Itinerary
- Day 1
Chicago
You'll arrive in Chicago and get settled into your hotel. This evening, you'll meet your Travel Director and the rest of the group over dinner, which gives everyone a chance to connect before the real exploring begins.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ambassador Gold Coast)
- Day 2
Chicago
A guided tour takes you through Chicago's most iconic spots like Cloud Gate and the Magnificent Mile, then you'll have the afternoon free to do your own thing. If you want more views, optional experiences let you head up to the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center or take a Chicago River cruise to see the skyline from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ambassador Gold Coast)
Included Activities
- Guided orientation tour of Chicago featuring Cloud Gate, Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier
Optional Activities
- 360 Chicago panoramic city and lake views from 94th floor of John Hancock Center
- Chicago River cruise to view the skyline and learn about famous architectural landmarks
Landmarks Cloud Gate Magnificent Mile Navy Pier John Hancock Center - Day 3
Chicago to Grand Rapids
You'll head out to Farmhaus Cider Co. for a Be My Guest experience where the owners will walk you through their small-batch ciders in the Cidergarten and serve a three-course Tuscan-style meal on their fifth-generation farm. After that, you'll drive to Grand Rapids, a city known for craft breweries and riverfront trails. The rest of the day is yours to check out breweries, walk along the Grand River, or just relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Three-course Tuscan-style meal at Farmhaus Cider Co.)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Embassy Suites Downtown)
Included Activities
- Be My Guest experience at Farmhaus Cider Co. with small-batch cider tasting in the Cidergarten
- Three-course Tuscan-style meal at Farmhaus Cider Co.
Optional Activities
- Visit one of Grand Rapids' breweries
- Stroll along the Grand River
Landmarks Farmhaus Cider Co. Grand River - Day 4
Grand Rapids to Mackinac Island
You'll travel north to Charlevoix, a lakeside town with great harbor views where you can walk around and take in the scenery. Then you'll head to Mackinaw City and catch a ferry across the Straits of Mackinac to reach Mackinac Island, which has no cars. You'll arrive at the Grand Hotel by horse-drawn carriage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Grand, Mackinac Island)
Included Activities
- Ferry across Lake Huron to Mackinac Island
- Horse-drawn carriage ride to the Grand Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Charlevoix
Landmarks The Grand Hotel Straits of Mackinac - Day 5
Mackinac Island
This morning, you'll take a private horse-drawn carriage tour around the island, stopping at Arch Rock to see the views and Fort Mackinac to learn about the island's history. Lunch happens at the hotel in nice surroundings. After that, you can spend the rest of the day however you want - shop around, bike along the shoreline, or just relax at the Grand Hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at the Grand Hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Grand, Mackinac Island)
Included Activities
- Private horse-drawn carriage tour around Mackinac Island
- Visit to Arch Rock
- Visit to Fort Mackinac
- Lunch at the Grand Hotel
Optional Activities
- Shop in boutique-lined streets
- Cycle along the shoreline
- Relax at the Grand Hotel
Landmarks Arch Rock Fort Mackinac Surrey Hills Museum Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory - Day 6
Mackinac Island to Frankenmuth
You'll take the ferry back to Mackinaw City, then head south to Frankenmuth, a town that looks like 'Little Bavaria' with its Bavarian-style buildings everywhere. At the Bavarian Inn, you'll get hands-on with a pretzel rolling experience and learn the traditional way to make them before eating your fresh-baked pretzels. Later, you can walk through the boutique-lined streets, visit a German bakery, or just rest before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Drury Inn and Suites Frankenmuth)
Included Activities
- Hands-on pretzel rolling experience at the Bavarian Inn
- Ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw City
Optional Activities
- Stroll through boutique-lined streets
- Visit a German bakery
- Relax with a stein
Landmarks Bavarian Inn - Day 7
Frankenmuth to Detroit
You'll start at the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum where a docent will take you through the story of the first African American military aviators and what they did in World War II, plus you'll see historic aircraft. Then you'll get an orientation tour of Detroit with a guide who'll show you landmarks tied to its industrial past and revitalization. If you're interested, there's an optional tour of the Guardian Building, an Art Deco skyscraper where you can see hidden bank vaults and learn about its financial history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Westin Southfield)
Included Activities
- Docent-led tour of the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum
- Guided orientation tour of Detroit
Optional Activities
- Exclusive tour of the Guardian Building Art Deco skyscraper, including access to hidden bank vaults
Landmarks Tuskegee Airmen National Museum Guardian Building 
- Day 8
Detroit
You'll spend time at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation looking at exhibits about ideas and inventions that changed modern life. You'll see the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, step inside a presidential limousine, and learn about automotive and aviation breakthroughs. This evening, you'll have a final dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travelers to share what stood out and celebrate the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Final dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Westin Southfield)
Included Activities
- Visit to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
- Dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers
Landmarks Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation - Day 9
Detroit
After your time on Mackinac Island and exploring the Great Lakes region and Midwest history, you'll say goodbye to your Travel Director and the group before heading to the airport for your journey home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
