United States/Canada
A Great Lakes Voyage: Chicago to Niagara Falls
Program No. 25498RJ
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A Great Lakes Voyage: Chicago to Niagara Falls
A Great Lakes Voyage: Chicago to Niagara Falls
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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
9,499Over 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. Throughout your voyage, enjoy access to onboard instructors and get to know other Road Scholars who love learning as much as you do!
Best of all, you'll...
- Enjoy exclusive access to experts who will be with you throughout your journey and learn from them as you take in onboard lectures and educational activities.
- 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.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking and standing for up to an hour at a time during field trips. Embarking and disembarking from the boat ship up and down steep gangways.
General Notes
This learning adventure is part of Road Scholar’s Floating Campus. You’ll experience a true campus feel as we enjoy field trips onshore and expert instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions. Enjoy a book club, onboard activities, a live performance and the camaraderie that can only be found with fellow Road Scholars! Please note that we need a minimum number of participants to enroll in this program to have exclusive use of the ship. In the event we do not meet the minimum number, then the cruise line may have its own passengers on the ship, though they will not be part of any Road Scholar activities.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Linda Essenburg
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.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Keith Edgerton
Keith Edgerton teaches early American and Montana history, and environmental history at Montana State University in Billings. Holder of a Ph.D. in American Studies from Washington State University, Keith’s passion focuses on explorers Lewis and Clark. However, he is writing a book on a 19th-century Montana copper baron, William A. Clark, who is not of Lewis and Clark fame. This William Clark became a U.S. Senator in a scandalous 1901 election and died one of the world’s wealthiest persons.
Roger Dammarell
Roger Dammarell began as a group leader with Road Scholar’s Portland office in 2010 after a 33-year career as a radio DJ. Born in Idaho, he lived in Washington, Montana, and California before settling in Corvallis, Oregon in 1998. Roger has a B.A. in communication and became a Certified Tour Director in 2010 after attending the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco.
Nolan Hines
Nolan Hines is a native Ohioan, born on a farm just south of Columbus. He attended Ohio State University intending to become a veterinarian, then became involved in singing and theatre activities. He spent eight years on the ships of Holland America Line as an entertainer, excursion assistant, and cruise director, then four years aboard The American Queen steamboat. Nolan now lives in Florida and, since 2017, has enjoyed discovering the treasures of new places and helping participants to enjoy cultural highlights with Road Scholar.
Anne Marsh
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
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.
Chip Reeves
Chip Reeves is a Michigander who is excited to share his local expertise in one of the most beautiful parts of the U.S. He is 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. He lives with his wife, Mamiko, and has two sons, Ken and Joh.
Linda Essenburg
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.
Kim Johnson
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, petsitting, and researching new places to visit.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking and standing for up to an hour at a time during field trips. Embarking and disembarking from the boat ship up and down steep gangways.
Floating Campus®
On our Road Scholar Floating Campuses, we’ll have the entire ship to ourselves and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions.
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
Helpful Links
Enroll with Confidence
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.
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.
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.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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