Mackinac Island and the Great Lakes
Tour Code: NM
INCLUDED MEALS:
- 7 Breakfasts
- 1 Lunch
- 2 Dinners
Day 1
ARRIVE IN DETROIT
WELCOME TO THE MICHIGAN!
- At 6 pm, meet your fellow travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming journey.
Day 2
DETROIT–FRANKENMUTH
AMERICAN INGENUITY
- Visit the Henry Ford Museum, the ultimate place to experience America’s past and present. See the world’s premier automotive exhibition, the JFK Presidential Limousine, an original camp bed used by George Washington, and the Rosa Parks Bus. Continue to the little Bavarian town of Frankenmuth, founded by German immigrants in 1845. This evening, enjoy an authentic
Bavarian dinner to experience fine German cuisine and a wine tasting.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
LOCAL FAVORITE: LOCAL TASTES Be greeted with a hearty “Willkommen!” in Frankenmuth-Michigan’s Little Bavaria.” You’ll be treated to an authentic Bavarian dinner and wine tasting, including three German wines, cheese, crackers, and an authentic family-style dinner. Indulge in German cuisine, including Rippchen, Sauerbraten, Bratwurst, and homemade breads and preserves. Guten Appetit!
Day 3
FRANKENMUTH–MACKINAC ISLAND
MAGICAL MACKINAC
- Visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, a one stop shop for everything Christmas. Leave the motorcoach behind and take a ferry to beautiful Mackinac Island.
Included Meal: Breakfast
TOUR HIGHLIGHT: CULTURE & TRADITION Discover Mackinac Island with a horse-drawn carriage ride to your hotel. Since the Civil War, the island has been one of the nation’s most favored summer resorts. Enjoy this special place with its air of 19th-century gentility and where bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the only means of transportation.
Day 4
MACKINAC ISLAND
SOMEWHERE IN TIME
- This morning is at leisure. Rent a bicycle to explore on your own, visit Fort Mackinac, or sample some of the island’s famous fudge. Travel by horse and carriage for lunch at the elegant Grand Hotel. After lunch, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour of this celebrated island. See the Avenue of Flags, the Governor’s Mansion, and enjoy a stop at Arch Rock, one of the most photographed spots on the island.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
TOUR HIGHLIGHT: HERITAGE & TRADITION Horse-drawn carriages. Sitting in a rocking chair on the world’s longest porch with views of the Straits of Mackinac. The historic Grand Hotel served as a summer getaway for celebrities, such as Mark Twain, Jimmy Durante, Christopher Reeve, and five U.S. presidents since its opening in 1887. This stately retreat continues today in the style of a bygone era of old-world hospitality and charm.
Day 5
MACKINAC ISLAND–MACKINAW CITY–CHARLEVOIX-PETOSKEY
GREAT LAKE MICHIGAN
- Depart by ferry from Mackinac Island, returning to mainland Michigan. Visit Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse State Park, a guiding beacon for ships since 1889. Stop at the historic Legs Inn for incredible views of Lake Michigan. Learn about the inn’s fascinating history and sample some Polish and other Old World specialties. Visit Charlevoix where a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide introduces you to the city’s Victorian summer resorts and renowned “Mushroom Houses.” Continue to your historic hotel in Petoskey, perched high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.
Included Meal: Breakfast
LOCAL FAVORITE: LOCAL TASTES Visit Legs Inn – a captivating setting on Lake Michigan – tempting travel-lovers for generations. Founded by Stanley Smolak, a Polish immigrant who creatively worked on the inn using local timber and stone with local “Odawa” Ottawa Native American craftsmen. Sample Old World specialties while taking in the artisan carvings and woodworking décor above the Great Lake.
Day 6
PETOSKEY–TRAVERSE CITY–GRAND RAPIDS
AMERICAN HISTORY & HERITAGE
- This morning, travel to Traverse City, located on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own before continuing to Grand Rapids. Visit to the Gerald Ford Presidential Library and Museum. The museum lets you participate in history while learning about the lives of President and Mrs. Ford.
