Lake Michigan trips out of Chicago

gtyeegtyee Member Posts: 168 ✭✭✭
in Great Lakes U.S.

Any reviews on overnight trips out of Chicago, I plan on Mackinaw Island but looking for input on other destinations member may have taken. Probably in July and August after I get comfortable with the boat. Wife and I love exploring new areas. Ultimate destination would be Cedar Point in Ohio as we've boated there with my 20 ft Lund which is on the small side but the amusement park is fun!

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  • JC290JC290 Member Posts: 706 ✭✭✭
    A lot of great coastal stops all around the Great Lakes. I'm on the western basin of Lake Erie so cedar point and put in bay are my main hang outs along with Kelleys island 
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  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Put In Bay is one very interesting place! WOW!
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  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Member Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Lots of great places in West Michigan. All super boater friendly:
    * Saugatck should be at the top of your list, about 90 miles from you.
    * Grand Haven - big Coast Guard festival end of July
    *  Leeland
    * South Haven
    * Charlevoix

    just a small list!


    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • jme097jme097 Member Posts: 1,224 ✭✭✭
    @Michael T Putin Bay would be a hike for him coming from Chicago lol. Putin Bay is a blast for sure!
    Boat Name: Knot A Worry
    2007 280 Rinker Express 6.2L B3
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Have any of you guys been to Lake Superior from Lake Michigan? I spent a week at Isle Royale many years ago. Beautiful!
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  • bella-vitabella-vita Member Posts: 411 ✭✭✭
    I'm on the Niagara river where the Erie Canal meets tonawanda,l head out to Lake Erie several times,definitely wanna head to put in bay for a nice summer trip and check out cedar point.
    2002 Rinker FV 342
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  • bella-vitabella-vita Member Posts: 411 ✭✭✭
    Ice boom is coming out,It's gonna be a early season for us up here!
    2002 Rinker FV 342
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have family in Buffalo and friends in Tonawanda. 
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  • bella-vitabella-vita Member Posts: 411 ✭✭✭
    Cool.
    2002 Rinker FV 342
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  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Member Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Lk Superior is beautiful. Ports are way farther apart than on Lk Mich. You are looking at 500+ miles of boating from Chicago. 

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thats no prob for you BD
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  • gtyeegtyee Member Posts: 168 ✭✭✭
    I have done Put In Bay and Kelly Island on fishing trips and family trips in my Lund. It's unbelievable how clean Lake Erie is compared to the late 80's. Great place to boat just watch the weather. Can't wait to get a big boat out there.
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  • frodo13056frodo13056 Member Posts: 212 ✭✭✭
    gtyee - I'd recommend that you check out Hammond Harbor. It's about 15 miles south of Chicago and that is where I now keep my boat. I spent 3 seasons in Diversey Harbor but I got tired of paying the "out of county" 25% up-charge. The marina is right next to the Horseshoe Casino and there are places for transient boaters for overnighting and to dock at for casino access. Gas in Hammond is almost always the cheapest place to fuel up on Lake Michigan- prices are at least 50 cents cheaper than in any of the Chicago harbors - when I was in Diversey Harbor, we almost always headed down to Hammond for fuel. There are 2 sandy beaches right outside the harbor - one to the north and one to the south so if you want to anchor in shallow water and hang out on the beach, it is great for that. There are NO beaches in Chicago that allow boaters to anchor out close enough to swim in. 
    Also, BD recommended South Haven and Grand Haven - I have been to both for 2-3 day stays and both are truly "boater friendly" and lots of fun. Take a dingy with you to most marinas on the lake as there are usually rivers you can dingy around on.
    If you want to do day trips, Hammond Harbor, Michigan City, New Buffalo are all fun to do and you can check out the Indiana dunes as part of a day trip. 
    If you are heading north, I really like Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee for overnighters.
    I'm pretty sure the list is endless for places to visit :-)
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