from famine.

In the spotlight

Since the 1980s, the USA and Canada have partnered in a common effort to decontaminate the banks of the Great Lakes , especially in the most populated areas, such as Toronto. Purification plans and pollution prevention have transformed these zones from “areas unfavourable to economic growth into residential areas, which are precious economic assets”, as noted the International Association for Great Lakes Research. In a report published in August 2019, the economic benefit was calculated as more than 4 billion dollars.

Books. Sturgeon Falls (Ontario), in the 1960s. In French: Albert and Paul-André, two friends, acquire a notebook with a green canvas cover, which will become their shared diary. The two teenagers write down their feelings in it, and also their perception of a changing world. An autobiographical fiction by Gaston Trembley, Le Grand Livre traces the memories that the author has of this period of research into his own life, which provide a glimpse into the trajectories of these two future adults. With his friend, André Paiement, the author is one of the most prominent figures in Franco-Ontarian literature. Native Americans, explorers, gold hunters, immigrants, warriors, entrepreneurs... They have all made their mark on the history of the Great Lakes, inspired by the history and carried by the myths and legends. In Great Lakes Folklore: Legends of the Five Sisters, Charles Cassady, Jr. relates the most important tales.

Music. In summer and in autumn, the Native Americans organise pow wows. During these gatherings, which are open to the public, each tribe wears traditional costume and shares dances, songs, culinary specialities and crafts with each other. This is a wonderful way to discover cultures that are often little-known.

Film. Ben, a thirty-something man, is disillusioned with his work as a teacher, but his peaceful life is suddenly turned upside down with a shocking cancer diagnosis. Shaken by the news, he decides to buy a motorbike and take to the road for seven days from Toronto to Vancouver. In One Week , Michael McGowan poetically portrays the great Canadian outdoors, leaving you longing to discover it.

Facts and figures

The five Great American Lakes contain The five Great American Lakes contain 18% of the world's reserves of freshwater. This is the largest surface freshwater reservoir on the planet. of the world's reserves of freshwater. This is the largest surface freshwater reservoir on the planet.

• Bayfield & Apostle Islands (United States)
• Duluth (United States)
• Going through the Welland Canal locks (Canada)
• Killarney (Canada)
• Little Current (Canada)
• Mackinac Island (United States)
• Midland (Canada)
• Milwaukee (United States)
• North Shore Inside Passage (Canada)
• Parry Sound (Canada)
• Point Pelee National Park (Canada)
• Port Colborne (Canada)
• Sailing Lake Erie (Canada)
• Sailing Lake Huron (Canada)
• Sailing Lake Michigan (United States)
• Sailing Lake Superior
• Sailing St. Clair River (Canada)
• Sailing along Flowerpot Island (Canada)
• Sailing through Detroit (United States)
• Sailing through Keweenaw Waterway
• Sault Ste. Marie (United States)
• Sault Ste. Marie (Canada)
• Silver Islet, Lake Superior (Canada)
• Slate Islands (Canada)
• Sturgeon Bay (United States)
• Thunder Bay (Canada)
• Toronto (Canada)

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Great Lakes cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

The Great Lakes probably isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of cruising. But in recent years, the region has grown enormously as a cruise destination — and for good reason. Touring the Great Lakes by ship is by far the easiest way to see a wide range of the area's attractions — from vibrant cities to natural wonders — in a single trip.

When planning Great Lakes cruises, you have many things to consider: when to go for the best Great Lakes cruise experience, which cruise line is best suited to your travel style, the best Great Lakes cruise ports to visit and which shoreside activities you want to prioritize. It's not the kind of trip you want to throw together at the last minute, especially since the best fare deals typically go to organized travelers who book early.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here, The Points Guy offers up a guide to everything you need to know about planning a sailing in the Great Lakes.

Why cruise the Great Lakes?

The Great Lakes region may not be a bucket list destination on the scale of Alaska or Antarctica. But it has a lot to offer — more than many people may realize.

Along the banks of the five lakes that are at the core of the region — Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior — you'll find some of Middle America's greatest cities, charming small towns, historic sites and wonders both natural and human-made. Plus, there are the lakes themselves, which together are roughly the size of the U.K. and make up the largest freshwater ecosystem on the planet. Accounting for 21% of all the world's fresh water, they truly are a marvel.

All this can be seen via an overland trip, of course, and many people explore the Great Lakes region by car or on motorcoach tours. But the region is so sprawling — the Great Lakes touch eight U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario — that logistically it's almost impossible to experience the area in a broad way on a single trip without going by ship.

On a single Great Lakes cruise, you can see the world-class architecture and museums of Chicago, take a carriage ride through the carless streets of Mackinac Island, Michigan, and gaze upon the splendor that is Niagara Falls along the New York border — all without having to get behind the wheel of a car or unpacking and re-packing your suitcase more than once.

When do cruises go to the Great Lakes?

The Great Lakes cruise season is a short one, due mostly to the weather. With winters being cold and snowy in the region, cruise lines stick to the warmer months of May to September for Great Lakes sailings.

The weather isn't the only limiting factor. The cruise season in the Great Lakes is also limited in its length by the opening and closing of the St. Lawrence Seaway — the system of locks, canals and channels that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Cruise vessels that operate in the Great Lakes can't access the region until the locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway open for the summer, something that typically happens the last week of March. They need to be out of the Great Lakes before the St. Lawrence Seaway closes for the winter (typically in December).

Great Lakes cruise weather can be chilly at the start of the season, with low temperatures in the 40s in May in some areas and highs in the 60s. It warms up considerably by July and August, with high temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and the price. Cruises at the beginning of the Great Lakes cruise season in May are generally a bit less expensive than those in June, July, August and September.

Best Great Lakes itineraries

A relatively small number of ships sail in the Great Lakes during any given year. But, even so, they offer a wide range of Great Lakes itineraries. Some of the ships that operate in the region will alternate between three or even four different routes during the short summer season, giving you lots of choices.

