Experience a pilgrimage exploration of Chicago-area structures designed by this most influential American 20th-century architect. Included are his home and studio in Oak Park, the UNESCO-listed Unity Temple, the 1920 Robie House, and (on weekdays) a guided exploration of The Rookery Building in the Financial District. Catered lunch aboard the coach included.

POINTS OF INTEREST
FLW Home & Studio in Oak Park, Unity Temple, Robie House, Rookery Building, catered lunch in the coach

Chicago is a city whose life and commerce have revolved around its namesake river for nearly two centuries. And that makes a Chicago River architecture cruise the perfect way to experience the Windy City’s parade of riverfront landmarks. You’ll glide by over 40 of them as your expert guide recounts the stories that shaped this spectacular skyline.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Narrated Chicago River architecture cruise

Step back to quieter times on a scenic survey ride around Mackinac Island by horse-drawn carriage with stops at the key must-sees. With its period architecture and ban on motorized vehicles, sightseeing on Mackinac is like time-traveling to the 1800s, but with cell service. VCL guests enjoy complimentary admission to Fort Mackinac and the Grand Hotel.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Mackinac by authentic carriage, Surrey Hill, Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac, Grand Hotel

Muster your taste for, well, excellent tastes. A Grand Luncheon at the Grand Hotel is no ordinary experience. It’s an extraordinary event involving bounteous fresh and composed salads, a multitude of cheeses and seasonal fruits, plenty of tempting hot dishes, a carvery station, and a sinfully opulent dessert display. All in a legendary setting. Yum, indeed.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Much delicious food and atmosphere at Grand Hotel

Take your seat for a scenic 8.2-mile two-wheeled ride around the coast of Mackinac Island on what is said to be America’s only paved highway where motor vehicles are banned. The terrain is easy, the sights are fascinating, and your experienced guide knows the route like the back of their handlebars. Stops are made at numerous landmarks and viewpoints.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Michigan highway M-185, Browns Brook Nature Trail, British Landing, Lake Shore Nature Boardwalk, Mission Point, views of Arch Rock and Grand Hotel

Join us on a Victory Cruise Lines exclusive experience to beautiful Mission Point Resort on the Lake Huron shoreline and, with a skilled chocolatier guiding your moves, try your hand at the delicious art of fudge-making. Learn the secrets of this beloved Mackinac Island culinary tradition that goes back over a century and remains as sweet as ever.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Mission Point Resort, chocolatier-led fudge-making session

Attention all lighthouse enthusiasts, Fresnel fans, and historic building buffs: don’t miss this excursion to Marquette Maritime Museum & Harbor Light! You’ll encounter engaging exhibits on maritime and Great Lakes history, notable shipwrecks, the largest collection of beam-focusing lenses in the Great Lakes – and a bright red lighthouse.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Marquette Maritime Museum, Marquette Harbor Lighthouse

Dig deep into the history of the Lake Superior Region’s mines on this experience that visits the Michigan Iron Industry Museum and Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum. Unearth the compelling story of Michigan’s iron ranges, the resilient individuals who have toiled there, the gear they use, and the shafts that plunge over 1,350 down into bedrock.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Michigan Iron Industry Museum, Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum

Delve into the life of the 19th-century Catholic priest who arrived in the New World from Slovenia in 1830 and spent his storied career ministering to the immigrants who worked in the Upper Michigan iron and copper mines – traveling by foot, canoe and, in winter months, snowshoe. Learn of the progress made to have Bishop Baraga canonized as a Saint.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Bishop Baraga home, bishops’ crypt in St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette Regional History Center

Isle Royale National Park is a serene, truly isolated wilderness – with a Visitor Center in downtown Houghton, a short stroll from our docking location. Drop by for info, a chat with the Rangers, and a unique National Park Passport stamp. Later in your journey, Victory II will glide by the lush wild island in Lake Superior; you might spot a moose spotting you back.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Isle Royale National Park Visitor Center, downtown Houghton

Rockhounds and mineralists of the world, unite! At least for a few hours of fascination on a visit to this premier museum on the Michigan Tech campus. The Keweenaw Peninsula’s unique geology – and the museum’s many iconic specimens of copper and 100 other minerals – have made this an international must-see for collectors and connoisseurs alike.

