Wisconsin
Explore Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Program No. 12512RJ
Discover the Apostle Islands’ many charms as you enjoy local culture, see a presentation on shipwrecks, learn about the region’s ecology and hear tales of early settlers.
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5 days
4 nights
11 meals
4B 4L 3D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Bayfield, Wisconsin
2
Bayfield Area History, National Lakeshore History
Bayfield, Wisconsin
3
Apostle Islands Study Cruise
Bayfield, Wisconsin
4
Madeline Island
Bayfield, Wisconsin
5
Program Concludes
Bayfield, Wisconsin
At a Glance
Discover the remote Apostle Islands, 22 Lake Superior isles (only one of them inhabited) off the northern tip of Wisconsin. Learn about the history of shipwrecks in this area and board a boat to discover the historic lighthouses that guide ships and boats safely through the sometimes-rough waters. In Bayfield, the small fishing town where this program is based, a National Park Service Ranger tells you more about the environment of this area including which wildflowers are in bloom.
Activity Level
Easy Going
Walking a few blocks on sidewalks; some moderate hills.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Ride the ferry to Madeline Island to explore Big Bay State Park with its pristine barrier beach and boardwalk.
- Delve into the history of Native Americans in the Apostle Islands area from the director of the Indigenous Cultures Center.
- Hear some great tales of how the locals survived in the early years in this beautiful but sometimes harsh environment.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Bob Mackreth
Historian Bob Mackreth retired from the National Park Service in 2005 after a 32-year career as a park ranger. His assignments took him from the Atlantic coast to California's Sierra Nevadas. Bob's final position with the NPS was Park Historian at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. In this role, he conducted research into the stories of the men and women who lived on the remote islands in Lake Superior. Since his retirement, Bob has concentrated on research and writing, and remains committed to historic preservation.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Bob Mackreth
View biography
Historian Bob Mackreth retired from the National Park Service in 2005 after a 32-year career as a park ranger. His assignments took him from the Atlantic coast to California's Sierra Nevadas. Bob's final position with the NPS was Park Historian at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. In this role, he conducted research into the stories of the men and women who lived on the remote islands in Lake Superior. Since his retirement, Bob has concentrated on research and writing, and remains committed to historic preservation.
Sherman Edwards
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Sherman Edward’s life has always been either on or under the water. His grandfather, Olaf, was a fisherman and a builder of fishing tugs. Sherman’s father tried his hand at fishing but made his career on the ore boats. Sherman’s career started on the ore boats in the summers when he went to college. He eventually started working for the local sports fishermen and eventually captained his own boat. He worked for the Madeline Island Ferry Line, retiring from there in 2013 after 33 years.
Geof Wendorf
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Geoffrey “Geof” Wendorf has a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a Master’s in Endocrinology/Reproductive Physiology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He served as a Professor in Community Development for 25 years with the University of Wisconsin Extension System. Geof then took a position with the University of Wisconsin Superior as an Outreach Specialist. He has since served as the Director of the Leadership Superior/Douglas County Program and in 2010 became Director of the Road Scholar Programs at the University of Wisconsin Superior.
Neil Howk
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Neil Howk retired in 2017 as the Assistant Chief of Interpretation at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, having served more than 35 years with the National Park Service. He worked for the National Park Service at Colorado National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, Gates of the Arctic National Park, and from 1983 to 2017 at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Neil and his wife operated a B&B in Bayfield from 1986 to 2018.
Katrina Werchouski
View biography
Dr. Katrina “Kat” Werchouski is a proud member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. She serves as an equity and inclusion education and training specialist for the Minnesota Department of Human Services in the Office for Equity and Inclusion, and as senior partner and senior consultant for Peak Perspectives LLC. She earned her B.S. in environmental studies and B.A. in Native American studies from Northland College, M.S. in environmental studies from Green Mountain College, and Ed.D. from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Mary Tripp
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Dr. Mary Tripp spent more than 20 years teaching marketing, nonprofit leadership, business management, and communications courses for multiple colleges and universities. Prior to teaching full-time, she was a marketing coordinator at the Essentia Health System for six years. Her past experiences include retail, food service, event planning, and supporting non-profit organizations. Tripp was the University of Wisconsin-Superior recipient of the “Excellence in Teaching” performance award in 2009. In her free time, Mary enjoys traveling, golfing, exploring national parks, reading, and spending time with friends.
