Day 1: This morning we start our adventure for leaf-peeping in the Northwoods while getting acquainted with our traveling friends.

Day 2: Continuing north and east we make our way through Wisconsin. After lunch, we make a stop at a Wisconsin Cheese Store. By evening we check into our waterfront hotel in Marquette MI for our 3-night stay. (B, D)

Day 3: This morning a local guide will join us as we drive deeper into the woods for a backroads tour of spectacular fall colors. As we experience the autumn landscape, our drive takes us winding past Sugarloaf Mountain, Hogback Mountain, and over the Yellow Dog River. We will make scenic stops past trees that arch over the roadways forming tunnels of color. Lunch is at the Historic Thunder Bay Inn in Big Bay MI. This afternoon another local guide joins us for a guided Marquette city tour. We visit the Maritime Museum and Lighthouse. This museum is one of the best-kept secrets in the Upper Peninsula featuring shipwrecks from Lake Superior. We also receive a guided tour of the Marquette Lighthouse, one of the most historic navigation beacons on Lake Superior and critical to the development of the Great Lakes iron ore trade. (B, L, D)

Day 4: This morning we visit Porcupine Mountain for a stop at Lake of the Clouds Overlook. This afternoon experience the thrill at Cooper Peak Adventure Ride. Ride a chair lift to the hilltop then take an elevator to the ski jump observation deck for stunning views of the Northwoods. By evening we check into our hotel for a 2-night stay in Ashland, WI. (B, D)

Day 5: We are in for a real treat on this beautiful fall day. We are off to the Apostle Islands for the Grand Tour. This tour takes us on a narrative, informative 55-mile scenic tour. Throughout this cruise, we will pass extraordinary natural scenery, beautiful historic Raspberry, and Devils Island Lighthouses, standing rocks, extensive sea caves, and marine wildlife. We learn the rich history of centuries of human interactions with Wisconsin’s “Crown Jewels” on majestic Lake Superior. Lunch today is at the Old Rittenhouse Inn’s Landmark Restaurant, which is a Queen Anne Victorian home completed in summer of 1890 as a summer residence. (B, L)

Day 6: This morning we take a ferry to Madeline Island. The 25-minute voyage provides spectacular views of the colorful trees around the lake and several of the 22 Apostle Islands. On the island, we have a guided tour including the village of LaPointe, Madeline Island Historical Museum Tour, Historic Catholic Mission Cemetery along with other points of interest. After lunch on the island, the ferry takes us back to the mainland. By late afternoon we arrive in Duluth MN and check into our hotel. Tonight, enjoy the best table in Duluth while taking in Northland’s exquisite fall season on the Vista Dinner Cruise of the harbor. Take in never-ending views with narrated highlights of all the harbor activities while enjoying a relaxing fall-themed dinner. (B, L, D)


Day 7: Today we visit the Minnesota Transportation Museum and ride the Osceola & St Croix Valley Railway. Enjoy the beauty of the St. Croix River Valley as it can only be seen from a train. Box lunches are served aboard the train. Then it’s time to continue south for our overnight stay in Iowa. (B, L)

Day 8: This morning we continue towards Kansas while reminiscing about the beautiful, interesting, and educational things we have seen and experienced together during the last 8 days. (B)