FAVORITE DESTINATIONS

On your voyage thru the Chesapeake, for sure, you will find a boat load of exciting things to do. Between all the incredible Islands, you'll have to pick & choose your favorites between Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis. While you have plenty of time, you may not have time to see and do it all. It's why so many Loopers make this voyage two or more times. So, plan your stops well. 

If you've never visited Wash. DC, it has lots of interesting things to see and do. From the Smithsonian to the National Monument, the Vietnam Wall, it is all very near your landing spot at "The Wharf". DC's multimillion dollar Marina Food & Shopping complex, where DC meets the water.

Green Turtle Bay Marina, Grand Rivers, KY is a very popular stop after leaving Paducah. Before Paducah opened up their fuel docks, Green Turtle was the 1st fuel stop after leaving Hoppies Marina on the Mississippi River, a fuel range of 228-miles. From the Marina, you are just 1-mile to most famous restaurant in three States. Patti's has long been one of our very favorite restaurants on the entire Great Loop. It has Shops, Boutiques, Miniature Golf & lots of fun stuff to see.

 Conde Nast Traveler "Gold Lists" the Grand Hotel as one of the "Best Places to Stay in the Whole World". With 390 uniquely decorated rooms and suites, (not one alike), the Grand Hotel has plenty of space. With its full-service spa, multiple restaurants, and charming boutique shops, there’s always something to explore.

But what truly makes this place special is its dedication to preserving the past. Every detail —from the perfectly manicured gardens to the vintage-inspired décor — feels like a step back in time, offering a stay that’s as nostalgic as it is luxurious. Be sure to visit https://www.grandhotel.com before your visit for dress codes & room prices. FYI - Late season rooms are generally half price.

If you follow the safest and most popular routes outlined in "The Looper's Companion Guide"; you will be spending the best part of a year on the Loop. However, there are only 140 required actual "cruising days" on the main routes. Since you will be cruising 'by the seasons' in each geographical area during its preferred boating weather, it is necessary to plan plenty of time (we suggest at least 200) days off your boat not cruising. These are the days (mostly weekends) you will find us being a tourist, eating out and having fun ashore. Regional Restaurants along the way will introduce you to some incredibly new and delightfully delicious culinary delights.  

Once you leave Mackinac Island and cruise down the eastern shore of Lake MIchigan, you will find ever destination not only offers a safe Harbor, but a lot of interesting and fun things to see and do.

Petoskey, Charlevoix, Traverse City are all highly recommended stops. Leland (or Fishtown) is an exception to the exception. It is one of our very favorites for an exceptional reason. It is so different, a unique town with one-of-a-kind shops, great cheese, smoked fish, wine & restaurants. It is one of Michigan's top ten vacation spots. You'll love your visit here! 

If you follow the safest and most popular routes outlined in "The Looper's Companion Guide"; you will be spending the best part of a year on the Loop. However, there are only 140 required actual "cruising days" on the main routes. Since you will be cruising 'by the seasons' in each geographical area during its preferred boating weather, it is necessary to plan plenty of time (we suggest at least 200) days off your boat not cruising. These are the days (mostly weekends) you will find us being a tourist, eating out and having fun ashore. Regional Restaurants along the way will introduce you to some incredibly new and delightfully delicious culinary delights.  

This is one of those local Regional Food favorites. Customers from a very wide area visit Graham's Seafood. Our experience has always been great service, friendly staff, and you won't find seafood fresher than this unless you catch it yourself.

 The shores of the Chesapeake contain over 400 marinas, all within easy reach of the 219-mile direct stretch of this waterway. If they were in a straight line rather than in clusters, there would be a marina every half mile between Norfolk and Chesapeake City. That should give you an idea of just how popular a boating area Chesapeake Bay is.

Every waterfront community in Maryland and Virginia have an assortment of marinas to choose from. Some are full-scale Marina Resorts with Concierge, indoor/outdoor pools, spas, spa therapy, massage, golf courses, tennis, and onsite 5-Star restaurants. Most however are basic marinas with basic slips and amenities where most of us can afford to stay for a day or two or more. Additionally, most all marinas in this area have something of interest, either onsite or within easy walking distance. 

 A visit to Sanibel Island is an incredible experience, especially for those that enjoy walking the beach in hopes of finding some amazing seashells. Given that Sanibel Island was created out of sand and shells, it should come as no surprise that the beaches are world-famous for shelling. People from all over come here on vacation to collect seashells! Obviously, Sanibel Island is the location for a huge selection of unique shops & great restaurants. Timbers is our very favorite. 

Located at Mile 354.4 on the Intracoastal Waterway, Barefoot Landing offers an outstanding selection of places to enjoy day and night. Whether you stop for an hour or stay for the night, you don’t want to pass it by. Every town’s waterfront needs a place like this! #1 it is a free “daytime” dock with 30amp electric, and water and it is right at the dock. Stepping off your boat you will be in the middle of 52 restaurants, 50 unique retail shops, 12 specialty food stands, 4 live music establishments, the famous B.B House of Blues, and the very popular Alabama Theatre all with exciting levels of entertainment the likes only found in New York or Vegas. If nothing else, take a break off your boat, walk around, and buy an ice cream. This makes for a great pit stop as well as a weekender.   

Don't, we repeat, don't pass this place up. It's world famous, yet in the middle of nowhere.  Their famous pan-fried walleye (pickerel) is a must try even for those that don't like fish. If you have never eaten fresh caught, fresh fried Walleye, we believe it is the very best tasting fish in the entire world, and no one does it better than Henry’s.  It is so good, fishermen from all over the world and spend big bucks to fly in, rent cabins & boats, in hopes of catching their fill of Walleye. Henry's has two locations in Georgian Bay: One in Parry Sound Harbour and one in Sans Souci on Frying Pan Island. 

The Fillin' Station is located near the Lady's Island Marina across the river from the Beaufort City docks. It is actually a Bar that just happens to serve great food. It's a dive. It is also great food served with huge helpings, and cheap. 

While Beaufort has lots more to offer, and many great restaurants to choose from, if you are here for a quick, inexpensive overnight stop & go - this should be your choice.

Pentwater is an historic little quaint village where almost everything is within walking distance of the marinas, shopping, dining, parks, public beach, and Village Green. The Municipal Marina offers water, electricity, restroom, showers, fuel, pump-out, ice, dog run, and free day use dockage. Lots of choices in Pentwater, but for eats, we favor the Village Cafe.

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts houses concerts, films, and professional theater productions, a farmer’s market from May through September. The Music Festival of Saugatuck IS on Thursday and Friday evenings through the month of August. 

Shore Harbor Marina is the closet one to the lake. It has an on-site popular restaurant with dockside food and beverage delivery. From Saugatuck, you are 22-miles from South Haven, 44-miles from St. Joseph River.