Suggested Reading List
(12 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Explore Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Program Number: 12512
Superior's Jewel: The Apostle Islands Trilogy
A dauntless street sergeant with the Minneapolis Police Department, Kat LeNoir possesses courage and confidence until she shoots a man to death in the line of the duty. Follow it up with another near death encounter on a hot city night and Kat suddenly finds herself incapable of serving the citizens or commanding her patrol. There’s only one way out--to resign. Emptied of life, terrified of failure, Kat returns to Madeline Island and discovers island peace shattered by the crosscurrents of her hometown’s first murder and an outsider homicide cop on a two-year search for a killer of sixteen-year-old girls. While it’s clear nothing will stand in his way of catching a crazed killer, especially a lady cop who couldn’t hack it, it’s also clear that his determination and her dwindling courage turn into a battle of wills that can salvage or destroy what’s left of Kat’s pride.
History Of The Ojibwe People
Told from a Native perspective, enthralling to read, considered by many “the most important history of the Ojibwe ever written.”
A Storied Wilderness: Rewilding The Apostle Islands
The most comprehensive academic history of the Apostle Islands by far. Not light reading, but well worth the effort.
This Superior Place: Stories of Bayfield and the Apostle Islands
"Picturesque little Bayfield on Lake Superior is Wisconsin’s smallest city by population but one of its most popular visitor destinations. This book captures those unique qualities that keep tourists coming back year after year and offers a historically reliable look at the community as it is today and how it came to be. Abundantly illustrated with both historical and contemporary images, This Superior Place showcases, as author Dennis McCann writes, “a community where the past was layered with good times and down times, where natural beauty was the one resource that could not be exhausted by the hand of man, and where history is ever present.”
Because Bayfield serves as “the gateway to the Apostle Islands,” the book also includes chapters on the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Madeline Island, and the nearby Red Cliff Ojibwe community. It also covers the significant eras in the city’s history: lumbering, quarrying, commercial fishing, and the advent of the orchards visitors see today. It is not a guidebook as such but more of a visual and written tour of the city and the major elements that came together to make it what it is. Colorful stories from the past, written in Dennis McCann’s casual, humorous style, give a sense of the unique characters and events that have shaped this charming city on the lake."
The Four Hills of Life: Ojibwe Wisdom
The Four Hills of Life tells the wise and beautiful Ojibwe story about the path we walk through the seasons of life, from the springtime of youth through the winter of old age. The hills we climb along the way are the challenges we face and the responsibilities we accept. The path is not always easy; some of us lose our way. We question the meaning of life. But when we walk the Good Path—when we commit to values and fulfill our goals—the meaning of life finds us.
With text and activities developed by Ojibwe elder and educator Thomas Peacock and heavily illustrated with photographs by Marlene Wisuri, The Four Hills of Life describes the journey taken by previous generations of Ojibwe and the relevance of these life lessons for young readers today.
Madeline Island And The Chequamegon Region
A good but very brief survey; almost like the Cliff’s Notes for regional history. If you only want to read one of these books, I’d recommend this.
Brilliant Beacons: A History Of The American Lighthouse
An excellent popular history of the subject.
The Cadottes: A Fur Trade Family On Lake Superior
A close-up look at the fur trade era through the study of one prominent family.
