"Grand" Vacation to Michigan

DAY 1: WELCOME TO MICHIGAN!

Journey north to the heart of mid-Michigan for a delightful dinner and a comfortable overnight stay. D

DAY 2: GRAND TRAVERSE BAY

Experience the breathtaking Silver Lake Sand Dunes with a thrilling adventure aboard Mac Woods Dune Rides—a beloved Michigan tradition for over 90 years. Feel the excitement as you learn about the fascinating history and unique ecology of these sand formations. Continue to Traverse City for dinner at a cherished local favorite. Then, unwind at the Bayshore Resort, our scenic lakefront retreat overlooking beautiful Grand Traverse Bay, where we’ll settle in for a two-night stay. B, D

DAY 3: SLEEPING BEAR DUNES, GRAND TRAVERSE BAY

Set out on a guided scenic drive through charming cherry orchards and around the breathtaking Old Mission Peninsula, where the hillside overlooks offer stunning views of both the east and west arms of Grand Traverse Bay. Journey along the famed Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, honored as the “Most Beautiful Place in America” by ABC’s Good Morning America. Indulge in distinctive cherry delicacies at the Cherry Republic and enjoy a visit to the historic Old Mission Lighthouse. B, L

DAY 4: MACKINAC ISLAND, GRAND HOTEL

Travel along the shores of Lake Michigan and board a ferry bound for the historic and charming Mackinac Island. Step back in time with a horse-drawn carriage ride to the iconic Grand Hotel, the island’s crown jewel, famed for its sweeping porch—the longest in the world—and stunning views of the Straits of Mackinac. In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous five-course dinner in the Grand Hotel’s elegant dining room. B, D

DAY 5: MACKINAC

After a peaceful night in one of the Grand’s elegant guest rooms, enjoy a leisurely morning to unwind at the hotel or set out to explore the island. Stroll through historic forts, take a scenic horse- drawn carriage ride, indulge in world-famous fudge, or pedal along the picturesque lakeshore. Before boarding the return ferry, we’ll savor one more delicious meal at the Grand Hotel: Grand Buffet lunch. Then, we journey to the Grand Rapids area for an overnight stay. B, L

DAY 6: RETURN HOME

It’s time to return home after an absolutely “grand” vacation! B

ACCOMMODATIONS
Night 1: Drury Inn & Suites, Grand Rapids, MI
Nights 2-3: Bayshore Resort, Traverse City, MI
Night 4: The Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI
Night 5: Drury Inn & Suites, Grand Rapids, MI

Departure Cities:

• St. Louis

Depart: June 4, 2027
Return: June 9, 2027

AND

Depart: June 10, 2027
Return: June 15, 2027

AND

Depart: September 11, 2027
Return: September 16, 2027

AND

Depart: September 18, 2027
Return: September 23, 2027

Price per person:

• DB $2,369
• TP/QD $2,079
• SG $3,229

Mobility Note
Guests should be comfortable boarding ferries, horse-drawn carriages and dune vehicles, as well as walking through historic areas, scenic overlooks and hotel grounds. Mackinac Island is primarily explored on foot, by bicycle or by horse-drawn transportation, so guests should expect more walking than on a typical motorcoach tour. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive includes several overlooks that are close to the vehicle, but the Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dune overlooks require steeper walking on pavement and loose sand.

Average Temps
June departure: Daytime 68–78°F; Overnight 48–58°F
September departure: Daytime 63–74°F; Overnight 43–53°F

Dress On-Tour
Grand Hotel requires evening attire for the included dinner. Men should pack a jacket and tie with dress pants, while women should bring a dress, skirt or dressy pants outfit. Comfortable dress shoes are recommended, as guests will still be walking through the hotel and grounds.

"Since every evening at Grand Hotel is a special occasion, after 6:30pm dresses, skirts, blouses, dress sweaters, and dress slacks for ladies are preferred, while gentlemen are required to wear a suit coat, necktie, and dress pants, no denim or shorts. This applies for all areas inside the hotel except for the Cupola Bar.

"Men’s Suit Jacket Rental: Suit jackets are available for guests at the Grand Hotel that forget theirs or if you don’t want to pack your coat. They come in a variety of sizes and there is no charge for them unless you don’t return them."

