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Scenic Great Lakes with Mackinac Island
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Length
9 Days
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Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Chicago (Illinois)
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Ends in
Detroit (MI)
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Available Tour Start Dates
MAY 30, 2026 to OCT 3, 2026
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Activity Level
No Rating Provided
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Language
English
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Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).Yes
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$3,415.73
Overview
This tour takes you through charming small towns, scenic waterfronts and storied landmarks of the Midwest. Starting in Chicago, you’ll journey north to Mackinac Island, where horse-drawn carriages and historic hotels capture a bygone era. Along the way, roll up your sleeves for pretzel rolling in Frankenmuth, cruise across Lake Huron, and explore the legacy of Henry Ford in Detroit.
Visited During Tour
Charlevoix | Chicago (Illinois) | Detroit | Frankenmuth | Grand Rapids | Hudsonville | Mackinac Island | Mackinaw City
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are Scenic Great Lakes with Mackinac Island tour dates available from Trafalgar. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
There is at least one departure that the vendor is advising is Not Available for the selected year. Click here if you would like such tours to be included below.
Tour Itinerary
Trafalgar Tour Code 773-2213
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Day
1Welcome to Chicago
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.
- Meals Included:
- Dinner
Accommodations: Ambassador Gold Coast -
Day
2Discover Chicago’s Icons
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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Ambassador Gold Coast -
Day
3Swapping Illinois for Michigan
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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Embassy Suites Downtown -
Day
4To Mackinac Island via Charlevoix
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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: The Grand, Mackinac Island -
Day
5Welcome to Mackinac Island
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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: The Grand, Mackinac Island -
Day
6Mackinac Island to Frankenmuth
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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Drury Inn and Suites Frankenmuth -
Day
7Head into the City in Detroit
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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: The Westin Southfield -
Day
8Innovation and History in Motor City
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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: The Westin Southfield -
Day
9Farewell Detroit
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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
More Details
Trafalgar is informing us of the following additional details regarding their Scenic Great Lakes with Mackinac Island tour:
Travelers Notes
* ARRIVAL: Guests to arrive in Chicago at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Welcome Desk is scheduled from 15:00-17:00. It¿s recommended that flights arrive prior to 15:00 to avoid missing the Welcome Dinner, starting at 18:00. * DEPARTURE: Guests are to depart from Detroit at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).* TRANSFERS: Please refer to guest documents for transfer options on arrival day. Private chargeable transfers are available at an additional charge. Guests who purchase private sedan transfers through Trafalgar will be responsible to make a reservation directly with RMA 30 days to 7 days prior to departure. Additional information will be included with documents.* GROUND HANDLER: This trip is operated by Destination America.* PLEASE NOTE: For Summer 2026, the pre-night and start hotel for this trip will be the Ambassador Gold Coast.* NOTE: This Trip falls under Tour Deposit Level 1. Please refer to the Deposit, Payment and Cancellations policies on our website.
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on double occupancy. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Trafalgar. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Trafalgar (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.