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The Five Great Lakes: Which Ones Are Worth Visiting?
The Five Great Lakes are a fantastic sight to behold - and they make for a brilliant North American trip. The only problem is that visiting them all can take 2-3 weeks and nearly 3,000 miles of driving! Most people don’t have the time or energy for this, so which one of the Great Lakes is the best to visit if you can only pick one? Here’s a quick overview to help you choose, but be sure to see the last option!
Lake Superior
With a name like Lake Superior, it’s no surprise that this is the largest of all five lakes. That in itself is a reason to visit it, just so you can take in its true vastness. It’s also the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, which is another feather in this lake’s cap.
You’ll want to go here if you enjoy a true outdoor adventure. Flanked by rugged shorelines and tall cliffs, Lake Superior is home to loads of stunning waterfalls and a fabulous national park. Go here if you want to be one with nature.
Lake Erie
Lake Erie gets slept on a bit, but it’s a brilliant lake to visit if you want to do some more general tourism stuff during your trip. It’s right next to the urban area of Cleveland, which offers so many cool things to see or do - not to mention a bustling food scene. This is the best lake to visit if you want to go out for nice food and drink every day. You’ve got the highly-rated PureFyx Coffee Shop serving up great drinks and healthy snacks, along with the rustic Il Rione pizzeria and the very coveted Blue Habenero Street Tacos.
If you want the Great Lakes experience mixed with some urban travel, then you can’t ignore the unique delights of Lake Erie.
Lake Michigan
While Lake Superior gives you the proper outdoorsy vibes, and Lake Erie offers an urban experience, Lake Michigan combines the two for the perfect balance. The Chicago lakefront opens you up to one of America’s most iconic cities - and there’s definitely no shortage of things to do.
At the same time you still enjoy loads of natural beauty - and it’s easily the best beach lake of the five. If you like sandy shorelines and bright blue water, this is probably the one for you.
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is sort of nestled between all three of the previously mentioned lakes, which gives it more of a remote feeling. Unlike the others, it doesn’t really attach to any major cities, so there’s a true sense of serenity and peace about it.
People love it thanks to the cool islands and shipwrecks dotted around, and it’s many travelers’ ideal choice for quiet getaways.
Lake Ontario
Lastly, you should opt for Lake Ontario if you want to embrace some Canadian culture during your trip. It borders Toronto (but also the state of New York), offering great opportunities for those who love being outdoors or enjoying the city's dynamic.
The vibes aren’t too dissimilar to Lake Michigan, but you’ll prefer this one if you’ve never been to Canada or would prefer to see a slightly different part of North America.
Hopefully this gives you some insight into each of the Great Lakes and what they bring to the table. Go through them and pick out the one (or ones) you think you’ll enjoy the most. But there is one more way to enjoy the Great Lakes! Come explore them with us on a fabulous Expedition ship, the Viking Octantis, next year!
Hopefully this gives you some insight into each of the Great Lakes and what they bring to the table. Go through them and pick out the one (or ones) you think you’ll enjoy the most. But remember we told you there would be one more option? This one is special!
Next year, we'll be visiting the Great Lakes on a fabulous Expedition ship, the Viking Octantis, and we'd love for you to join us. Come explore them with us as we travel from Toronto to Milwakee from September 7th till the 14th, 2026. Click here to learn more...
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