What’s in a name? Everything if you are talking about Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world.
If you were to walk the shoreline of Lake Superior, you would cover 2,726 miles. Therefore it should come as no surprise that you’ll find an expansive mix of natural and cultural attractions when visiting the behemoth of the Great Lakes.
To get there, you may want to search for cheap flights on a travel site like Travelocity. Major airports in Milwaukee and Minneapolis are within a reasonable drive of attractions along the big lake, but you may also want to look for cheap airline tickets to smaller cities on the lake such as Duluth, Minn., or Thunder Bay, Ontario.
You could spend your whole life trying to see everything on Lake Superior, but if you only have a week or even just a long weekend, the following destinations won’t let you down.
Duluth
At the western-most point of the lake, the port city is probably its most accessible location — it is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Minneapolis. The city has been called “The San Francisco of the Midwest” because many of its neighborhoods are built into a steep hillside leading toward the water. But the city is also a regional cultural center. Attractions include the largest freshwater aquarium in the United States, large shipping freighters that can be toured, as well as a shipwreck museum, and the annual Bayfront Blues Festival that draws thousands of people each summer.
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
The upper portion of the state, called “The U.P.” by Midwesterners (the locals often refer to themselves as Yoopers), is one of the most remote areas in the Midwest. On the west end is the expansive Porcupine Mountains State Park, which offers visitors primitive hike-in camping, as well as panoramic views of the lake from atop giant hills. The area also boasts perhaps the Midwest’s best skiing. On the east is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, home to dramatic waterfalls and beautiful cliffs along the shore, which can be toured by boat.
The Apostle Islands
At the northern-most point of Wisconsin, this archipelago contains 22 small islands, most of which are considered wilderness areas and can be explored by boat or kayak. Madeline Island, the largest of the islands, is developed and known for its bohemian charm and miles of sandy beaches. Visitors can catch a ferry, which takes both vehicles and pedestrians to the island, from Bayfield, which is known for its berry patches and apple orchards, as well as its abundant bed-and-breakfast accommodations.
Isle Royale National Park
The true adventurer may be interested in a trip by ferry to this rustic island, which is the lake’s largest. Most visitors stay at the lodge at Rock Harbor or camp for a few days, as it is a long ferry ride from either Grand Portage, Minn., or Houghton, Mich. Featuring a number of inland lakes of its own, the island is home to moose and wolf habitats and visitors may pick wild blueberries and thimbleberries.
In addition to searching for cheap flights to one of these picturesque locations along Lake Superior, it may be wise to search for packages that include car rentals, as there’s plenty to check out along the lake. For more information visit Travelocity.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