La Pointe: Village Outpost on Madeline Island
The Wisconsin Historical Society Press has republished a long-out-of-print classic of Wisconsin history, La Pointe: Village Outpost, by Hamilton Nelson Ross (1889-1957). The book, which first appeared in 1960, provides a 300-year history of La Pointe, a community on Madeline Island, one of Lake Superior's Apostle Islands. With flair, humor, and solid scholarship, Ross tells the story of the region's evolution. Madeline Island served initially as a refuge for the local Ojibwa from their enemy the Sioux before the arrival of French explorers in 1659, then an epicenter of the fur-trade era in the eighteenth century, and finally a summer vacation spot for businessmen and industrialists. Today the island attracts thousands of summer tourists who vastly outnumber the 200 or so year-round residents. Ross first visited Madeline Island from his native Beloit as an eight-year-old, returning again and again over his lifetime to the Ross family cabin in La Pointe. His years of careful study and observation served him well. Ross told the region's story so eloquently that his book helped persuade Congress and the President in 1970 to preserve the islands in perpetuity as the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
The Middle Ground, Indians, Empires, and Republics in the Great Lakes Region, 1650-1815
White takes in the history of Daniel Boone, George Washington, Pontiac and Tecumseh in this scholarly history of relations between native peoples and Europeans in "pays d'en haut," the region around the Great Lakes.
Mastering The Inland Seas: How Lighthouses, Navigational Aids, And Harbors Transformed The Great Lakes And North America
A scholarly study by a noted maritime historian.
Tales of Bayfield Pioneers: A History Of Bayfield
Tales of Bayfield Pioneers is an exploration of a wonderful past. To read it is to come away with a sense of place. The times, the lives of the pioneers and settlers, the shipwrecks, community spirit, and institutions of a fledgling community on the shores of Lake Superior are meticulously documented for posterity. Eleanor Knight, "provided a new appreciation of local history to the citizens of Bayfield during the Centennial period." Eleanor, the grand-daughter of one of Bayfield's pioneers and captains of industry, William Knight, was one of Bayfield's finest and talented writers and highly qualified to document and record the wealth of historical facts. She has left a legacy for all to enjoy. Now, citizens of Bayfield and the future, together with the Knight family, can share the history of early Bayfield, as written by Eleanor Knight and published in the Bayfield County Press from 1950 through the 1956.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
11 meals (
4B, 4L, 3D
)
9 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Meals:
D
Stay:
Bayfield Inn
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Check-in Starts : 2:00 p.m. After you check in with the Inn and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to check in with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 3:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach [or bus] unless noted otherwise. We will have meals at the inn unless otherwise specified. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the inn.
Evening:
Tonight we will hear a lecture from the director of the Indigenous Cultures Center on the Native Americans in the Apostle Islands area. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Bayfield Area History, National Lakeshore History
Location:
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Bayfield Inn
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day
Breakfast:
In the inn’s meeting room with a gorgeous view of the public pier on Lake Superior, Madeline Island, and the sunrise.
Morning:
A retired National Park Service historian will join us at the hotel to present the history of the Apostle Islands and the Bayfield area including the early encounters between Native Americans, explorers, missionaries, and fur trappers. After a short break, we’ll gather for a second lecture, this time on the construction of the famed Apostle Islands lighthouses.
Lunch:
At the inn, we’ll have a light lunch.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will get an introduction of the National Lakeshore, and hear about the various types of natural life found in the Apostle Islands. There are many significant aspects to the Apostle Islands, but one thing that makes them important is that the islands are shaped and isolated by Lake Superior, and they sustain rare communities, habitats, and species of plants and animals… everything from A to Z. This presentation provides an overview of the Apostle Islands' natural resources. We then will discover the wonders of the various sea caves around the lakeshore. The rest of the afternoon will be free for independent exploration of this quaint lakeside town, or an optional walk up to the historic Iron Bridge.
Dinner:
At the inn.
Evening:
Tonight we will watch the documentary film Bad River, which chronicles the the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and its ongoing fight for sovereignty and the preservation of Lake Superior.
Day
3
Apostle Islands Study Cruise
Location:
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Bayfield Inn
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day; sidewalks and flat terrain. Getting on/off a boat; ride is about 2.5 hours. Periods of standing up to 1 hour at the Coast Guard Station.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
We will begin with a short walk to the nearby dock where we will set out on a study cruise narrated by the captain of the boat. As we see historic lighthouses and get close-up views of the sea caves, we will learn about their history, legendary shipwrecks that happened in the area, and that native marine wildlife. Twenty-two islands make up the Apostle Islands, and it is host to one of the four National Lakeshores in the United States.
