Explore Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Program Check-in Starts at 2:00 p.m. 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. At 3:00 p.m., check in with the Inn to get your room assignment. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:00 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. Please note that while the hotel will work to accommodate food allergies, they do not have the capacity to accommodate food preferences. All food allergies should be submitted prior to the program start date. Thank you for your understanding. At 5:30 p.m. we will continue our evening learning! This evening we will hear from a local expert about the creation of the Apostle Islands in the 1970's and get an introduction to the most significant aspects of the National Lakeshore. Following this, we will continue with our expert to discover the wonders of the Apostle Island sea caves in the winter.

At the inn.

Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

In the inn’s meeting room with a gorgeous view of the public pier on Lake Superior, Madeline Island, and the sunrise.

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.

At the inn, we’ll have a light lunch.

After lunch, we will take 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.

At the inn.

One of our expert lecturers returns. One of the significant aspects about the Apostle Islands is that 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.

At the inn.

We will spend the morning hearing an expert lecture from the director of the Indigenous Cultures Center on the Native Americans in the Apostle Islands area.

At the inn, we’ll have a light lunch.

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. Lastly, if open, we will head to the Bayfield Maritime Museum to learn about fishing, ships, and other important aspects of the lakeshore through stories and artifacts. 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.

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.

Inn buffet.

We will spend today with our local guide. Via motorcoach, we will take a short tour of Bayfield’s fruit orchards before boarding the ferry to Madeline Island. Once on the island, we will drive to Big Bay City Park where we will head out on foot to walk along the pristine sandy barrier beach.

At Big Bay City Park, we will have boxed lunches.

On a narrated field trip by motorcoach around the island, we will learn from our 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. One stop will be at The Madeline Island Heritage Center. Run by the Madeline Island Historical Preservation Association, their mission is to protect, preserve, interpret and increase public awareness of the cultural, traditional and architectural history of Madeline Island. Here, we will experience a first-hand view of early life on the island through the historical buildings, photo & artifact collections. We’ll then catch the ferry and return to the inn.

At the inn. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends.

We will end our evening with a special multimedia presentation at the inn produced by our group leaders. Accompanied by images, sounds, and music, the presentation will take us on a journey through the islands in all seasons — exploring the ecology, wildlife, and history, in a story of wholeness, resilience, and renewal. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the inn.

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.

Before departure, we will have boxed lunches available to take with us. This concludes our program.

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!