Get to know a little about “Esky,” third largest city on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Visit the iconic Sand Point Lighthouse, once a beacon of safety for passing marine traffic here along the coastal shoals of the Little Bay de Noc. And soak up some valiant local history at a pair of museums highlighting Escanaba’s legacy of military heroism.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Sand Point Lighthouse, Delta Chamber of Commerce Museum, UP-Military Museum

This taste-driven journey offers the perfect blend of sensory enjoyment and cultural enrichment – with treats for your eyes and palate alike. First, visit an Upper Peninsula winery to sample a curated selection of artfully made Michigan fine wines. Then, take in the vibrant artworks on exhibit at the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Curated wine tasting at a regional winery, William Bonifas Fine Arts Center

Get the inside story on making maple syrup and goat milk soap with visits to two remarkable Upper Peninsula agricultural venues. Engaging specialists from Michigan State University will show you how tree sap is transformed into delicious syrup. And the owners of Yoopers Farmhouse will introduce you to the art of soapmaking – and their playful herd.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Maple processing tour at forestry research facility, hands-on soapmaking at Yoopers Farmhouse goat farm

Fish on! Experience the unmatched thrill of a fishing charter adventure on the Great Lakes. Set sail into the open water with a knowledgeable captain and crew, ready to steer you to the best fishing spots and to assist with tips about what’s biting in the local waters. All the gear and bait are provided; just relax as you wait for the next hit.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Chartered open water fishing

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

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

Have your mind expanded and your imagination inspired as you explore a unique museum dedicated to the breakthrough innovations that have shaped America’s history. Encounter vehicles, artifacts, and interactive exhibits that demonstrate how those who blaze trails in transportation, technology, and manufacturing can make an enduring difference.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Gain fascinating insights into the human side of the Ford legacy and the early years of their Detroit auto manufacturing empire as you explore the historic Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, recognized as the birthplace of the Model T, and the landmark 87-acre Grosse Pointe estate where Edsel and Eleanor Ford lived and raised their family for decades.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

Accompanied by a Cranbrook Museum architectural scholar, pay homage to two of the world’s most iconic designers as you explore a pair of landmark residences they created in the Detroit area: Frank Lloyd Wright’s handsomely linear Smith House in Bloomfield Hills and the Saarinen House, an Art Deco masterpiece at the heart of Cranbrook Academy of Art.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Exclusive scholar-guided experience, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Smith House, the Saarinen House, Cranbrook Academy of Art

* These homes are not wheelchair accessible. There are stairs and narrow doorways that could present a problem for guests with mobility impairments. Additionally, the structures are not air-conditioned and will be hot during the summer months.

Venture full-throttle into the legacy of inventive manufacturing and engineering that has defined Henry Ford’s company from its early days to the cutting edge of tomorrow with in-depth visits to Ford’s Rouge Complex and iconic Dearborn Truck Plant, The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, and sprawling open-air Greenfield Village.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Ford Rouge Factory, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village

Travel south along Lake Erie to Toledo and the banks of the Maumee River, where an exclusive National Museum of the Great Lakes experience has been arranged for you: breakfast in the Officer’s Dining Room aboard the iconic 617-foot Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and a special presentation and exploration of the museum building and its collections.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Drive along Lake Erie, breakfast aboard the SS Col. James M. Schoonmaker, presentation & free time at National Museum of the Great Lakes

* Note that boarding the Schoonmaker requires the ability to climb steep stairs and walk over ship thresholds. This experience is not accessible.

Lose yourself in a purple haze of incomparable rock history and memorabilia, all housed within a sleek six-floor I.M. Pei-designed museum building on the Lake Erie waterfront. From Prince’s #2 Blue Angel Guitar to the set from Pink Floyd’s The Wall to a signature gallery of every RRHOF Inductee and much more – everything about this place rocks.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Fascinating things that move are the focus of this premium experience, blending the beauty of Cuyahoga Valley National Park with the vibrant history of the automotive and aviation industries in and around Cleveland. Step aboard for a heritage Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Train Ride, then admire the collections at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Train Ride, Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum

This excursion is only offered on Mondays.

Join in on a multi-faceted expedition showcasing The Forest City’s wealth of cultural, industrial, and natural attractions – with each stop revealing a different aspect of Cleveland’s heritage and beauty. Serene gardens, world-class art, automotive and aviation history, and spiritual reflection are all on this fascinating day’s agenda.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Art, Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, Lake View Cemetery, Wade Memorial Chapel, The Garfield Memorial

This excursion is not offered on Mondays.

Traverse the deep forest landscape and rolling hills of Cuyahoga Valley National Park for an informative visit to its Boston Mill Visitor Center. Then, travel onward to explore a sprawling 65-room Tudor manor house and garden estate seemingly pulled from the English countryside, built by F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of Goodyear Tire and Rubber.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Boston Mill Visitor Center, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

This excursion is not offered on Mondays.

Delve into the lives of the men – and the wives – that have made American history on this outing with visits to the First Ladies National Historic Site, McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, James A. Garfield National Historic Site, and Lake View Cemetery. Gain insider access, enjoy a catered lunch, and have your presidential knowledge nourished.

POINTS OF INTEREST
First Ladies National Historic Site, McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, McKinley Monument, James A. Garfield National Historic Site, Lake View Cemetery, The Garfield Memorial

Experience nature’s power at its most exhilarating on the ever-popular Voyage to the Falls boat excursion. Time will seem to stand still as you feel the mist, hear the roar, and listen to your heart pound! Enjoy up-close views of Niagara Gorge, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls – and a face-to-face encounter with the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Boat trip into Niagara Gorge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Horseshoe Falls

Explore – and taste – the world of pure, delicious Canadian maple syrup production on an excursion to a family-operated farm in the heart of a maple forest north of Port Colborne. Learn about traditional tree-tapping methods, visit an operating sugar shack, make taffy on the snow, and sample various maple treats – including a syrup tasting.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Tour of White Meadows Farm, maple syrup & goodie tasting, gift shop

Grab your walking shoes and set out with a local guide on a Port Colborne exploratory stroll. Venture along historic streets in this charming Niagara city that hugs the Welland Canal and holds fast to its maritime heritage. Enjoy a visit to the Historical & Marine Museum, where nautical artifacts, lush gardens, and restored houses await.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Walking in Port Colborne, visit to Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum

Rise far above the ordinary on this uniquely immersive flightseeing exploration that first carries you over Niagara Falls for absolutely breathtaking views, then lands you at one of Canada’s most applauded vineyards for a lunch-and-wine pairing experience in the unique terroir of Niagara, then whisks you home to the ship by black car.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Niagara Falls overflight by helicopter, lunch-and-wine pairing at a Niagara winery, black car service

Follow up the misty thrill of your Niagara Falls boat ride with a super-scenic lunch at Table Rock – its dining areas perched at the precipice of thundering Horseshoe Falls. Next, head to the Niagara Falls History Museum for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience led by the Museum Curator. Finish off with free time at charming Niagara-on-the-Lake.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Locally-sourced lunch at Table Rock, Niagara Falls History Museum, curator’s tour of the museum Archives, free time in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Canada’s largest metropolis is home to an eclectic skyline defined by architectural landmarks of every stripe. This panoramic outing offers a rolling introduction to that diversity – with drives through multiple districts and visits to the observation decks of the soaringly modern CN Tower and the Gothically opulent salons of Casa Loma castle.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Toronto by motorcoach, CN Tower observation decks, Yonge Street, Casa Loma castle visit