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A historic brick lighthouse with a red roof and American flag stands before the Mackinac Bridge on the Great Lakes coast in Michigan.
Ontario/Michigan/Illinois

Voyage to The Great Lakes: A Small Ship Adventure

Program No. 21866RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Chicago, IL
Program Concludes
Toronto, ON
Meals
29 ( 10B, 9L, 10D )
Activity Level
From
8,299
Over 15,000 years ago, retreating glaciers shaped the Great Lakes, which today hold one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water. Embark on this unforgettable voyage from Chicago, exploring the beauty of Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Stroll the charming streets of Mackinac Island and marvel at the engineering of the Soo Locks. Explore iconic landmarks like the Henry Ford Museum and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and experience the power of Niagara Falls aboard a state-of-the-art catamaran. This small ship learning adventure is full of discovery, history and natural wonders.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Take in Chicago's amazing skyline during an architectural boat ride along the Chicago River with a local expert.
  • Step back in time and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the picturesque streets of Mackinac Island, a charming Victorian-era haven.
  • Experience the incredible power of Niagara Falls up close with an excursion aboard a catamaran.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Anne Marsh is originally from the D.C. metro area. After living and working in Grand Teton National Park in 1978, the call of the West grew stronger; she relocated to California in 1994. For 23 years, she resided in Marin & Sonoma Counties; she now lives in Colorado. She received her tour director certificate from the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco in 1993. She has led Road Scholar programs in the San Francisco area, Cuba, the Great Lakes, and during the Rose Parade.
Greg Johnson is a native Michigander and a lifelong resident of the Great Lakes region. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and spent 30 years working with people in the retail industry. Always an avid traveler, he changed careers and now pursues his passion for a living. Greg and his wife Kim both enjoy life as group leaders for adult and student travel. His hobbies include sports travel, yard work, family, and pets.
Linda Essenburg has combined her teaching degree with her love for learning about people and around the globe. She grew up in Montana and for nearly two decades has had the privilege of sharing the National Parks, especially enjoying the west. Her home is in western Michigan and it gives her great joy to share her home state with participants.
Amy Giannotti, MS, CLM, is an environmental scientist, Certified Lake Manager, and founder of AquaSTEM Consulting, with more than two decades of experience working as a biologist for various government agencies in temperate and subtropical marine and freshwater systems. Amy is a passionate science communicator and educator, serving as the director of development for Schoolyard Films, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing K-12 students and teachers with high-quality natural history films and study guides.
Anne Peery is a Mississippi native and Tallahassee resident with experience in the Florida executive branch and cabinet staff positions; executive leadership of a statewide historic preservation non-profit; conservation real estate project management with a national non-profit organization; private sector real estate brokerage and land use consulting; and numerous state and community service activities. She was the first executive director of the Florida Communities Trust and director of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, responsible for producing major educational conferences across Florida.
William Derrah is a historian, educator and geographer specializing in the history, culture and maritime heritage of the Great Lakes. His work explores the French influence on the Upper Midwest, the evolution of the logging industry, and the role of transportation, commerce, and geography in shaping the region. For nearly three decades, William has served as a historian, board member, and volunteer with the Chicago Maritime Museum, where he has developed exhibits, expanded archival collections, conducted historical research, and given lectures.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Learn About Activity Levels
Walking and standing for up to an hour at a time during field trips. Embarking and disembarking from the boat up and down steep gangways. Boarding motorcoaches.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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