Lengthwise, you'll find Great Lakes voyages ranging from seven to 15 nights. Some of the sailings travel across all five of the Great Lakes. Others focus on just three or four of the interconnected bodies of water. Some of the ships also offer sailings that combine travel on one or more of the Great Lakes with a passage through the St. Lawrence Seaway. In some cases, these latter trips include travel all the way to Montreal.

The diversity in Great Lakes itineraries extends to their start and end points. A large percentage of all Great Lakes cruises begin or end in Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto. But there also are Great Lakes sailings that begin or end in Thunder Bay, Ontario; Duluth, Minnesota; Montreal and Detroit.

In most cases, Great Lakes sailings are one-way trips. You'll start in, say, Toronto, and work your way west to Chicago — or vice versa.

Some Great Lakes itineraries only include stops at relatively small towns such as Midland, Parry Sound and Little Current in Ontario; and Muskegon, Marquette and Houghton in Michigan. Others mix in calls at some of the bigger cities of the Great Lakes region, notably Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland and Toronto. On longer sailings, vessels often will overnight in such places as Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Thunder Bay.

Car-free Mackinac Island at the top of Michigan is a common stop on Great Lakes voyages, as is Niagara Falls, which sits between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Pro tip: If your Great Lakes cruise begins or ends in Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto, add a pre- or post-cruise stay of a night or two in the cities to see them in more depth.

Best Great Lakes cruise lines

Most of the world's biggest cruise lines — including Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line — can't operate in the Great Lakes because their ships are too big to enter the region through the St. Lawrence Seaway. This has turned the Great Lakes into an exclusive zone for a handful of smaller cruise operators that focus on very small vessels.

The two main players in Great Lakes cruising are Viking (a newcomer in 2022) and Pearl Seas Cruises. Each has one vessel devoted to the region (Viking Octantis and Pearl Mist, respectively).

Both cater to a generally older crowd, which is the main market for Great Lakes cruises. Viking's itineraries have the most outdoorsy options, while Pearl Seas Cruises offers trips with a lot of small-town stops.

Two more lines that occasionally operate sailings in the region are German line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and France-based Ponant. Tour organizer Smithsonian Journeys also occasionally offers Great Lakes sailings using chartered Ponant vessels.

All of the above lines operate ships in the Great Lakes that carry fewer than 400 passengers. Some carry as few as 202 passengers. In general, the vessels are intimate and relatively high-end, with pricing to match.

As a rule, Great Lakes sailings don't come cheap. For example, seven-night Viking sailings in the region start at $5,995 per person.

Things to do in the Great Lakes

As noted above, the Great Lakes offer a wide mix of attractions and experiences. During a Great Lakes cruise, you might find yourself climbing aboard the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit on one day and kayaking through the wild marshlands of Point Pelee, Ontario, the next.

Of the two lines operating in the Great Lakes, Viking has the greatest focus on outdoorsy stops such as Point Pelee (a tiny sandspit that juts into the northwestern corner of Lake Erie and is famous as a stopover for migratory birds). Some of Viking's sailings include a call at Alpena, Michigan — the gateway to a National Maritime Sanctuary, where passengers can kayak past shipwrecks in shallow waters. Another destination that Viking visits, Silver Islet, Ontario, brings the opportunity for a trail walk through Ontario's 94-square-mile Sleeping Giant Provincial Park — a rocky, forested park named for a long line of mesas that resemble a giant lying on its back.

The city-oriented stops that Viking and the other lines make, such as visits to Milwaukee or Chicago on Lake Michigan, give you time to explore the urban sensibility of the region. Brew-town Milwaukee offers the chance to explore the city's craft beer and brewing scene or to take a walking tour to the city's many outdoor sculptures. Chicago is famous for its world-leading architecture (which you can see on walking and boat tours), its Magnificent Mile lined with more stores than you've probably ever seen in one place and its world-class cultural institutions.

Then there are stops at quieter places such as Mackinac Island, where your sightseeing might include an excursion by horse-drawn carriage to historical sites. Of the three main lines operating in the Great Lakes, as noted above, Pearl Seas Cruises focuses the most on the region's small towns, with fewer stops at bigger cities.

One thing that all three of the main lines operating in the Great Lakes have in common is that they include tours during at least some stops and sometimes every stop in their base fares. Pearl Seas Cruises and Viking are particularly known for including lots of shore excursions in their base fares.

Included tours are part of what you're paying for when you pay the high prices noted above. So you can go off on your own in any of the places these ships visit. But you might just have a no-extra-charge outing including many of the highlights of each place already planned for your voyage.

Best Great Lakes cruise ports

The best Great Lakes cruise ports include the handful of relatively big cities in the region, such as Chicago, that are loaded with cultural sites, nightspots and restaurants, as well as charming small towns such as Holland, Michigan. Great Lakes cruises also bring days that are all about getting up close to wonders both natural and human-made — from towering Niagara Falls to the engineering marvel that is the Welland Canal.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Known as "Canada's Gateway to the West" because it's the final navigational point on the Canadian side of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay is one of Ontario's most vibrant cities and a center for art and culture. It's also a hub for outdoorsy pursuits including mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and angling, as it's nestled within boreal forests.

Great architecture and cultural institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago — along with lots of nightlife, shopping and world-class dining — make Chicago the premier city destination in the Great Lakes region. Many Great Lakes cruises begin or end in Chicago, with some including an overnight in the city, allowing time to explore. Don't miss a stroll down the Magnificent Mile and a sightseeing boat ride on the Chicago River (a great way to get an overview of the city and see some of its architectural gems).

Wisconsin's biggest city is often surprisingly delightful to first-time visitors, home as it is to a Santiago Calatrava-designed art museum with a world-class collection, a Harley-Davidson Museum that our sister site Lonely Planet has dubbed "badass" plus stylish eating and shopping enclaves. Settled by Germans in the 1840s, "Brew City," as it's known, also is a mecca of sorts for beer lovers — and not just because it's home to the original Miller Brewing Company complex, which is open daily for tours. You'll also find lots of craft breweries that you can visit on your own or as part of a tour, and you can tour (and drink at) the original Pabst Brewery.

