Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island 25

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Travel in comfort aboard our deluxe motor coach towards the Victorian-style island of Mackinac Island, Michigan. A picturesque island that evokes a bygone era, Mackinac Island is often called the "Bermuda of the North". Before checking into our hotel in Allen Park, Michigan for the night, we are treated to a delicious dinner at The Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurant in Toledo, Ohio.

Day 2

After breakfast we depart for Indian River, Michigan. Upon our arrival, we visit The National Shrine of Cross in the Woods; one of Michigan's best known and most visited shrines. Here we will view the monumental sculpture of the crucified Christ titled "The Man on the Cross" created by the renowned Michigan sculptor Marshall Fredericks. The crucifix stands taller than the surrounding trees and is a moving sight to behold! Following our visit, we depart for Mackinaw City, Michigan, and the City Dock, where we will travel by ferry to the "Magical Land" of Mackinac Island, Michigan. A horse-drawn carriage will be waiting at the dock to transport you to the world-famous Grand Hotel, your luxurious accommodations for the next two nights. Experience fine dining and gracious hospitality in the hotel's beautifully appointed main dining room this evening when you order dinner, off the menu. At the Grand Hotel, there is a dress code after 6:00 PM. Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie, and the ladies are required to wear a dress, skirt, or pants suit.

Day 3

After breakfast we meet our driver/guide and climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage for a tour of the lovely Victorian-style island that has defied time. Following your horse-drawn carriage ride enjoy some leisure time strolling through the cottage-filled village dotted with flowers, and explore the shops along Huron Street, or sit and relax in one of the famous "Rockers on the Longest Porch in the Country". Tonight, a delicious dinner, off the menu awaits you in the main dining room. At the Grand Hotel, there is a dress code after 6:00 PM. Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie, and the ladies are required to wear a dress, skirt, or pants suit.

Day 4

After breakfast we are transported by horse-drawn carriage down to the City Dock, where we will travel by ferry back to the Michigan mainland. Once on the mainland it is a short ride to the Soo Locks Boat in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This morning, we will climb aboard our tour vessel for an exciting sightseeing tour through the famous Soo Locks, the world's largest locking system. The legendary Soo Locks are a group of mighty Locks that have provided safe passage and a vital shipping connection within the Great Lakes for nearly 160 years. We will get a glimpse of maritime history at the Soo Locks, where freighters, barges, tugboats and more traverse the 21-foot drop between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Inside the Soo Locks our boat will ride the water as it is raised 21' straight up, to the level of Lake Superior. Our round-trip boat excursion includes lockage through both the giant U.S. Locks and historic Canadian Lock. A live narration explains everything you see, including the history and operation of the Locks. Our boat brings us close to all the sights and points of interest along the shorelines of the twin border cities. Following lunch on your own settle back, relax and enjoy the scenery on our drive to Allen Park, Michigan. After checking into the Best Western Greenfield Inn for the next two nights, we are treated to a delicious dinner at the hotel.

Day 5

After breakfast we will explore the genius of American transportation, industry, and entertainment at The Henry Ford Museum by stepping into a world where past innovations fuel the imagination of generations to come. We begin with a tour at the Ford Rouge Factory where you will get an inside look at game-changing technology, sustainable design, and American grit at America's greatest manufacturing experience. Experience the awe-inspiring scale of a real factory floor as you walk through a real-life truck plant and see the making of America's most iconic truck, the Ford F-150, view one of the world's largest "living roofs," and see a gallery of iconic Ford vehicles produced at the Rouge. Next, we visit The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. We will tour historic homes and workshops of famous Americans, including those of The Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Robert Frost. We have included the Village Ride Trio offered by the museum as part of your tour package so that you may best experience and enjoy the fascinating historic nature of Greenfield Village, which features over eighty acres of American ingenuity and innovation. The pass entitles you to ride on the historic steam locomotive, in a vintage Model T and the 1913 Herschell-Spillman Carousel. Later we enjoy a tasteful buffet dinner at the hotel.

Day 6

After breakfast we depart for home with a rich collection of memories that include a deeper appreciation for the grandeur and romance of the bygone Victorian era, a cruise through the massive Soo Locks, and a greater admiration and respect for the genius of American inventors.

B=Breakfast, D =Dinner