by Ja.W. Smith

Created on: September 18, 2011   Last Updated: September 28, 2011

The Great Lakes are full of splendor and magic, and few other ways capture the full experience like a small ship cruise to the best ports of call and the must-see sights. Individual cruises and itineraries vary as much as the ports, the wildlife, and the people of the Great Lakes, but there are several places that are sure not to disappoint even the most seasoned traveler.

Sault Ste. Marie, MI

The French translation of the name is The Rapids of Saint Mary and it makes sense for the one of a kind location. Saint Mary’s River separates Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Sault, Ontario and joins Lake Superior to Lake Huron. The nearby Soo Locks, a major tourist attraction in itself, bypass rapids on the river and stack as the world’s busiest locks for the huge tonnage actually passing through.

Mackinac Island, MI

This island encapsulates wilderness and old-world charm. The majority of the island is part of the Hiawatha National Forest and local ordinance prohibits motorized vehicles. Horse-drawn carriage tours are the most popular method of seeing the township, including the Wing of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory and the Grand Hotel, which was featured in the film Somewhere in Time. Local shops have also cooked up quite a bit of fame for a method of making fudge on cold marble slabs; the candy of which draws tourists and has become a common gift throughout Michigan.

Charlevoix, MI

“Charlevoix the Beautiful” marks the opening of the channel from Lake Charlevoix onto Lake Michigan and has become a hot-spot for local celebrations. The Petunia Planting occurs just before Memorial Day and showcases the planting of 60,000 petunias up and down Main Street. The Venetian Festival has grown from a simple boat show over the years to become a week long celebration, gathering tens of thousands of people, two nights of fireworks, parades, concerts, and family activities to boot. October Apple Fest highlights downtown harvest markets, pony rides, and a craft fair.

Whitefish Point

Known as The Graveyard of Ships, where literally hundreds have sunk—more than any other part of Lake Superior—Whitefish Point keeps the oldest active lighthouse on the lake, which has been open since 1861. Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve is part of a system developed for scuba divers and divers know the area for its excellent visibility of preserved shipwrecks, down to 100 feet. The Michigan Audubon Society established the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory and sanctuary, developing wooden walkways and observation points for bird watching of migrating birds, hawks, eagles, geese, and owls. Those in the know also patrol the Whitefish’s sandy beaches for banded agates, especially after storms, when they wash up by the boatload.

If nature is more to taste, any number of more remote spots put on a show that few places on Earth can match. These places include, but are by no means limited to, Pictured Rocks, Apostle Islands, Sturgeon Bay, and Keweenaw Peninsula. Any one of these places inspires awe and instills a sense of unbelievable magic. The best part is they’re just sitting there, waiting to be enjoyed.

By no means does that complete the list of amazing sights to see. With such an all around set of entertainment and spectacular sights; it’s no wonder so many people take the time to enjoy a small ship cruise. Whether you prefer wildlife, culture, or fantastic displays in nature, the Great Lakes has it all. All that’s left is to decide where to go and let the adventure begin.

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