Holland, Michigan

As the name suggests, Holland is a little bit of The Netherlands transported to the Americas. Settled by Dutch immigrants in the 1800s, it's home to the annual Tulip Time Festival, which takes place every May, and offers up such Holland-themed attractions as Windmill Island Gardens, where you'll find a working Dutch windmill, canals and dikes. Holland's downtown is a charmer with cobblestone sidewalks and more than 100 specialty shops, breweries and restaurants.

Sault Saint Marie, Michigan

Located at the northeastern edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Sault Saint Marie is the site of the Soo Locks, a marvel of engineering that connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron. The locks themselves are the big attractions in Sault Saint Marie — head to the observation deck at Soo Locks Park to watch freighters passing by and learn more at the Soo Locks Visitor Center.

But there are other allures, including the Museum Ship Valley Camp. It's a retired Great Lakes freighter (named Valley Camp) that you can climb into and explore. In addition to touring the living quarters for its 29-person crew, you'll find a 20,000-square-foot maritime museum in its cargo hold with exhibits on the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald and more.

Mackinac Island

The Jewel of the Great Lakes has been a summer getaway for Midwesterners since the Victorian era and it retains much of its Victorian-era charm. The iconic attraction on the island is the 135-year-old Grand Hotel , with its seemingly endless, rocker-lined front porch (the longest in the world). Afternoon tea in the hotel's parlor, or a game of croquet at its Tea Garden, are among Mackinac Island's allures. Tours in a horse-drawn carriage are another popular pastime; cars are banned on the island, leaving horse-drawn carriages as one of the main ways of getting around, along with bicycles. When visiting, don't miss Fort Mackinac, which dates to the 1700s.

Niagara Falls

Located on the short waterway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls is one of the world's most spectacular waterfall complexes (it's actually three waterfalls, not one) with a flow rate greater than any other waterfall in North America and a vertical drop of more than 160 feet. Visitors can take it in both from viewing areas on land and from a tour boat.

Note that Great Lakes cruise vessels don't travel directly on the 36-mile-long strait that connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, which is known as the Niagara River (lest they go plunging over the falls). Instead, they use the Welland Canal — another marvel of engineering and an attraction in its own right.

Motor City should probably be called Museum City, as it's home to a wonderful array of museums worth a visit, from The Detroit Museum of Art and the Motown Museum to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History. Passengers on Great Lakes cruises will find that stops in Detroit often revolve around an included visit to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, a sprawling history museum complex that is home to the limousine that President Kennedy was in when he was assassinated, George Washington's camp bed, Buckminster Fuller's prototype Dymaxion house, the bus on which Rosa Parks was arrested and countless other rare artifacts.

When to book a Great Lakes cruise

The best time to book a Great Lakes cruise is right when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance. You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins and often the best fares.

Because the Great Lakes has such a short season with a limited number of ships, sailings in the region are often in high demand and people plan early. Newcomer Viking, notably, has told TPG it has seen brisker sales this year for its Great Lakes trips than sailings to Antarctica — one of the world's ultimate bucket list destinations.

If you wait to book, you're not entirely out of luck. Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year (a period known in the cruise industry as "wave season" ). You can take advantage of discounted fares and other perks. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help.

In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in a gateway city such as Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto and don't need to book flights. While some less preferred sail dates or cabin categories may have availability a few months out, spurring cruise lines to drop rates, you might have trouble finding affordable airfare and pre- or post-cruise hotel accommodations that do not eat up your cruise savings.

What to bring on a Great Lakes cruise

When it comes to packing for a Great Lakes cruise, your mantra should always be: dress in layers. It can be chilly in the morning in the more northerly parts of the Great Lakes, particularly at the start of the Great Lakes cruising season, but then warm up fast.

If you're planning to do some outdoorsy pursuits, such as kayaking or hiking, be sure to bring appropriate activewear. And don't forget to pack a rain jacket, if not a complete rain gear outfit, including a wide-brimmed waterproof hat, rain pants and waterproof shoes or boots.

Also, and this is critical: Don't forget your passport. Many of the places you'll visit in the Great Lakes will be in the United States and do not require a passport. But every Great Lakes cruise includes at least a few — and sometimes many — stops in Canada, where a valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card is required to enter if you're a U.S. citizen.

Bottom line

There's a lot to see and do in the Great Lakes region, and it's hard to argue that there's a better way to see and do it than on a cruise. Cruise vessels departing from such cities as Chicago and Toronto can take you to all of the highlights of the region — from the breweries of Milwaukee to thundering Niagara Falls — in a single trip. That's something that you'll be hard-pressed to accomplish any other way.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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• Toronto, Ontario to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Niagara & the Great Lakes

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• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Toronto, Ontario to Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Toronto, Ontario

Niagara & the Great Lakes Map

Journey from nature to culture

From urban skylines to uninhabited islands, discover North America’s wilderness alongside renowned cultural attractions while cruising the striking waterways of the Great Lakes. Immerse yourself in the lakes’ compelling shipping history, experience the power of the thundering Niagara Falls and keep watch for scores of migratory birds at Point Pelee. Led by a team of experts, explore sheltered bays and woodlands to uncover complex ecosystems and hidden treasures.

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We include more features & services than others

To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.

Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

More features, services and excursions included

One complimentary landing or shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center.

Self-service launderettes

Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge

24-hour room service

Kayaks, Zodiacs & Special Operations Boats — A Viking Expedition Kit with a variety of equipment to explore at no extra charge

Keepsake Viking expedition jacket (on polar itineraries)

All Viking excursion gear needed for any relevant excursions

Your Stateroom Includes:

King-size bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows

55" OLED flat-screen TV featuring CNN, CBC, MBC2, beIN Sports

Interactive TV with complimentary movies and documentaries, as well as Viking.TV proprietary content, lectures and expert interviews

Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections

Floor-to-ceiling heated drying closets for expeditions gear

Spacious glass-enclosed shower

Heated bathroom floor

Anti-fog mirrors

Premium Freyja® toiletries

110/220 volt outlets & USB ports

Meopta Optika MeoPro 8x42 binoculars

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

Explore more before or after your expedition. Ask your Viking Expert for more information. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Pre: Georgian Bay

From $2,799 | 3 Nights

Pre: Toronto

From $1,099 | 2 Nights

Post: Chicago

From $1,999 | 2 Nights

Post: Milwaukee

From $1,499 | 2 Nights

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• Get inspired by the possibilities.
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• Admire Milwaukee's combination of cherished tradition and modern attitude.
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Full Itinerary

Day 1: toronto | embark, day 2: port colborne | sailing lake erie.

