The Great Lakes of North America are perhaps the most famous group of lakes on Earth. However, while almost everyone will have heard of them, many won’t actually know much about them besides their name.
That is why we are going to try and help you to explore the Great Lakes on this virtual tour.
We will cover all of the vital information about each of the lakes, show you what each is known for, and even help you to determine the best places to stay when you visit them for yourself.
So, if you want to explore the Great Lakes but don’t know where to start or what to put on your Great Lakes itinerary, this is the article for you.
The Great Lakes At A Glance
Covering 244,100 square kilometres (94,250 square miles) and containing 22,670 cubic kilometres (5,440 cubic miles) of water, the Great Lakes have the largest surface area and 2nd largest volume of any group of lakes on Earth.
They also contain around 21% of the words total surface freshwater.
Hydrologically the Great Lakes consist of four lakes, as Lake Huron and Lake Michigan connect at the Straits Of Mackinac. However, they are officially listed as five different lakes, with Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and Lake Superior being the other three.
The Great Lakes are believed to have been formed around 14,000 years ago, at the end of the Last Glacial Period. Carved into the land by the extreme temperatures, they filled for the first time with the water from the melting ice sheets as the area warmed up.
In total, the Great Lakes share borders with 8 US States, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario.
Roughly 30 million people in this region rely on the Great Lakes as their primary water source. The Great Lakes are fed and connected by hundreds of different rivers and tributaries, while an estimated 35,000 islands are scattered across their surface.
They are also surrounded by numerous towns and cities, including 2 of the 5 largest in North America, Chicago and Toronto.
The flora and fauna of the Great Lakes is also incredibly diverse, with countless different common species living around their shores, while much rarer creatures inhabit the incredible depths, with the lowest point of the group being some 406 metres (1,333 feet) below sea level.
Best Time To Visit The Great Lakes
The best time to visit the Great Lakes is from mid-June to the end of August.
While the temperature and weather in an area covering such a vast distance can vary greatly, this is the period when you should be able to enjoy each and every part of the Great lakes to their fullest.
This is especially important in an area that experiences extremely cold, harsh winters, and where almost all of the attractions and activities visitors will be arriving for are located outside.
Explore The Great Lakes
As we now move on to explore the Great Lakes in more detail, I will cover each of the five lakes individually.
This should help you get a better feeling for the differences between them and what each has to offer, as well as helping you determine which ones you are most interested in visiting.
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the 4th largest of the Great Lakes by surface area and smallest by water volume, measuring 25,700 square kilometres (9,910 square miles) and 480 cubic kilometres (116 cubic miles) respectively.
Its maximum depth of 64 metres (210 feet) and average depth of 19 metres (62 feet) are both the smallest among the group. It also has the shortest water retention time of any of the Great Lakes, currently standing at 2.6 years.
Lake Erie is split horizontally down the middle by the United States – Canadian national border. Its shores are in the American states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan on the US side, and the province of Ontario in Canada.
The primary inlet of Lake Erie is the Detroit River, which connects it to two of the other five great lakes, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Its primary outlet is the Niagara River, on the eastern side of Lake Erie.
The Niagara River flows from Lake Erie through the massive hydroelectric plant at Niagara Falls, providing vast quantities of electricity to large parts of eastern Canada and the northern United States.
The cities of Cleveland and Detroit are, by far, the largest settlements on the shores of Lake Erie, with Buffalo, Erie, and Toledo also situated around the lake.
The name of Lake Erie is believed to have come from the indigenous people who have inhabited its shores. However, the exact origin of the name is still a topic for some debate.
While some stories attribute it to a shortened version of the Iroquoian word “erielhonan”, which means “long tail”, others claim it comes from the word “eri”, meaning cherry tree.
The last of the Great Lakes to be explored by Europeans, it wasn’t officially “discovered” until 1669, when French Canadian explorer Louis Jolliet came across it.
Despite being much smaller than most of the other lakes in the group, Lake Erie is believed to account for more than 50% of the fish which inhabit the Great Lakes.
As a result, it is recognised as the largest commercial freshwater fishery in the world. An incredibly popular spot for fishing enthusiasts’ year round, it is abundant with sports fishing during the summer, while being one of North America’s most popular ice fishing spots in the winter.
Outside of fish, Lake Erie is home to a wide array of different birds and insects, as well as its own indigenous breed of snake, the Lake Erie Water Snake.
An abundance of water-based activities, such as diving, water sports, and boating, make Lake Erie one of the most popular of the Great Lakes with tourists.
Its banks are filled with parks, lighthouses, and cycling paths, while there are a number of small islands to discover across its surface, allowing it to appeal to visitors of all kinds.
Best Hotel To Stay At Near Lake Erie – Aloft Cleveland Downtown
Aloft Cleveland Downtown is a chic, stylish hotel, on the shores of Lake Erie, in its second largest city.
