"Fall" in Love with Michigan

Departure Points:

Yankee Trails, Rensselaer - 6:45am
Pet Smart, Crossgates Commons - 7:15am
*Amsterdam, Exit 27 Park & Ride - 7:40am

*Please be advised that this is a drop off/pick up zones ONLY. Parking is not permitted. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, however, we must adhere to the policies set forth by the NYS Thruway Authority.

Wed., October 16:

We'll board the coach this morning with all of our fellow travelers and settle down to a pleasant ride to our first destination, the Jell-O Gallery. Located just outside of Batavia, NY you will discover the intriguing story of America’s most famous dessert and each passenger will recieve a surprise gift! We'll then continue on to Mentor, OH and our accommodations for the evening at the Holiday Inn Cleveland Northeast - Mentor (440-951-7333). A buffet-style dinner is included tonight at the restaurant featuring Parmesan Crusted Chicken w/sun dried tomato cream sauce and Roasted Pork w/honey basil glaze. Your meal also includes warm Rolls and Butter, Mixed Green Salad, Roasted Red Skin Potatoes and Seasonal Veggies. Following dinner the rest of your evening is free.

Thurs., October 17:

A full breakfast is included this morning at the hotel before we depart for our accommodations for the night at The Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman, Michigan (989-742-4875). Upon arrival, we will have time to relax and unwind. Later, massive draft horses pull our deluxe covered carriages as guides fill the ride through the wooded resort with fun and interesting facts about Northern Michigan and the elk native to the area. Inside the 130 acre elk preserve you will get to see the majestic elk up close. USA Today named it one of the “Top Ten Carriage Rides in the US” and Destination Magazine named it “Best of the Best” in the adventure category. Then it’s onto the Elk Antler Log Cabin for a five-course dinner & wine tasting (included). Dinner includes: Pear & Apple Dumpling, Shrimp Cocktail, Jan’s Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Thunder Bay Sweet Napa Salad and Croissant, Crown Roast of Pork with Roasted Red Skin Potatoes, and White Chocolate Mousse Filled Pizzelles with Fresh Raspberries! After this amazing meal, your evening is free.

Fri., October 18:

A full breakfast is included this morning at the hotel before we depart for Rogers City where we will meet up with a local guide for a scenic drive along Lake Huron learning about the Great Lakes’ lighthouses, freighters, shipwrecks and the Mackinac Bridge, Michigan’s Crown Jewel, an engineering feat. We will enjoy a delightful lunch (included) at the Lighthouse Restaurant before making our way to Mackinaw City where we will board a ferry to Mackinac Island. Since no cars are allowed on the island, horse-drawn carriages will take us to the Grand Hotel, an American Tradition since 1887 (906-847-3331). The Grand Hotel was constructed to help accommodate the already steady stream of summer visitors who wished to escape the severe heat of the cities and enjoy the cooler weather and natural beauty of the island. Glimmering like a diamond on an island of brilliant green, the Grand Hotel beckons you to a bygone era of old-world hospitality and charm, and is the Crown Jewel of pristine, secluded Mackinac Island. You will have free time upon our arrival and you can relax in one of the rocking chairs on the world's largest veranda (which is two football fields long!). You'll enjoy a five-course dinner (included) at the hotel tonight. Casual wear is appropriate throughout the day at the Grand Hotel, but in accordance with tradition, guests must wear formal attire after 6pm: jackets and ties for men and dresses or dressy pant suits for women are required.

Sat., October 19:

A full five-course breakfast is included at the hotel this morning. Next, we will be met by horse and carriage for a tour of the island. The rest of the day is free for you to explore town or return to the hotel to enjoy the amenities. Tonight we will savor another five-course dinner (included) with formal attire in accordance with the Grand Hotel’s tradition. This evening there will be Ballroom dancing to the Grand Orchestra, or you can relax and make the most of our last night on the island.