• 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 3: Sailing through Detroit | St. Clair River

Day 4: sailing lake huron | parry sound, day 5: little current, day 6: sault ste. marie, day 7: mackinac island | sailing lake michigan, day 8: milwaukee | disembark.

• 1 Breakfast

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• 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
• 7 Nights Accommodations
• Accommodations as listed
• Ground transportation as listed
• Activities as listed
• Meals as listed
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• “Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
• 24h Room Service (special selection)
• English-Speaking Lecturer 
• Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
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• Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
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Where To Visit The Most Beautiful Lakes In The Midwest

A trip to the lake can be a relaxing and immensely enjoyable experience. From the boating and water sports typically engrained into lake communities to the amazing views that often surround a lake's glassy surface, travel destinations with freshwater waterfronts can provide a wealth of enjoyment for visitors. However, finding the perfect lakeside to begin your next vacation can be a daunting task. Fortunately, the Midwest is chock full of phenomenal, watery locations that offer something for nearly any type of visitor. 

Midwest lakes are home to a plethora of fish species, offering some of the best freshwater fishing spots in the world, while the shipwrecks on the bottom of the Great Lakes provide plenty of scuba diving opportunities. And, of course, launching a boat for a day of cruising is obviously fun. While fishing, boating, and diving are popular lake activities, these aquatic wonderlands and their surrounding landscapes typically brim with natural beauty. Many of the American Midwest's lakes, whether Great or a bit unknown, are must-see destinations, especially for the seasoned traveler looking for something new to dive into. 

Read more: America's Most Beautiful Waterfalls You Can Actually Swim In

Cruise The Lake Of The Ozarks In Missouri

The Lake of the Ozarks is a premier aquatic destination in the Midwest. The lake was formed as the byproduct of intentional flooding around the Osage River while constructing the Bagnell Dam. It was officially completed in May 1931, but the area remained a sleepy waterway for decades. It was a quiet, if not vast, place to fish for locals. The lake cuts a slithering, jagged line through the Missouri countryside and is characterized by countless wandering fingers that spread off the main body of the lake.

Over the years, the manmade lake has evolved into a hugely popular summertime destination. Covering a surface area of roughly 55,000 acres, with 1,150 miles of shoreline, the Lake of the Ozarks weaves through numerous lakefront communities, delivering endless possibilities for excitement, peaceful relaxation, and everything in between. Boating and an array of watersports are immensely popular activities, yet thrills aren't the only thing the lake offers. The forested backdrop that dominates the Missouri landscape is the perfect place to unplug and unwind. Spending a few days or weeks on the lake is an excellent way to take in the majestic scenery of the (semi) natural beauty of the area and recharge.

Fish And Scuba In West Okoboji Lake, Iowa

Found in northern Iowa, East and West Okoboji Lakes converge to offer an excellent fishing ground and recreational area. West Okoboji Lake is particularly interesting. It's larger than its neighbor and is the deepest lake in Iowa, with a maximum depth of 136 feet. The towns of Okoboji and West Okoboji are also found on the western lake's shores, offering two hubs for your adventures on the water. Whether fishing to catch a meal or cruising at sunset, West Okoboji is a fantastic place to unwind in a truly magical marine environment.

West Okoboji Lake is characterized by seriously clear visibility, and there are many beaches and parks found along the lake's shores. Green's Beach is a particularly popular public swimming area, while Emerson Bay State Recreation Area offers convenient boat ramps, hiking trails, and an observation deck for bird-watching. Both areas make for an enjoyable lakefront that's great for gatherings with friends or family. After time on the lake, kids can enjoy Arnolds Park Amusement Park, while history buffs may appreciate a tour of the Abbie Gardner Cabin and Museum. There are also many other attractions that fill out the lake's persona as a wholesome vacation spot that epitomizes the American Midwest.

Open Up To Door County, Wisconsin

Wisconsin exudes the Midwest ethos, as people in the state have a reputation for being friendly, welcoming, and laid back. It's perhaps a product of the environment, and nowhere will you find a lakeside environment that's quite like Door County. The county sits on a peninsula shooting northward into Lake Michigan. North of the city of Green Bay, Door Country is flanked by Green Bay (the actual bay) to its west and Lake Michigan to its east. 

Door County has been called the "Cape Cod of the Midwest," and for good reason. Not only are there a number of beautiful lakes found within the peninsula — like Clark Lake, Kangaroo Lake, and Europe Lake — but the coastline is dotted with small towns and classic lighthouses. The scene is similar to an oceanic coastal community, and yet Wisconsin's contribution to the "Third Coast" is equally picturesque. To make the county even more abundant in rich, recreational waters, Sturgeon Bay cuts into the western side of the county, and a humanmade canal bisects the Door Peninsula, connecting Green Bay with Lake Michigan. While used primarily as a shipping lane, you can boat the canal to view two historic lighthouses. If you're a sailor or motorboat enthusiast, consider cruising up to Washington, Plum, or Rock Islands, all located just north of the main landmass, to view additional lighthouses and explore wildlife refuge areas.

Stay In Milwaukee To Enjoy Lake Michigan's Shores

You don't always have to venture out into remote, rural communities in order to enjoy the relaxation that a lakeside area can provide. Milwaukee is a fantastic example of a bustling urban environment that offers the best of both worlds. Milwaukee is home to over half a million people, and yet it's a city that distinctly feels like a small town. The city sits alongside Lake Michigan, and its residents have integrated the waters of the lake into the fabric of their daily lives. While Milwaukee boasts the amenities of big city life, such as iconic sports franchises, a flourishing craft beer scene, and storied live music venues, the peace and calm of the shores of Lake Michigan help the city retain its unique small-town vibe.

