USA Great Lakes Roadtrip – Niagara Falls, Mackinac Island & Washington D.C.

Our family’s deep connection to the United States dates back to the post-WWII years, when multiple branches of my mother’s family emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania. In the summer of 2003, when I was 15 years old, my parents and I embarked on our very first transatlantic journey: a 3.5-week RV motorhome roadtrip across the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic states.

RV Roadtrip Across the Great Lakes

After being warmly reunited with relatives in Pennsylvania over massive American barbecues and games of Mexican Train dominoes, we picked up our rental motorhome (RV) and headed north towards Upstate New York.

Our first major highlight was the thundering spectacle of Niagara Falls on the US-Canada border. Crossing the Rainbow Bridge onto the Canadian side provides the premier vantage point overlooking both the American Falls and the mighty curved Horseshoe Falls, illuminated by night-time light displays best viewed from the Skylon Tower.

Along the way, we experienced authentic roadside Americana at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, savoring hearty Old Timer’s Breakfasts with warm buttermilk pancakes, bacon, and fried apples.

Michigan: Bavarian Charm, Mackinac Island & Sand Dunes

Continuing west into Michigan, we visited Frankenmuth, a Bavarian heritage town famous for traditional schnitzel and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland – the world’s largest Christmas store.

At the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, we crossed the mighty five-mile-long Mackinac Bridge to Mackinac Island in Lake Huron. Motor vehicles are completely banned on the island; historic horse-drawn carriages transport visitors past Fort Mackinac, scenic Arch Rock, and dozens of traditional sweet shops producing famous Mackinac Island fudge.

We continued down the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan to the Dutch-heritage town of Holland, relaxing on wide sandy freshwater beaches beside historic windmills.

Independence & History: Philadelphia, Washington D.C. & Atlantic City

Returning through Pennsylvania, we explored historic Philadelphia – standing before the cracked Liberty Bell and Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated and signed.

In the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., relatives guided us past the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the towering marble obelisk of the Washington Monument. We concluded our epic maiden USA adventure browsing Amish craft shops in Lancaster County and walking the famous seaside boardwalk of Atlantic City.

That initial journey ignited a lifelong love for American road trips that continues to this day!