Michigan Lakeshore, M-22 Self-guided Driving Audio Tour
8 Reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars Based on 8 adventurer reviews collected by Top10Adventures® and TripAdvisor
|
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
|
Frankfort, USA
8 to 9 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English
Overview
Experience the beauty of Michigan’s wilderness with this self-guided driving tour of the shores of Lake Michigan. See the majestic Sleeping Bear Dunes, a vast expanse of towering sand dunes. Visit the iconic Point Betsie Lighthouse. Take in views of the serene and scenic Manitou Islands. And so much more! There’s no better way to discover Lake Michigan.
After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
What's Included
- Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime)
- Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)
- Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)
- This tour is NOT a ticket to any attraction or site
- Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions
- Offline GPS-enabled route map
- NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)
- This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app
- Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals
Meeting Location
Meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your adventure begins.
Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free
Great Lakes Bay
Michigan sits in the heart of the Great Lakes, one of America's most interesting and in my opinion underappreciated natural wonders. By area, the Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth and contain 21% of the world’s surface freshwater. The lakes are all connected, and if you follow the smaller lakes and rivers that drain them, eventually you'll reach the Atlantic Ocean.NOTE: The tour is over 121 miles long, with more than 78+ audio stories, and takes about 2-4 hours to complete.New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Lake
Michiganders love to use their hands as maps to show where they’re from. Hold up your left hand, and make a mitten-type shape with your palm facing away from you. Congratulations, you just created a map of the lower peninsula. This tour takes us along the outside of your hand, on the pinky-finger side.
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Portage
Coming up ahead is Portage Lake, a perfect encapsulation of the blessings and curses of lumber in Michigan’s history. The timber industry was booming in the mid-1800s, and lumber mills popped up in small settlements all along Lake Michigan’s coast. Trees made their way to mills for processing and were then shipped to cities via the Great Lakes. One of these sawmills was on Porter Lake.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Arcadia Marsh Boardwalk
In about a mile, we will arrive at the Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve, one of only 15 remaining coastal marshes along Lake Michigan’s Lower Peninsula shoreline. Bird, butterfly, and botanical lovers will delight in this stop, where you can walk through the marsh on a dry and elevated boardwalk. It’s free to enter, but dogs are not allowed. The turn is a little easy to miss so I'll be sure to point it out as we get closer.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Crystal Lake Alpacas
Crystal Lake was originally a bay on Lake Michigan before sand dunes closed it off around 2,000 years ago. Not to be deterred by a little geology, Archibald Jones, an entrepreneur and founder of the Benzie County River Improvement Company, wanted to remove the sands between Crystal Lake and Lake Michigan.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Green Point Dunes
This 2-mile hike will take you through shady and green-filled woods on your way to the golden, sandy beach along Lake Michigan. If you want to get to the beach, you'll have to descend some wooden stairs.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Frankfort Beach
If you’re in search of a beach stop, Continue straight on Forest Avenue until you hit the water. There's a small parking lot for Frankfort Public Beach, which is a nice stretch of sand along Lake Michigan. There's also the picturesque Frankfort lighthouse and pier just offshore.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Point Betsie Lighthouse
one of the most photographed lighthouses in Michigan and it's surrounded by a particularly nice stretch of sandy beach. Visitors are welcome to tour the grounds and guided tours are offered Memorial Day weekend through late October for a small fee.
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Sleeping Bear Dunes
One of the top highlights of M22 is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I'm guessing it is one of the reasons you've decided to drive this stretch of scenic road so I'm going to fill you in on some of its details before we arrive.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Old Indian Trail
Keep a lookout for a small sign marking the turn for Old Indian Trail. This National Park trail has two, roughly 2.5-mile loops that follow a portion of a path that early Native Americans established between their camp and fishing sites. It's a nice option for folks who are looking for a quieter hike or if you have several days in the area.
35 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
Alright, you’re coming up on the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and as I said earlier, I highly recommend starting your exploration of Sleeping Bear Dunes here. turn right onto West Front Street - that's the next street. Then look for the bluish building and park signs on our left. The visitor center is hard to miss.
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Empire
The Empire State was one of the largest and fastest steamer ships of its day, with 40-foot paddle wheels slicing through the water. It was launched in 1848 and carried passengers in luxury from Chicago northward, to destinations along the Great Lakes.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Dune Climb
Coming up is one of the biggest draws at Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore–the Dune climb. The nearly 300-ft dune is steep and one of the few places in the park where climbing on dunes is encouraged. There’s plenty of parking and you’ll see the towering sand right away. You won't miss the sign.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Alligator Hill Trail
Coming up quickly is an interesting side trip - the Alligator Hill hike. This somewhat gentle uphill trail leads to the Islands Lookout where on a clear day you can see all the way out to the Manitou Islands. The hike to the lookout is about 3 miles roundtrip.