After a day of taking in the sights in the city, you can kick back on the shores of Lake Michigan at one of many parks or beaches along the lake's blue waters. There are 1,400 acres of recreational shoreline on Lake Michigan in and around Milwaukee. These lakeside destinations are great for unwinding with a book or a few local beers. Milwaukee is also a great place to enjoy the lake directly from the city. You can kayak or relax on the sand in downtown Milwaukee at Bradford Beach, or take in city views cruising through neighboring waterways -- a great change of pace from city life.

Visit Sylvan Lake After Touring Mount Rushmore

Just a few miles from Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake is a serene aquatic destination that's ideal for fishing, hiking, and watersports of all kinds. The lake is humanmade, as a result of the construction of a dam across Sunday Gulch in 1881. It's now a part of Custer State Park and acts as a picturesque destination for relaxation and fun. Distinctly scenic, this lake was actually a filming location in the second installment of the "National Treasure" movie series when the team finds themselves exploring the Black Hills.

Sylvan Lake is the most popular water feature in Custer State Park, and it's easy to understand the allure that draws people in. The pristine blue water and stunning rocky formations that surround the lake make for a beautiful piece of scenery that's hard to match. While often underappreciated and overlooked by visitors to Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake can serve as an excellent reprieve from the monument's bustling crowds. 

Ride Rollercoasters On Lake Erie In Sandusky, Ohio

The second smallest of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie is yet another beautiful lake of the Midwest, and a trip to Sandusky, Ohio can accommodate both a fun and relaxing lake vacation. Recently named the Best Coastal Small Town in America by USA Today , the amazingly versatile town is home to Cedar Point, a premier  Midwest amusement park  and popular destination for roller coaster enthusiasts. Some of the fastest and tallest in the world, Cedar Point's rollercoasters offer incredible thrills with amazing views looking out over Lake Erie's waters.

Nearly all of Ohio's northern edge sits along Erie's shores, so the area is naturally packed full of lakeside towns and cities, but Sandusky stands out as a relatively small community in comparison to other built-up areas. A visit to Kelleys Island is a great option for Sandusky visitors looking to explore the idyllic sights and sounds of the lake. The island boasts some amazing hiking trails to explore, and taking a rest on the island's lakeshore beaches can be an incredibly rewarding way to relax.

Take In Lake Superior From Grand Marais, Minnesota

Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes, and a true visual spectacle to be sure. The lake creates wonderful natural environments up and down both its U.S. and Canadian coastlines, with awesome communities, parks, and vantage points to choose from when considering a visit to its shores. However, one of the most impressive places to explore Lake Superior is from Grand Marais in Minnesota's extreme north. 

A town near the Canadian border, Grand Marais boasts plenty of hiking trails, opportunities for outdoor adventures, and of course, unobstructed views of the majestic Lake Superior in all its glory. The town is home to just 1,400 people but is known for its thriving art scene. For intrepid outdoorspeople, Grand Marais is also a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It's worth noting, however, that while some areas (during peak summer) may be okay for swimming, the water is notoriously cold, and you may want to stick to canoeing. The chill can overtake even strong swimmers.

Explore Leech Lake In Central Minnesota

Leech Lake is surrounded by reservation lands, and Minnesota has, in recent decades, moved to champion its Native American history. Leech Lake has been inhabited by the Ojibwe bands since the 1700s, though Dakota Indians had communities around the lake prior. If you're looking to incorporate some indigenous travel into your next lake trip, Leech Lake is an excellent option. 

Along with its rich history, the lake offers breathtaking scenery, and it's a popular spot for watersports, fishing, and boating. There is also a smattering of smaller lakes in the area to explore. To learn more about the area's Native history, you can visit Chippewa National Forest, which features over 3,000 archeological and historic sites, as well as plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails. Golfing and birding are also popular activities in the area. In fact, Chippewa National Forest is one of the largest breeding grounds for bald eagles.

Enter The Wild At Michigan's Isle Royale National Park

Those looking to get away from the noise of daily life can truly escape at Isle Royale National Park. The park is located on an island in Lake Superior and sits within Michigan's state boundary (as a remote component of the Upper Peninsula). In fact, the island is so far out of the way that it's perhaps closer to Canada than the U.S., and it's one of the least visited national parks. However, this isn't for lack of splendor or beauty. Isle Royale National Park is fairly difficult to get to (you'll need to take a seaplane, book a seat on the ferry, or boat out to it yourself), but you'll be rewarded in spades if you make the journey across Lake Superior's chilly surface.

The park consists of expansive shorelines and numerous islands and waterways that make their way around the perimeter of the main island. The park features 165 miles of trails and not a single road —an outdoor lover's paradise! Water taxis can take you from one campsite location to the next, but from there, you're hoofing it in the depths of nature's untamed forestlands. This is the perfect place to explore Lake Superior's shores and hike through some of the most pristine forests in the country. Remote and off-grid, Isle Royale National Park is an awesome Great Lakes national park for adventure .

See The Northern Lights At Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park in Montana is another destination that's far off the beaten path, making it an excellent spot to see  the Northern Lights in the United States . The wide open space of the park's lakes, with little to no light pollution from traffic or cities, can provide stunning, 360-degree views of the phenomenon.

The park is situated on over 218,000 acres right along the Minnesota-Canada border and features a landscape of pristine lakes, a variety of streams and wetlands, and forested areas filled with exceptional hiking trails. You can choose to stay on a houseboat, but you can also camp in the backcountry of the park. The merging of wild aquatic landscapes with the rugged forestlands that rise up out of them offers a stunning example of nature's complex beauty, and camping offers a full immersion into the park's wild surroundings. If you've got the time to spend in this far-removed national park, the visit is well worth the effort.

Camp On Lake McConaughy's Sandy Shores

Lake McConaughy is the largest reservoir in Nebraska, and its shores include sandy beaches that might seem out of place this far inland. Even so, the aquatic environment fostered by the lake's environment is fantastic for relaxation and offers visitors a chance to unwind in style. Watersports are a common theme at nearly every large Midwestern lake, and Lake McConaughy is no exception. Lake McConaughy boats 30,000 watery acres, making it ideal for swimming, boating, and other popular watersports. The clear water also enhances the lake's appeal for scuba divers and anglers of all skill levels.

