Mackinac Island & the Great Lakes (NM)

9 Day Tour from Chicago to Detroit

2027 Tour Details View 2026 Tour Details »

Experience life in the fast and slow lanes as you venture to where the automobile was born and also where it’s been banned since 1898. This tour of Mackinac Island and the Great Lakes navigate the Chicago River for iconic skyscraper views in Chicago and gets your engines revving with a visit to Detroit’s Henry Ford Museum to explore where past inventions have fueled the imagination of today’s innovations. Switch gears as you board a ferry for Mackinac Island, the Jewel of the Great Lakes and one of the nation’s most popular summer resorts. With horse-drawn carriages and bicycles as the island’s only means of transportation, enjoy a two-night stay at the famous Grand Hotel, explore military history at the restored Fort Mackinac, and indulge with decadent fudge the charming island is known for. Other sweet detours include a blueberry farm in Holland, the Bavarian town of Frankenmuth, the coastal resort of Petoskey, and the faster-paced cities of Grand Rapids and Bay City. PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Grand Rapids so you can plan your day your way.

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Select Globus 2021 North America tours are limited to an average of just 24 guests per tour. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus North America tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery Europe vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Special Features Included in this Tour:
• Guided sightseeing in Chicago including an architecture cruise on the Chicago River [LF]
• Visit to a blueberry farm in Holland, Michigan [LF]
• Globus Choice excursion in Grand Rapids – included in your tour with your choice of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum or Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
• Drive the Tunnel of Trees
• Visit to Legs Inn on Lake Michigan [LF]
• Ferry in the Great Lakes region across Lake Huron to Mackinac Island
• Horse and carriage ride to Mackinac’s famed Grand Hotel
• Visits to Petoskey and Traverse City on Lake Michigan and Bay City on Lake Huron
• Visit to Frankenmuth and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
• Tour the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn

Special two-night stay and remarkable meals at the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.268.3636

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 3 Dinners

Notes:

• Guests should be prepared for easy but sustained walking throughout the tour, including ¼-½ mile over uneven ground during select days of sightseeing.
• Guests with mobility concerns may experience uneven or wet surfaces specifically for ferry loading and unloading, and limited access to passenger amenities on board certain vessels.

Itinerary

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.

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Day 2 CHICAGO

Windy 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 narrated architecture cruise. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore on your own.

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.

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Breakfast

Day 3 CHICAGO–HOLLAND, MICHIGAN-GRAND RAPIDS

Blueberries to Blue Bridge Travel through Indiana to Holland, Michigan for lunch and free time in the historic downtown. Visit 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.

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.

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Breakfast

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.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 5 PETOSKEY–CROSS VILLAGE–MACKINAW CITY–MACKINAC ISLAND

Great Lake Michigan Depart Petoskey and enjoy a scenic drive through the Tunnel of Trees to Cross Village. Stop at the historic 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.

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.

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Breakfast

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.

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.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 7 MACKINAC ISLAND–ST. IGNACE–MACKINAW CITY–BAY CITY

Straits 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.

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!

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Breakfast

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.

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.

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Breakfast

Dinner

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.

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Breakfast

Tour Director

With GLOBUS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

SUSANNAH JONES

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“Travel, food, music, and laughter bring people together. There is nothing like seeing faces with bright smiles when they taste a local delicacy, hear live regional music, and make lifelong friends while traveling together. I was raised in the South, lived in Germany, and taught Middle School all before beginning my second career as a Tour Director. I love the joy of making unforgettable experiences for guests from East to West. There are the majestic sights of national parks in Yosemite, the surreal landscape of Yellowstone, the haunting beauty of our Wetlands, and the bluish-green hues of the Shenandoah Valley. Tasting Peanut soup, beignets, and Fry Bread lets you taste local culture. Traveling will change you for the better!”

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

Grand Rapids

GREEN THUMBS IN GRAND RAPIDS

Visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park with a guided trolley ride around grounds. Stroll the sculpture park and botanical gardens for a closer look at the extensive gardens and more than 200 outdoor art displays. In addition to displays native to the Midwest, the international gardens include a tranquil Japanese garden, English perennial garden, and more than 500 species from five continents in the park's lush tropical conservatory.

Price Range: $

PRESIDENTIAL STYLE

Explore the Gerald R. Ford Museum, a tribute to the 38th president of the United States. Discover stories about Grand Rapids' favorite son through exhibits that include a replica of the Oval Office and a multimedia re-creation of the 1944 typhoon that almost swept a young Jerry Ford off the deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier! Browse mementos and memorabilia highlighting the life and times of President Ford and, inspirational First Lady Betty Ford.

Price Range: $

The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.

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