Chicago, Illinois
Detroit, Michigan
Arrive in Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a friendly YMT representative will greet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel. The day is yours to enjoy however you wish. Chicago has some of the best food, shopping, museums, and live music in the country, and there is never a shortage of excitement here in the Windy City. During tonight’s included welcome dinner at Giordano’s, connect with your new travel companions over big slices of Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza at one of the Windy City’s most popular pizza parlors. (D)
Hampton Inn Magnificent Mile or similar
Chicago City Tour
Spend the morning touring America’s third largest city. Your bus tour will include all of Chicago’s highlights, including Michigan Avenue, the exclusive “Magnificent Mile,” the Wrigley Building, the Loop, the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and Millennium Park, home of iconic public art works including the reflective stainless-steel Cloud Gate, nicknamed “The Bean” because of its shape. Enjoy an educational architecture tour on the Chicago River. Expert docents will explain the history of more than 50 buildings, and how they played a part in Chicago’s thrilling story. (B)
Hampton Inn Magnificent Mile or similar
Grand Rapids & Traverse City
Depart Chicago for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. Enjoy a tram ride tour of one of the nation’s most significant sculpture and botanic experiences, Meijer Gardens includes Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory; five indoor theme gardens; outdoor gardens, nature trails and boardwalk. Lunch will be on your own in Grand Rapids, and then it’s off to Traverse City where the evening will be at your leisure. (B)
Bayshore Resort or similar
Charlevoix & Mackinac Island
Start the day off with a fun—or should we say fungal—tour of the Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix. They are the work of self-taught builder and local celebrity Earl Young, who fashioned over two dozen eccentric creations using indigenous materials. His most famous creation, Mushroom House, bares more than a passing resemblance to a just-popped-up shroom, and are some of the quirkiest houses in the Midwest. After a lunch break, take a scenic drive to Petoskey State Park and beach area, then catch the ferry to Mackinac Island.
Step back in time to the early 1900s, starting with your horse-drawn carriage taxi ride (automobiles are banned on the island) to the Grand Hotel. Bygone traditions and a more elegant way of life are the norm at Grand Hotel, which opened in 1887, and is still a truly one-ofa- kind destination with 397 uniquely decorated rooms. Evenings at the Grand Hotel require formal dress, especially at tonight’s included formal dinner and dancing to a live band. (B, D)
Grand Hotel
Dress Code: Note from the Grand Hotel – Since the Grand Hotel is a resort, we want all guests to feel at ease and dress comfortably. During the day, casual resort clothing is appropriate. Prior to 6:30 PM please no midriff baring tops, sweatpants or cut-off shorts for ladies. For gentleman no sleeveless shirts, sweatpants, or cut-off shorts.
Every evening at Grand Hotel is a special occasion. After 6:30 PM dresses, skirts, blouses, dress sweaters and dress slacks for ladies are preferred, while gentleman are required to wear a suit coat, necktie and dress pants, no denim or shorts. This applies for all areas inside the hotel with the exception of the Cupola Bar. Children 12 years and older are expected to follow the same dress code as adults.
The Grand Hotel maintains a no tipping policy.
Note: Outdoor pool open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
Mackinac Island Leisure Day
Spend the day enjoying the good life at Grand Hotel, the setting of 1980’s time travel romance film Somewhere in Time starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. You can participate in hotel activities such as bocce ball, bean bag toss, garden tour, bike rentals or relax of the longest hotel porch in the world and take in the views of Lake Huron. If you want to venture outside of the lush grounds, island activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, tours of Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac or Fort Holms, and of course excellent shopping in the quaint town! You may choose to join us on an optional horse drawn carriage island tour with the famous Grand Hotel lunch buffet. This evening, press and polish your finest outfits for another included formal dinner and dancing. (B, D)
Grand Hotel
OPTION: HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE TOUR OF MACKINAC ISLAND W/ LUNCHEON:
Take in the sights of beautiful Mackinac Island on a carriage ride tour. Includes views of Fort Mackinac and Arch Rock. Luncheon incl. at the Grand Hotel. $119 p/p. Please add this option at time of booking.
Frankenmuth & Livonia
Take another horse-drawn carriage taxi ride back to the ferry, which will take you from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw City where your coach will be waiting. Travel to the quaint town of Frankenmuth, originally settled by German immigrants, the town maintains its Bavarianstyle architecture. You will have time for lunch and to explore on your own, or join us for an optional lunch (at additional charge). Spend the evening at leisure in the suburbs of Detroit in the City of Livonia. (B)
Hyatt Place Detroit Livonia or similar
Livonia and Detroit
Today, enjoy a Detroit city tour, the largest city in Michigan. See the exteriors of the rehabbed waterfront, Motown Records, and Michigan Central Station. Then take a tour of the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and enjoy time for lunch on your own. This afternoon will be at your leisure or you’re invited to join us for an optional activity. (B)
Hyatt Place Detroit Livonia or similar
Depart for Home (B)
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare. Passport required.
See Dates & Prices
Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare
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