A huge feature of the lake (known to locals as "Lake Mac") is the ability to camp right along the water's edge. Setting up tents on the sandy shores and enjoying the sunset can be a phenomenal experience and bring you closer to nature in all its glorious beauty.

Escape The Rat Race On Mackinac Island

Located on Lake Huron, Michigan's Mackinac Island has a magnetic allure. The island sits between the state's Upper and Lower peninsulas. With a very small resident community, Mackinac Island is another Great Lake island that hasn't been overtaken by the frenetic pace of human activity. There aren't any cars on the island, and moving about the community's ample greenspace is instead facilitated by bike, horse-drawn carriage, or the old-fashioned way -- on foot.  

If you're seeking a landbound adventure with the lake sitting firmly in the backdrop, Mackinac Island is home to some amazing history. It was a frontline scene in the War of 1812, and Fort Holmes and Fort Mackinac are both particularly notable places to explore if you're a history buff. However, the best way to explore the island's natural scenery is probably by boat. Getting out on the pristine waters of Lake Huron will offer great vantage points to see the island's coastal treasures, such as its stunning arch rock formations and lakeside cliffs.  

Read the original article on Explore .

Eager for tourism dollars, Great Lakes states are pouring money into ports

Editor's note: This piece was originally published at Stateline.org .

DULUTH, Minn. — The Viking Polaris sliced through the dawn June fog, entering the harbor without fanfare. No horn blasts to this Midwestern port city’s landmark lift bridge. Onboard, all but a handful of cabins were dark as the 666-foot cruise ship ended its maiden Great Lakes voyage.

Cruise ships, which once thrived on these lakes before all but disappearing in the 1970s, are making a remarkable comeback on this inland sea, wooed by competing states. Marketed as “expedition cruising,” the ships deliver tourists and their spending money to ports that for decades primarily served global markets with iron ore and wheat.

“The [global] cruise industry is fairly mature,’’ said Dave Gutheil, chief commercial officer of the Port of Cleveland. “There aren’t a lot of new places to go.”

States and Canadian provinces worked together to change that. After drawing major industry players to the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem in recent years, states now must balance that cooperation with competition as they seek port calls and the economic benefits they bring. But for some ports, especially the small ones, even the smaller expedition ships may be too big to handle.

For cruise fans these have been, if not uncharted, at least long neglected waters. In the heart of North America and separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the St. Lawrence Seaway, more than a dozen Great Lakes ports in five U.S. states and a similar number in the Canadian province of Ontario offer expeditions as wild as kayaking sea caves along Minnesota’s rugged North Shore or as urban as touring the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Attracting the cruise industry took regional and international coordination, Gutheil said. “This really has been a Great Lakes team effort.”

Now some states along the lakes — Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin — are competing for a tourism bounty by making their ports more attractive and accessible to cruise lines. In 2022, the cruises drew nearly 150,000 passenger visits to Great Lakes ports in the United States and Canada, a record, according to the industry group Cruise the Great Lakes. It forecasts nearly 170,000 visits in 2023 with an economic impact of $180 million.

Passenger cruises were once a major industry of the Great Lakes, with more than 30 lines operating in the upper lakes alone, according to a 2011 study by Richard Stewart of the University of Wisconsin-Superior. With the growth of the U.S. highway system and regional airlines, all were gone by 1970.

For decades, ventures to revive the industry struggled, hindered by regulations such as the 1896 Passenger Vessel Services Act, which limited access to U.S. ports. Gambling restrictions also discouraged cruise lines from offering service.

Combining U.S. and Canada stops allowed foreign-built ships to avoid the port restrictions, however. The current surge started in the 2015 season, including the arrival of the Pearl Mist, a 210-passenger ship.

These new ships are not the 6,000-passenger floating resorts that ply the Caribbean. With fewer than 400 passengers, most serve a more affluent and adventurous clientele. Viking entered the region in 2022, bringing a global reputation and two new ships designed specifically for the Great Lakes. Yet those ships, the Polaris and Octantis, are clearly ocean-capable vessels. Strengthened to withstand polar ice, they serve Viking’s Antarctic routes during the North American offseason.

Ponant, a French line, offers a seven-night cruise from Milwaukee to Toronto that starts at $5,790 per person, about $800 per night. A typical Caribbean cruise often can be booked for $100 per person per night. Other major players in the Great Lakes are Hapag-Lloyd, a German line that challenges Viking with state-of-the-art polar expedition ships, and Pearl Seas, which runs routes from deep in the Great Lakes to the Canadian Maritimes. Ten ships are working the lakes this season.

On shore, cruise passengers spend an average of $111 per port stop, according to a 2021 report by the University of Minnesota Duluth. That number increases to $188 in “turnaround” ports, where one tour ends and another begins.

State tourism agencies and port cities tout each port’s unique attractions. In Duluth, it’s the mix of outdoor activities and urban amenities. Michigan’s Mackinac Island boasts the car-less charm of its old-time seafront resorts, while Cleveland’s cultural attractions and strategic location in the middle of the lakes offers cruise options to the east and west.

Necessary infrastructure

For cruise lines, though, infrastructure matters. Cruise ships require docks and handling facilities in ports for decades dominated by cargo ships. That’s where state support matters.

“What keeps me up at night is if we don’t build South Shore correctly, Duluth is building a fantastic dock that will include all of these features,” Adam Tindall-Schlicht, the Port of Milwaukee director at the time, told the city’s harbor commissioners in 2022, according to  Urban Milwaukee.

“Chicago coming online at Navy Pier keeps me up. Duluth and their investment in their downtown dock keeps me up,” said Tindall-Schlicht, who is now administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, a leading federal advocate for the cruise industry.

Milwaukee is meeting that challenge with a $7.3 million cruise facility. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, allocated $3.5 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the project.

Similar projects are underway up and down the lakes.