Guests can enjoy beautiful views of the lake, while relaxing in comfortable rooms featuring luxuries that include designer bedding, Bliss bath products, and a flat screen cable TV.
The property boasts a number of amenities, including a bar, restaurant, business and fitness centres, a dry cleaning service, and a 24-hour front desk. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout, has facilities for disabled guests, and is completely pet friendly.
The Aloft Cleveland Downtown is also surrounded by incredible bars and restaurants, as well as famous attractions like the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, all within walking distance, so you will never be short of options, no matter what you want to eat, drink, or do.
Lake Huron
Lake Huron has the second largest surface area of any of the great lakes at 60,000 square kilometres (23,000 square miles).
However, it is also among the shallowest, with its average and maximum depths, 59 metres (195 feet) and 228 metres (748 feet) respectively, ranking behind only Lake Erie.
It is divided vertically into almost equal halves by the United States – Canadian border, with the state of Michigan to the west and the province of Ontario to the east.
While it is hydrologically linked to the neighbouring Lake Michigan, the two are officially considered separate bodies of water.
As the most central of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron is directly linked to three of the others in the group, Lake Superior by the Saint Mary’s River, Lake Michigan by the Straits Of Mackinac, and Lake Erie by the St. Clair and Detroit rivers.
Scattered across the surface of Lake Huron is an incredible 30,000 islands, just waiting to be explored. When including them, Lake Huron has the largest expanse of shoreline of any of the Great Lakes.
It derives its name from the Huron people, who have inhabited the area surrounding the lake for centuries. Despite its size, the lack of any major cities along its shoreline has led to Lake Huron being one of the least visited of the Great Lakes.
The majority of visitors who visit Lake Huron do so in order to explore its incredibly natural setting and relax away from the press of the city. However, it is also a popular spot with divers, due to the more than 1,000 shipwrecks that can be found throughout its waters.
Best Hotel To Stay At Near Lake Huron – Island House Hotel
The Island House Hotel is located on the exclusive Mackinac Island and gives you the unique opportunity to take in views of not one but two of the Great Lakes at the same time, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
Guests will be able to relax in comfortable, stylish rooms, in this absolutely incredible destination. Each room includes its own private bathroom and a flat screen cable TV, as well as access to the Wi-Fi that is present throughout the property.
The property boasts its own bar, restaurant, shared lounge, and garden, where you can dine, drink, and relax, all while taking in the stunning scenery. It also has a pool for you to get in your exercise, as well as a 24-hour front desk, to take care of your every need.
Guests will also have the choice of an American or a la carte breakfast each morning during their stay.
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the largest lake in the world located exclusively in a single country, with its waters being divided between the US states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. It is also considered to be the second largest of the Great Lakes.
While its 58,000 square kilometre (22,300 square mile) surface area is marginally smaller than that of Lake Huron, it has a significantly greater volume and maximum depth, which stand at 4,900 cubic kilometres (1,180 cubic miles) and 282 metres (925 feet) respectively.
Although many people think Lake Michigan is named after the neighbouring state of the same name, it is actually the other way around. This is because the word Michigan comes from the Ojibwe word michi-gami, which means “great water”.
An estimated 12 million people live along the shores of Lake Michigan, most of which are located in the cities of Chicago, Gary, Green Bay, and Milwaukee. This is a greater number than any of the other lakes in the group.
Lake Michigan is incredibly connected to the Gulf Of Mexico, despite being located almost 1,450 kilometres (900 miles) away, via the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. This makes it a popular destination for both commercial and pleasure vessels navigating North America’s waterways.
It is often referred to as the “third coast” of the United States, due to the incredible number of beaches located around its shores.
Combined with an amazing array of parks, as well as islands scattered across its surface, this makes Lake Michigan the ideal spot for people who love relaxing outdoors.
Best Hotel To Stay At Near Lake Michigan – Sable At Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection By Hilton
Sable At Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection By Hilton is an exquisite, 4-star hotel, the beauty of which is matched only by the incredible lake views on offer from its rooms. Kick back an relax in comfortable, stylish furniture and bedding, as you take in the scenery.
Air conditioning and bathrobes will make sure you are completely comfortable, while Wi-Fi and a flat screen TV will keep you occupied when you want more than just the scenery for entertainment.
Throughout the property, a bar, restaurant, shared lounge, and terrace give you plenty of other ways to relax and enjoy the view. Other facilities include a fitness centre, 24-hour front desk, and ATM, as well as private parking.
Guests will also be entitled to a choice of either an a la carte or continental breakfast each morning, while tea and coffee making facilities are included in all rooms, for those mornings when you need to grab a liquid breakfast to go.
