• 9 Days
  • From $4,999
  • Airfare Included

Lake Superior Splendor - Gone Again Gang

Tour Style:
Land
Activity Level:
Leisurely
Highest Elevation:
1,348 feet
12 Meals:
8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners

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.

  • Day 1: Fly to Minnesota
    Upon arriving in Minneapolis, we transfer to Duluth on the shores of Lake Superior, our home for the next two nights.
  • Day 2: Sunset Dinner Cruise
    Today, 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 Islands
    We 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 Lakeshore
    This 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 Locks
    After 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 Island
    With 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 Michigan
    Today, 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 Village
    We 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 Home
    Enjoy 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
  • Ferry to Mackinac Island
  • Mackinac Bridge
  • Soo Locks cruise
  • 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.