Fly-Drive Holidays
Sample itineraries
The Great Expectations Tour - The Great Lakes of North America
From £1395
The wonderful Great Lakes Region of America truly have something for everyone, from the skyscrapers of Chicago to iconic Route 66, from quaint Mackinac Island to mighty Lake Superior.
Highlights:
- St Louis
- Route 66 area
- Springfield
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Lake Michigan
- Mackinac Island
- Lake Superior
- Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM)
- Chicago
Price per person includes:
- Return flights into St Louis (Missouri) and home from Chicago (Illinois)
- Airport taxes
-
10 nights accommodation in sought after locations
- 11 days mid-size car hire
- A personalised road book which is a complete guide to travelling within North America and provides bespoke driving instructions for your holiday.
Ideal time of year to visit: April to October
Prices are based on off-season travel. Please call or email for costs for your preferred date of travel.
Day 1 St Louis
Arrive in St. Louis early afternoon with plenty of time to explore The Gateway Arch Riverfront. A trip to the top of the arch will give you stunning views of the area including the mighty Mississippi river from 630 feet! No dinner in St. Louis is complete without sampling the local speciality toasted ravioli. Now off to bed as Route 66 will soon be beckoning!
Day 2 - 3 St Louis - Springfield
Distance: 100 miles
Hit the open road!
This is what America is all about – the freedom of the open road and no other road symbolizes optimism, freedom and the American Dream quite like Route 66. Only 97 miles to Springfield, but the drive is filled with fun retro roadside stops and main streets like you’ve seen in the movies. Once in Springfield make sure you stop at the historic Cozy Dog Drive Inn for lunch before hitting famous Route 66 icons like Shea’s Gas Station Museum. Downtown Springfield is chock full of specialty shops, antique stores, bakeries, art galleries and restaurants for every taste. Finish the day by taking in a movie at one of America’s last remaining drive-in theatres. Park under the stars and enjoy the latest Hollywood reel from the comfort of your car. Only in America!
As the capital of Illinois and the home of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield has a special story that stretches well beyond Route 66. You’ll be transported back to the late 1800’s with a visit to The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. This state of the-art facility was designed with exacting historical detail to provide a life-like experience that will have you mesmerized. Other Lincoln attractions include the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln Law Offices and Lincoln Tomb. Another point of interest is the Old State Capital, where Lincoln served, which was built in 1863 and still in tact in its original location.
Day 4 Springfield - Grand Haven
Distance: 344 miles
Have your fill of the 50’s with a classic diner style breakfast before hitting the road. From Springfield, you’ll travel approx 3 hours to Gary, Indiana where the Jacksons (Jermaine, Michael and family) were born and raised. At this point you are on the bottom portion of the Great Lakes Circle Tour and the rest of today’s drive will be along Lake Michigan. Take your first views of the only Great Lake entirely located in the United States. Get out and stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery along this lovely stretch of Western Michigan. Once in Grand Haven, head for the beach!
This part of the Great Lakes is blessed with beautiful beaches and Grand Haven is famous for its “singing sands” a unique phenomenon to Western Michigan beaches. Talk a walk and listen for yourself!
Day 5 - 6 Grand Haven - Mackinac City
Distance: 258 miles
If you can pull yourself off the beach, enjoy a Harbour Trolley city-tour before setting off. Today’s road trip is to Michigan’s northern-most point in the Lower Peninsula region and gateway to the Upper Peninsula. Mackinac (or Mackinaw as it is pronounced and can be spelled) is one of the top places to see in the state of Michigan. The main street is packed with unique stores and restaurants. Golf, fish, explore. Or, relax in the parks or on the beaches – you are on holiday after all! One sight not to miss (and you’ll be driving over it soon) is the 5 mile Mackinac Suspension Bridge which joins the two peninsulas of Michigan. The bridge is affectionately referred to as “Mighty Mac” and is the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere at 26,372 feet long.
