Chicago & The Grand Hotel

Day 1 – Welcome to The Motor City!

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX this morning for a flight arriving in Detroit, Michigan this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule 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 Dearborn area hotel to begin a two-night stay.

Day 2 – Dearborn, Detroit

After an included breakfast, we’ll visit the The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and immerse ourselves in America’s culture, inventions, people and can-do spirit! Step aboard the bus Rosa Parks was riding on; see the limousine that President Kennedy was riding in, as well as the rocking chair President Lincoln was sitting in, when they were each assassinated. Ride in a real Model T and step foot in Thomas Edison’s lab and the Wright brothers’ workshop at the museum’s Greenfield Village. This afternoon we’ll join a local for a driving tour of Detroit to learn about Motor City’s rise, fall and recent renaissance, music and sports while admiring the city’s skyscrapers, sculptures, murals and historic sites. This evening, we’ll enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 – Frankenmuth, Mackinac Island

Following an included breakfast, we’ll travel to Frankenmuth, known as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria.” Founded by German pioneers in the 1840s, memories of the old world are still prevalent in the town’s Bavarian architecture and picturesque riverfront peppered with shops. Enjoy time at leisure to immerse yourself in German heritage, browse the shops and dine on world-famous flavors. This afternoon we’ll cross the magnificent Mackinac Bridge to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and board a ferry for a short trip across the Straights of Mackinac to Mackinac Island. Limited to transportation by horse and buggy, bicycle, or foot, Mackinac Island is a step back in time where life itself seems to slow down. A ride aboard a horse-drawn carriage will bring us to the majestic, colonial-style Grand Hotel. Known as the world’s largest summer hotel, this National Historic Landmark known as the “Jewel of the Great Lakes” was built in the late 19th century for the Midwestern elite that traveled here to escape the heat of the Midwest summers. We’ll begin a two-night stay here with time at leisure to enjoy dinner on your own and explore the property which is filled with old world charm. (Breakfast)

Day 4 – Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

After an included breakfast in the Grand Hotel’s Main Dining Room, we’ll experience the history and charm of the Island on a narrated Mackinac Island horse-drawn carriage tour. Visit the Surrey Hills Museum, Wings of Mackinac, Arch Rock and travel past Fort Mackinac. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure lounging in a rocking chair on the Grand Hotel’s front porch (the world’s largest at 650 feet), strolling through the beautifully landscaped gardens and enjoying afternoon tea (additional fee applies). Take a short walk to Historic Downtown Mackinac, featuring historic homes, grand Victorian cottages, boutiques, and a number of fudge shops. This evening, enjoy an elegant, five-course dinner in the Grand Hotel’s Main Dining Room where dressing up is a tradition. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 – Charlevoix, Grand Rapids

Following an included breakfast at the hotel, we’ll return to Michigan’s mainland by ferry and then travel south by motorcoach to Charlevoix, situated on Lake Michigan’s serene “Gold Coast.” We’ll join a local guide for a driving tour of Charlevoix focused on the Earl Young Mushroom Houses, the unique stone houses creatively known as “Gnome Homes,” or “Hobbit Houses.” We’ll continue south to Grand Rapids where we’ll enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 – Grand Rapids, Indiana Amish Country

After an included breakfast we’ll experience the perfect blend of art and nature at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. This world-renowned destination features over 200 captivating sculptures (including some by Degas and Rodin) with one of the world’s finest horticultural display gardens. We’ll continue to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum which features a full scale reproduction of Ford’s Oval Office and the original Watergate burglar tools, amongst thousands of other pieces of history related to President Ford and Mrs. Ford. Later this afternoon we’ll experience Indiana Amish Country while visiting an Amish house and a ride aboard a traditional Amish buggy. Enjoy an included, traditional, family-style Amish dinner. We’ll arrive in Chicago this evening and begin a two-night stay at a AAA Four Diamond, all-suites hotel in the heart of downtown Chicago. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 – Chicago

Following an included breakfast, we’ll learn about Chicago’s history, architecture and culture while on an in-depth tour of the city with a local guide. See the incredible skyscrapers, the exquisite Lakefront, 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. This afternoon we’ll enjoy a narrated Chicago 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. Enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 – Oak Park, Journey Home

This morning we’ll travel to the historic and charming town of Oak Park for a docent-guided tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, the birthplace of Wright’s vision of American architecture. We’ll 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.