The Great Lakes\u2019 combined shorelines stretch 4,530 miles, which is 20% more than the American coastlines of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans put together. This sheer expanse creates seemingly infinite possibilities for you to explore. Each of the five Great Lakes has its own particular character, but all of them are bursting at the seams with outdoor adventure and relaxing freshwater activities that all ages will enjoy. Planning your trip to the Great Lakes will only be difficult when you have to choose what not to do.<\/p>\n
You will find the most back-to-nature, Thoreauvian experiences on Lake Ontario, the easternmost, least populated and smallest of the five Great Lakes. On the American side, only Rochester, New York, populates a large area, but enticing destinations lie in the more rustic extremities of the lake. Niagara Falls roars just southwest of Lake Ontario, but a more relaxing experience lies away from the touristy hot spot that surrounds it. Instead, find something like the Bayside Guest House in Olcott, a Victorian-style B&B right on the lake, where you can travel to the marvelous falls while still maintaining a get-away-from-it-all experience.<\/p>\n\n\t\t