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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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Regional StudiesOn the RoadSmall GroupMost Popular
Length
8 days
Rating (4.93)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,799

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
18 meals ( 7B, 6L, 5D )
1 expert-led lecture
13 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from the Group Leader and multiple local experts who will provide lectures and lead field trips. Program travel and transfers will primarily be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise; on Mackinac Island, travel will be by horse-drawn carriage exclusively. Meals will feature local cuisine in a variety of settings and locations including hotels and local restaurants. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. 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 outings, 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:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 100 miles, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking approximately 3 miles total for the day. Walking and standing up for up to 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours at Village Commons.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will venture by motorcoach 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:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue on to The Village campus, formerly the Traverse City State Hospital grounds. During our walking exploration, we will learn from a knowledgeable docent 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 we will experience one of the most highly rated coastal drives in North America. The lighthouse is surrounded by lush forest on three sides with thickly wooded trails. Mission Point lighthouse was first lit in 1870. Mission Point attracts visitors during all seasons, from cross-country skiers to sea kayakers.
Dinner:
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.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Crossing Border: Pack your passport in your carry-on. Getting on/ off motor coach. Driving for 175 miles, approximately 3 hours and 20 mins. 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 four 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:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll reboard the motorcoach, cross the border into Canada (U.S. passport required), and check in at the 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.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking approximately 2 miles throughout the day. Canoe trip with elective paddling.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach for a short drive to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Center. With a docent, 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. We will observe and even interact with the planes on display.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Members of the Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community will share their culture and traditions during this field trip which takes place both on the land and water. There are two components. Part of it involves 1.5 miles of leisurely walking with a variety of stops at historic points of interest between the Métis Cultural Centre and the Sault Canal National Historic Site. The other part involves paddling the Big Canoe on the St. Marys River. Participants will experience the Sault Locks, a close-up view of the famous Whitefish Rapids, Fort Creek, and the Métis Riverlots. The 36-foot canoe is stable and comfortable, and participants may paddle as much, or as little, as they wish. No prior experience is necessary. Before boarding the Big Canoe, all participants are provided with a well-fitting PFD, a paddle, and a short instruction. During the river time, we will enjoy a locally curated snack of cedar tea, Bannock, and smoked whitefish.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Crossing Border: Pack your passport in your carry-on. At St. Mary’s Rapids, hiking 1 hour or less over uneven beach terrain; some exposed roots and rocks, gravel; no restroom facilities on trail. Travel by ferry boat for under 1/2 hour.
Breakfast:
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:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue to St. Ignace and board the ferry for a 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 for check-in. Luggage will be taken up for us.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Activity Note
Traveling 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 about 1 mile, approximately 1 hour. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will board horse-drawn carriages to see some of the island’s most interesting sights. Our expert-led 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, we will enjoy the renowned Grand Luncheon, described by the hotel as “a lavish bountiful display of food and beverage, a fusion of tradition and innovation uniting yesterday and tomorrow.”
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll 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. We will have free time for the rest of the evening. 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 over the course of the day, approximately 6 hours total on gravel paths. Getting on/off a horse-drawn carriage. 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.
Afternoon:
Free time. 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. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Travel by ferry boat for 3 miles back to mainland. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Arrival at Traverse City airport is expected to be at approximately 12:00 Noon 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 motorcoach will continue to the Bayshore Resort for anyone who drove and needs to pick up a car. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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