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The Great Lakes Trail Self-Drive
Preferred
Overview
Short Description
Oversized objects and other Americana along Route 66, the beaches and glitzy cities of California’s coast, steaming geysers in Yellowstone National Park… on a tailor-made holiday to the USA with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our USA specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook.
New England’s crimson, yellow and orange fall foliage. After-hours art gallery tours in New York. Utah’s red-rock landscapes. Wild West towns and abandoned Puebloan cliff dwellings… What excites you? Travel at your own pace, in your own style, with the confidence that we’ll show you the best options, wherever you go.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Detroit
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Detroit. Arrive in Detroit and make your own way to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax after your journey.
Day 2 : Detroit
Spend a day exploring the car manufacturing city of Detroit which is enjoying rapid rejuvenation. Don't miss a visit to the fascinating nearby Henry Ford Museum.
Day 3 : Whitehall
Collect your hire car and drive through the heart of Michigan to the little town of Whitehall on Lake Michigan's east coast.
Day 4 : Traverse City
Drive along the coast of Lake Michigan to Traverse City. There are some delightful state parks to visit on the way, many of which offer glorious coastal views.
Day 5 : Traverse City
Spend a full day exploring the amazing, and huge, sand dunes in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. You may wish to take the ferry to the little islands of North and South Manitou or take the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Other options include a visit to Grand Traverse Lighthouse or go wine tasting at some of the nearby wineries.
Day 6 : Mackinac Island
Enjoy another scenic lake-edge drive today as you make your way to Mackinac Island. This coastline is dotted with small villages and pretty state parks. Park your car at Mackinaw City and then take the foot passenger ferry over to Mackinac Island. The afternoon is free to explore this car-free island.
Day 7 : Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is a delightful natural retreat, with plenty of lovely walking and cycling paths affording magical sea views. Most of the island is a state park and transportation is confined to horse and carriage. Visit historic Fort Mackinac and the island's lovely limestone bluffs and emerald green forests.
Day 8 : Marquette
Return to your car and drive across the Straits of Mackinac to Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This is a delightfully scenic drive through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and past Munising Falls and Rock River Falls Canyon.
Day 9 : Marquette
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is lightly populated and full of picturesque forests, lakes and mountains. Its many state parks are a haven for wildlife including black bears, wolves, and birdlife. Moose in particular thrive in large numbers here. There is also a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy including wonderful walking trails, fishing, kayaking and mountain biking. Marquette itself offers two lake-side beaches and is a diving hotspot.
Day 10 : Isle Royale
Your drive takes you inland today, past the Huron Mountains, Baraga State Park and along the shore of Keweenaw Bay. Park your car and then take a thrilling seaplane flight from Houghton to Isle Royale National Park.
Day 11 : Isle Royale
Isle Royale National Park is the largest island in Lake Superior. Largely forested, this beautiful and isolated place is known for significant populations of wolves and moose, and is a haven for walkers, kayakers and wildlife enthusiasts. Enjoy a day breathing in the pure air and discovering this natural island gem.
Day 12 : Bayfield, Wisconsin
Return by seaplane to Houghton and then take the scenic drive past the Porcupine Mountains into Wisconsin. Your base for the next two nights is the village of Bayfield, ideally located for exploring the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Day 13 : Bayfield, Wisconsin
Take a scenic cruise to the Apostle Islands that consist of 21 islands at the northern tip of Wisconsin. See extraordinary standing rocks, sea caves and lighthouses whilst also keeping a look out for deer, eagles and bears.
Day 14 : Minneapolis - Saint Paul
Leaving behind the shores of Lake Superior, head inland to the twin cities of Minneapolis - St. Paul.
Day 15 : Minneapolis - Saint Paul
Spend a full day in Minneapolis - St. Paul. The cities are known for excellent shopping, restaurants and nightlife, but there are also great museums and sports venues to visit.
Day 16 : International return flight
Drop off your hire car prior to boarding your onward flight.
Day 17 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Availability
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3,563 Audley Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings
The Great Lakes Trail Self-Drive
Company Reviews
Travels in South East Asia
We were very impressed with the professionalism of the company, their knowledge of the area and the proposed travel plan. The resulting holiday proved to be very successful, extremely well organised and managed at a country level by very experienced and competent guides and drivers.
An amazing holiday to South Africa
It was very helpful to catch up with Robyn when we got back so we could feedback and make some small suggestions for things we might have tweaked. Would 100% recommend using Audley, worth every penny and we will definitely be using them in future.
Our Indian Adventure
The choice of accommodation was so well planned. We stayed in 8 different locations. Each one was superb and offered something different to the ones before.
The tours were well thought out and offered more than just sightseeing. They also gave us a taste of the culture of India.
Excellent.
Had a wonderful trip to Vietnam
A fabulous two week trip to Thailand…
Very poor customer service
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport
Group Size
Independent
Trip ID#:
audley-travel-40028
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