Hotel Note
Bayshore Resort combines a private beachfront setting on West Grand Traverse Bay with convenient access to downtown Traverse City. Guests can walk into town or use the hotel’s complimentary shuttle, while many rooms feature bay views, balconies or patios. The Bayshore Resort’s location provides a rare combination of a beachfront stay and easy access to downtown Traverse City, allowing guests to enjoy both Grand Traverse Bay and the restaurants and shops of town during the same stay.

Every one of Grand Hotel’s 388 guest rooms is individually decorated, so no two rooms are exactly alike. The hotel also features dozens of specially themed Named Rooms inspired by historic figures, former first ladies and other personalities. The Grand Hotel experience changes noticeably in the evening, when day visitors have departed Mackinac Island and the hotel’s formal traditions take center stage. An overnight stay gives guests the opportunity to experience a quieter side of the island that many visitors never see.

Helpful Hints
Visit the Cupola Bar (ascending several steps required) at the very top of the Grand Hotel for spectacular views of the Mackinac Bridge, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.

Located on the north end of Main Street on Mackinac Island, Doud’s Market (est. 1884) is a good place to pick up a quick snack or forgotten travel essentials.

Time Zone
Eastern Daylight Time (GMT -4)

Notes on Highlights
More than 80% of Mackinac Island is protected as Mackinac Island State Park. Before becoming Michigan’s first state park, the land was Mackinac National Park, established in 1875 as the second national park in the United States, just three years after Yellowstone.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a 7.4-mile loop with 12 scenic stops through forests, dunes and Lake Michigan overlooks. Much of the scenery can be enjoyed directly from the vehicle, making it possible to experience the dramatic landscape without completing a strenuous dune hike.

Old Mission Peninsula’s position between the east and west arms of Grand Traverse Bay creates a moderating lake effect that helps support the area’s orchards and vineyards, contributing to Traverse City’s reputation for cherries and cool-climate wines.

Other General Information
Tour Communications: You will receive three key communications leading up to your tour:

• Get Ready: Your email confirmation and initial tour information, sent after you register.
• Get Set: An email with additional tour details, sent approximately two months before departure.
• Go: Your final trip documents, mailed via USPS approximately three to four weeks before departure. This packet will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.

Travel Protection: Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and may be purchased until the day before departure. Sunrise Tours offers plans through battleface. Additional information will be included with your Get Ready email and can also be found HERE.

Inclusions: Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes:

• A professional Sunrise Tour Director
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Local step-on guides, including gratuities
• International tour guide gratuities when specified for the individual tour
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation with an onboard restroom
• Admission to activities and events as indicated
• Airfare from designated airports
• Transportation to and from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*
• Luggage handling at hotels when available

Gratuities: We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver is $6 to $10 per person, per day of the tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers also appreciate gratuities for excellent service, with a suggested amount of $5 per person. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or distribute gratuity envelopes.

Refreshments: We are happy to provide refreshments on most motorcoach travel days. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout your tour.

Pickup Points: If fewer than four travelers request a particular pickup point, we may ask those guests to select another available pickup location. Travelers are also welcome to join a tour from a city that is not listed as a departure point. Please contact our friendly reservations team to discuss available arrangements. For departure cities not listed, airfare is typically $100 more than the published fare for domestic tours and $200 more for international tours.

TSA PreCheck and Airline Rewards Numbers: TSA PreCheck, Known Traveler Numbers, and airline rewards numbers must be provided to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure. Numbers received after this deadline may not be applied to your reservation.

Airline Seating: Preferred seating may not be available with group airfare. In some cases, seats are not assigned until travelers arrive at the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy-class seat but does not include advance seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available for an additional cost.

Motorcoach Capacity and Seating: To provide one of the most comfortable motorcoach experiences in the industry, Sunrise Tours generally limits motorcoaches to 80% capacity. This allows for a maximum of 44 passengers on a motorcoach designed to accommodate 55. Sunrise Tours reserves the right to amend this practice. Your Tour Director will rotate motorcoach seating each day of the tour. Payment of a single-occupancy fare does not guarantee two motorcoach seats, and you may be seated beside another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.