8-Nights Mackinac Island & The Great Lakes from $4,499

Globus

OFFER ID 1691856

Experience the Great Lakes in captivating contrast—from the birthplace of the automobile to an island where cars have been banned since 1898. This journey begins in Chicago with iconic skyline views on a narrated architecture cruise along the Chicago River before exploring American innovation at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, where groundbreaking inventions and historic artifacts tell the story of a nation on the move.

Then slow the pace as you ferry across Lake Huron to Mackinac Island, the Jewel of the Great Lakes and one of America's most beloved summer retreats. Here, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles set the rhythm for a memorable two-night stay at the legendary Grand Hotel, with time to relax and explore the island, discover historic Fort Mackinac, and sample the island's famous fudge.

Along the way, visit a blueberry farm in Holland, enjoy the lakeside setting of historic Legs Inn, discover the coastal communities of Petoskey, Traverse City, and Bay City, and experience the Bavarian-inspired charm of Frankenmuth, home to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. Filled with Great Lakes scenery, regional traditions, and iconic American experiences, this journey reveals the character and charm of one of North America's most distinctive regions.

PLUS, this tour includes your choice of excursions in Grand Rapids so you can plan your day your way.

8 nights from $4,499 per person

Itinerary

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Itinerary Details

Mackinac Island & The Great Lakes

Day 1: ARRIVE IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Welcome to Illinois! At 6 pm, meet your fellow travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming journey.

Day 2: CHICAGOWindy City Sights Discover the highlights and history of Chicago during a guided city tour, from Millenium Park to the Magnificent Mile, travel on the “Loop” and see skyline views plus visit the Navy Pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Shift from shore to ship and view Chicago’s legendary buildings and bridges from a unique perspective as you cruise along the Chicago River on a [LF] narrated architecture cruise. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore on your own. (B)

LOCAL FAVORITE
Cruise the Chicago River on a guided tour featuring more than 40 architectural icons including the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, Tribune Tower, and Marina City. Travel on the three branches of the Chicago River, with breathtaking views of Chicago’s famous skyscrapers, bridges, and landmarks at every turn.

Day 3: CHICAGO–HOLLAND, MICHIGAN-GRAND RAPIDSBlueberries to Blue Bridge Travel through Indiana to Holland, Michigan for lunch and free time in the historic downtown. Visit [LF] Bowerman’s Blueberry Farm on the way to Grand Rapids for a farm visit and fresh blueberry dessert. This evening, explore the dining options and nightlife in Michigan’s second largest city, Grand Rapids. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
DUTCH HERITAGE The city was settled by Dutch immigrants and the Dutch-inspired architecture, including the historic homes and windmills at Windmill Island Gardens, and are still visible today as modern life blends with tradition.

LOCAL FAVORITE
Immerse yourself in fresh air and sunshine as you enjoy blueberries directly from the field at a third-generation farm. Savor a special blueberry dessert and discover unique blueberry-themed gifts and culinary creations at Bowerman’s Blueberry Farm.

Day 4: GRAND RAPIDS–TRAVERSE CITY–CHARLEVOIX–PETOSKEY Explore more of Grand Rapids with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.

This afternoon, visit Traverse City, located on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Enjoy free time in the historic downtown with waterfront views and award-winning dining choices for lunch. Continue along the shoreline to Charlevoix to see the city’s Victorian summer resorts and “Mushroom Houses.” Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the historic Perry Hotel in Petoskey, perched high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. (B,D)

Day 5: PETOSKEY–CROSS VILLAGE–MACKINAW CITY–MACKINAC ISLANDGreat Lake Michigan Depart Petoskey and enjoy a scenic drive through the Tunnel of Trees to Cross Village. Stop at the historic [LF] Legs Inn for incredible views of Lake Michigan. Learn about the inn’s fascinating history and sample traditional Polish specialties. Continue north to Mackinaw City and take a ferry on Lake Huron to beautiful Mackinac Island. Upon arrival in Mackinac Island, ride in a horse-drawn carriage to the majestic Grand Hotel for a two-night stay. Since the Civil War, the island has been one of the nation’s most favored summer resorts. Enjoy this special place with its air of 19th-century gentility and historic charm, where bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the only means of transportation. (B)

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Visit Legs Inn - a captivating setting on Lake Michigan – tempting travel-lovers for generations. Founded by Stanley Smolak, a Polish immigrant who creatively worked on the inn using local timber and stone with local “Odawa” Ottawa Native American craftsmen. Sample authentic Polish cuisine such as kielbasa, whitefish, pierogi, and berry szarlotka (crumble cake) while taking in the artisan carvings and unique décor.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT A two-night stay at the Grand Hotel offers a Victorian-era vacation in a serene and beautiful setting. Relax in a rocking chair on the world’s longest porch with views of the Straits of Mackinac, swim in the Esther Williams swimming pool, play lawn games, tour the celebrated gardens, and dine at a variety of onsite restaurants. The historic Grand Hotel served as a summer getaway for celebrities, such as Mark Twain, Jimmy Durante, Christopher Reeve, and five U.S. presidents since its opening in 1887. This stately retreat continues today in the style of a bygone era of old-world hospitality and charm.

