Michigan’s Fall Foliage & Mackinac Island

A true gem awaits you this morning – the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, featuring five indoor themed gardens, a delightful five-story tropical conservatory, art museum, and outdoor sculpture park. A narrated tram tour of the winding pathways of the Sculpture Park and Japanese garden combines striking gardens with fine art. Later today, get an inside look at the making of the iconic Ford F-150 truck during a guided tour of the Ford Rouge Factory. From an elevated walkway, walk through an active manufacturing plant to view the equipment, robotics and skilled workers along the final assembly line, along with an impressive 3D laser projection theater experience. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner this evening with your travel companions and reminisce about the spectacular scenery, culinary delights, and life-long memories made along the journey before settling in for one more evening at The Henry.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Welcome to Detroit, America’s Motor City! A John Hall’s Alaska representative will greet you upon arrival at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and will transfer you to your luxurious accommodations for the evening, The Henry. Located in Dearborn, one mile from the world headquarters of the Ford Motor Company, The Henry hotel offers a mix of modern luxury with contemporary art and dazzling chandeliers.

Dinner

Step back in time this morning at the iconic Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. This nine-acre museum showcases American innovation in mobility, design, social transformation, and agriculture. View historical exhibits including the Rosa Parks Bus, the Kennedy Limousine, the Lincoln Chair and more. This afternoon, embrace the German culture, architecture, and food of Michigan’s Little Bavaria – Frankenmuth. Enjoy a 1-hour historical narrated tour of the area on the family-owned Bavarian Belle Riverboat, an authentic stern driven paddlewheel riverboat tour, followed by a visit to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland – the world’s largest Christmas store! Spend the evening taking in the view of the beautiful Cass River from the Bavarian Inn Lodge.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the morning exploring the charming and quaint town of Frankenmuth, filled with unique boutiques, famous chicken dinners, and a Glockenspiel clock tower featuring a 35-bell carillon. Learn the art of proper German pretzel-rolling in a private hands-on class followed by a scrumptious lunch. Your pretzel-rolling efforts will pay off with a tasty afternoon snack to enjoy as the journey continues north to Mackinac Island. A short ferry ride across the Straits of Mackinac transports you back in time to a bygone era of horse-drawn carriages and leisurely evenings spent rocking on the front porch. Arriving on Mackinac Island, guests will be transferred via carriage to the majestic Grand Hotel for a two-night stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up to a brilliant sunrise and take in the peaceful surroundings on this beautiful fall morning in paradise. Motorized vehicles have been banned on the island since 1898, with bicycles and horse-drawn carriages being the main modes of transportation. This morning, enjoy an iconic carriage tour around the island and learn about what makes Mackinac Island the “Jewel of the Great Lakes”. Stops will include the Surrey Hills Museum with historic displays, a scenic stop at Arch Rock for breathtaking views and photographs, and the Fort Mackinac Avenue of Flags. Upon return to the hotel, enjoy the legendary Grand Luncheon Experience complete with fresh seafood, a variety of delectable delights and a lavish dessert display. The rest of the day is free for relaxing on the Grand Hotel’s front porch – the world’s largest porch at 660 feet long, a leisurely game of croquet or bocce ball, or exploring the nearby shops.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy one last carriage ride this morning before boarding the ferry for the return trip to the mainland. In Mackinaw City, tour the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, built in 1889. A visit to Colonial Michilimackinac provides insight into the colorful history of the area from the 17th century French regime, through the 18th century British occupancy. With over one million artifacts recovered, this National Historic Landmark is home to the longest ongoing archaeological project of its kind. Journey south along the Grand Traverse Bay in a luxurious John Hall’s Alaska motorcoach, stopping at a local farm market for freshly picked fruit, baked goods and apple cider. Sleep well tonight at the Delamar Traverse City, with views of West Grand Traverse Bay from every guest room.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the day with a guided tour of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Learn about the rich Anishinaabe native history of the area and the unique glacial formed landscapes, and of course, a stop at the famous Dune Climb. View incredible vistas along the scenic drive with ample photo stops for exploration. This afternoon, a visit to the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids will provide interesting insight into the only president to hail from Michigan. Explore artifacts and media detailing the dramatic story of the Ford Presidency in the mid-1970s and gain a new perspective of this complicated era. A life-sized replica of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room provide an inside look at a typical day of an American President.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport this morning to board your homebound flight.

Breakfast