Mackinac Island, MI

Duration: 7 Days | Meals Included: 6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches

 

Get a glimpse of Mackinac Island’s charm in this video from last year!

 

Trip Highlights:

 

Mackinac Island Ferry

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry swiftly transports you to Mackinac Island in just 16 minutes! Whether you prefer the comfort of cushioned seats and wide aisles in the main deck lounge or the breathtaking panoramic views from the open-air top-deck seating area, you're in for an unforgettable journey across the Straits of Mackinac.

 

Horse Drawn Carriage Ride

Explore the timeless charm of Mackinac Island aboard a horse-drawn carriage, where the absence of motor vehicles preserves its natural beauty. This leisurely 1-hour tour offers an exclusive glimpse into the island's storied landmarks, narrated expertly as you travel comfortably in carriages adorned with charming "fringe on top." Discover historic downtown, the Victorian Summer Cottages of East & West Bluff, Fort Mackinac, the Michigan Governor's Summer Residence, the island's storied cemeteries and the renowned Grand Hotel.

 

Grand Hotel Luncheon Experience

Indulge in the renowned Grand Luncheon at Grand Hotel Mackinac, where the Main Dining Room boasts panoramic views of the Straits of Mackinac. Savor the extensive Grand Buffet, stretching nearly 100 feet, featuring a tempting array of hot entrees, perfectly sliced meats and poultry, crisp salads, hearty soups, fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and artisan breads. Save room for dessert as the dessert table dazzles with over 20 decadent selections, all freshly baked daily in the hotel's own bakery. It's a culinary experience as grand as the setting itself.

 

Mackinac Island Butterfly House

Explore the Mackinac Island Butterfly House, a serene 1800-square-foot tropical garden housing hundreds of live butterflies from around the world. Step into this fairy tale garden where butterflies of every imaginable size and color gracefully "dance" to classical melodies amidst the gentle sounds of falling water. Watch as they flutter among fragrant blossoms and gather around a stunning stone waterfall at the heart of the garden.

 

Frankenmuth, MI

Discover Frankenmuth, known as 'Michigan's Little Bavaria,' where flower-lined streets and Bavarian hospitality charm over 3 million visitors annually. Come experience another world with unique attractions, shopping, restaurants, and family fun!

 

Lunch at Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn

Experience lunch at the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn, established in 1888 and renowned for its famous all-you-can-eat Frankenmuth-style chicken dinners and authentic German cuisine. The inn features seven charming dining rooms and a delightful Roof Garden, along with a mini village of shops located on the lower level. Don't miss the Bavarian Inn's iconic Glockenspiel Tower, home to a magnificent 35-bell carillon, a captivating figurine movement, and an illuminated clock, all imported from Germany! Every quarter hour, the clock plays the melodious 5-bell Westminster chime, making it a must-see attraction in Frankenmuth.

 

 

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland

Explore Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the world, adorned with thousands of shimmering lights, sparkling ornaments, and whimsical animated figures. Step into a European marketplace atmosphere showcasing over 50,000 trims and gifts. Bronner's salesroom spans the size of 1.7 football fields under one roof, offering a shopper's paradise with an unparalleled selection. Discover the "World of Bronner's" through a captivating 25-minute digital presentation, immersing you in the design and production of their global assortment of trims and gifts. Enjoy a snack at Season's Eatings, offering a diverse menu of snack and lunch items, including seasonal favorites and Christmas cookies! Visit the Silent Night Memorial Chapel, a replica of the original in Oberndorf, Austria, where the timeless carol was first sung in 1818. Plaques inscribed with "Silent Night" in over 300 languages line a serene walkway, leading to a tranquil and educational experience inside the chapel.

 

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Enter into a world where past innovations ignite the imagination of future generations. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation offers a vibrant exploration of genius in all its forms, inviting you to witness the strides made by America's greatest minds while immersing yourself in their inspiring stories. Step inside the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand by taking a seat. Play pilot as you explore flight innovations, starting with the Wright brothers' achievements, or make yourself at home inside Buckminster Fuller's circular Dymaxion House. Put yourself in the place of the movers and shakers who blazed the trail to where we stand today.

 

 

Ford Rouge Factory Tour

Upon arrival at the Ford Rouge Factory, see the Manufacturing Innovation Theater, where jaw-dropping special effects await, from "floating" 3-D laser projection mapping and high-energy audio, to a breathtaking behind-the-wheel finale. A short elevator ride up to the Rouge Visitor Center's observation deck provides a panoramic view of the 10 acre environmentally inspired "living roof" - the world's largest - on top of the final assembly building. Finally, an elevated walkway will take us high above a world-class assembly line, giving all an up-close look at how F-150 trucks are built and get set for some eye-opening encounters. As the tour ends, you will walk through a gallery of legendary vehicles produced at the Rouge including the Ford Model A, Thunderbird, Mustang, and the Ford F-150.