Day 6: MACKINAC ISLAND Somewhere in Time Free time this morning to relax and discover the island’s treasures at your own pace. Rent a bicycle to explore on your own, visit Fort Mackinac, or sample some of the island’s famous fudge. Later, join your travel companions and explore Mackinac Island for a private tour just as guests have for over 100 years, on a horse-drawn carriage. See the Avenue of Flags, the Governor’s Mansion, and savor the views at Arch Rock, one of the most photographed spots on the island. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at the Grand Hotel in the Main Dining Room, with live entertainment from the Grand Hotel Orchestra and a locally focused five-course dinner menu. (B,D)

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Mackinac Island! Wander and wonder in the charming downtown and enjoy art galleries, restaurants, and shops. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for maps and suggestions on where to dine and what to see.

Day 7: MACKINAC ISLAND–ST. IGNACE–MACKINAW CITY–BAY CITYStraits of Mackinac Depart Mackinac Island for St. Ignace in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and visit the Wawatam Lighthouse. See the Straits of Mackinac, a narrow, 5-mile-wide channel that connects Lake Huron and Lake Michigan and the well-known Mackinac Bridge. Ferry to Mackinaw City and return to mainland Michigan. Visit Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse State Park, a guiding beacon for ships since 1889. Continue to Bay City and discover the vibrant waterfront town on Lake Huron in the Saginaw Bay. Enjoy free time to explore the Victorian architecture and visit shops and restaurants along the coast of Lake Huron. Consider a stroll on the Riverwalk Pier along the Saginaw River, visit the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, or take a sunset cruise across Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron. (B)

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Bay City! After included sightseeing, the balance of the day is at leisure, providing you with free time to explore on your own. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for maps and suggestions on where to dine and what to see!

Day 8: BAY CITY – FRANKENMUTH - DEARBORN (DETROIT AREA) American Ingenuity Depart Bay City for Frankenmuth, a town rich in Bavarian heritage founded by German immigrants in 1845. Visit the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland and stroll the streets of the Bavarian-themed downtown. Continue to Dearborn and tour the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, the ultimate place to experience America’s past and present. See the world’s premier automotive exhibition, the JFK Presidential Limousine, an original camp bed used by George Washington, and the Rosa Parks Bus. This evening, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner. (B,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
INNOVATORS AND VISIONARIES Discover more than automobiles and assembly lines at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. The extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits chronicles the evolution of technology and transportation, from the visionaries to the fearless, including the Wright brothers' plane. The exhibitions capture more than 200 years of progress that shaped America.

Day 9: DEARBORN (DETROIT) Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of the Detroit area? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)

Featured Destinations

Petoskey

Perched on a bluff above Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay, 240 mi/385 km northwest of Detroit, Petoskey has long been a resort town: Many affluent Chicagoans passed their summers in the area at the turn of the century, among them the young Ernest Hemingway, who set several of his early short stories in the surrounding countryside.

Among the attractions are the historic Gaslight District in downtown Petoskey, home to art galleries, restaurants, cafes, taverns and shops. A short walk away is Bayfront Park, where a historic train station has been converted into the Little Traverse Historical Society Museum.

Adjacent to Petoskey is the community of Bay View which boasts a collection of Victorian-era "cottages." They range in size from relatively modest two-bedroom houses to spectacular 10-bedroom mansions, and many have incredible views of the bay. Also nearby is the Bay Harbor Golf Club. Designed by Arthur Hills, it is said to have more shoreline holes than any other course in the U.S.

A half-hour drive away, on the other side of Little Traverse Bay, is Harbor Springs, a popular destination for boaters and home to more art galleries, restaurants and shops. North of Harbor Springs is Boyne Highlands Resort, which offers accommodations and activities year-round. In the summer, the resort is best known as a golf destination. It is home to The Donald Ross Memorial, a course that has 18 of the best holes ever designed by Ross. In winter, the resort is one of the prime downhill sites in the Lower Peninsula, known for its steep terrain and long runs—at least in comparison to other Midwest resorts.

Highway 31 heads west, then south, from Petoskey, a scenic route that leads to Charlevoix, a resort town located on the narrow strip of land between Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan. There's a good harbor there, and a lot of yachts make use of it. A working drawbridge raises and lowers to let the boats through, occasionally delaying highway traffic.

An enjoyable drive out of Charlevoix follows Highway 66 south along the western shore of Lake Charlevoix to the village of East Jordan, home of EJ - East Jordan Foundry (formerly East Jordan Iron Works), which makes the steel sewer grates that can be found throughout the Midwest. Boyne Mountain Resort is east of the village in nearby Boyne Falls, home to The Monument golf course and 52 downhill ski runs.

Charlevoix is also the departure point for the ferry that runs to Beaver Island, 35 mi/55 km northwest in Lake Michigan. The island has a colorful history: In the mid-1800s, a group of Mormons led by James Jesse Strang settled on the island. Strang proclaimed himself king, but his reign didn't last for long: He was murdered by one of his subjects, and the Mormons were forced off the island by an armed group from the mainland. Today, visitors can see the Mormon Print Shop in the town of St. James. The island is a good spot for mountain biking, camping and fishing.

Frankenmuth

Detroit

Mackinac Island

Chicago

Grand Rapids

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

06/11/2027 - 06/19/2027

from $5,249 per person *

06/25/2027 - 07/03/2027

from $5,689 per person

08/06/2027 - 08/14/2027

from $5,569 per person *

08/20/2027 - 08/28/2027

from $4,759 per person

09/17/2027 - 09/25/2027

from $4,499 per person *

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $4,499 per person

Length

8 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Deluxe

Remarks

Prices listed are land-only, per person, based on double occupancy and are subject to change and availability. Itinerary and map subject to change. The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include international airfare. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus) in which case intra-vacation air and taxes are included in the price shown.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1691856

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