Michigan/Ontario

The Best of Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac Island: A Trans-Border Discovery

Program No. 21920RJ
Embark on an adventure between two countries, discovering timeless traditions, natural wonders, historical landmarks and cultural heritage with friendly locals and experts.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

Join us for a cross-border learning adventure that takes you from one of the oldest continuous settlements in North America to an island suspended in time. Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario, Canada, has been inhabited for thousands of years. Equally ancient Mackinac Island became popular as a vacation destination in the late 19th century. Accessible only by boat and plane, the island maintains its Victorian ambiance with a focus on simple pleasures and a ban on cars. Learn from experts about history, culture, people and achievements through the ages.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day, including two nature trail walks. Transportation on Mackinac Island by horse-drawn carriage, walking.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Recall earlier eras as you explore Mackinac Island by horse-drawn carriage to study its architecture and history with lunch at the Grand Hotel.
  • Travel to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to view the dunes above Lake Michigan and learn about the geology and ecology of the dune plateau area.
  • Learn about the importance of the fur trade during a field trip to Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Candice Dunnigan
Candi Dunnigan is a longtime resident and equestrian on Mackinac Island. She resides at Easterly Cottage with her family, and an assorted menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats. She has been the weekly equine columnist for The Mackinac Island Town Crier for fifteen years, and served as the first president of the Mackinac Island Horsemen’s Association. A former fox hunter, she enjoys cross country and trail riding more than anything. As an international rider she has ridden in across Europe and in Costa Rica.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Sue Shoemaker
Sue Shoemaker View biography
Sue Shoemaker, a native-born Michigander, lives on a farm in the “Thumb.” A gratifying teaching and counseling career in middle school inspired Sue to become a group leader in order to share her passion for learning and travel with others. Sue has led a variety of Road Scholar programs: study cruises on the Great Lakes and the Columbia River, as well as land-based programs in Chicago, Detroit, Albuquerque (Balloon Fiesta), and northern Michigan.
Profile Image of Lynde Vespoli
Lynde Vespoli View biography
Lynde Vespoli has been leading groups since 2006 and has worked for Road Scholar since 2012. She has certificates in travel and tourism, as well as hospitality and tourism management. A native Midwesterner, she has led programs in that region as well as Washington, D.C., New York, Canada, Cuba, and Italy. In her free time, Lynde enjoys traveling with her family and spoiling her granddaughters.
Profile Image of Candice Dunnigan
Candice Dunnigan View biography
Candi Dunnigan is a longtime resident and equestrian on Mackinac Island. She resides at Easterly Cottage with her family, and an assorted menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats. She has been the weekly equine columnist for The Mackinac Island Town Crier for fifteen years, and served as the first president of the Mackinac Island Horsemen’s Association. A former fox hunter, she enjoys cross country and trail riding more than anything. As an international rider she has ridden in across Europe and in Costa Rica.
Profile Image of Micki Sigmon
Micki Sigmon View biography
Michele “Micki” Sigmon began her career in education, teaching outdoor education and recreation for 12 years. When an opportunity to work as a travel director fell into her lap, she knew she had found her calling. Micki has been working in the travel industry for about 20 years. She has owned her own travel company, worked on domestic river cruises and steamboats, and led groups throughout Chicago and the Great Lakes region. Micki looks forward to sharing her knowledge and love of learning.
Profile Image of Chip Reeves
Chip Reeves View biography
Chip Reeves is a Michigander who is excited to share his local expertise. During the pandemic, Chip helped lead a business-focused university as vice president of finance and administration. He was formerly a marketing director with three decades of experience in innovation and international strategy. He is a lifelong student of language and culture that grew from his high school exchange student experience in Japan. He is a guest lecturer and professional facilitator for business and cross-cultural topics.
Profile Image of Kim Johnson
Kim Johnson View biography
Kim Johnson is a lifelong Michigander. A graduate of Michigan State University, she spent over 30 years as a commercial banker. By happenstance, she discovered group leading which allowed her to retire early. This career change perfectly coincided with her grown sons venturing out on their own career paths. Today, Kim and her husband Greg are both enjoying life as group leaders with both students and adults. Her hobbies include hiking, reading, cycling, pet-sitting, and researching new places to visit.
Profile Image of Greg Johnson
Greg Johnson View biography
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.
Profile Image of Joanie and Gary McGuffin
Joanie and Gary McGuffin View biography
Joanie and Gary are experienced Canadian guides, explorers and photographers whose epic canoe journeys have spanned the continent. Conservation and adventure photography is their passion.
Profile Image of James Lenfestey
James Lenfestey View biography
Journalist and poet James P. Lenfestey was born and raised in De Pere, Wisconsin, and educated at Dartmouth College. In 1974, he discovered the work of T’ang poet Han-shan, or Cold Mountain, whose poems offer both thematic and formal inspiration for Lenfestey’s concise, image-driven poetry. For fifteen years he chaired the Literary Witnesses poetry program in Minneapolis and led a summer poetry series on Mackinac Island, Michigan. He lives in Minneapolis and on Mackinac Island with his wife.
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.





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