Day 1 Rockford, IL

This morning we begin our journey to the “all-natural” Mackinac Island. This is the only place in the United States where motorized transportation is not allowed. Visitors are free to tour the island by foot, bicycle, or horse and carriage. We will be there during their annual Lilac Festival. The island will be buzzing with fun! We will travel through Wisconsin and cross into Illinois to Rockford for our overnight stay. Dinner is included this evening at the Machine Shed. (D)

Day 2 Ludington, MI

We travel around Chicago and cross into Michigan today. Our lunch is included at a lovely restaurant this afternoon before we arrive at Saugatuck Dune Rides where we board an open-air buggy for a journey through rolling dunes that soar up to 200 feet high along the picturesque Lake Michigan shoreline line. Our accommodations this evening are in Ludington, MI. (B, L)

Day 3 Mackinac Island, MI

Our day begins as traveling to Charlevoix to Castle Farms where we begin with a delicious included lunch in the castle. Next, a guide will give us a fascinating tour of the historic Castle and it’s gardens while learning of it’s 100+ years of history. We end our experience with a private wine tasting from their very own 1918 Cellars. Next we head to Mackinaw City and board Shepler’s Ferry to Mackinac Island, which sits in Lake Huron. This is the only place in the United States where motorized transportation is not allowed with the exception of a fire truck. A horse drawn carriage will bring us to our hotel, the Chippewa Waterfront Hotel. We stay here for two nights! Tonight, dinner is included at the Pink Pony. The rest of the evening is on your own. (B, D)

Day 4 Mackinac Island, MI

Today we’ll learn all about Mackinac Island on a narrated horse drawn carriage tour of the Island. We will disembark our carriages at the Grand Hotel where we will enjoy bountiful feast featuring garden-fresh salads, savory cheeses, low-roasted meats, seafood and more than 20 varieties of fresh-baked pastries. Afterwards there will be some time to explore the hotel with the world’s largest front porch. A horse drawn taxi will bring us back to our hotel and the afternoon is on your own to shop Main Street, rent a bike to ride around the island, go horseback riding or just sit and relax at the hotel and wait for the Lilac Festival Grand Parade to start. This is the only parade in North America that is totally horse drawn. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B, L)

Day 5 Escanaba, MI

A leisurely morning on the Island starts our day. A horse drawn taxi will return us back to Shepler’s Ferry dock and we’ll take the ferry back to Mackinaw City. There will be time to explore and have lunch at Mackinaw Crossing before we depart. We will have to cross over the “Mighty Mac” bridge. The bridge connects upper Michigan with lower Michigan and is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. As we make our way across upper Michigan, enjoy stunning views of Lake Huron. A stop will be made at Kitch-iti-kipi Spring in Palms Brook State Park, Michigan’s largest natural freshwater spring. Board a raft which brings you to the middle of the pool to enjoy crystal clear water in the emerald green spring. We spend the night in Escanaba, Michigan. Tonight, gather for an included farewell Pizza Party at the hotel. (B, D)

Day 6 Home

Say goodbye to marvelous Michigan today as we make our way back towards home through Wisconsin and back into Minnesota! (B)