As the name suggests, Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes of North America. It is also the largest freshwater lake in the world. The lake is shared by Minnesota to the west, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the south, and the Canadian province of Ontario to the north. Its location makes it the northernmost and westernmost lake of the Great Lakes series. With an elevation of more than 600 feet, the lake drains into Lake Huron through the Saint Mary’s River.
If you want to explore most of Lake Superior, you should opt for a Lake Superior cruise rather than a Great Lakes cruise. A Lake Superior cruise takes you to some of the best coasts of Ontario, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. As the cruise alternates between Canadian and U.S. ports, you will experience changing weather. Nonetheless, you’ll be completely mesmerized by the beauty of all parts of Lake Superior.
The Itinerary Followed by Most Cruise Companies
Though the itinerary for cruises on Lake Superior varies depending on the port of embarkation, most cruise ships in the United States follow similar itineraries. Most ships embark their Lake Superior cruise Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior, situated on the western part of Lake Superior. Duluth is widely known as a tourist destination for the Midwest. The twin ports and cities, Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin, feature the world’s longest freshwater bay mouth bar that is 6-mile long.
The second destination on a Lake Superior cruise is Port Wing, Wisconsin. The port offers a wide range of activities that you can indulge in during your visit e.g. golfing. The cruise then takes you to Stockton Island, one of the Apostle Islands in northern Wisconsin. During your visit here, you might want to pick some low bush blueberries native to the region. The fourth destination in the list is one of Wisconsin’s most frequented destinations i.e. Bayfield. Bayfield is a small harbor town that gives you access to 22 coastal Apostle Islands that are home to six historic lighthouses.
After traveling through various shores of Wisconsin, you reach the lakeshore at Ontonagon in Michigan. The cruise then takes you to two harbor towns in Michigan i.e. Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor. The cruise ship stops at lakeports of some townships and cities in Michigan before reaching Grand Marais, Minnesota. The city lies on the north shore of Lake Superior. The city is home to historic museums, art galleries, recreational parks, and hiking trails. Grand Marais is very famous among hikers for its breakwater trail that leads to the Grand Marais lighthouse. During the summer, the city hosts a number of art and cultural festivals that you may be able to attend specifically if you are cruising in the month of August.
The cruise ends at Silver Bay, a small city in Lake County, Minnesota. Some of the best places you can visit in Silver Bay include Shovel Point, Baptism River, Silver Bay Marina, and Onyx Beach. If you’re a hiker, you might want to spend an entire afternoon on the Tettegouche Trail.
