Scenic Great Lakes with Mackinac Island

Touch down in Chicago and settle into the city before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers over dinner. It’s a chance to get to know each other and toast to the adventure to come.

Begin the day with an orientation tour of Chicago alongside your Travel Director, taking in landmarks such as Cloud Gate, the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier. The afternoon is yours to explore or join an Optional Experience to 360 Chicago for panoramic city and lake views from the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center. In the early evening, you could take to the water on an Optional Chicago River cruise to see the skyline from a new perspective and hear the stories behind some of its most famous architectural landmarks.

Travel to Farmhaus Farms for your Be My Guest experience, joining John and Meghan Behrens at their family farm. Sip small-batch blends and savor a seasonal three-course lunch among the orchards. Then arrive in Grand Rapids, known for its vibrant craft scene, riverside trails and creative spirit. Spend the evening your way—explore a local brewery, take a stroll along the Grand River or relax at your hotel before the journey continues.

Leave Grand Rapids behind and travel north to Charlevoix, a lakeside town with impressive harbor views. Take time to explore before continuing to Mackinaw City. From here, you’ll take the ferry across the Straits of Mackinac to car-free Mackinac Island. Settle into island life with a horse-drawn carriage ride to the Grand Hotel, your Stays with Stories accommodation for tonight, famous for its sweeping porch, lakefront setting and more than a century of hospitality. Note Dress Code Guidelines: The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island maintains a dress code that reflects its timeless style and rich history. Before 6:30 PM, guests may enjoy a relaxed resort atmosphere. Casual attire is welcome; however, midriff-baring tops, sweatpants, cut-off shorts, sleeveless shirts, and clothing with inappropriate language or graphics are not permitted. After 6:30 PM, elevated evening attire is required in all main areas of the hotel, including the Front Porch, Parlor, Geranium Bar, Baroque, Terrace Room, and Main Dining Room. Appropriate attire includes coordinated suits, dresses, skirts, blouses, dress sweaters, and sport coats with neckties. Denim and shorts are not permitted. Children aged 12 and older are encouraged to dress similarly to adults. Guests are kindly asked to observe the dress guidelines throughout their stay to help preserve the refined atmosphere that makes every visit special.

Set off around the island on a private horse-drawn carriage tour, a tradition dating back over a century. Stop to take in the views from Arch Rock, visit Fort Mackinac and pass landmarks that tell the island’s story. This afternoon enjoy lunch at the hotel, enjoying the elegant surroundings. Spend the rest of the day exploring the island as you like. Wander the shops, cycle along the shoreline or simply relax at the Grand Hotel.

Take the ferry back to Mackinaw City and continue south to Frankenmuth, known as "Little Bavaria”. With its Bavarian-style buildings, this town offers a taste of Germany in the heart of Michigan. Dive into Culture with pretzel rolling at the Bavarian Inn, learning the technique before enjoying the results of your work. The rest of the day is yours, perhaps stroll through the boutique-lined streets, stop by a German bakery or relax with a stein before settling in for the night.

Your day begins at the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where a docent-led tour explores the legacy of the first African American military aviators and their role in World War II. See aircraft they once flew and learn how their impact continues through youth training programs and scholarships. Next, get to know Detroit on an orientation tour, passing landmarks that reflect its industrial history, cultural influence and ongoing revitalization. In the afternoon you have the option to step inside the Guardian Building, a striking Art Deco skyscraper, for an exclusive tour. Gain access to hidden bank vaults, admire the intricate design and hear stories of its significance in the city's financial past.

Spend the day exploring the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, where exhibits celebrate the ideas and inventions that shaped modern life. Step inside the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. See a presidential limousine and learn about breakthroughs in automobiles, aviation and industry. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a final dinner, sharing highlights from your journey and toasting to the memories you’ve made along the way.

After exploring Mackinac Island, the Great Lakes, and the rich history of the Midwest, it’s time to say goodbye to your Travel Director and fellow travelers before heading to the airport for your onward travels.