"Fall" in Love with Michigan

Departure Points:

Yankee Trails, Rensselaer - 6:45am
*Amsterdam, Exit 27 Park & Ride - 7:45am

*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 15:

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). We’ll enjoy a buffet-style dinner (included) tonight at the restaurant featuring Parmesan Crusted Chicken w/sun dried tomato cream sauce and Roasted Beef w/mushroom demi-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. We kindly request that passengers pack an overnight bag for this night, as the baggage will not be removed from the coach. You will be responsible for bringing the carry-on to your room.

Thurs., October 16:

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, 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 17:

A full breakfast is included this morning at the hotel before we depart for 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 (906-847-3331), an American Tradition since 1887. 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 pantsuits for women are required.

Sat., October 18:

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 19:

A full breakfast is included at our hotel this morning before our departure. We will enjoy our horse-drawn carriages to meet our ferry boat and to Mackinac City to meet our motorcoach. Today we will travel south to the amazing Music House Museum located in Williamsburg, Michigan which will open especially for our group! Recognizd by Forbes.com as one of the ten reasons to visit Michigan's lower peninsula. The Music House Museum offers a unique collection of instruments that provide guests with a walk through the history, artistry, and engineering of automated music. The 1922 Theofiel Mortier Dance Organ called the “Amaryllis” is named by its builder fr the flower pictured in the topmost panels in his eldest daughter’s hair; be sure to look for it! Next we will check in to our accommodations for tonight at the Tru by Hilton (231-486-6590) located in Traverse, Michigan. Dinner (included) tonight is at Sleder’s Family Tavern, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Michigan! Established in 1882, the tavern is a Traverse City classic; Sleder’s has a nostalgic and casual atmosphere, family-style dining, historic decor, animals galore, and the longest mahogany bar in town. Meal choices are 1) ½ rack slabtown ribs, 2) Pacific Fried Cod, 3) Pacific Baked Cod, or 4) Cherry Barbequed Chicken with cherry pie for dessert in the Cherry Capital of the World! After dinner, the rest of your evening is free.

Mon., October 20:

A full breakfast is included at the hotel this morning before our departure from the hotel. Our first stop will be at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, this former Northern Michigan asylum and its transformation into the village redevelopment are central to the story of traverse city! We’ll be taking a walking tour while in The Village; during this 1 hour tour, participants will learn about Dr. Munson’s “Beauty is Therapy” theory on patient care, former uses of the structures on the property, purpose of the architecture and more!After this tour, you’ll have time on your own within The Village to explore more than a dozen local unique shops open daily at 10:00am or stop into one of The Village’s coffee shops, a bakery, a wine tasting room, or the brewery. 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 Bavarian Inn Lodge (989-652-7200). We’ll have a family style dinner (included) at the Bavarian Inn tonight. This Ultimate Bavarian Combination 5-Meat Family-Style Dinner includes Kasseler Rippchen (smoked pork loin), Sauerbraten (marinated roast beef), JagerSchnitzel (breaded pork), plus Frankenmuth Chicken with potato cheese puffs and dressing. After dinner, the rest of your evening is free.

Tues., October 21:

A full breakfast is included at the hotel this morning. Then we continue traveling to the Ford Rouge Factory! Rev up your inner engineer in a five-part experience at a legendary factory — Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn Truck Plant. Walk through the Legacy Gallery and Electric Vehicle Display, and look back at the iconic vehicles manufactured at the Rouge complex, all while looking ahead to automaking’s electric future. Take a seat in our Legacy Theater to learn more about the history of Ford Motor Company. Feel the force of modern engineering in the multisensory Manufacturing Innovation Theater. Travel up to the observation deck for sweeping views of the historic Rouge Complex and one of the world’s largest living roofs. Step into the elevated plant walkway for a look at where the legendary Ford F-150 is assembled. After our tour, we’ll stop for lunch (included) at Ford’s Garage, a 1920-style restaurant with memorabilia and cars. Enjoy Ford’s classic American Burger and grilled chicken, with Ford’s signature fries, and mashed garlic redskin potatoes. We'll then continue on to Mentor, OH and our accommodations for the evening at the Holiday Inn Cleveland Northeast - Mentor (440-951-7333). We’ll have buffet-style dinner (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. We kindly request that passengers pack an overnight bag for this night, as the baggage will not be removed from the coach. You will be responsible for bringing the carry-on to your room.

Wed., October 22:

A full breakfast is included at the hotel this morning. On the way home we’ll enjoy stopping 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. Coffee, iced tea, hot tea, and sodas are included! 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.

CB=Continental Breakfast, LU=Lunch, DN=Dinner