All address fields should be selected!
Full name should be provided!
The information you entered is not valid. Please try again.
The information you entered is not valid. Please try again.
No Results
Invalid email value
Invalid password value
Please enter a valid email address
Please provide a password
Your password must be at least 5 characters long
Missing password
Password short (5 chars min required)
Special Offer
Remove from Wishlist
Program No.
Ages
Length
days
New
Not yet reviewed
Starts at
Close
See More
Activity Level — Varies
Activity Level
Details
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Hotel check-in: Available from 4:00 p.m. Registration: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. Program Orientation: 5:30 p.m. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate; program activities and schedules may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. During scheduled free time, the Group Leader will often be available to accompany informal excursions, activities, or meals that have been excluded from the program cost. You are welcome to join if you like, with any associated costs on your own, or enjoy personal independent exploration.
Dinner: In the hotel, we'll enjoy a 3-course plated meal with salad, choice of entree, and dessert with coffee, tea and water.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know fellow participants and get a good night’s sleep for the full day ahead.
Activity note: Driving for 100 miles, approximately 2 hours total. Walking approximately 3 miles total for the day. Walking and standing up for up to 1 mile (approximately 1.5 hour) at Village Commons.
Breakfast: At the hotel, enjoy a breakfast buffet including cereal/oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, toast, baked goods, juices, coffee, tea, and water.
Morning: This morning we will venture by motor coach to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, considered one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Known for its clear blue water, sandy beaches, and bluffs that tower 450 feet above Lake Michigan, this National Lakeshore is home to lush forests, unique flora and picturesque farmsteads. It is an area rich in maritime, agricultural and recreational history.
Lunch: Lunch will be on your own in Traverse City. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There will be time to dine and explore the local area.
Afternoon: We will continue on to The Village campus, formerly the Traverse City State Hospital grounds. During our walking exploration, we will learn about this former asylum and its impact on the city. We will also view the architecture and learn about the former uses of the structures on the property. We will then drive to Mission Point Lighthouse, during which you will experience one of the most highly rated coastal drives in North America. The lighthouse is situated- surrounded by lush forest on three sides with thickly wooded trails. Mission Point light house was first lit in 1870. Mission Point attracts visitors during all seasons- from cross country skiers to sea kayakers.
Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Crossing Border: Pack your passport in your carry-on. Getting on/ off motor coach. Driving for 175 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking and standing up for up to 1 mile (approximately 1 hour) at the Mushroom Houses. Total walking throughout the day will be approximately 3 miles.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We'll check out of the hotel, take our luggage to the motorcoach for loading, and hop on board for our journey to Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. Our first stop this morning will be to view the Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix, Michigan on a walking exploration of the neighborhood. These homes were designed by architect Earl Young. In his career he completed 26 residential and 4 commercial properties. Each home of his creation is unique and was designed to blend in with its surrounding landscape. Young's style was special because of his use of indigenous materials, like stones from the shores of Lake Michigan, and the application of stone masonry. We will then continue on to the Oden State Fish Hatchery, the original fish hatchery that began operation in 1921. This is a site where finfish and shellfish are raised and bred. We will learn about the significance that the fishing industry has on Michigan’s economy, as well as what is involved in operating and managing a fishery in Michigan.
Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon: We'll re-board the motorcoach, cross the border into Canada (U.S. passport required), and check into the Delta Hotel. We will have some time to rest before departing for dinner. Tonight's dinner will be at the Ermatinger Clearge National Historic Site with homes that depict domestic and professional life of prominent residents between 1808 and 1870.
Dinner: This will be a theatrical dinner which we will learn more about the history, customs, and lifestyles of early settlers. In the dining room at the Ermatinger Old Stone House, we will have a heritage dinner which includes dishes typical of the era served near the hearth of a historic home with coffee, tea, and water.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Walking approximately 2 miles throughout the day.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will board the motor coach for a short drive to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Center. We will discover the heritage of bush plane firefighting in Ontario, from its history to a collection of the actual aircraft that made this practice possible. Observe and even interact with the planes on display.
Lunch: At a local restaurant
Afternoon: We will have an expert-led experience of the Shingwauk Former Residential School. This school was part of the Canadian Residential School system which exercised intolerance towards the native peoples. Today it is a site of healing and rehabilitation for the survivors and First Nations community, as well as a symbol of strength and resiliency.