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Glen Arbor
Tourism was big in the early 1900s and still is today. Glen Arbor has quite a few art galleries, several wine and cider tasting rooms, and cafes, and it's a lovely spot to spend the night if you're not in a hurry to continue along the lakeshore.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
North Manitou Island
I've mentioned the Manitou Islands a couple of times now, so let me fill us in on some more details on these Lake Michigan gems. Both islands are officially part of Sleeping Bear Lakeshore and are largely uninhabited.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Pyramid Point Trail
First is the turn for Port Oneida Beach and Pyramid Point. Pyramid Point offers one of the most gorgeous views of Lake Michigan. It's about a three-mile hike from the trailhead and totally worth it for the panoramic views of the lake.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Manitou Passage Golf Club
I talked a bit about the Manitou Islands earlier on our tour but have yet to chat much about the waterway separating the islands from mainland Michigan - the Manitou Passage. Well, in the mid-1800s to early 1900s, maritime trade was booming and the waters of Lake Michigan were teeming with ships carrying goods.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Good Harbor Bay Trail
About a mile ahead is a turnoff for Good Harbor Beach, on your left hand side. The beach is a lovely place for a stroll, swim, or viewing the sunset. If you swim, be wary of waves and rip current-- there's no lifeguards, so use caution.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Leelanau Peninsula
Leelanau peninsula and county was named by Henry Schoolcraft, who served as Michigan’s Indian agent in the 1820s, acting as a go-between with the US government and Native American tribes. When he was assigned to live in Sault Ste. Marie, he met his wife Jane Johnston.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Historic Fishtown
You are approaching the town of Leland, and a stroll through the town's historic Fishtown is a must-do. Leland is built on the site of one of the oldest Ottawa villages in the Great Lakes region. The spot where the Leland River flows into Lake Michigan provided a natural fish ladder so it's always been a popular fishing ground.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Beaver Island
The Manitou Islands are only two of the many islands that grace Lake Michigan's waters. The largest is Beaver Island located north of the Leelanau Peninsula. It has quite an interesting history including a stint as a self-proclaimed theocratic monarchy.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Northport
You are approaching Northport, a village on Grand Traverse Bay that has quite an interesting history. Northport was settled back in the mid-1800s after a state-wide epidemic of smallpox hastened a mass scattering of settlers.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum
A man named Philo Beers was the 2nd lighthouse keeper, after taking the job from David Moon, who only lasted about 8 months before calling it quits. The lighthouse life isn’t for everyone.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Peshawbestown
In a few moments, you will be passing through a portion of the Grand Traverse Indian Reservation. As you can see, it's just south of the original settlement at Omena led by Reverend Dougherty. Later, a different group of Odawa people moved in to what was called Eagle Town but was renamed, and continues to be called Peshawbestown after their Chief, Peshaba.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Suttons Bay
Ahead is the town of Suttons Bay. As the name implies, the town was named after a person, Harry C Sutton, who founded the port in 1854. Originally the town was called Suttonsburg, and it was considered a “gas station” stop for steamer ships. Cordwood was loaded onto ships that burned wood to heat their boilers.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Traverse City
Alright, you are approaching Traverse City, a city that sits at the head of the East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay, and let me tell you there is a lot to see and do here. Hopefully, you're planning on staying for a few days and maybe you're using it as a basecamp to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes and the rest of the Leelanau Peninsula.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Dennos Museum Center
The museum also hosts a wide-array of visiting and rotating exhibits. Past temporary exhibits included glass artist Dale Chihuly, Mathias J. Alten, Orna Ben-Ami who was the first female military correspondent for Army Radio, Andy Warhol, and the traveling Bodies Human exhibit.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car's stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
Frequently Asked Questions
(6)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Michigan Lakeshore, M-22 Self-guided Driving Audio Tour?
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the adventure for a full refund.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-259665P33
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.75
8 reviews
Average 4.75 out of 5 stars based on 8 adventurer reviews collected by Top10Adventures® and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
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Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Top10Adventures® customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What is the cancellation policy for the Michigan Lakeshore, M-22 Self-guided Driving Audio Tour?
A:Apr 2025
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the adventure for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the adventure start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the adventure start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the adventure start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the adventure local time (EDT).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime).
- Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable).
- Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email).
- This tour is NOT a ticket to any attraction or site.
- Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions.
- Offline GPS-enabled route map.
- NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones).
- This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app.
The following is NOT included:
- Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals.
Q:
What is the minimum age for this adventure?
A:
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible adventure?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Michigan Lakeshore, M-22 Self-guided Driving Audio Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Michigan Lakeshore, M-22 Self-guided Driving Audio Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Top10Adventures®. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime)
- Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)
- Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)
- This tour is NOT a ticket to any attraction or site
- Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions
- Offline GPS-enabled route map
- NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)
- This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app
- Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car's stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
