Mackinac Island featuring Tulip Time - Alternative

Get ready for a relaxing journey through the tranquil beauty of Mackinac Island and the Great Lakes region. This stunning landscape comes alive amid old-fashioned traditions. No activities are included today as flight arrival times will be scattered through the afternoon and evening.

Begin your day with a panoramic tour of Chicago’s remarkable and impressive architecture. This dynamic city goes by many names including "Second City" and “The Windy City," but no matter what you call it, you’re sure to fall in love. Highlights of your tour include famous Wrigley Building, the Loop, the Lakefront, and a walk through Millennium Park. Next, settle in for a 90-minute cruise along the Chicago River, bringing the city’s celebrated architecture, rich history, and iconic skyline to life. Arriving back to the hotel around 1 p.m., the remainder of your afternoon is at leisure. You may want to visit one of Chicago’s many museums or visit the Chicago Cultural Center. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

This morning, you will depart Chicago and make your way to Holland, Michigan, to celebrate Tulip Time. After an included lunch, a local guide will show off the town’s beautiful floral displays while also giving you the history of this celebration dating back to 1929. Your tour will end with time to explore the Windmill Island Gardens and discover a palette of color that spreads across 36 acres of manicured gardens, dikes, and canals. You can also see the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the United States. Later, arrive in the nearby city of Grand Rapids for an evening at your leisure.

This morning, enjoy a scenic drive before arriving in Mackinaw City at the tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula. You will have some time to explore this coastal vacation town and grab lunch before boarding the ferry that will take you back to a simpler time on Mackinac Island. Upon arrival, listen for how the neighs of horses replace the roar of engines. Your home for the next two nights is the glorious Victorian-era resort, the Grand Hotel. Both your hotel and the island itself are National Historic Landmarks. The island is a natural gem with over eighty percent of its land preserved by Mackinac State Park, a woodland paradise accented with limestone formations and ringed by Lake Huron. After dinner at your hotel, the evening is yours to enjoy. Perhaps you’ll take a leisurely stroll through the quaint village or relax on the Grand Hotel’s famous porch.