Minnesota, United States
Duluth
A working harbour city with a walkable waterfront, freshwater attractions and direct access to Minnesota's North Shore.
Photo: Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge and harbour · Bspor.88 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
COMMUNITIES OF THE FIVE GREAT LAKES
Follow the shoreline.
Meet the places.
Start with a lake, then use these gateway communities to find parks, local businesses, events and the stories that connect a binational freshwater region.
01 · 47.7 N, 87.5 W
Lake Superior
Rock, forest and a vast northern horizon. Thunder Bay, the North Shore, Sault Ste. Marie, Duluth and the Upper Peninsula.
Ontario, Canada
Thunder Bay
An urban gateway to northwestern Ontario, shaped by Lake Superior, outdoor adventure and a strong cultural scene.
Photo: The Sleeping Giant from the Terry Fox Lookout, Thunder Bay · Norshe0 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
02 · 44.0 N, 87.0 W
Lake Michigan
Dunes, harbour towns and city waterfronts. Chicago, Milwaukee, Door County, Traverse City and the Straits of Mackinac.
Illinois, United States
Chicago
A global city on Lake Michigan with beaches, architecture, neighbourhood food and a celebrated lakefront trail.
Photo: Chicago skyline from the Lakefront Trail · TheWxResearcher / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Wisconsin, United States
Milwaukee
A compact Lake Michigan city known for public markets, brewing culture, museums and an active waterfront.
Photo: Milwaukee Art Museum on the Lake Michigan lakefront · mareklug / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
03 · 44.8 N, 82.4 W
Lake Huron
Island passages and Georgian Bay. Georgian Bay, Manitoulin Island, the Bruce Peninsula and Michigan’s eastern shore.
Ontario, Canada
Gore Bay
A sheltered Manitoulin Island harbour with a marina, local arts, independent food and easy access to island drives.
Photo: Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island · P199 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5
Ontario, Canada
Tobermory
A small harbour community at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, surrounded by clear water, trails and protected landscapes.
Photo: Tobermory harbour · Derek Hatfield / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
04 · 42.2 N, 81.2 W
Lake Erie
Beaches, wetlands, vineyards and working ports. Windsor, Toledo, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo and Ontario’s south coast.
Ohio, United States
Cleveland
A Lake Erie city with landmark markets, music, museums, neighbourhood dining and a growing waterfront.
Photo: Cleveland skyline from Edgewater Park on Lake Erie · Erik Drost / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Ontario, Canada
Leamington
A warm-climate Lake Erie community near Point Pelee, with markets, waterfront parks and rich agricultural traditions.
Photo: Point Pelee National Park, Leamington · The Cosmonaut / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 CA
05 · 43.7 N, 77.9 W
Lake Ontario
Historic ports and the eastern gateway. Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara, Rochester, Kingston and the Thousand Islands.
Ontario, Canada
Kingston
A historic waterfront city where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, known for limestone architecture and island cruises.
Photo: Kingston waterfront on Lake Ontario · DXR / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ontario, Canada
Toronto
Canada's largest city meets Lake Ontario through islands, beaches, markets, waterfront trails and diverse neighbourhoods.
Photo: Toronto across Lake Ontario from Niagara-on-the-Lake · DXR / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A binational region.
The Great Lakes are shared by Canada and the United States. Border requirements, ferry schedules, park access and seasonal conditions vary, so confirm current details with the official provider before travelling.