Chicago...And Beyond

Day 1 – Welcome to Chicago!

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX for our scheduled non-stop flight arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport this evening. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule (subject to change) to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival, we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and continue to our upscale, AAA Four Diamond, all-suites hotel in the heart of downtown Chicago. In addition to a hot, made-to-order breakfast each morning, we'll enjoy a Manager's reception with drinks each evening! Enjoy an included dinner this evening at a locals’ favorite. (Dinner)

Day 2 – Chicago

After an included breakfast, we’ll learn about Chicago’s history, architecture and culture while on an in-depth driving tour of the city with a local guide. See the incredible skyscrapers, the exquisite Lake-front, the Water Tower and The Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue and the city’s magnificent outdoor sculptures within the Loop. On a walking tour in Millennium Park we’ll see the Frank Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavilion, the quirky Crown Fountain and Cloud Gate, better known as “the bean.” View Chicago’s striking skyline from Planetarium Point and see the iconic Buckingham Fountain within Grant Park. We’ll explore Chicago’s historic South Side and see sites featured in the book, Devil and the White City, as well as the prairie-style Robie House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. See the Obama Family home near the prestigious University of Chicago, full of Gothic-style buildings like the magnificent Rockefeller Memorial Chapel . After time at leisure for lunch on your own at Navy Pier, we’ll visit the legendary Field Museum of Natural History and explore an extraordinary world of dinosaurs, glittering gemstones, and prehistoric North America. Enter a three-story replica of an ancient Egyptian tomb, see the 90% complete fossil skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus rex named “Sue” and view original objects from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Indiana Dunes National Park & Indiana Amish Country

Following an included breakfast, we’ll join a local guide and travel east to admire one of America’s newest national park’s, Indiana Dunes National Park. Hugging 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan, this national park since 2019 features moving sand dunes, mysterious wetlands and historic sites. We’ll continue east into Indiana Amish Country, home to one of the largest Amish populations in the nation. The charming countryside here is dotted with quiet farmsteads and the ever-present horse-drawn buggies. Visit the small Midwest town of Shipshewana where just about everything says “Amish.” At an Amish farm we’ll learn about the Amish people, who live a lifestyle of simplicity, foregoing modern amenities such as electricity, cars and telephones. Enjoy a ride aboard a horse-drawn buggy and an included, traditional, family-style Amish lunch with an opportunity to shop for the intricate hand-stitched quilts and finely crafted furniture that the Amish are known for. We return to Chicago this evening with the balance of the evening at leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4 – Chicago

After an included breakfast, we’ll enjoy a narrated architecture cruise on the Chicago River which provides the best views of Chicago’s iconic architecture and provides a detailed narrative of Chicago’s architectural styles and stories of the legendary figures who designed and built this city. This afternoon we’ll visit The Art Institute of Chicago, the world-renowned art museum that is home to the greatest collection of Impressionist paintings outside of Paris, including works by Monet, Renoir, Seurat, and Van Gogh. In addition, the Renzo Piano-designed Modern Wing features an extraordinary collection of works by Chagall, Dali, Matisse, Picasso, and Pollock. This evening we’ll enjoy an elegant Lake Michigan dinner cruise. Sit back, relax and enjoy the music and views of Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers all lit up while cruising the scenic waters of Lake Michigan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 – Milwaukee

After an included breakfast, we’ll travel north to Milwaukee, Wisconsin with our local guide. This big city with a small-town feel is a mix of old and new. We’ll delve deep into Milwaukee’s brewing heritage and toast this remarkable city while on a guided, behind-the-scenes tour of the Miller Brewery. Experience over 160 years of brewing history while visiting the historic caves where Frederick Miller once cooled his beer, the historic Bavarian-style Miller Inn, as well as today’s high-speed production lines on this immersive tour that seamlessly blends the rich history of the Miller Brewing Co. with the modern technology of today’s brewing process. Ice-cold refreshing samples of Miller’s finest brews will be served at various stops along the tour. Note this tour includes considerable walking and 46 mandatory/56 optional stairs. Following time at leisure for lunch on your own at the Milwaukee Public Market, a city tour will showcase the glistening shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee’s historic mansions, the Basilica of St. Josaphat – designed after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome – and Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. At Harley-Davidson’s world headquarters we’ll visit the Harley-Davidson Museum to learn more about this true American success story. Discover the mechanics behind how motorcycles work and learn the iconic history of Harley-Davidson while exploring an unrivaled collection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and memorabilia. We return to Chicago this evening with the balance of the evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 6 – Oak Park, Journey Home

Following an included breakfast, we’ll join our local guide and travel to Wrigleyville. Also called “The Friendly Confines,” Wrigley Field is the second oldest baseball stadium in the U.S. and famous for its ivy-covered brick outfield walls, manual scoreboard and historic charm. On a guided tour of Wrigley Field, we’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs with a tour that generally includes a visit to the press box, Visitor’s Clubhouse, Cubs dugout and an opportunity to step onto the field. We’ll then travel to the historic and charming town of Oak Park, Illinois, home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District and almost 30 Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes. On a docent-guided tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, we’ll explore the birthplace of Wright’s vision of American architecture. This National Historic Landmark features dramatic soaring spaces and bold geometric forms within flowing rooms filled with colorful art glass and rich, wooden textures. We continue to O’Hare International Airport to board a scheduled, non-stop flight arriving in Los Angeles this evening. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule (scheduled to change) to coordinate a similar flight departure time. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-offs. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.