Note: Because production varies by vehicle demand, you may be touring the Dearborn Truck Plant if they are not building vehicles.

 

 

Cross in the Woods National Shrine

Declared a national shrine by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on September 15, 2006, the Cross in the Woods is renowned for its awe-inspiring features. Featuring the world's largest crucifix towering at 31 feet, this shrine has become a celebrated and often-visited destination in Michigan. At the heart of the shrine stands a monumental wooden cross and a striking bronze figure of Christ, crafted by sculptor Marshall Fredericks. The site encompasses outdoor and indoor chapels, numerous smaller shrines, and even a museum displaying nun dolls.

 

Meal Information:

 

Lunch on day two is included at the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn

Meal is served family-style and includes homemade bread, noodle soup, cole slaw, seasonal salads, vegetables, buttered noodles, jager schnitzel, chicken, dessert, coffee, tea, milk, and soft drinks.

 

Lunch on day four is included at The Grand Hotel

The legendary Grand Luncheon Experience is a one-of-a-kind Grand Hotel experience. Offerings include fresh salads, composed salads, fresh seafood, including oysters, mussels, and assorted smoked fish, assorted and domestic cheeses and fruits, a variety of hot items and a carvery station. No Grand Luncheon is complete without a lavish and bountiful dessert display. Beverages include coffee, tea, and lemonade. Soft drinks, wine, beer, and a full bar are available for additional purchase.

 

Need to Know:

• Every Starr trip includes deluxe round-trip motorcoach transportation from one or more of our departure locations.

• A Starr Tour Director will accompany you on this trip.

• Baggage handling at hotels is included with the exception of the arrival at Hampton Inn & Suites Elyria; kindly manage your own luggage during check-in.

 

Accessibility:

• This tour may not be suitable for everyone and is not recommended for those who use wheelchairs. While Main Street Mackinac Island is level, the island itself is very hilly and steep.

• Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: Boarding and disembarking from the horse-drawn carriage can be challenging due to the high climb and occasional swaying of the horses. A wheelchair-accessible carriage is available with at least 24 hours' notice. There are no step stools provided, but the carriage driver and ticket office will assist guests who require help getting into the carriage.

• Inn on Mackinac: The Inn on Mackinac does not have wheelchair-accessible rooms, however wheelchairs can fit depending on their size. All rooms feature a shower/tub combination without grab bars, although a room with a shower stall can be requested but is not guaranteed and is dependent on availability. The hotel is equipped with an elevator. Refrigerators are not available for guest roooms. 

• Ferry Ride: Passengers in wheelchairs or motorized scooters must sit in the Aft deck of the ferry, where luggage is stored. If accompanied by a companion, a chair will be provided in this area.

• Starr has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Day 1 & 6: Hampton Inn & Suites (Elyria, OH)

The hotel has an indoor pool and fitness room. Guest rooms include mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, iron/board, and hair dryer.

*NOTE: Baggage handling is not provided; guests should plan to handle their own luggage.*

 

Day 2: Drury Inn & Suites Frankenmuth (Frankenmuth, MI)

With its charming Bavarian-style architecture, Drury Inn & Suites Frankenmuth is conveniently located on Main Street. The hotel has an indoor pool and whirlpool. Guest rooms include a mini-fridge, microwave, hair dryer, and iron/board.

 

Day 3 & 4: Inn on Mackinac (Mackinac Island, MI)

This beautiful Victorian inn was built in 1867 and has retained its quaint, old-fashioned charm but remodeled and updated to meet the needs of the modern traveler. All guest rooms are air conditioned and equipped with a private bath and color TV. All guest rooms have a shower/tub combo (note: grab bars are not available). In-room refrigerators are not available. There is a seasonal pool with a sundeck on the Inn's property. Since there is no restaurant, all meals can be accommodated at the Inn's sister property, The Murray Inn, located a few blocks away. The Inn does have an elevator.

 

Day 5: Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit/Troy (Troy, MI)

The hotel has an indoor pool and fitness room. Guest rooms include coffee maker, mini-fridge, hair dryer and iron/board.

 

Day 5 (September 7-13 departure ONLY): Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac (Pontiac, MI)

The hotel has an indoor pool and fitness room. Guest rooms include coffee maker, mini-fridge, hair dryer and iron/board.

See inside the World's Largest Christmas Store