Daily Itinerary

Magnificent Michigan and Mackinac Island

July 30 - August 5, 2023

Monday, September 30

Sunday, July 30

Depart Bush Airport for Detroit, Michigan

Henry Ford Museum

Monday, July 31

Today we will visit the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, the largest indoor/outdoor museum in the United States. The museum is a collection of artifacts and exhibits showcasing the people and ideas who changed the world. We will see a parade of historic automobiles including the 1865 Roper, the first American-made car, to Henry Ford’s first gasoline-powered vehicle, mid-century muscle cars as well as JFK’s presidential limousine and Rosa Parks’ bus. Included on the museum’s 250 acre complex is Greenfield Village, a collection of historic buildings such as the Wright Brothers cycle shop and Thomas Edison’s laboratory. A tour of the Ford Rouge Factory is included in our visit where we will experience the assembly of the Ford F-150 pickup truck. Late afternoon, depart for Frankenmuth, Michigan, known for its Bavarian-style architecture, and world famous chicken dinners. Overnight Frankenmuth, MI – Fairfield Inn (B) (D)

Frankenmuth

Tuesday, August 1

After breakfast, we will visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the world. Located on the edge of the Wonderland is the Silent Night Memorial Chapel, a 56-foot-tall landmark replica of the original chapel in Oberndorf/Salzburg, Austria, which marks the site where “Silent Night” was first sung on Christmas Eve in 1818. Early afternoon, we will board a high-speed ferry for our crossing to Mackinac Island, a charming resort-like retreat, full of history and natural wonders. The island is three-miles-long by two-miles-wide and transportation on the island is limited to carriage, bike, horse, or foot. Enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the Island and having dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants. Overnight Mackinac Island – Bicycle Street Inn (B) (L)

Horse-drawn carriage

Wednesday, August 2

After breakfast (on your own), we will enjoy a narrated horse-drawn carriage tour that will take us by the many historic churches and island homes (“summer cottages”), Arch Rock and Fort Mackinac’s Avenue of Flags. We will stop at the elegant Grand Hotel where we will enjoy the infamous Grand Buffet lunch with garden fresh salads, savory cheeses, slow-roasted meats, seafood, and fresh baked pastries. After lunch, enjoy the rocking chairs on the hotel’s 660-foot porch and see marvelous views of the Straits of Mackinac. This afternoon is free to rent a bicycle and enjoy the 8.2-mile trek around the island or visit Fort Mackinac which was built during the American Revolution and has served as a stronghold for both the British and American armies. Dinner on your own tonight. Overnight Mackinac Island – Bicycle Street Inn (L)

Mackinac Bridge

Thursday, August 3

This morning, we will depart the Island and cross over the Straits of Mackinac via the Mackinac Bridge, one of the largest suspension bridges in the world. The bridge opened in 1957 and connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. Continue west to enjoy the Tunnel of Trees, a 27-mile scenic heritage route along the coast of Lake Michigan offering spectacular scenic vistas. This afternoon, we will visit the charming waterfront town of Charlevoix and enjoy a guided tour of architect Earl Young’s “mushroom houses”. These famously custom built houses were designed to fit the natural landscapes and look amazingly like something out of a fairytale. Overnight Traverse City – Bayshore Resort (L)

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Friday, August 4

Today we will enjoy a guided tour of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a large complex of shifting sand dunes, extending 7 miles along the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan. We will drive along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a scenic route featuring stunning panoramas of the dunes, Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. There will be opportunities for short walks along the drive to see the incredible blue waters of Lake Michigan known as the Unsalted Coast Line. Lunch will be at the Cherry Republic House, where you can enjoy one of the many inventive cherry-inspired lunch options, freshly baked pie, homemade cherry ice cream, and momentous shareable desserts — all cherry, of course! After lunch enjoy the Great Hall to shop some of the 200+ cherry products and sample to your heart’s content. Overnight Traverse City – Bayshore Resort (B) (L)

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Saturday, August 5

After breakfast, we will drive to Grand Rapids for a self-guided tour of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. This museum is the presidential museum and burial place of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States, and his wife Betty. Mid-afternoon departure from Grand Rapids airport (B)

Review Your Cart
0
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount