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Lake Superior Splendor
Duluth
Natural Wonders
Soo Locks Cruise
Frankenmuth
Henry Ford Museum
Embark on the ultimate Great Lakes getaway along Lake Superior, including delightful cruise excursions and two nights on Mackinac Island. Begin by exploring the famous port city of Duluth, Minnesota with visits to Glensheen Mansion and Canal Park, followed by a beautiful sunset dinner cruise. Then, travel into Wisconsin along the shorefront, stopping for an Apostle Islands cruise to view spectacular sea caves in gorgeous hues of rich brownstone and turquoise water. Soak up the wonders of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with a Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore cruise to discover brilliantly colored cliffs, sea caves, and pristine beaches. Traverse the Soo Locks and learn about Sault Ste Marie before ferrying to Mackinac Island for old-world charm and lakeside leisure. We stop in Frankenmuth, the “Little Bavaria” of Michigan, then conclude our journey in the Detroit area with a visit to The Henry Ford’s Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Cruise
Glide atop the stunning waters of Lake Superior to see beautiful beaches, sea caves, and gorgeous rock formations soaring up to 200 feet high. These weather-sculpted cliffs are named after the colorful mineral stripes that adorn the rock face. Listen to fascinating narration about the history, geology, and Native culture of this region while viewing famous landmarks like Miners Castle, Chapel Rock, and Lover’s Leap.
Mackinac Island
Experience a slower way of life with two tranquil nights on this quaint island, where motor vehicles are prohibited. Enjoy the bygone era of old-world hospitality and charm at the 19th-century Grand Hotel with a one-of-a-kind Grand Luncheon, then relax in a rocking chair on the porch with stunning views. After our horse-drawn carriage tour, you may choose to spend leisure time watching the vibrant sunset, tasting world-famous fudge, shopping for souvenirs at unique stores, or diving into the island’s military past at Fort Mackinac.
Glensheen Mansion
Nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Superior in Duluth, this historical gem brings you on a journey back in time. Built in the early 1900s by Chester and Clara Congdon for $854,000, the mansion exudes Gilded Age opulence and has a present-day value of over 25 million. Admire the stunning architecture, meticulously landscaped gardens, and luxurious interior of this grand estate on a guided tour. It boasts 39 rooms including elegant bedrooms and a 27-foot living room, all adorned with original furniture and family portraits.
Greenfield Village
This outdoor living history museum seamlessly blends the past and the present, offering immersive experiences as you walk through 300 years of American innovation. The buildings are set among nostalgic green lawns and white picket fences, including Cotswold Cottage, famously dismantled in England and re-erected here. Learn from period-dressed interpreters, view the Wright Cycle Shop, visit Thomas Edison’s workshop, ride in a real Model T from Henry Ford’s garage, and more!
- Day 1: Fly to MinnesotaUpon arriving in Minneapolis, we transfer to Duluth on the shores of Lake Superior, our home for the next two nights.
- Day 2: Sunset Dinner CruiseToday, we set out to appreciate Duluth’s natural beauty, fascinating history, and artsy local culture. Our first stop is Glensheen Mansion, a 20,000-square-foot Jacobean-style historic house museum on the Lake Superior waterfront. We tour this affluent estate to admire the beautiful architecture and timeless furnishings throughout its 39 rooms. The afternoon is yours to explore, shop, and have lunch in Canal Park, a charming lakefront hub with great eateries, unique stores, entertainment, and the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge. After time to freshen up at the hotel, we return to Duluth Harbor for an enchanting sunset dinner cruise. Savor a delicious meal while enjoying narrated harbor highlights, the panoramic city skyline, and the warm sunset reflecting on the glistening water.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3: The Apostle IslandsWe depart Duluth this morning and head to the lovely city of Bayfield, Wisconsin for a narrated cruise of the Apostle Islands. Take in regionally unique natural wonders with vistas of storied lighthouses, hundreds of bird species, phenomenal sea caves around Devils Island, and more. Afterwards, enjoy leisure time and lunch on your own in the downtown area. We then travel to Ashland, Wisconsin to learn about the history, culture, and natural resources of the region at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center before checking in to our overnight accommodations.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 4: Pictured Rocks National LakeshoreThis morning, we’re off to experience the splendor of Michigan's Upper Peninsula in Munising. During lunch at leisure, don’t miss an opportunity to taste a regional delicacy – the pasty. Cornish settlers brought this hearty meat-and-vegetables pastry recipe to the Upper Peninsula in the mid-19th century, and it has been a savory staple ever since. Next, breathtaking scenery of dramatic and colorful rock formations unfolds before us on a cruise along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Keep watch for the most unique formations like Miners Castle and Chapel Rock! Later, our travels take us eastbound to Michigan’s oldest city, Sault Ste. Marie, for our overnight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 5: The Soo LocksAfter breakfast, we cruise the famous Soo Locks which allows ships to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. Experience upbound and downbound lockage while taking in the history of the area and up-close views of massive freighters in the Sault Ste. Marie area. Later, have your camera ready for a photo stop at the iconic Mackinac Bridge before we cross it to Mackinaw City, where our ferry awaits. We disembark on Mackinac Island and check in to our cozy accommodations.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 6: Mackinac IslandWith no automobile transportation allowed on the island, we depart our hotel this morning in horse-drawn carriages for a tour of this charming destination. See how the Victorian architecture in the downtown area recalls a time of days gone by and enjoy a stop at Mackinac Island State Park. Midday, we gather for an included Grand Luncheon Buffet at the luxurious Grand Hotel. Afterwards, there is time to unwind in rocking chairs on its 660-foot porch with marvelous views of the Straits of Mackinac. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You may choose to relax, sightsee on your own, or visit Fort Mackinac to recall military life during the War of 1812.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 7: Frankenmuth: The Little Bavaria of MichiganToday, we ferry back to Mackinaw City and travel to Frankenmuth, Michigan. Considered the state’s “Little Bavaria,” this quaint town embodies timeless German heritage while maintaining a modern edge. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the River Place Shops and treat yourself to lunch with an ice-cold stein of beer. Next, we visit Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland to discover why TIME named Frankenmuth one of America’s “most Christmassy towns” with year-round Christmas magic. This evening, savor classic Bavarian cuisine served family-style.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8: The Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield VillageWe depart for Detroit this morning and along the way visit Dearborn, Michigan to witness true ingenuity at The Henry Ford. At the Museum of American Innovation, discover Ford’s amazing technological breakthroughs while browsing exhibits that inspire, engage, and inform. Our explorations continue at Greenfield Village, where we can ride in a Model T, travel the rails on a steam-powered locomotive, sit on the same bus where Rosa Parks took her stand, and enjoy lunch in an 1830s café. This evening, we join fellow travelers to celebrate our travels with a Farewell Dinner, then overnight in Detroit.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9: Fly HomeEnjoy breakfast before journeying home with fond memories from our Great Lakes getaway.
Meals Included: Breakfast
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 2 nights at Hampton Inn Duluth Canal Park
- 1 night at Best Western The Hotel Chequamegon in Ashland
- 1 night at Best Western Sault Ste. Marie
- 2 nights on Mackinac Island
- 1 night at Drury Inn Frankenmuth
- 1 night at Embassy Suites Detroit Metro Airport
Attractions & Highlights
- Duluth's Canal Park District
- Glensheen Mansion tour
- Duluth Harbor sunset dinner cruise
- Apostle Islands cruise
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore cruise
- Soo Locks cruise
- Ferry to Mackinac Island
- Mackinac Bridge
- Mackinac Island horse-drawn carriage tour & time at leisure
- Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland
- The Henry Ford feat. Museum of American Innovation & Greenfield Village
12 Excellent Meals
- Grand Luncheon Buffet at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
- Bavarian-style dinner in Frankenmuth
- Farewell Dinner in Detroit
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Birmingham - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport