Scenic Great Lakes with Mackinac Island

Visit United States

Day 1

Welcome to Chicago

Touch down in Chicago and settle into the city before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers over dinner.

It’s a chance to get to know each other and toast to the adventure to come.

Day 2

Discover Chicago’s Icons

Begin the day with an orientation tour of Chicago alongside your Travel Director, taking in landmarks such as Cloud Gate, the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier.

The afternoon is yours to explore or join an Optional Experience to 360 Chicago for panoramic city and lake views from the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center. In the early evening, you could take to the water on an Optional Chicago River cruise to see the skyline from a new perspective and hear the stories behind some of its most famous architectural landmarks.

Day 3

Swapping Illinois for Michigan

Travel to Farmhaus Cider Co.

, where you’ll meet John and Megan Behrens for a Be My Guest experience. Sip exclusive small-batch ciders in the Cidergarten and enjoy a three-course Tuscan-style meal, learning how this fifth-generation farm became an award-winning cider house. Arrive in Grand Rapids, known for its thriving craft beer scene, riverfront trails and vibrant downtown. You’ll have the evening to explore as you choose. Visit one of the city’s breweries, take a stroll along the Grand River or unwind at your hotel before the journey continues.

Day 4

To Mackinac Island via Charlevoix

Leave Grand Rapids behind and travel north to Charlevoix, a lakeside town with impressive harbour views.

Take time to explore before continuing to Mackinaw City. From here, you’ll take the ferry across the Straits of Mackinac to car-free Mackinac Island. Settle into island life with a horse-drawn carriage ride to the Grand Hotel, your Stays with Stories accommodation for tonight, famous for its sweeping porch, lakefront setting and more than a century of hospitality.

Day 5

Welcome to Mackinac Island

Set off around the island on a private horse-drawn carriage tour, a tradition dating back over a century.

Stop to take in the views from Arch Rock, visit Fort Mackinac and pass landmarks that tell the island’s story. This afternoon enjoy lunch at the hotel, enjoying the elegant surroundings. Spend the rest of the day exploring the island as you like. Wander the shops, cycle along the shoreline or simply relax at the Grand Hotel.

Day 6

Mackinac Island to Frankenmuth

Take the ferry back to Mackinaw City and continue south to Frankenmuth, known as "Little Bavaria”.

With its Bavarian-style buildings, this town offers a taste of Germany in the heart of Michigan. Dive into Culture with pretzel rolling at the Bavarian Inn, learning the technique before enjoying the results of your work. The rest of the day is yours, perhaps stroll through the boutique-lined streets, stop by a German bakery or relax with a stein before settling in for the night.

Day 7

Head into the City in Detroit

Your day begins at the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where a docent-led tour explores the legacy of the first African American military aviators and their role in World War II.

See aircraft they once flew and learn how their impact continues through youth training programs and scholarships. Next, get to know Detroit on an orientation tour, passing landmarks that reflect its industrial history, cultural influence and ongoing revitalisation. In the afternoon you have the option to step inside the Guardian Building, a striking Art Deco skyscraper, for an exclusive tour. Gain access to hidden bank vaults, admire the intricate design and hear stories of its significance in the city's financial past.

Day 8

Innovation and History in Motor City

Spend the day exploring the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, where exhibits celebrate the ideas and inventions that shaped modern life.

See the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Step inside a presidential limousine and learn about breakthroughs in automobiles, aviation and industry. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a final dinner, sharing highlights from your journey and toasting to the memories you’ve made along the way.

Day 9

Farewell Detroit

After exploring Mackinac Island, the Great Lakes, and the rich history of the Midwest, it’s time to say goodbye to your Travel Director and fellow travellers before heading to the airport for your onward travels.

Dining Summary

2 Dinner (D)

8 Breakfast (B)

2 Lunch (L)

Be My Guest

Hudsonville: Join John and Megan Behrens at Farmhaus Cider Co., a fifth-generation family farm known for its award-winning ciders. Enjoy exclusive small-batch flavours in the Cidergarten while hearing how the farm, established in 1866, became a craft beverage destination. Then, sit down to a three-course Tuscan-style meal, perfectly paired with their signature ciders. 

Dive into Culture

Frankenmuth: At the Bavarian Inn, expert bakers guide you through the art of pretzel rolling, sharing the traditional technique. Wearing a classic baker’s hat, roll and shape your own pretzel before it goes into the oven. Once baked, enjoy the results of your handiwork—a fun and hands-on way to experience Bavarian traditions. 

Iconic Experience

Chicago: Join your Travel Director for a guided walk through Chicago’s famous landmarks. Stop at Cloud Gate, better known as The Bean, stroll along the Magnificent Mile and take in the lively atmosphere of Navy Pier. With its blend of architecture, shopping and lakefront views, this introduction to the Windy City sets the tone for your time in Chicago. 

Mackinac Island: Take a 16-minute ferry across Lake Huron to Mackinac Island. As you near the island, spot the Grand Hotel and historic buildings that line the waterfront, with horse-drawn carriages waiting by the dock — the first glimpse of the island’s character. 

Mackinac Island: Explore Mackinac Island on a private horse-drawn carriage tour. Visit the Surrey Hills Museum and the Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory before stopping at Arch Rock, where you’ll step off to admire this striking limestone formation. Continue to Fort Mackinac, where the Avenue of Flags rounds off a journey around of the Great Lakes’ most unique destinations. 

Detroit: Get to know Detroit, a city shaped by innovation, music and industry. See key landmarks, from historic neighbourhoods to revitalised downtown districts, and hear stories of its automotive legacy and cultural influence. A glimpse into the Motor City’s past and present, setting the stage for your time in this dynamic city. 

Detroit: Discover the breakthroughs that shaped modern life, from early automobiles to aviation milestones. See the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand, step inside a presidential limousine, and explore exhibits that highlight the power of innovation. A journey through history that showcases the ideas and inventions that changed the world. 

Detroit: Go behind the scenes of automotive innovation at this historic factory, where Ford’s legacy of production comes to life. Watch the modern assembly line in action, explore interactive exhibits, and see how sustainability is shaping the future of manufacturing. A fascinating look at the past, present, and future of American industry. 

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Detroit: Led by a docent, this guided tour shares the history of the first African American aviators in the U.S. Army. Learn about their impact during World War II, see aircraft used by the airmen and hear how their legacy continues through youth training programs and scholarships. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. 

Must-see Highlights

Explore Learn the hands-on technique of Bavarian Pretzel Rolling, the famed Guardian Building in Detroit

Visit Surrey Hills Museum and the Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory, Fort Mackinac and Arch Rock on Mackinac Island, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Ford Rouge Factory Tour

Scenic Journeys Ferry across Lake Huron, tour Mackinac Island on a private Carriage ride

Discover Chicago and Detroit

Stays With Stories

Mackinac Island: Since 1887, this hotel has welcomed guests with its signature white facade, horse-drawn carriages and sweeping views over Lake Huron. Stroll the world’s longest porch and learn about the famous figures who’ve stayed here, from presidents to public personalities. This stay is a chance to step into a unique piece of American history. 

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