We’re all searching for the best places to travel, and we’ve got your number one slot right here. If you’re looking for a dip into lake life, a place where there’s something for everyone, being on Lake Superior is a must-add to your places to travel bucket list!
I completely understand that a lot goes into the decision-making process of choosing a vacation destination. There are a lot of factors to consider! Is it a family trip? Are there dietary restrictions? Water sports vs coffee shop hopping? There are plenty of moving parts to keep track of when you’re planning a weekend getaway.
So I won’t just pop in here, tell you being on Lake Superior is the best, and peace out. I’m going to break it down and give you all the reasons and travel inspiration why Lake Superior should be on your places to travel wish list.
Why is Lake Superior One of the Best Places to Travel?
Let’s answer this question right out of the gate: Why is Lake Superior one of the best places to travel? The short answer is that it has the beautiful backdrop of Lake Superior amongst unique and beautiful small towns and big cities with something for everyone to do. But you came here for a long answer, so let’s get into it!
As I mentioned, Lake Superior truly has a little something for everyone to enjoy. From small-town charm to big-city dawdling and experiences, there’s an abundance of activities and pastimes suitable for children, teens, and adults.
To give you a taste, I’ll list a handful of general attractions scattered throughout several cities across the Lake Superior area that may appeal to more than one crowd.
- Ferry rides
- Road trips
- Delicious restaurants
- Gorgeous Hiking trails (Don’t forget the famous Superior Hiking Trail!)
- Camping experiences
- Candy shops
- Interesting museums
- High-quality Tattoo shops
- Beautiful lakeside parks
- Quirky thrift shops
- Atmospheric pubs
- Inviting bookstores
- Playgrounds
- Historical landmarks
- Children’s Museums
- Skate parks
- Canoeing/kayaking
- Dog-friendly islands
- Friendly locals
- LITERALLY SO MUCH MORE
When you’re having an adventure on Lake Superior, you can engage in an abundance of activities and exploration. As you can see, there are things to do for anyone and everyone! This list doesn’t even scratch the surface, and the best part is that a Lake Superior adventure is very budget-friendly as far as vacations go.
My favorite thing about being on Lake Superior is the vibe that radiates off of it. There’s this indescribable lakeside feeling that embraces you when you’re moseying about the sidewalks of Bayfield or you’re on a ferry to Madeline Island that you simply can’t obtain anywhere else.
It’s a feeling of tranquility and possibility; the lake truly slows things down and helps you appreciate your surroundings and the people around you.
We’ve all been in situations where a vacation feels like it’s going by way too fast, and we wish that time would slow down. I can’t say that it’s a guarantee, but in my experience of dawdling about with my Husband on Lake Superior, we’ve found that time feels slower and is more appreciated when we’re on Lake Superior.
When is the Best Time to Visit Lake Superior?
Another vital step in planning your places to travel is knowing when is the best time to visit that dreamy location. So, when is the best time to visit Lake Superior? I have to say, this does depend on what your intended activities are, so let’s break it down.
Below, I’ll list the seasons and tell you which activities are best suited for each season. This can help you determine when the best time for you and your travel crew to visit Lake Superior is!
Fall
The Fall season is a beautiful time to visit the charming towns on Lake Superior because the backdrop of the colorful leaves and the gorgeous lake is a sight that puzzle designers everywhere admire. Who wouldn’t?!
Here’s a list of general activities one could engage in when they’re on Lake Superior during the Fall season:
- Coffee Shop Hopping (You may find this activity on every list, and that’s because the coffee shops on Lake Superior deserve some more appreciation; they’re fantastic!)
- Bayfield Apple Festival
- Hiking amongst the colorful trees/camping under the autumn sky
- Downtown shopping and dawdling
- Exploring apple orchards/pumpkin patches
- Plan a family day at the park for lakeside relaxation and fun
There are tons of delectable restaurants and neat places to travel to while you’re exploring Lake Superior during the Fall season; it comes down to what you’re interested in!
Winter
For those of us in regions where winter means snow and lots of it, thinking of places to travel may feel out of reach unless you’re planning on hopping on a plane. Alas, with the adventuring spirit in your travel heart, traveling on Lake Superior during the winter is more fun than it sounds!
Here’s a broad list of winter activities on Lake Superior that can help you start planning your own adventurous winter wonderland.
- Visitor center/museum exploration
- Find your new favorite book at local bookstores
- Discover which coffee shop has the best hot chocolate
- Book Across the Bay (Skiing/Snowshoeing event)
- Winter hikes
- Snowshoeing
- Skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Enjoy a delicious hot meal at a local gem
- Make snowmen and snow angles at the park
Some of my favorite moments of my adventures with my Husband have been during the winter on Lake Superior. Nature has a way of surprising you in the best way possible with a winter hike, and bringing blankets into the movie theatre and enjoying a film is the perfect cozy activity!
Spring
Spring is a time of rebirth, green, flowers, and enjoying the fresh air. And being on Lake Superior is one of the fabulous places to travel to experience just that!