POINTS OF INTEREST
A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological University campus

Enjoy a scenic drive along the Copper Country Trail National Byway and discover vast natural beauty, fascinating mining history, and a long string of photogenic Keweenaw Peninsula sights – from the lighthouses that guard shipping along the turbulent coast to the waterfalls that cascade from these ore-filled hills. Lunch at famous Fitzgerald’s Restaurant.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Copper Country Trail National Byway, McLain State Park, North Entry Lighthouse & Museums, Eagle River Falls, Jacob Falls, Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, Copper Harbor, origin point of US 41, lunch at Fitzgerald’s Restaurant

Go subterranean on your visit to the labyrinthine tunnels of Historic Quincy Mine with an expert guide leading the way. And walk along the streets of historic Calumet Village, a Victorian boomtown during the heydays of Keweenaw’s Copper Country era. See the architecture and hear the fascinating stories left behind.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Historic Quincy Mine, Calumet Village / Keweenaw National Historical Park

Spectacular bluff-top Lake Superior views from a stone tower commemorating a Norwegian philanthropist’s life. And a captivating visit inside a true steel baron’s refined family estate. Both are exciting aspects of this excursion focused on the remarkable wealth and industrial history that has shaped the city of Duluth.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Enger Tower, Glensheen Mansion & Gardens

Come along on a trip back into the Lake Superior region’s railroading past as you visit the train car collection housed at the old Duluth Union Depot – now the Lake Superior Railroad Museum – then climb aboard a heritage car of the North Shore Scenic Railroad for a ride featuring breathtaking views, a refreshing beverage and small charcuterie bites.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Lake Superior Railroad Museum, ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad

Sweeping lake views, dramatic lighthouses, cascading waterfalls, and scrumptious pie are all on the menu during this Minnesota North Shore drive – arguably one of the state’s most beautiful. With Lake Superior on one side and stunning landscapes on the other, the picturesque sights will be satisfying from beginning to end. And lunch will be, too.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Two Harbors Lighthouse, Two Harbors Railroad Museum, Betty’s Pies, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse

Defy gravity and the limits of conventional sightseeing as you lift off the ground and feel the thrill of soaring by helicopter over Lake Superior and the dramatic terrain of the North Shore wilderness. Enjoy astounding birds-eye perspective as you view this landscape like never before. As they say: to fully see it, flightsee it!

POINTS OF INTEREST
Lake Superior and the North Shore from the air

With on-foot and motorcoach segments, this excursion provides a leisurely highlights introduction to Ontario’s trending city of Thunder Bay. Board and explore a retired Canadian Coast Guide icebreaker. Pay your respects at a monument to Canada’s cancer-awareness hero, Terry Fox. View the Sleeping Giant. And free-range awhile in downtown.

POINTS OF INTEREST
CCGS Henry Alexander National Historic Site, Terry Fox Memorial Monument, views of Sleeping Giant peninsula, free time in downtown Thunder Bay

Stroll the reimagined town of Thunder Bay with us and discover how far it’s come since its early days as a rustic fur-trading post. See a fascinating mash-up of century-old buildings and trendy new artisanal businesses. Explore the scenic Waterfront District and board a marooned caboose. Stop by the landmark Tourist Pagoda to receive a Thunder Bay pin that the community offers you as a gift to remember your time in their town. Take a break along the way to indulge in locally made gelato.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Guided Thunder Bay walk, Waterfront District, Tourist Pagoda, gelato stop

Step back into 1816 at the faithfully reconstructed Fort William fur trading post, with docents in period-accurate costume portraying the day-to-day activities of the original residents. And venture by foot, canoe, or tram to the Anishinaabe Encampment to learn about the relationships forged between the First Nations people and non-Indigenous newcomers.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Fort William Historical Park and the Anishinaabe Encampment

From a commanding observation deck, watch the parade of boats, ships and freighters navigate the Soo Locks on the St. Marys River, an engineering marvel linking Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Learn about how the locks came to be at the Visitor Center. And see how sailing can go very wrong at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Society.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Soo Locks Observation Deck & Visitor Center, Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, downtown Sault Ste. Marie

Spend time at your leisure exploring the Lake Superior State University freshwater research center. Located right at the dock, this state-of-the-art facility is committed to the study and conservation of vital Great Lakes resources through education, research, and community engagement. Docents are on hand to field your questions.

POINTS OF INTEREST
LSSU Center for Freshwater Research and Education (dockside)

Explore the rich maritime, architectural, and cultural history of Sault Ste. Marie, visiting four iconic locations. Among the highlights: lifeboats from the famous Edmund Fitzgerald, towering views of the Soo Locks and Canadian wilderness, Michigan’s oldest Catholic church, and a museum chronicling the region’s colorful ethnographic past.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Museum Ship Valley Camp, Tower of History, Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, River of History Museum

Paddle out into gentle adventure on the St. Marys River as you glide through a stunning landscape guided by a knowledgeable local. No matter your level of past kayaking experience, they’ll help you feel comfortable in these tranquil waters and enrich your journey with insights into the river’s history and ecology. You might even spot an otter or eagle!