Duluth, which is more than 2,000 nautical miles from the Atlantic, is the world’s most inland port with access to the world’s oceans. The city, with 11 scheduled cruise stops this season and 15 expected in 2024, is rebuilding a seawall, expanding dredging and adding Lake Superior’s only U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility at its downtown convention center. When completed in 2025, the projects will allow passengers to disembark steps from the Great Lakes Aquarium, a former ore carrier-turned-museum, and the lively Canal Park tourist district. Currently some ships dock at an industrial area or use tenders to ferry passengers to shore.

Tourism officials hope the projects will help the port land more turnaround stops, which can double the number of visitors.

“With the day stops, they have around eight hours to spend in Duluth, and they have already pre-booked tours and so they get off, they get on a bus and they go to a tour, which is phenomenal for our tourist locations, but our active restaurants and hotels don’t get the use out of that,” said Belle Wanke of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

“But when we have these turnarounds, they’re able to come in,” Wanke said. “Honestly, most of them come in the night before and stay in our hotels, and then they’ll come down later this morning and get on the ship, and then a good number of the people that get off today will spend the night in Duluth and fly out tomorrow.”

Michigan, which has multiple ports with cruise stops, has supported cruise ships through the Michigan Strategic Fund, a business development resource. The former Upper Peninsula copper mining town of Houghton has attracted visits with a new $5 million pier built with $4 million from the state fund.

In New York, Buffalo wants a piece of the market: The state’s Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation has commissioned a feasibility study, scheduled to be finished later this year, on making the city a cruise ship destination.

In Cleveland, state funds and the city’s central lakes location have helped make the city a regular stop for cruise lines, according to Gutheil. Ohio’s Maritime Assistance Program provides $10 million annually for the state’s lake and river ports. Cleveland expects 49 port calls this season, up from 37 in 2022. The aid is vital because the industry is growing and competitive, he said.

“Some of our neighboring states have more of a bucket to pull from,” Gutheil said.

Some markets have had less success. A cruise boat terminal built in 2002 in Erie County, Pennsylvania, has never hosted a visit. County Executive Brenton Davis is pushing to change that, GoErie.com reported.

More: Cruise ships are sailing the Great Lakes in growing numbers, but will they dock in Erie?

Community resistance

Not all port cities are so eager to see a cruise ship at their docks.

Traverse City, Michigan, a popular tourist town of 15,000 people on Lake Michigan, had been scheduled for Viking stops. But in 2020, two years before the first stop, the Discovery Center & Pier announced it would no longer accept Viking or other small cruise lines it had served.

Three years later, the city has reversed course. In 2024, the Pearl Mist, which carries 168 fewer passengers than the Viking ships, is scheduled for at least two visits. It will anchor offshore and use tenders to shuttle passengers ashore. The process will reduce some of the congestion caused by an onshore docking.

For Discovery Center CEO Matt McDonough, concerns from the community were a driving force. Traverse City, which promotes itself as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” already has a bustling tourism industry that overfills the town during the cruise season. Plus, he said, the town is looking to diversify its economic base beyond tourism.

“It was something a lot of folks around the community were not supportive of,” McDonough said.

For the center, which looks to connect people with all the Great Lakes, the cruises did not mesh with its mission, he said. Viking, he said, was more interested in having a place to disembark passengers to buses.

In the wake of its decision, the Discovery Center has developed features more true to its mission, including a new freshwater research center, McDonough said.

Even larger cities now say there is a limit to the number of boats they can handle. Duluth senior economic developer Tricia Hobbs, for example, told Minnesota Public Radio that the city would like to see just 10-20 visits per season.

Erie County Executive Davis: County has cleared a hurdle to welcome cruise ships

Environmental opposition has been limited. In part that’s because the cruise companies tout the expedition ships’ environmental records. The U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian regulators enforce rules that are stricter than on the open seas.

According to Coast Guard Lt. Phillip Gurtler, graywater from baths, kitchen prep and laundry uses, is treated the same as sewage, which is banned from Great Lakes waters. A 2006 agreement on ballast water, which is used to stabilize ships, has substantially reduced the transfer of invasive species from outside the ecosystem.

More: What are the most, least expensive cabins on a cruise? Here's what to know.

Some states require additional permits. Michigan, for example, requires ocean-going ships to obtain a ballast permit before they “begin port operations,” according to Jeff Johnson, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Tourism officials say they see a young market evolving, and more expedition-style ships are under production.

“Right now there aren’t a ton of ships that are small enough to fit all the way through [the St. Lawrence Seaway], but expedition cruising is becoming a thing and being more promoted by the smaller cruise lines. Expedition and luxury cruising is growing,” Duluth’s Wanke said. “And when those [demands] grow and they build more ships, there’ll be more opportunities.”

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott Greenberger for questions: [email protected] . Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter .

Heavy rains force release of 357 million gallons of wastewater into rivers, Lake Michigan

Last week's prolonged heavy rainfall, which fell on already saturated ground, forced the release of 357 million gallons of untreated wastewater into local waterways, according to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

The roughly 50-hour overflow started at 5:40 p.m. on April 2 after 1.7 inches of rain fell on the area and the main deep tunnel filled to 76% capacity. The overflow ended on April 4 at 8:10 p.m.

Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers were potentially impacted, according to the sewerage district. Potentially impacted public access areas include: Kiwanis Landing, River Front Launch Site, as well as parks and marinas along the Milwaukee River; Emmber Lane and Valley Passage boat launches along the Menomonee River; and beaches, parks and marinas along Lake Michigan.

Milwaukee has a combined sewage system in which both stormwater and wastewater from homes and businesses flow through the same pipes before it is treated. When one inch of rain falls on the sewerage district's service area, which includes the city and many suburbs, that's equal to 7.1 billion gallons of water entering the combined sewer system. The sewerage district serves 1.1 million people across 28 communities.

If more water enters the deep tunnel than can be processed during a heavy storm, the sewerage district can initiate an overflow, releasing untreated wastewater into local waterways to prevent sewage backups into homes and businesses. By federal law, the sewerage district is allowed six overflows per year.

Most of the water released during overflows is rainwater flowing out of the system as soon as it rushes in, though there is a risk of untreated sewage being discharged. Because the conditions in Lake Michigan are pretty harsh, bacteria can usually only survive for up to 10 days, Graffin previously told the Journal Sentinel after an overflow in March 2023.

