Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll arrive at your destination this afternoon and evening with flights coming in at different times. There's nothing scheduled today, so you can settle in at your own pace whenever you get there.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hyatt Regency)
- Day 2
Chicago
Start the day with a guided architecture tour through Chicago, hitting Michigan Avenue, the Wrigley Building, the Loop, the Lakefront, and Millennium Park. The afternoon opens up for you to check out museums, catch a scenic boat ride on the Chicago River, or stop by the Chicago Cultural Center. When evening comes around, you'll have dinner with the group to kick things off.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hyatt Regency)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Chicago's architecture including Michigan Avenue, Wrigley Building, Loop, Lakefront, and Millennium Park
- Welcome dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit one of Chicago's many museums
- Scenic boat ride across the Chicago River
- Visit the Chicago Cultural Center
Landmarks/POIs Michigan Avenue Wrigley Building The Loop Chicago Lakefront Millennium Park Chicago Cultural Center - Day 3
Chicago to Holland to Grand Rapids
The morning drive takes you from Chicago to Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Time Festival. After lunch is provided, a local guide walks you through the town's flower displays and tells you about the festival's history going back to 1929. You'll then head to Windmill Island Gardens, 36 acres with canals and gardens, including the only operating authentic Dutch windmill in the US. Later you'll settle into Grand Rapids with the evening free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Canopy by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Holland's Tulip Time Festival floral displays and history
- Windmill Island Gardens exploration including Dutch windmill
Landmarks/POIs Windmill Island Gardens - Day 4
Grand Rapids to Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island
You'll travel from Grand Rapids to Mackinaw City at Michigan's lower peninsula tip, with time to look around the coastal town and grab lunch. Then it's a ferry ride to Mackinac Island, where carriages are the only transportation. The Grand Hotel, a Victorian resort and National Historic Landmark, is where you'll stay. After dinner at the hotel, the evening is yours to either take a walk through the village or relax on the hotel's famous front porch.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Grand Hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Hotel)
Included Activities
- Ferry ride to Mackinac Island
- Dinner at Grand Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Mackinaw City
- Leisurely stroll through Mackinac Island village
- Relax on Grand Hotel's porch
Landmarks/POIs Grand Hotel Mackinac Island Mackinac State Park - Day 5
Mackinac Island
A horse-drawn carriage takes you around the island with stops at the Surrey Hills Carriage Museum and Arch Rock. The rest of the day lets you enjoy Mackinac Island's quieter side, whether that's sitting on the Grand Hotel's front porch watching the lake or heading downtown to shop and pick up fudge. Dinner happens at the Salle à Manger restaurant, and after that you can have coffee and listen to the hotel's orchestra. If you want something more private, the Cupola Bar is there as well.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Salle à Manger)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Hotel)
Included Activities
- Horse-drawn carriage island tour including Surrey Hills Carriage Museum and Arch Rock
- Dinner at Salle à Manger
Optional Activities
- Sit on the Grand Hotel's front porch
- Walk downtown to visit shops and buy fudge
- Listen to Grand Hotel's orchestra
- Visit Cupola Bar
Landmarks/POIs Surrey Hills Carriage Museum Arch Rock - Day 6
Mackinac Island to Bay City
You have leisure time at the Grand Hotel to spend however you like before heading out this afternoon for Bay City. By evening you'll be at your riverfront place with nothing planned, though the downtown river walk is worth exploring if you want to get out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (DoubleTree Bay City Riverfront)
Optional Activities
- Leisurely time at Grand Hotel
- Explore Mackinac Island town
- River walk exploration in Bay City downtown
- Day 7
Bay City to Frankenmuth
The tour covers the home and studio of architect Alden B. Dow, a National Historic Landmark with Mid-Twentieth Century Modern design. From there you'll head to Frankenmuth, called 'Little Bavaria' locally for its Franconian-style buildings. Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas store, is on the agenda.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Westin Hotel Southfield Detroit)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Alden B. Dow's home and studio
- Visit to Bronner's Christmas store
Landmarks/POIs Alden B. Dow Home and Studio Bronner's Christmas Store - Day 8
Frankenmuth to Dearborn
You'll visit Dearborn, Henry Ford's hometown and where the Ford Motor Company started. The Henry Ford Museum shows how the automobile transformed American life and society. Greenfield Village has historic homes and workshops from the Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Robert Frost. The day ends with a farewell dinner celebrating your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Westin Hotel Southfield Detroit)
Included Activities
- Henry Ford Museum visit
- Greenfield Village visit
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks/POIs Henry Ford Museum Greenfield Village - Day 9
Departure
Your tour wraps up today. You'll head home with memories from exploring America's heartland.