Lunch:
At the inn, we’ll have a light lunch.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will make our way on foot to the Bayfield Heritage Museum for a private experience. Next we will walk to the U.S Coast Guard Station for a short tour before heading to the Bayfield Maritime Museum to learn about fishing, ships, and other important aspects of the lakeshore through stories and articfacts.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Day
4
Madeline Island
Location:
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Bayfield Inn
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day; periods of standing up to 1 hour each. Getting on/off the ferry; ride is about 1/2 hour. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles roundtrip; approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Inn buffet.
Morning:
We will transfer via motorcoach to take the ferry to Madeline Island and, once on the island, we will visit the Madeline Island Museum for a presentation on the fur trade given by a local expert. The rustic museum, an amalgamation of several different structures, includes the only remaining building from the American Fur Company. It tells the story of the Ojibwe people who lived in this area for centuries, and exhibits explorer and fur trade artifacts. From there, we will head out on foot to Big Bay City Park where we will walk along the pristine sandy barrier beach.
Lunch:
At Big Bay City Park, we will have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
On a narrated field trip by motorcoach around the island, we will learn from a local expert about the renowned extreme winter weather in this area of Wisconsin on Lake Superior. We’ll talk about how the folks who live here get along when it’s so cold, and how they enjoy the mild summers. As we go, we’ll make various stops including visits to an artisan shop and a church. We’ll then catch the ferry and return to the inn.
Dinner:
At the inn. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening:
We’ll then have a special presentation at the inn given by a local expert about “The House That Sank.” A comical story stemming from a can-do attitude in the very cold winter of 1977, “The House That Sank” received attention from everyone – including the LA Times and folk singers alike – after it (and the truck hauling it) broke through the ice on the way across Lake Superior. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
5
Program Concludes
Location:
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Meals:
B,L
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
Our final session of the program will wrap up with two short lectures on the ways in which the people of the Apostle Islands and surrounding region made their living in the challenging Lake Superior environment – fishing, logging, farming, and more – followed by a closer examination of women’s lives on the islands.
Lunch:
Before departure, we will have boxed lunches available to take with us. This concludes our program.
Afternoon:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
11 Meals
4 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
3 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 25, 2025
- Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 12, 2025
- Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025
- Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025
- Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 25, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 42 Reviews
Sort By:
Amazing program! This trip was not only educational, but we experienced the beauty of nature everywhere. We highly recommend this program!
— Review left October 12, 2024
I started filling out your eval but could not remember the names of all the speakers so did not complete. I would give Geoff and Mary excellent marks on everything. Mary was very good at trouble shooting the computer video/audio problems. They were very personable and inclusive. Very adept at taking care of the various needs of the participants.
The Bayfield Inn was lovely. Accommodations and food were excellent. So nice we stayed an extra day!
I thought Kat and the retired park service speakers were enthusiastic and knowledgeable. They all loved where the live! The speaker on the shipwrecks was very mediocre. We had over an hour on the Edmund Fitzgerald and its minutia. No great stories of shipwrecks.
The day on Madeline Island was very interesting. The guide was great. I liked lunch at the state park and the museum.
The cruise of the islands was beautiful and we had a perfect day. Fascinating caves. The area is spectacular and I loved it. Would give the tour an almost perfect score!
Thank you.
— Review left October 2, 2024
Other reviewers have commented well on how beautiful and interesting this area (Apostle Islands and Bayfield) is and how excellent the program is. I want to add that it provides a wonderful opportunity for individuals with all levels of mobility to enjoy the beautiful natural setting. The centrality of our lodging and meals made it easy to get around. The bus rides and boat rides took us out into nature without having to be physically active. On the other hand, there was time and opportunity for more active participants to hike or walk around Bayfield. It was a group of folks, all able to go at their own speed, and have a good time together.
— Review left September 25, 2024
Informative and educational. Excellent presenters! A beautiful location!
— Review left September 22, 2024
My wife and I enjoyed this experience and highly recommend the Apostle Island National Lakeshore adventure to all Road Scholars interested in one of the world's most amazing natural resources.