POINTS OF INTEREST
Guided kayaking on St. Marys River, possible wildlife sightings

Question: What’s tastier than a naturalist-guided shoreline walk and catered picnic lunch along Lake Superior after exploring historic Point Iroquois lighthouse on the bluff where Whitefish Bay and the St. Marys River meet? Answer: not much! Except maybe the epic views from Spectacle Lake Overlook that follow, framed by towering hardwoods and pines.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Point Iroquois Light, picnic lunch along Lake Superior, Whitefish Bay, Spectacle Lake Overlook

Experience the lives and customs of the First Nations of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada on an exclusive visit with the Anishinaabe people. Welcomed as an honored guest, you’ll witness drum and storytelling performances, learn of the deep tribal ties to both land and water, and be invited to sample traditional cuisine prepared by an Indigenous Chef.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Exclusive visit to Anishinaabe land in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Enjoy a narrated panoramic drive through Green Bay en route to this day’s primary objective: the complete satisfaction of your interest in locos, rolling stock, and all other things railroad. You’ll have a first-class guided journey, a train ride, and free time for personal wandering through the incomparable collection of the National Railroad Museum.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Narrated Green Bay drive, guided journey & free time at National Railroad Museum, train ride

Travel back to the 1600s, 1700s, and 1800s at Heritage Hill State Historical Park, where 26 restored buildings and a cast of costumed interpreters capture Green Bay’s history from its earliest days to recent times. Learn about the fur traders, loggers, adventurers, soldiers, and immigrants who peopled the settlement once known as “La Baie Verte.”

POINTS OF INTEREST
Narrated Green Bay drive, Heritage Hill State Historical Park, tram ride and interpreter interaction

Discover the diverse beauty of Northeast Wisconsin’s flora on an outing to Green Bay Botanical Garden, a lush 47-acre oasis within the city. Enjoy a docent-led exploration and gain insights into the Garden’s history, special features, and current plantings in bloom. Breathe in the oxygen, smell the flowers, and experience the tranquility.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Narrated Green Bay drive, Green Bay Botanical Garden docent-led experience

Treat your palate to an epicurean field day on a Chef-led adventure curated exclusively for us. Range through the Northeast Wisconsin countryside meeting some of the people and enterprises behind this region’s flavor profile, sampling their produce, cheeses, chocolates, and wine – and creating your own delicious charcuterie board to savor.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Seroogy’s Chocolate, Ledgeview Farms, Wisconsin cheese tasting, Trout Springs Winery, charcuterie-making workshop

The history of NFL football is built on legends, records, and hallowed ground. VCL’s exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field steeps you in all three. Hosted by a veteran guide, you’ll enjoy access to the Stadium’s most rarely-seen places, VIP lunch in a fieldside Private Box, a Packers Hall of Fame Curator’s presentation, even roundtrip black-car service.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Lambeau Field, Lambeau Atrium, Players Tunnel, Rooftop, Field Sideline, Press Box, Visitors’ Locker Room, “Best of Lambeau Cuisine” buffer lunch in Private Box, private art collection access, Packer Hall of Fame Curator’s tour, Pro Shop, black-car service

Ride the famous Muskegon Trolley backward in time to visit a pair of turreted Victorian lumber baron mansions, a home where the Great Depression lifestyle is still underway, and a museum that celebrates Muskegon's industrial accomplishments great and small – from its lumber facilities to its foundries, woodworkers, paper mills, and bowling equipment makers.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Hackley & Hume Historic Site, Fire Barn Museum, Scolnik House, Muskegon Heritage Museum of Business and Industry

Head with us to Grand Rapids for a journey that explores two homes showcasing the architectural mastery of Frank Lloyd Wright (one house is not open to the public!), followed by free time to wander a garden/sculpture park deemed America’s Best by USA Today. While here, savor a delicious lunch we’ve arranged at the garden café.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Meyer May House, Amberg House (VCL Exclusive), Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Travel by coach to Grand Rapids and step into the family life, political career – and even the Cabinet Room and furnished Oval Office – of America’s 38th President. Explore his term’s milestone moments, including the Bicentennial and tumultuous post-Watergate years, the lasting advances achieved by his wife for health and women’s rights, and more.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

COMPLIMENTARY FOR ALL VETERANS - Trade the modern ease and elegance of Victory II for a three-vessel journey into maritime and naval history – at least for a few hours – as you explore a passenger ship from the golden age of Great Lakes steamer travel, a sub that saw 14 war patrols between 1942 and 1945, and an LST that ferried soldiers and equipment to the beaches of Normandy.

POINTS OF INTEREST
S.S. Milwaukee Clipper steamship, USS Silversides Submarine Museum, USS LST 393 (Landing Ship Tank) Veterans Museum

No fewer than three landmark lighthouses and one legendary deli are on the menu of this adventurous romp that explores the Lake Michigan coastline outside Muskegon. The views are awe-inspiring, the lighthouse lore and maritime history are fascinating, and your lunch at local-fave Pekadil Garden Deli is as delicious as its atmosphere is classic.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Little Sable Point Lighthouse, Pekadil Garden Deli, White River Light Station and Museum, South Pierhead Light