Included Meal: Breakfast
TOUR HIGHLIGHT: LEGENDARY LIVES Explore the Gerald R. Ford Museum where a tribute to the 38th president of the United States offers fascinating exhibits highlighting Ford’s journey from his boyhood in Grand Rapids to life before, during, and after the White House, emphasizing the responsibilities of democratic citizenship and service to country. Discover revelations about Ford’s childhood, marriage, military service, and political life of Grand Rapids’ favorite son through exhibits that include a replica of the Oval Office and a multimedia re-creation of the 1944 typhoon that almost swept a young Jerry Ford off the deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier. Browse mementos and memorabilia highlighting the life and times of the president and First Lady Betty Ford through artifacts from museums all over the country.
Day 7
GRAND RAPIDS–CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
WINDY CITY SIGHTS & CONFECTIONS
- Travel through Indiana to Chicago for a sightseeing tour of the “Windy City.” Enjoy an overnight at the historic Palmer House Hilton. Tonight, join your Tour Director and travel companions for a farewell dinner. During dinner, learn how one of America’s favorite desserts was created here – then enjoy a taste for yourself!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
LOCAL FAVORITE: ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Enjoy an overnight stay at the historic and elegant Palmer House Hilton. With an interesting story ranging from the love story that built the hotel, a friendship with Claude Monet that influenced the decor, the invention of a sweet confection, and the long list of celebrity guests like Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and more. This is a stay to remember!
Day 8
CHICAGO
SAFE TRAVELS UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!
- Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Included Meal: Breakfast
SUSANNAH JONES
Escorting tours for more than 20 years
Travel, food, music, and laughter bring people together. There is nothing like seeing faces with bright smiles when they taste a local delicacy, hear live regional music, and make lifelong friends while traveling together. I was raised in the South, lived in Germany, and taught Middle School¿ all before beginning my second career as a Tour Director. I love the joy of making unforgettable experiences for guests from East to West. There are the majestic sights of national parks in Yosemite, the surreal landscape of Yellowstone, the haunting beauty of our Wetlands, and the bluish-green hues of the Shenandoah Valley. Tasting Peanut soup, beignets, and Fry Bread lets you taste local culture. Traveling will change you for the better!
DEARBORN
Detroit Marriott At The Renaissance Center
This luxurious 73-story hotel with an 8-story atrium lobby is situated on the riverfront in the GM Renaissance Center providing access to restaurants, sporting events and Hart Plaza. The hotel features contemporary and sophisticated décor and modern amenities throughout.
- 400 Renaissance Drive Detroit
FRANKENMUTH
Bavarian Inn Lodge
Located in the heart of downtown Frankenmuth on the banks of the beautiful Cass River, the Bavarian Inn is a charming German-themed hotel including a Glockenspiel, Biergarten, and on-site restaurant featuring traditional German cuisine.
- One Covered Bridge Lane Frankenmuth
MACKINAC ISLAND
Island House Hotel
The historic Island House Hotel features sweeping harbor views and a full complement of amenities, including two on-site restaurants, complimentary Wi-Fi, bike rentals, heated indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna.
- 6966 Main Street Mackinac Island
PETOSKEY
Stafford’s Perry Hotel
This three-story, turn-of-the-century hotel overlooks Little Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Guests can enjoy the Noggins Room Pub for a casual meal and live music, or the H.O. Rose Dining room for beautiful views and regional cuisine.
- 100 Lewis Street Petoskey
GRAND RAPIDS
Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection By Hilton
Situated on the Grand River, this striking 29-story hotel balances historic charm and modern amenities, and features spectacular views of the surrounding area. With a section of the hotel dating to 1913 and a newer modern tower, rooms are designed to reflect the era in which they were built, featuring historic accents and modern furnishings.
- 187 Monroe NW Grand Rapids
CHICAGO
Palmer House Hilton Chicago
Built in 1871, the luxurious Palmer House Hilton is steeped in history, hosting prominent figures including Charles Dickens, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and numerous US presidents. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of Chicago, within walking distance of Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Michigan Avenue.
- 17 E Monroe Street Chicago
Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, this new hotel offers a variety of guest rooms, the finest amenities, and a complimentary hot breakfast. Each room has been designed with the necessary features that will keep you comfortable and relaxed. The Bryce Canyon Grand also offers an enclosed courtyard offering guest privacy for the pool, whirlpool, and patio areas. Enjoy Bryce Canyon’s newest and most luxurious accommodations and amenities with the best in western hospitality.
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TIP:
The best times for good weather:
Mid May – Early September
April-Mid May: Can still be chilly
Mid September: Shops close and the horses are taken off of Mackinac Island
Contact: Michelle Arena
michelle@andtraveltours.com
205-966-6646