Highway 33 Michigan

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Jul 7, 2013 | 11:37 PM

Ron750

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From: Wisconsin, USA

Highway 33 Michigan

I am taking a trip from central WI to Hale MI, in mid July. I will go through the UP and cross in to MI on the Mackinac Bridge. Google Maps (no highway option) recommends Highway 33 It looks like a nice ride, but not many towns. Is it a nice ride?

I was going to go back on the ferry but don't know much about them.
If I read the Lake Express rates right it would be $245 for my bike and me and my wife. Is that really worth it?

The Luddington/Manitowoc ferry is less expensive, and closer to Hale, but is slower. Any recommendations?

Last edited by Ron750; Jul 7, 2013 at 11:55 PM. Reason: rates

Jul 8, 2013 | 03:46 AM

2AMGuy

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From: Michigan

Rte 33 is fairly scenic two lane but if you have the extra time and want better scenery I'd suggest that after you cross the "Mighty Mac" heading west to Cross Village and then to Harbor Springs.
Harbor Springs is a neat little "touristy" town with lots of shops, etc.
Continuing south on Rte 119 you'll go through the "Tunnel of Trees" and IMO it's one of the scenic rides in Michigan.
From there you could either follow Rte 31 (south) which runs the shoreline or get on Rte 131 (also south) Rte 32 (east) to Rte 33 (south) into Hale.

Sorry, but I've never rode the ferries so I can't help you there.

Have a good, safe trip.

Jul 8, 2013 | 04:41 AM

hapbob

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Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 1,166

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From: Michigan

Yea

I have taken the badger ferry from Ludington. I think it is worth it and your wife will think she is on a cruise. I think the slower one is about 4 hrs...the faster one would be cool also. Just a nice change from the bike for a few hours. There will be a lot of bikes on there with you...
Hap

Jul 8, 2013 | 07:02 AM

mslater741

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: s.w. mi./daytona

is 33 the same as 2? thats a nice stretch.... than do the cross village to harbor springs on 119.....than 31 south to ludington . cross on the badger....make sure you bring your own ty-downs. you are responsible for tying your bike. nice crossing.... thats a great trip, sure beats doing the south end of the lake

Jul 8, 2013 | 07:12 AM

ppilotmike

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2007

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From: under the bridge on the sunrise side

I was in Hale yesterday! 33 is a great road, MDOT did a lotof work on it last year. Your right about not a lot of towns but the ones that are on it are interesting. There are also a couple of interesting stops between Comins and Fairview, keep an eye on the west side of the road. From Fairview its a short hop on 72 to 65. Curran, pronounced kern, is the black bear capital of Michigan and I have seen several of them just south of town. Glenie can be an interesting little place also if you hit it right you can dine at the chat and chew. Heres hoping you have a great trip, it can get pretty hot in the middle of the state this time of the year so carry plenty of drinking water. PS If you get a chance the Huron national forrest is a stones through east of Hale and worth the trip to check it out, if you do, make sure and stop at the lumbermans monument.

Jul 8, 2013 | 07:14 AM

Ron750

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From: Wisconsin, USA

Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming.

Jul 8, 2013 | 08:40 AM

Pierucki

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 248

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From: Muskegon, MI

If you happen to take the Lake Express to Muskegon July 18-21 you can stop by Muskegon Bike Time. A motorcycle festival which draws upwards of 100,000 people.

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Jul 8, 2013 | 08:55 AM

Uncle Larry

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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell

You'll get as many recommendations as there are members on this Forum ... and while each will point out a certain "Great Ride" if I were you ( and I'm WELL TRAVELED in Michigan, I've been in every county and traveled the complete border of both the Upper and the Lower Peninsula and been completely around each of the Great Lakes )) I would highly recommend that in your travel across the Upper Peninsula you DO NOT MISS H-58 ... Many refer to it as Michigan's Dragon running along the southern shore of Lake Superior ... It is a fantastic ride, new pavement, with great sweeping curves and majestic views including Pictured Rocks National Shoreline ( http://www.picturedrocks.com/ ) Once you've crossed the Mackinaw Bridge head west and south to M-119, The Tunnel of Trees ( http://www.mynorth.com/My-North/Sept...arbor-Springs/ ) and be sure to stop at Legs Inn ( http://www.legsinn.com/ ) for lunch. When you're done head on down to Harbor Springs ( Some really old homes and great scenery ) then head on south to Traverse City and get on M-22 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-22_(Michigan_highway) ) for a great ride along the east side of Lake Michigan and on down to Ludington for the USS Badger Ferry http://www.ssbadger.com/ ) Be sure to pack the camera ... You won't be disappointed ... Have a Great Ride in the Great State of Michigan ... Woops ... Forgot about Hale, well save it for next year .. Y'all come back now ... hear? !!

Last edited by Uncle Larry; Jul 8, 2013 at 08:58 AM.