13-night American Great Lakes Cruise

Most visitors associate Milwaukee with Harley Davidsons and beer. But this city is sure to surprise many first-timers. Milwaukee has a thriving and well-supported arts community, including the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum. There is also a fabulous historical museum and lots of fabulous summer festivals, including Asian Moon, Irish Fest, Bastille Day and Indian Summer.

Destination Guide

Located 165 mi/265 km west of Detroit, on the shores of Lake Michigan, Holland—as you might expect from its name—makes much of its Dutch heritage: It was founded by immigrants from the Netherlands in 1847, and it continues many of the traditions of the mother country.

Tulips are the foremost attraction. Millions of them bloom in the spring, and they get their public coming-out party at Tulip Time, a cultural festival and flower extravaganza in May. If you go, be prepared for traffic jams and a shortage of parking.

More Dutch items include a 225-year-old windmill imported from the Netherlands, said to be the only authentic Dutch windmill in the U.S.; Dutch Village with its reproductions of Dutch architecture and exhibitions of klompen—wooden-shoe—dancing during the summer; and the Wooden Shoe Factory.

Be sure to stop at the Holland Museum to see its collection of Delft pottery. The Holland area also boasts more than 100 mi/160 km of bike trails, some running along Lake Michigan.

A few minutes south of Holland, just inland from Lake Michigan, are the twin towns of Saugatuck and Douglas. Downtown Saugatuck, though tiny, is home to some interesting art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts. A boardwalk along the Kalamazoo River offers a pleasant spot to watch boats motoring by.

Hop between the two towns via the hand-operated chain ferry, which runs only during the peak summer travel season. There are steep dunes to the west of the towns (by the lake) and orchards to the east. Mount Baldhead provides a good vantage point from which to take in the sunset or look down on picturesque Oval Beach.

Harbor Days is held in Saugatuck and Douglas in late July, with a Venetian boat parade and fireworks.

Destination Guide

Visit Mackinac Island and experience the sites and sounds of a bygone era. Located between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas, the Island offers unforgettable natural and historical treasures surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of Lake Huron. From romantic weekend getaways to fun filled days with the family, Mackinac Island has something for everyone. Ride a bicycle around the 8-mile lakeshore path, or enjoy the quaint Victorian architecture from a leisurely ride in a horse drawn carriage.

Destination Guide

Welcome to the world of The Great Waters – Nature’s Adventure Where Huron, Michigan and Superior Meet. Where nature, culture, and history collide to create an extraordinary place of quiet woodlands, rushing waters, native arts, and the stories that encapsulate them all. Three driving trails capture 33 waypoints that serve as your passport to unique and exhilarating experiences. Explore ancient shorelines by kayak, trek undisturbed forests on foot, or search rocky beaches for a glimpse at Earth’s treasures. The Great Waters showcases the best of nature in the only place on the planet where three Great Lakes come together.

Destination Guide

Detriot has historic landmarks, museums, sightseeing, shopping, and accommodations to fit every budget. It is filled with history, culture and modern sophistication all at the same time. The new casinos bring Las Vegas thrill, and the Great Lakes cater to the water enthusiast usually headed to a coastal destination. Detroit has attractions and activities for a family on vacation, someone visiting for business, or a couple searching for romance. Boating tours, museums, historic shopping, fine dinging, and educational attractions including: The Henry Ford Museum, Detroit Science Center and the City of Troy Museum are all within minutes from anywhere in Detroit. Detroit offers culture, sophistication, old world charm, new world excitement and glamour.

Destination Guide

The third-largest port city on the Great Lakes, 90 mi/145 km west of Cleveland, Toledo was once the subject of a cantankerous border dispute between Ohio and Michigan. Today, Toledo claims the title of Glass Capital of the World, and you can discover the history of glass at the Toledo Museum of Art and the adjacent University Arts Center (designed by architect Frank Gehry). The museum, which is known particularly for its collection of glass objects, from ancient to modern, also houses fine art from around the world. The city has a number of factory-outlet glass stores, and several glass factories offer tours.

Other city attractions include the Toledo Zoo (don't miss the hippos swimming in the Hippoquarium) and the Botanical Garden (plenty of green and shade for relaxing). The Col. James M. Schoonmaker (formerly the Willis B. Boyer), a museum ship berthed at International Park on the city shore, provides an interesting look at life aboard a lake freighter in the early 1900s. (The tour entails lots of walking and quite a few stairs.) Afterward, take a stroll along the riverfront, which is lined with parks and promenades.

MASH fans will remember that Jamie Farr's character, Corporal Klinger, was from Toledo and often spoke lovingly of his favorite restaurant, Tony Packo's Cafe. Well, Farr was from Toledo in real life, and the restaurant is real and still serving the same spicy Hungarian hot dogs made famous in the show. Take note of all the autographs on display: You'll see the names of entertainers, sports figures and even former U.S. President Jimmy Carter—all signed on hot-dog buns.

Southwest of Toledo, in nearby Maumee, you can visit the Wolcott House Museum Complex—a set of restored structures from the 1800s, ranging from the Federal-style Wolcott House to a simple log cabin. Maumee Bay State Park features a lodge and lots of wildlife.

There's another restored village west of Toledo near Archbold—the Sauder Village—which takes a living-history approach with costumed staff demonstrating the arts of rural life.

Destination Guide

Buffalo is the cultural and economic center of the Western New York region. Buffalo is home to renowned art galleries, diverse entertainment, world-famous architecture and internationally recognized universities.

The city is increasingly becoming known as one of America's most hospitable cities. Downtown, visitors will also enjoy a variety of dining option, nightclubs, and shopping. Outdoor activities include, the Buffalo Zoo, Tifts Nature Preserve, and Darien Lake. 

Destination Guide

Buffalo is the cultural and economic center of the Western New York region. Buffalo is home to renowned art galleries, diverse entertainment, world-famous architecture and internationally recognized universities.

The city is increasingly becoming known as one of America's most hospitable cities. Downtown, visitors will also enjoy a variety of dining option, nightclubs, and shopping. Outdoor activities include, the Buffalo Zoo, Tifts Nature Preserve, and Darien Lake. 

Destination Guide