Mackinac Island & Michigan
With High Tea at the Grand Hotel
Michigan is an undiscovered gem of a state with beautiful places to explore. We begin with a visit to The Henry Ford Museum and a tour of the Ford factory...both equally fascinating. We visit Frankenmuth, a Bavarian village originally settled in 1845 by Lutheran Germans that boasts wonderful food and delightful specialty shopping. No trip to Michigan would be complete without a stay on Mackinac Island where transportation is by horse-drawn carriage. Our two nights on Mackinac Island will give you plenty of time to explore. We conclude in Grand Rapids with a visit the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum and time to explore this fascinating area. You're in for a treat!
Mackinac Island & Michigan
July 30 - August 5, 2019Highlights
- Tour the Ford Factory & Henry Ford Museum
- Visit Frankenmuth, Michigan's "Little Bavaria"
- Ferry to Mackinac Island
- Tour Mackinac Island by horse-drawn carriage
- Visit Frederik Meijer Sculpture Park
- Explore the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- Small group no larger than 14
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Tuesday, 30 July 2019: Arrive Detroit, Michigan; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival no later than 4:00pm and take local transportation to the hotel. The tour will begin at 6:00PM in the lobby of the hotel. Our Welcome Meeting will be followed by dinner together to get acquainted and discuss our upcoming adventure Overnight Detroit area - 2 nights
Wednesday, 31 July 2019: Ford Factory Tour; Henry Ford Museum; Free Time (B)
A visit to The Henry Ford is a "must-do" experience when in Michigan. The Henry Ford Museum is more than just a car museum. We begin with a factory tour to see where automobile manufacturing as we know it came of age, and where the technology of tomorrow is on display today. We'll then visit the museum, a vast collection assembled by Ford of artifacts documenting the breakthroughs, both big and small, that have made America what it is today. The afternoon is free for your own further exploration and discovery. You can easily spend all day here. Greenfield Village, a vast outdoor museum, is co-located on the grounds and gives you a look at life in the late 1800s. Those interested can pay a separate admission fee and visit the village.
Thursday, 01 August 2019: Frankenmuth; Ferry to Mackinac Island (B,D)
Today we head to the village of Frankenmuth--originally founded by German pioneers in the 1840s--where you'll think you've landed in Bavaria. There will be time to enjoy lunch and walk around a bit to visit the unique shops along Main Street. We continue on to Mackinaw City to board the ferry to Mackinac Island, just 20 minutes away. It's a delightful ride across the Mackinac Straits as we watch the island and the Grand Hotel come into view. This evening we will have dinner together. Overnight Mackinac Island - 2 nights
Friday, 02 August 2019: Island Carriage Tour; Free Time; High Tea at the Grand Hotel (B,O)
This morning we take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the island to see landmarks such as the historic fort, Surrey Hills Museum, Arch Rock and Stuart House. After our tour there is free time to explore this compact picturesque town further. You might visit a butterfly farm or perhaps rent a bike and cycle around the island--a very popular pastime. Or, if you like to laze by the water, you can watch the ferries ply the straits, making "rooster tails." What surprises most people when they see the water of Lake Huron for the first time is how sparkling clean and clear it is. Late this afternoon we'll re-gather and have high tea at the Grand Hotel.
Saturday, 03 August 2019: Free Morning; Group Lunch; Afternoon Arrival Grand Rapids (B,L)
We depart Mackinac Island late this morning. Our drive to Grand Rapids will follow the Tunnel of Trees, a state Scenic Heritage Route. The views along this drive are among the most stunning outlooks of Lake Michigan in the state. We'll stop for lunch along the way. Overnight Grand Rapids - 2 nights
Sunday, 04 August 2019: Meyer May House; Frederik Meijer Sculpture Park; Ford Presidential Museum; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
This morning our destination is the Meyer May House, located in Grand Rapids' most famous historical neighborhood, Heritage Hills. The Meyer May House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is the most completely restored of all Wright's homes and it offers a rare opportunity to see a Prairie-style house just as the architect envisioned it. We're then off to stroll around the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, which integrates striking gardens with world-renowned sculpture. It ranks in the top 100 most-visited art museums worldwide. We top the day off with a visit to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum which allows visitors to experience highlights from President and Mrs. Ford's lives. We conclude this busy day with our Farewell Dinner.
Monday, 05 August 2019: Return Home from Grand Rapids (B)
Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Schedule your departure flight at your convenience. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader can assist with organizing travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.
Mackinac Island & Michigan
July 30 - August 5, 2019Pricing
Room Share
$2,466.00 (Sold Out)Single Room
$3,399.00Non-Members
ADD $50.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full and Closed
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Transportation in WTT's own Mercedes mini-coach
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Airport transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Any gratuities for the WTT tour leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Thursday, 31 Jan 2019: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Wednesday, 1 May 2019: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Saturday, 15 Jun 2019: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Please review our travel and cancellation policies before making your reservation. You will be asked to confirm you have read and understood WTT's travel polices before we will accept your reservation.
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect you in the event you need to cancel your tour. WTT will mail you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation.
You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
Mackinac Island & Michigan
July 30 - August 5, 2019Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
When searching for flights for this trip, be sure to search "Multi-city" (on Kayak.com) or "Multiple Destinations" (on Expedia). For comparison, you may also want to search for one-way fares.
Arrival Airport: DTW - Detroit, MI (Detroit Metropolitan Airport)
Arrival Date: Tuesday, July 30th. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Depart Airport: GRR - Grand Rapids, MI (Gerald R. Ford Int'l Airport)
Departure Date: Monday, August 5th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. WTT Tour Leader will assist in coordinating ride sharing.
Lodging / Hotels
Detroit: Hampton Inn Detroit Dearborn
Mackinac Island: Lilac Tree Inn and Spa
Grand Rapids, MI: Country Inn & Suites
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$128.00 Roomshare $253.00 Single
Additional Reminders About This Tour
This tour uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour. Learn more about The WTT North American Travel Experience by downloading/opening the pdf.
Mackinac Island & Michigan
July 30 - August 5, 2019Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
- If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
- Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
- These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- Most solo travelers elect to share a room
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
In addition to the minimum requirements, the specific activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 80% Easy (walking involved)
- 20% Moderate
- 0% Strenuous
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast Daily
- 1 Lunch
- 1 Afternoon Tea
- 3 Dinners
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
At this time of year, daytime temperatures are typically in the high 70s to low 80s with nighttime temperatures in the 60s. It is likely to be humid with little chance of rain.
For This Tour You May Want—
- One smart-casual outfit if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners.
- Swimsuit
- Jacket or sweater for chilly mornings
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
Good Packing Habits—
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- You may bring one suitcase plus small shoulder bag/day pack/purse.
- Maximum suitcase size: 25-inches in height as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle. The small case in a 3-piece luggage set easily meets this requirement and should be plenty roomy for this length of trip.
- Suitcases larger than 25" in height will not fit in the WTT coach; don't bring them.
- The maximum weight of your suitcase should not exceed 30 pounds, as you will need to lift it into the coach luggage compartment.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach and load it on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. The possibility of steps exist at most hotel entrances.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
- ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash; you must know your PIN number for your debit and credit cards in order to use the ATMs.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
All tips to local guides during your tour have already been paid on your behalf.
- You are responsible for tipping wait-staff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
This tour uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour. Learn more about The WTT North American Travel Experience by downloading/opening the pdf.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

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