Sun., October 20:

A full breakfast is included at the hotel this morning before our departure from the hotel. Our first stop will be for lunch at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant in Frankenmuth, MI. Meal choices are 1) Frankenmuth Style Chicken Luncheon Plate (3 pieces of fresh, plump, tender chicken prepared daily), 2) Bavarian Combination Luncheon (Sample portions of Jager Schnitzel (breaded pork) Kassler Rippchen (smoked pork loin), and Sauerbraten (marinated roast beef)), or 3) Turkey Club (Shaved Turkey, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayo on a bakery fresh croissant). Don’t forget to see the Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel Tower which houses a magnificent 35 bell carillon, a beautiful figurine movement and an illuminated clock all imported from Germany. Following lunch we will visit River Place Shops, with more than 40 stores at these beautiful Bavarian Themed shops. Our next stop will bring us to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland; as seen on The Travel Channel, where you will have time on your own for shopping. It’s a shopper's dream, with over 50,000 decorations and gifts. Bronner's is the size of 1 1/2 football fields. Our accommodations for tonight are at the Drury Inn & Suites (989-652-2800). Join us from 5:30pm - 7pm to enjoy complimentary hot food and cold beverages. The hotel features a rotating menu of hot food, beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks.

Mon., October 21:

A full breakfast is included at the hotel this morning. Then we continue traveling south to the Henry Ford Museum, stopping first for the Rouge Factory Tour to see the assembly line in action! You will also receive $10 in fun money that can be used for lunch today. The Henry Ford Museum, which began as Henry Ford's personal collection of historic objects, (which he began collecting as far back as 1906). Today, the 12 acre site is primarily a collection of antique machinery, pop culture items, automobiles, locomotives, aircraft, and other items. You will find the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, the 1961 Lincoln Continental, SS-100-X, that President John F. Kennedy was riding in when he was assassinated, the rocking chair from Ford's Theatre in which President Abraham Lincoln was sitting when he was shot, George Washington's camp bed, a ten-person safety bicycle made in 1896, Thomas Edison's alleged last breath in a sealed tube, the bus on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, leading to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, & much more! We’ll continue on to our accommodations at the Best Western Greenfield Inn (313-271-1600), in Allen Park, MI, just minutes from Greenfield Village. You will have time to relax and unwind after we check in. Dinner is included at the hotel tonight. Your meal choices are 1) Broccoli Alfredo 2) Chicken Parmesan or 3) Parmesan Whitefish. All dinners include a house salad, vegetable, rolls & butter, beverage, & chef’s choice of dessert. Your evening is free.

Tues., October 22:

A full breakfast is included at the hotel this morning. Then we are on our way to A Christmas Story House and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. This house is restored to its movie splendor. We will also visit the Christmas Story Museum, which features original props, costumes, and memorabilia from the film. Next we will visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum. The Museum celebrates the history and cultural significance of rock music and honors the contributions of those who have played an important role in the music’s creation and dissemination. We'll then continue on to Mentor, OH and our accommodations for the evening at the Holiday Inn Cleveland Northeast - Mentor (440-951-7333). A buffet-style dinner is included tonight at the restaurant featuring Herb Baked Bone-in Chicken and Homemade Meatloaf. Your meal also includes warm Rolls and Butter, Mixed Green Salad, Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots and Rice Pilaf. Following dinner the rest of your evening is free.

Wed., October 23:

A full breakfast is included at the hotel this morning. On the way home we’ll enjoy stop at NY Kitchen in Canandaigua. Delight in a 3-course lunch (included) with chef demonstrations. NY Kitchen is centered on exploring New York’s remarkable agriculture, craft beverage, and culinary arts through education. Everyone will enjoy a mixed green salad with chef-demonstrated Riesling dressing. Your entree choices are 1)Grilled Chicken Breast w/seasonal sauce & wild rice, 2)Grilled Salmon w/seasonal sauce & wild rice or 3)Vegetarian Pasta, each accompanied with NYS vegetables. We’ll conclude the meal with a chef-demonstrated Chocolate Mousse. We will depart with many fond Michigan memories to share with our family when we arrive home! Our approximate arrival in the Capital District is 6pm. Stops will be made each way.