Discover the beauty, history, and culture of the Great Lakes region on this nine-day journey through Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Cruise the Chicago River to admire the city’s renowned architecture, experience the vibrant Holland Tulip Festival, and spend two nights on Mackinac Island, where horse-drawn carriages replace modern vehicles. Travel through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, tour Lambeau Field (home of the Green Bay Packers), explore scenic Door County, and enjoy a boat cruise through Wisconsin’s picturesque Dells. Along the way, savor regional specialties, visit pretty waterfront towns, and take in the landscapes of America’s freshwater coast.

May 6–14, 2027

 

Itinerary Highlights:

• Chicago River architecture boat tour
• Holland Tulip Festival
• Dutch Village
• Veldheer Tulip Gardens
• Mackinac Island Carriage Tour
• Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
• Grand Hotel lunch
• Green Bay and Lambeau Field tour
• Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
• Door County
• Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
• Fish boil dinner
• Wisconsin Upper Dells boat cruise

 

Package Includes:

• Round-trip airfare from Raleigh-Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport
• Eight nights’ hotel accommodations
• 13 meals: eight breakfasts, one lunch, and four dinners
• All sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
• Deluxe motor coach transportation
• Professional tour director
• Our State host
• Wine and beer reception
• Hotel transfers
• Baggage handling at hotels

 

Accommodations:

• One night in Chicago, Illinois: Palmer House Hilton, Hilton Chicago Michigan Avenue, Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown – The Mart, or Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown
• Two nights in Grand Rapids, Michigan: Drury Inn & Suites
• Two nights on Mackinac Island, Michigan: Mission Point Resort or Island House
• Two nights in Green Bay, Wisconsin: Hyatt Regency or Hotel Northland
• One night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown

Note: Hotels are subject to change.

 

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Chicago
Thursday, May 6, 2027

Fly to Chicago, “the Windy City,” to begin your Great Lakes adventure. This evening, join your tour director and fellow Our State travelers for a wine and beer reception followed by a welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Palmer House Hilton, Hilton Chicago Michigan Avenue, Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown – The Mart, or Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown

 

Day 2: Chicago River cruise
Friday, May 7, 2027

This morning, enjoy a Chicago River architecture boat tour, an entertaining and historical cruise through downtown Chicago. See famous landmarks like Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) and the Wrigley Building while learning about the city’s renowned architecture, from historic Art Deco, Neo-Classical, and Gothic towers to modern skyscrapers. This afternoon, travel to Grand Rapids, Michigan, for two nights.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites in Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

Day 3: Holland Tulip Festival
Saturday, May 8, 2027

Head to Holland, Michigan, where colorful tulips bloom throughout the area. Experience the annual Holland Tulip Festival, a two-week celebration of Dutch heritage. Visit Veldheer Tulip Gardens to see more than 275 varieties of tulips and daffodils among windmills, drawbridges, and canals. Also visit Dutch Village, featuring gardens, museums, wooden shoe carving, Dutch dancers, and traditional treats. Return to Grand Rapids this evening.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites in Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

Day 4: Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse • Mackinac Island
Sunday, May 9, 2027

Travel north toward Mackinaw City and visit Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, which operated at the junction of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron from 1890 until 1957. Later, board a ferry across the Straits of Mackinac and arrive on Mackinac Island for a two-night stay. The island preserves the atmosphere of a bygone era, with transportation provided by horse-drawn carriage, bicycle, or saddle horse. Enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Mission Point Resort or Island House on Mackinac Island, Michigan

 

Day 5: Mackinac Island
Monday, May 10, 2027

Experience a carriage tour of Mackinac Island and step back in time on an island where horse-drawn transportation remains a way of life. One of today’s highlights is lunch at the famous Grand Hotel, which has welcomed guests since 1887. The remainder of the day is at leisure to visit the shops, take a nature walk, or simply relax.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Mission Point Resort or Island House on Mackinac Island, Michigan

 

Day 6: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula • Tour of Lambeau Field
Tuesday, May 11, 2027

Depart Mackinac Island by ferry and return to Mackinaw City. Continue by motor coach through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a heavily forested region bordered by three Great Lakes. This afternoon, enter Wisconsin and arrive in Green Bay. Visit Lambeau Field for a tour of the legendary home of the Green Bay Packers before checking into your hotel for a two-night stay.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hyatt Regency or Hotel Northland in Green Bay, Wisconsin

 

Day 7: Door County
Wednesday, May 12, 2027

Venture into Door County, a beloved peninsula known for its shoreline villages, orchards, and lighthouse-dotted coastline. This evening, take part in an authentic Door County tradition with a fish boil dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Hyatt Regency or Hotel Northland in Green Bay, Wisconsin

 

Day 8: Upper Dells boat cruise • Milwaukee
Thursday, May 13, 2027

Board an Upper Dells boat cruise to view sandstone formations, pine-crowned cliffs, and winding river narrows. Learn about the colorful history of the Wisconsin Dells, including Native American legends and stories of larger-than-life characters associated with the Wisconsin River. Later, continue to Milwaukee for a farewell dinner featuring local specialties.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 

Day 9: Departure
Friday, May 14, 2027

Return to Chicago for your flight home, reflecting on nine days of lakeside towns, island traditions, tulip-filled gardens, and memorable Great Lakes experiences. Want to share your memories with other travelers? Post your favorite pictures in the Our State Travel Club Facebook group!

Meals: Breakfast

 

Tour Rates:

Discounted rate*: $4,624 per person (based on double occupancy)
Regular rate: $4,724 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single rate: $5,924 ($5,824 with booking discount*)

*Make your final payment by check and receive a booking discount of $100 per person.

 

For Reservations & More Information:

Premier World Discovery
Melissa Grant
(877) 953-8687, ext. 238 (Pacific Time)
mgrant@premierworlddiscovery.com

Online booking option: Click here and use booking number 222110 to make your deposit online.

Trip brochure: Click here for information on payment schedule, cancellation policy, and trip insurance.

This tour is rated Activity Level 3 of 4 — Active. For more information on physical requirements and what to expect on an Our State trip, click here.