With dozens of fantastic hiking trails to experience, outdoor eating to embrace, and downtowns to skip about, there’s Spring adventure around every small-town corner on Lake Superior.
Let’s throw out a few ideas for what you could get into during the spring season on Lake Superior.
- Skip rocks on the shoreline/look for treasured agates
- Adventure on a Spring hike
- Walk through local garden shops and smell the blooming flowers
- Bring your own bike or rent one and go for a lovely bike ride
- Check out local artist shows/take an art class!
- Go shopping in downtown areas
- Grab a cup of coffee, purchase a book, and find a peaceful outdoor reading spot
All this talk of places to travel to on Lake Superior during the Spring is making me want to plan my next Spring adventure! The inspiration!
Summer
Ah, the Summer season, the big kahuna of vacation time. And a fabulous choice of season to spend some time on Lake Superior. Just about anything and everything can be done during the summer season on Lake Superior. Here are a few ideas for starting to brew the places to travel pot!
- Beach bumming days
- Ferry rides
- Camping
- Hiking
- Bike rides
- County fairs/carnivals
- Stargazing
- Small-town hopping road trips
- Walk and shop in downtown areas
The possibilities for places to travel and things to do on Lake Superior during the Summer are truly endless; there’s so much fun to be had!
I hope that helped you narrow down your decision! But if you’re still looking for a straight-shooting answer on when is the best time to visit Lake Superior, I’ll tell you my personal opinion. My husband and I have visited Lake Superior in every season, except for Spring, and we’ve always had a blast because there are activities to enjoy in each season. But I will say that our favorite trips on Lake Superior have been our Summer and Fall adventures.
Can You Swim in Lake Superior?
Can you swim in Lake Superior? Yes, in designated beach areas!
Lake Superior is a beautiful lake, but like every large body of water, there can be dangerous points, which is why it’s important to follow guidelines and only swim, kayak, canoe, and boat in areas that are appropriate.
There are dozens upon dozens of gorgeous beaches that will suit your beach-bumming fancy. Take a look at the Lake Superior Circle Tour Beaches Guide for a list of fabulous beaches on Lake Superior.
How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Lake Superior?
According to the Lake Superior Circle Tour, the distance around Lake Superior is roughly 1,300 miles (Holy Buckets, that’s a lot of Lake Superior land to cover; imagine the adventures to be had!).
This can translate to as short a few days or over a week depending on the stops you take, if you’re camping or driving, and what you want to get out of your trip. The choice is up to you!
Places to Travel While On Lake Superior
One of the best things about being on Lake Superior, aside from the gorgeous lake, of course, is the number of towns there are to explore! From big towns to small towns, there are hidden gems to discover and fun to experience.
Below is a list of towns on Lake Superior. Please feel free to click on the towns highlighted in blue and check out our experiences in that town to get some travel inspiration!
Places to Travel on Lake Superior in Wisconsin
- Ashland, WI
- Bayfield, WI
- Cornucopia, WI
- Herbster, WI
- Hurley, WI
- Madeline Island, WI
- Port Wing, WI
- Superior, WI
- Washburn, WI
Places to Travel on Lake Superior in Michigan
- Baraga, MI
- Big Bay, MI
- Brimley, MI
- Calumet, MI
- Copper Harbor, MI
- Eagle Harbor, MI
- Grand Marais, MI
- Hancock, MI
- Houghton, MI
- Ironwood, MI
- Ishpeming, MI
- L’Anse, MI
- Marquette, MI
- Munising, MI
- Newberry, MI
- Ontonagaon, MI
- Paradise, MI
- Silver City, MI
Places to Travel on Lake Superior in Minnesota
- Beaver Bay, MN
- Duluth, MN
- Grand Marais, MN
- Grand Portage, MN
- Lutsen, MN
- Silver Bay, MN
- Tofte, MN
- Two Harbors, MN
Places to Travel on Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada
- Batchawana Bay, CA
- Marathon, CA
- Montreal River Harbour, CA
- Nipigon, CA
- Red Rock, CA
- Rossport, CA
- Sault Ste. Marie, CA
- Schreiber, CA
- Terrace Bay, CA
- Thunder Bay, CA
- Wawa, CA
- White River, CA
My, my, that’s quite a mighty list of beautiful cities and towns, isn’t it? You can break down that list by researching towns that pique your interest and searching for activities that you want to engage in.
A way that my Husband and I determine a spot to adventure around is by beginning with a starting point. Typically, our starting point is a quirky coffee shop, but to each their own! Your starting point could be a hotel/B&B, a cozy restaurant, a campsite, or the downtown area of a town is a great place to start an adventure.
I hope you’ve found a heap of adventuring inspiration for your future places to travel and the pure daydream delights of being on Lake Superior. There really is nothing like taking in the views of Lake Superior and finding hidden gems in charming lakeside towns.
Thank you for stopping by On Lake Superior, and I hope to see you over on our Facebook, Instagram, and our growing Facebook community, where we share our adventures and memories of Lake Superior.
Take care and happy adventuring!