Step back in time to a real Victorian Community – Mackinac Island. A 16 minute ferry ride will take you to this idyllic island believed to be a sacred place according to American-Indian tradition. All transportation is by horse and buggy, bicycle or foot. Start with a carriage tour around the island – then rent bicycles (from $4 per hour) and enjoy the trails of the Mackinac Island State Park. Back in the heart of downtown you’ll find plenty of places to eat and shop and be sure to visit the Haunted Theatre which provides free babysitting for the really small ones. Take a sunset ferry back to the mainland.
Day 7 Mackinac City - Marquette
Distance: 166 miles
From the Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula today’s journey starts with the stunning drive across Mighty Mac! Enjoy the natural beauty of the drive which will take you through the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, home to over 200 species of birds.
Marquette is known as the “warm people – cool city” city. Walker-friendly with a revitalised, energised downtown it is sure to be a favourite. Plenty of cosmopolitan things to do in the city after you’ve explored the natural wonders. The Northern boundary of Marquette County is Lake Superior which is the largest of the Great Lakes and the largest fresh water lake in the world. The fine sandy beaches and unlimited recreation options will bring you back again next year!
Day 8 Marquette - Sturgeon Bay
Distance: 217 miles
Pass through Escanaba, a wonderful waterfront community, before entering the state of Wisconsin and your first stop Green Bay – home of the original “cheese heads”. Oh, and the Green Bay Packers American football team! As the only community owned football team in the U.S. no other city is as closely associated with a sports team as Green Bay. If you are an American football fan this city is a must stop. Tour the Packer Hall of fame and Lambeau field. Now it’s just a quick 45 minutes to Sturgeon Bay in scenic Door County. Once there you can swim, fish, sail, golf, pick cherries, hike, shop the farmer’s market, or tour an art gallery – take your pick the day is yours.
Day 9 Sturgeon Bay - Milwaukee
Distance: 155 miles
Milwaukee – home of Happy Days, Harley Davidson, Miller Brewing Company, the Milwaukee Brewers major league baseball team, and the largest music festival in the world – summer fest – just to name five! Whatever you do, make sure to visit the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM). Set right on Lake Michigan, the building itself is awe inspiring and the collections impressive. Also plan to visit the Historic Third Ward, adjacent to downtown. A trendy rejuvenated warehouse district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it offers trendy art galleries, restaurants, specialty shops and the Milwaukee Public Market. Baseball fans must see a game in Miller Park. The stadium is state of the art and the beer is cold! Speaking of beer – Miller Brewing Company is open year round for tours. If that isn’t enough, in the summer there is a festival on Lake Michigan nearly every week, so we’ll be sure to clue you in on what’s going on before you go.
Day 10 - 11 Milwaukee - Chicago
Distance: 90 miles
You have 3 options:
- Drive straight to Chicago, goodness knows there isn’t much time left!
- SHOP… you thought we forgot!! Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall is shopper’s paradise and half way between Milwaukee and Chicago. With over 200 stores, attractions, and restaurants (including a Rain Forest Café) you’ll know we saved the best for last.
- RIDE – the roller coaster that is. Six Flags Great America is also located in Gurnee, Illinois and has not 1, not 2, not even 3, but 12 world class roller coasters! Soar on the brand new facedown Superman Ultimate Flight coaster. You’ll see the coasters from the motorway and will be sorry you didn’t stop!
Whatever you decide, plan on being in Chicago for dinner and it has to be a famous deep dish pizza at Gino’s East. In a word – historic – and that is from someone who isn’t even fussed about pizza! Travelling without the kids? Take in a great Chicago Blues club like Buddy Guy’s Legends. Open 7 days a week with cool on tap!
There is a lot to pack in today. Start at the John Hancock Building and the stunning new observatory. On the 94th floor, you’ll be able to see 80 miles and across 4 states. Plus you can walk the open air skywalk for views 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile. Didn’t shop yesterday? Next stop the Magnificent Mile, aptly named for the mile long stretch of fabulous shops – 460 at last count. One last look at Lake Michigan? Then you are off to Navy Pier which is bustling with shops and restaurants. Sit outside and watch lakefront life pass you by.
Want to extend your holiday? Our holidays are flexible.... Call Bon Voyage to discuss the options available to you.