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario has the smallest surface area of the Great Lakes, 19,000 square kilometres (7,340 square miles), and the second lowest water volume, 1,640 cubic kilometres (393 cubic miles).
However, it does boast the second largest average depth, 86 metres (283 feet), of the group.
It is the easternmost of the group, bordered to the south and east by the US State of New York, and to the north, west, and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario.
Its name, much like the province it borders, comes from the Huron language, where “ontari’io” means “great lake”.
Lake Ontario is well known for the incredibly diverse range of species which inhabit its waters and shores. This includes a huge variety of amphibians, birds, fish, reptiles, and plants, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
Having the Canadian city of Toronto on its shore, the 4th most populous city in North America, as well as Hamilton, Mississauga, and the New York city of Rochester, make it one of the busiest and most visited of all of the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes Waterway connects Lake Ontario directly to the Atlantic Ocean, making it a popular shipping route for vessels with cargo destined for the cities and towns on its shores.
This has led to an incredible collection of lighthouses being developed around its eastern end, which are among its most famous attractions.
These are especially necessary as there are countless islands located in this section of the lake, which have even seen the road along its outlet dubbed “Thousand Islands Parkway”.
As the lake with the smallest surface area, it has even become a destination for extreme swimmers hoping to say they have swum the entire width of one of the Great Lakes. To date, around 50 people are known to have achieved the feat.
Best Hotel To Stay At Near Lake Ontario – The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto
The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto is a luxurious, 4-star hotel, offering sleek, stylish rooms, which offer panoramic views of either Lake Ontario or the city skyline.
Each room boasts the pinnacle of modern luxuries, with designer beds, top quality furniture, and modern amenities.
The property features roof top tennis courts and a fitness centre, where you can keep active while taking in the views. Similarly, there is also an indoor pool to be enjoyed.
Meanwhile, a bar is present to help you relax, while site wide Wi-Fi and private parking provide the upmost convenience. The property is even pet friendly, so there are no issues if you are travelling with the furry members of your family.
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is, by a distance, the largest of the Great Lakes by almost every recordable metric. It has a surface area of 82,000 square kilometres (31,700 square miles), a volume of 12,000 cubic kilometres (2,900 cubic miles), and a maximum depth of 406 metres (1,333 feet).
It is also the largest lake in the world by surface area and third largest by volume, while holding roughly 10% of all the fresh water on the Earth’s surface.
Its indigenous name is Gichi Gami, which comes from the Ojibwe language and translates to “Great Sea”. However, in spite of its incredible size, its more remote location means it is still the least visited of the group.
Lake Superior is bordered to the south by the US states of Michigan and Wisconsin, to the west by Minnesota, and to the north and east by the Canadian province of Ontario.
There are no real major settlements located on its shores, with Duluth, Minnesota and Thunder Bay, Ontario being the largest.
The only major inlet or outlet is the St. Mary’s River, in its south-eastern corner, which connects it to Lake Huron. However, it is fed by more than 200 smaller rivers and tributaries.
The southern shore of Lake Superior is littered with shipwrecks which have sunk over the hundreds of years it has been in operation as part of a shipping network. This has made it particularly popular with divers, who arrive in their droves to search through the wrecks.
It is also a popular spot for fishing, with more than 80 different species known to inhabit Lake Superior.
However, the bulk of the tourism the lake receives comes from the fact it is the only one of the five Great Lakes to feature a national park, something which it has two of.
It has the American Isle Royale National Park located just off the shore of Thunder Bay, in Michigan waters, and the Canadian Pukaskwa National Park located just a short drive east along the Trans-Canada Highway from there.
This makes Lake Superior perfect for those seeking to explore the nature and beauty of the wilds.
Best Hotel To Stay At Near Lake Superior – Delta Hotels By Marriott Thunder Bay
Located right on the Lake Superior waterfront, on Waterfront Plaza, between both of the lake’s national parks, the Delta Hotels By Marriott Thunder Bay is the perfect location to enjoy the incredible views and attractions on offer around Lake Superior, in one of its biggest cities.
The stylish, modern, 4-star hotel has amenities including a bar, restaurant, business centre, and well equipped fitness centre, to take care of all your needs during your stay. There is even an ATM, 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage, to ensure you are never left wanting.
Each of the pet friendly rooms boasts comfortable furnishings, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi. Many will even include stunning views of Lake Superior itself, allowing you to soak in its beauty during every second of your stay.
Conclusion
That concludes our virtual tour of the Great Lakes of North America. You will hopefully now understand each of the lakes a little better and appreciate just how truly massive they are, either individually or as a group.
For anyone who has been inspired to the point that they simply have to see one or all of them with their own eyes now, what are you waiting for? Book a hotel, jump on a plane, and look forward to experiencing one of the most beautiful places on Earth for real.