Scenic Great Lakes with Mackinac Island
Great Lakes & Mackinac Island Guided Tour
9 Days • Guided Tour • Chicago to Detroit
Featured Departure: September 19–27, 2026
Other dates may be available
Starting from $4,175 per person
Experience the charm of Mackinac Island, scenic Great Lakes shorelines, and iconic Midwest cities on a guided journey designed for easy, comfortable travel.
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Duration
9 Days
A well-paced itinerary that balances guided experiences with time to enjoy each destination.
Activity Level
Moderate
Includes walking in cities, sightseeing, and time exploring places like Mackinac Island at your own pace.
Travel Style
Fully Guided Tour
Travel with a professional Travel Director and a group, with logistics and planning handled for you from start to finish.
Group Size
Guided Group Tour
Travel alongside a group of fellow travelers, with expert guidance and a structured yet comfortable experience.
Experience Overview
From Chicago’s skyline to the charm of Mackinac Island, experience the Great Lakes and Midwest cities on a guided journey designed for easy, comfortable travel.
This journey brings together the scenic beauty of the Great Lakes, charming small towns, and well-known Midwest cities in a way that feels relaxed and enjoyable. You’ll experience waterfront views, local character, and a variety of interesting stops without feeling rushed. It all leads to time on Mackinac Island, where the setting, slower pace, and unique atmosphere make it a true highlight of the trip.
You’ll take in some of Chicago’s most recognizable sights, spend time in lakeside towns, and experience the character of places like Frankenmuth and Detroit. On Mackinac Island, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour and time to explore at your own pace, with the option to see even more throughout the trip with additional experiences available.
This tour is a great fit for those who enjoy traveling with others while having the details handled along the way. With a balance of guided experiences and free time, it allows you to explore each destination without feeling rushed, while still having structure when you want it.
Highlights
• Horse-drawn carriage tour on Mackinac Island
• Time to explore Mackinac Island at your own pace
• Travel through scenic Great Lakes shoreline towns
• Orientation tour of Chicago’s iconic landmarks
• Experience the charm of Frankenmuth’s Bavarian-style town
• Visit the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Detroit
Itinerary
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Arrive in Chicago and settle in before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner, a relaxed way to get to know the group and ease into the journey ahead.
Meals Included: Dinner
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Start the day with an orientation tour of Chicago, taking in some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace, or you may choose to add an optional experience for a different perspective of the city.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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Travel from Illinois into Michigan, stopping for a locally hosted experience along the way that offers a closer look at the region’s character and flavors. Continue on to Grand Rapids, where you’ll have the evening free to explore, relax, or enjoy the city at your own pace.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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Travel north through Michigan, with a stop in the lakeside town of Charlevoix to take in the waterfront setting before continuing on. From Mackinaw City, board a ferry across the Straits of Mackinac, arriving on Mackinac Island, known for its car-free streets and slower pace. Upon arrival, enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage transfer to the iconic Grand Hotel, setting the tone for your time on the island.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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Set out on a private horse-drawn carriage tour around Mackinac Island, taking in some of its most well-known sights, including Arch Rock. After time to enjoy lunch, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace—browse local shops, take in the shoreline views, or simply relax and enjoy the island’s slower pace.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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Depart Mackinac Island by ferry and continue south to Frankenmuth, a Bavarian-style town known for its unique architecture and small-town charm. Here, take part in a hands-on pretzel-making experience, learning the technique before enjoying what you’ve created. The rest of the day is yours to explore—browse local shops, stop into a bakery, or relax and take in the atmosphere.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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Begin the day with a visit to the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum, where you’ll learn about the legacy and impact of these pioneering aviators. Continue with an orientation tour of Detroit, offering a look at the city’s history and ongoing revitalization. In the afternoon, you may choose to add an optional experience for a closer look at one of the city’s architectural highlights.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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Spend the day exploring the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, where exhibits highlight the ideas and moments that have shaped modern life, including the bus associated with Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a final dinner, a simple way to wrap up the journey together.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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After your time exploring the Great Lakes and Mackinac Island, your journey comes to an end as you say goodbye to your Travel Director and fellow travelers.
Meals Included: Breakfast
What’s Included
• Comfortable hotel accommodations throughout the tour
• Transportation throughout the tour, including ferry to and from Mackinac Island
• Select meals included throughout the tour
• Guided sightseeing, tours, and included experiences
• Professional Tour Guide throughout the journey
• Unique Trafalgar experiences designed to connect you more deeply to each destination
Pricing
Starting from $4,175 per person
This price reflects the guided tour experience, including accommodations, transportation, and included experiences throughout the itinerary.
Flights, pre/post hotel stays, and additional transportation are not included, but I can coordinate everything for you to make the process simple and seamless.
Trip protection is also available and can be added to your booking for additional peace of mind.
Ready to Start Planning?
Schedule a quick call to go over availability, pricing, and how this tour could fit into your travel plans.
I can also help coordinate flights, pre/post stays, and additional details to make everything simple and seamless.
Choose a time that works for you
We will follow up with you