— Review left September 21, 2024
This is an easy going, informative time in a quaint small town. Bayfield is comfortably walkable. Our speakers were knowledgable and entertaining. The boat ride on Lake Superior would have been better without the fog, but we know we can't control the weather.
— Review left July 10, 2024
Outstanding in every respect.
— Review left June 23, 2024
I had a great time!! I highly recommend this program.
— Review left June 14, 2024
I highly recommend Road Scholar program for the educational and personal value received. The organization and leadership was outstanding. I will be taking more tours. I also identified with many of the participants ages and education.
— Review left June 13, 2024
I would encourage anyone to sign up for a Road Scholar program! If you like great locations, meeting interesting people from all over, educated and knowledgeable local speakers that are experts in their respective fields, excellent locations and food, and just a great overall experience, I cannot recommend Road Scholar highly enough!
— Review left June 8, 2024
A perfect trip for a solo first time scholar. You get a good feeling about how RS operates and the quality they provide.
— Review left October 8, 2023
We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to the Apostle Islands. It was our first time traveling
with the Road scholar program. We have traveled before by ourselves and with other groups but have decided
to travel with the Road Scholar program from now on. Every day was well planned from accommodations and interesting speakers, to our meals and program directors that encouraged questions, friendship and laughter.
— Review left October 6, 2023
The Apostle Islands are a hidden gem. Our group leaders and speakers were top-notch and our excursions were interesting. I particularly liked the visit to Madeline Island; loved the modern Native American art in its Historical Museum. This program requires a car to get to it, but if you have a way of getting there, definitely put it on your must-do list.
— Review left September 29, 2023
This is an informative and well-organized program, which was enhanced for me by colorful fall foliage. I knew very little about this area, about Lake Superior and the early history of its settlement. As usual, when I learn about the people who explored and built the New World, I am awed by their perseverance and ingenuity, and hope those of us on the planet today can succeed as well as they did. Leaders, location, lectures and field trips were excellent.
— Review left September 29, 2023
If you are interested in this area on Lake Superior I can think of no finer way to learn more. You may fall in love with this area is my only precaution.
— Review left September 25, 2023
Great class and the weather was very good.
— Review left September 24, 2023
This was our first program and we would prefer to wait before recommending.
— Review left September 21, 2023
Another great Road Scholar experience...will definitely return in the future....
— Review left June 19, 2023
The Apostle Islands are a well kept secret. This Road Scholars trip exposes the geography, natural beauty and role of indigenous people and early settlers in shaping the history of this Great Lakes region.
— Review left June 17, 2023
Made me feel alive and fun again.
— Review left October 2, 2022
This is an outstanding program with wonderful leaders, informed presenters, and held in a beautiful part of the US.
— Review left October 2, 2022
This trip was fun and informative. The beauty and history of the Apostle Islands and the Bayfield area are amazing. Every thing was well planned out and worthwhile in every way. I would recommend this trip while heartedly.
— Review left September 27, 2022
I highly recommend this program to those who enjoy the outdoors and wish to expand their knowledge of the history and present life on the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. it's a fascinating story of exploration and settlement in this beautiful part of our country.
— Review left September 26, 2022
Very educational and informative.
— Review left September 24, 2022
Bayfield and the Apostle Islands are a well kept secret. A Road Scholars trip helps unlock the beauty, enchantment and lore of this wonderland!
— Review left September 22, 2022
The boat trip to the Apostle Islands was fantastic! Madeline Island was very interesting, also. We had spectacular weather, but the trip could focus more on the three museums if the weather was inclement.
— Review left September 22, 2022
Very thorough. Very fun
— Review left September 22, 2022
A visit to the Apostle Islands (Wenzbozho ominisan) is steeped in history and culture of the Ojibwe American Indians. When viewing the sandstone cliffs, sea caves, windows and arches, sea stacks, cuspate forelands and beaches you quickly resonate with the words of Julian Nelson, a commercial fisherman, "The lake is the boss. No matter how big you are or what kind of a boat you've got, the lake is still the boss. Mother Nature dictates a lot of things." Visiting the Apostle Islands is breathing in the spirit of oneness...a gift from the Ojibwe .