Dinner: At the hotel
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Crossing Border: Pack your passport in your carry-on. At St. Mary's Rapids, 45 minutes - 1 hour hike over uneven beach terrain; some exposed roots and rocks, gravel; no restroom facilities on trail. Travel by ferry boat for approximately 3 miles or 20 minutes.
Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel.
Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we will head to our last stop in Canada, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. This was the final link in the Canadian navigation system stretching from the St. Lawrence River to Lake Superior, completed in 1895. It was then the world's longest lock and the first powered by electricity. We will also walk out to see the St. Mary’s River Rapids, a short stretch of the river famed for annual salmon runs. Then, crossing the border, we visit the Soo Locks, operated by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The first navigation lock, built by the Northwest Fur Company in 1797, was destroyed in the War of 1812. It was not until 1855 that a new lock system opened to facilitate shipping between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, on into the other Great Lakes and their communities.
Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon: We'll continue to St. Ignace and board the ferry for a 20-minute ride to Mackinac Island. The arrival dock is close to the hotel but since there are no automobiles on the island, we will travel by horse-drawn carriage to the front door. Luggage will be taken up for us.
Dinner: In the hotel dining room, make menu selections including soup or salad, entrée, dessert, as well as coffee, tea and water.
Evening: At leisure. Relax and settle in to the island lifestyle.
Activity note: Travel on a horse-drawn carriage for 1.5 hours. Will need to be able to climb up three steps onto carriage. Travel on island is only by horse drawn carriage, bike, or walking. Walking exploration will be for 1 hour and will include 1 mile of walking.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, choose from a buffet with cold and hot cereal, eggs, baked goods, fruit, juices, milk, coffee, tea.
Morning: This morning we will board horse-drawn carriages to see some of the island’s most interesting sights. Our guided exploration will include views of the state park, island overlooks, and a drive by the governor's mansion. Our private exploration will conclude at the Grand Hotel.
Lunch: At the Grand Hotel, enjoy the renowned Grand Luncheon Buffet with garden-fresh salads, savory cheeses, slow-roasted meats, seafood, and many varieties of fresh-baked pastries.
Afternoon: After lunch, we will enjoy commentary from local residents about what it was like to grow up on Mackinac Island. We will have free time for the rest of the afternoon. Explore the Grand Hotel grounds that include different gardens, a meditation labyrinth, and an art gallery. Feel free to relax on the porch or, call a horse drawn taxi and explore independently. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what's most interesting to you. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
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 and give directions.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles on gravel paths. Travel by horse-drawn carriage for up to 10 minutes. Will need to be able to climb 3 steps onto carriage.
Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel.
Morning: We'll gather in a meeting room at the hotel with a local expert to learn about one of Mackinac Island’s most important resources: horses. Gain an understanding and appreciation of their role and importance to island life. Afterwards, we'll take the horse-drawn taxi to Fort Mackinac, built by the British during the Revolutionary War. The stone Officers Quarters is the oldest building in Michigan. Ownership transferred to the U.S. after the Revolution but the British took it back during the War of 1812. Then we got it back again! Today there are 14 original buildings at the Fort with interactive displays, exhibits tracing history, period furnishings, and costumed interpretive staff.
Lunch: In the Fort Mackinac Tea Room, have soup, sandwich, and choice of beverage from iced tea, lemonade or water.
Afternoon: Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what's most interesting to you. The Stuart House City Museum is a free time activity available for participants at no additional cost. The Stuart House was built in 1817 as part of the American Fur Company that made the original John Jacob Astor the first millionaire in America.
Dinner: At the hotel, enjoy a farewell dinner in our private room with selections from the restaurant menu — an opportunity to share your favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening: After dinner, we will enjoy commentary from local residents about what it was like to grow up on Mackinac Island.
Activity note: Travel by ferry boat for 3 miles or 20 minutes back to mainland & ride aboard motorcoach, approximately 1.5 hours or 175 miles. Arrival at Traverse City airport is expected to be approximately at 12:00 p.m. depending on local conditions. We advise making no onward travel arrangements before 2:00 p.m.
Breakfast: Early at the hotel. Before breakfast, place your luggage outside your room to be picked up and carted to the ferry.
Morning: We'll depart early and take the ferry back to the mainland then board a motorcoach for the ride to Traverse City Airport. After airport drop-off, the bus will continue to the Bayshore Resort for anyone who drove and needs to pick up a car. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!