Mackinac Island, Detroit & Chicago

Day 1 – Travel to Detroit
Welcome to this journey to Michigan and Mackinac Island.  Travel today to the Detroit area for a two-night stay.  Arrive at the airport not later than 4:00PM EDT and transfer to the hotel.  Dinner is included this evening.  Detroit, MI area (D)

Day 2 – Ford Motor Company, Greenfield Village or Henry Ford Museum
Breakfast will be served for you at the hotel.  We begin our touring in the Motor City with a visit to Ford Motor Company’s Rouge Pickup Truck Plant where they make the F-150.  After this fascinating tour, you will have your choice of admission to either the Henry Ford Museum or Greenfield Village, located in Dearborn.  You can enjoy lunch on your own here.  Mid afternoon will find us making a stop at the Motown Museum, the famous recording studio for many of the groups to come out of Detroit in the 1960’s and 70’s.  Tonight we have included a tour and dinner at the home of Edsel Ford.  Detroit, MI area  (B,D)

Day 3 – Frankenmuth, Thunder Bay Resort
Breakfast is again provided at the hotel before we depart Detroit and travel north to the Bavarian community of Frankenmuth.  A brief guided riding tour will give you a behind the scenes view of this charming city, with lunch & shopping on your own downtown to follow. You can’t come to Frankenmuth without visiting the famous Bronner’s Christmas Store,  then the journey continues to Hillman for our overnight accommodations at Thunder Bay Resort.  This evening we have included a wonderful experience, a Carriage Ride into Elk Country, followed by a gourmet dinner in the Elk Antler Inn.  Thunder Bay Resort, Hillman, MI (B,D)

Day 4 – Call of the Wild Museum, Mackinac Island
You can enjoy breakfast at the resort, then travel the short distance to Mackinaw City.  Along the way, we stop in Gaylord for a visit to the Call of the Wild Museum featuring lifelike displays of North American wild animals and game birds.   When we arrive in Mackinaw City, there will be time for lunch and shopping on your own.  This afternoon you board Shepler’s  Ferry for the short journey across the water to Mackinac Island for a two-night stay.  Check into the Resort and enjoy a relaxing evening, with dinner served at the resort.  Mackinac Island, MI (B,D)

Day 5 – Carriage Ride, Grand Hotel Luncheon
Breakfast, served at the hotel, is how you begin your day on the Island.  Your exploration begins with a Guided Riding Tour aboard a horse drawn carriage.  In addition to the scenic ride, stops will be offered at the Butterfly Conservatory, Arch Rock and Fort Mackinac, some with optional admission fees. Lunch will be a highlight today as it is served at the world famous Grand Hotel. In addition to this abundant meal, you will have time to explore this elegant facility and the grounds surrounding it.  This rest of the afternoon will be free to enjoy the Island on your own.  You return to the resort at your leisure.  Mackinac Island, MI (B,L)

Day 6 – Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes
A leisurely breakfast will be served at the hotel after which we transfer to the docks for a morning Ferry back to the mainland.  Today we traverse the western side of Michigan, stopping in Traverse City, the center of Michigan’s Cherry Country. Lunch is included today and you might want to try a piece of cherry pie for dessert. As we continue our journey south along the shore of Lake Michigan, we stop for a Ranger lead tour of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  Our overnight lodging will be in Ludington, with dinner included at a local restaurant. Ludington, MI (B,L,D)

Day 7 – Lake Michigan Ferry
The hotel will provide breakfast for you as you prepare for another water experience.  Board the SS Badger Ferry in Ludington, motorcoach and all, for a journey across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. After this four hour sailing, we will stop for lunch on your own in Manitowoc.   We then make our way south along Lake Michigan, pausing for a brief riding tour of the city of Milwaukee.  Your destination tonight will be in the Chicago area and Dinner is included tonight. Chicago, IL area(B,D)

Day 8 – Chicago Skydeck, Depart for home
After breakfast at the hotel, a local guide joins us for a brief riding tour of Chicago, to be  followed by a view from the Chicago Skydeck and lunch on your own at historic Navy Pier.  Later this afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight home.  (B)