— Review left June 17, 2022
My experience with the Road Scholar program was amazing. I could relax and not worry about hotels, food, and transportation, it was very relaxing. It was a friendly experience with many lovely people.
— Review left June 15, 2022
Very easy to gather information
— Review left June 14, 2022
This is an excellent vacation for one who wants to see an interesting destination and desires an “easygoing” experience. Our tour leaders, Geoffrey and Mary, were delightful. It was nice to stay at The Bayfield Inn and to eat all of our meals in the hotel’s dining room. Meals and service were excellent.
My suggestion is for Road Scholar to offer more programs of this activity level.
— Review left June 10, 2022
This trip allowed me to experience a fraction of what my wife had experienced when she lived on Lake Superior for part of 9 years.
— Review left October 4, 2021
The area, program, lodging, meals, etc. were great for the most part. Seeing the Apostle Islands and not having to make individual reservations for aspects of a visit were perfect for me. The lectures and slides of the retired NPS personnel were a highlight as was the guide and bus/ferry trip to Madeline Island. If you have a chance, try one or more Lake Superior whitefish liver as you'll likely never be given the chance to do so elsewhere and they are really quite tasty, something along the lines of a mild chicken liver. Even though we were well-fed with great food, I suggest walking to one of the fish shops and buy some smoked whitefish.
— Review left October 3, 2021
We thoroughly enjoyed this program…our sixth trip with Road Scholar. The guide was friendly and approachable…the accommodations and food were superb…the information on the islands and inhabitants and shipwrecks and lighthouses was interesting…the area is beautiful! We came across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee on the high speed ferry and took a great road trip up to Bayfield stopping at four sculpture gardens and then did another great road trip thru Michigan’s UP on the way home. Bravo!
— Review left September 25, 2021
A great course in a beautiful setting. I learned a lot about the history of this area as well as the many shipwrecks on Lake Superior.
— Review left July 8, 2019
This was one of my favorite Road Scholar Trips. Bayfield Inn setting was beautiful with lovely rooms. We were lucky to have the water view. Staff were very accommodating and food was delicious (even with my special diet). This is rated easy and it was that. The leader Geof was funny and very knowledgeable. The historic little town was fun to walk around, boat ride around the Apostle Islands where we saw lighthouses and beautiful scenery, and the ferry out to Madeline Island was lots of fun! If you want a easy but fun, interesting and to learn history of the Ojibwee Indians and all the shipwrecks of Lake Superior, this is an excellent program!
— Review left June 30, 2019
Absolutely go! Beautiful setting, fantastic program. You won't be disappointed. Geoff loves doing the program, knows people who are knowledgeable and yet is open to new presenters. Not to be missed!
— Review left June 21, 2019
Easy going but still involving outdoor activities on land and water.
— Review left June 20, 2019
Great program! I had visited Bayfield two times before but never realized everything that was there. Road Scholar does a wonderful job of finding instructors and places that regular tourists don't learn about when they are there. Thanks Road Scholar.
— Review left June 9, 2019
Very good and worthy week. Leader Geof W is friendly and inclusive, welcoming everyone equally and warmly, being a wealth of support and coordinator extraordinaire. The speakers are great, National Park staff and local historians and the mayor! They bring the nature and history of the locale to life with good storytelling. The shipwreck speaker developed a good story to the Edmund Fitzgerald that he could develop as well for the earlier shipwrecks. The sunny day cruise around the sandstone caves was exceptional. As a first tour success, we are much in favor of shopping for our second trip! Thank you, Geof and RS!
— Review left June 8, 2019
Interesting program!Besides learning about the history of the area it was a great opportunity to see the natural beauty that makes this a recreational destination. The hotel,dining, and staff were wonderful. The Road Scholar staff was exceptional.
— Review left June 7, 2019
The town of Bayfield is so interesting and life on the islands. The hotel is very nice and comfortable. So much was within walking distance which was very nice. This is an artsy community as is Madeline Island. We stopped on Madeline Island after an all day tour for the best ice cream. The tour on the water of the island was amazing showing us the unusual rock formations was very interesting. Highly recommend this program
— Review left June 6, 2019