During overflow alerts, the district urges residents in the communities it serves to limit water use by saving laundry and dishes for another day, taking shorter showers and emptying rain barrels regularly.

Over the past three decades, the sewerage district has been able to capture and clean an average of 98.6% of wastewater.

But as climate change continues to bring more frequent and intense storms to southeast Wisconsin, overflows are bound to happen.

In February 2023, a record-setting storm led to an overflow that released 230 million gallons  of untreated wastewater into Milwaukee's local waterways. One overflow occurred in September 2022 that  released 756 million gallons  of wastewater. 

The sewerage district is working to prevent overflows and capture more rainfall by restoring habitat and installing green infrastructure throughout the area it serves. Green infrastructure helps nature do its job by absorbing and storing rain and melting snow. It protects against flooding and excessive heat as well as improves air, soil and water quality, which can help the city better adapt to a changing climate.

Residents can sign up for alerts to learn when overflows are happening by texting WATERDROP to 414-296-4422.

Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on X @caitlooby .

Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at jsonline.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.

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Old Newspaper Stories Offer Clues to 19th-Century Shipwreck in Lake Michigan

It took researchers only two days to find the wreckage of the Milwaukee, a steamship that sank in 1886 after colliding with another ship. They were guided by details from newspaper accounts of the accident.

By Sopan Deb

On July 9, 1886, the steamship Milwaukee was crossing Lake Michigan on its way to the lakefront town of Muskegon, Mich., to pick up a load of lumber when disaster struck.

It was close to midnight. The water was calm, but smoke was blowing on the surface as a result of wildfires in nearby Wisconsin. The Milwaukee steered toward a similar lumber ship, the C. Hickox, which was headed for Chicago.

Suddenly a thick fog rolled in. The Hickox crashed into the side of the Milwaukee. Hours later, the Milwaukee plunged to the bottom of Lake Michigan.

It lay there undiscovered until last June, when a team of researchers from the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association discovered the shipwreck, using news clippings from the time, historical weather data and remote sensing equipment to clue them to its location. They then spent the summer filming the wreckage. The researchers announced the discovery on Saturday.

The Milwaukee is one of an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, Valerie van Heest, the association’s director, said in an interview. About 2,000 have been discovered.

A team led by Ms. van Heest and her husband, Jack van Heest, learned about the sinking of the Milwaukee by consulting a database of missing ships compiled by regional historians.

“To make a discovery is to learn something about these missing ships and then to share it with the public,” Ms. van Heest said. “And largely, it’s a reminder of how the Great Lakes region was developed and settled .”

To locate the Milwaukee, Ms. van Heest’s team found contemporaneous newspaper accounts of its sinking, including in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Daily News, The Muskegon Chronicle and The Inter Ocean, which reported on shipping accidents in the Great Lakes.

From the news clippings, Ms. van Heest and other researchers were able to determine the ship’s course and a description of where the crash happened from accounts given by its captain.

Those reports also offered a harrowing account of what happened to the Milwaukee.

Dennis Harrington, the lookout on the Milwaukee, was the first to spot the lights from the Hickox, and notified the Milwaukee’s captain right away. Standard operating procedures would have called for both ships to slow down, steer to starboard and blow their steam whistles. But the captains of both ships, thinking the visibility was fine, did not do any of those things.

Then the thick fog arrived, and by the time it dissipated, it was too late for either ship to turn. The Hickox thrust into the Milwaukee, sending Harrington overboard. He would be the accident’s lone casualty.

Pandemonium erupted aboard the Milwaukee, according to the shipwreck research association, as the captain went below deck to see that the ship was taking on water. He blew a distress signal to alert the Hickox, and the crew stretched a canvas sail over the damaged side of the ship to slow the rush of lake water.

In the course of their research, the team discovered that at least one other ship, a steamer called The City of New York, came to try to save the Milwaukee. It teamed up with the Hickox, sandwiching the Milwaukee between them. The crews of both ships used ropes in a vain attempt to try to keep the Milwaukee afloat.

Almost two hours after impact, the Milwaukee’s stern dipped below the surface, and the ship sank to the bottom of the lake. Aside from Harrington, everyone aboard the doomed vessel made it to safety aboard the Hickox, which carried both crews to Chicago.

Using historical weather data, the researchers were able to nail down a more precise location for the Milwaukee. Searching the lake floor with a remote-operated vehicle, the researchers found the ship “remarkably intact,” the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association said in its statement.

Before it sank, the Milwaukee had been running for almost two decades. It was commissioned in 1868 by the Northern Transportation Company of Ohio to ferry passengers and goods. It was originally 135 feet long and featured two decks — one for passengers and one for goods. In 1881, it was sold and remodeled so it could carry more goods and fewer passengers.

Two years later, Lyman Gates Mason bought the Milwaukee to haul his company’s lumber to Chicago. In the video collected from the remote vehicle, researchers discovered something: Mr. Mason had remodeled the ship. In shrinking the aft cabin and the pilothouse, Mr. Mason made more room for cargo and remade the vessel into something that looked very different from the lone surviving photo of the Milwaukee.

This was the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association’s 19th discovery since it was founded about two decades ago.

Ms. van Heest, who is also a museum exhibit designer, said that it took two days to find the Milwaukee and that it was “the fastest discovery we’ve made.” Sometimes, she said, searches can take years depending on how calm the water is and how far offshore the team must travel.

Even though the Milwaukee itself is a fairly ordinary ship for its time, Ms. van Heest said that the wreck was an indication of how dependent the Great Lakes region was on lumber at the time.

“ These are, so to speak, museum artifacts sitting at the bottom of the lake that have stories to tell,” she said.

An earlier version of this article, using information from the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association, misstated the year that the steamship Milwaukee sank in Lake Michigan. It was 1886, not 1868.

An earlier version of this article misstated the name of a newspaper that reported on shipping accidents in the Great Lakes. It was The Inter Ocean, not The Inner Ocean.

How we handle corrections

Sopan Deb is a Times reporter covering breaking news and culture. More about Sopan Deb