MACKINAC ISLAND

ITINERARY

Monday, Aug 21st (D)

Travel Day - Shipshewanna, IN

The journey northward winds through rolling hills and changing landscapes toward the heart of Indiana’s Amish country, culminating in the charming town of Shipshewana. Upon arrival, visitors can immerse themselves in the area’s rich heritage by touring the quaint shops, horse-drawn buggies, and authentic craft markets that define this peaceful community. A highlight of any visit is dining at the renowned Blue Gate Restaurant, where a generous buffet dinner offers an abundant spread of traditional Amish and Midwestern fare—think crispy fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, fresh-baked breads, savory casseroles, and an array of homemade pies and desserts—served in a warm, family-style atmosphere that captures the simple, hearty spirit of Shipshewana.

Tuesday, Aug 22nd

Shipshewanna, IN (B,D)

Shipshewana offers a delightful immersion into Amish country charm, beginning with a hands-on pretzel-making class at Ben’s Soft Pretzels, where visitors learn the traditional Amish-inspired dough recipe, roll their own jumbo soft pretzels, and watch them bake fresh before enjoying the warm results with dipping sauces. Next comes a stop at Teaberry Woodworks, a family-run shop specializing in beautifully handcrafted wooden baskets, cutting boards, nativities, and unique home décor pieces that showcase skilled local craftsmanship. Guests can then explore the vibrant Amish markets, browsing handmade quilts, fresh produce, baked goods, and authentic crafts that capture the simple, high-quality lifestyle of the region. The day culminates by finishing in downtown Shipshewana, strolling its inviting streets lined with shops and historic charm, before settling in for a memorable family-style dinner at the Blue Gate Restaurant, where generous platters of fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, homemade noodles, vegetables, fresh bread, and pie are passed around the table in true Amish home-cooking fashion.

Wednesday, Aug 23rd

Mackinac Island (B,D)

Traveling north to Mackinac Island feels like stepping into another era as the ferry glides across the sparkling Straits of Mackinac, delivering visitors to a car-free paradise where horse-drawn carriages clip-clop along the streets, bicycles glide past Victorian cottages, and the air carries the sweet scent of freshly made fudge. The island itself is a timeless gem of natural beauty and history, with much of its land preserved as a state park, dramatic limestone bluffs, lush forests, and landmarks like Fort Mackinac overlooking the waters of Lakes Huron and Michigan. Upon arrival, checking into the legendary Grand Hotel—an 1887 Victorian masterpiece famous for its 660-foot-long porch—immerses guests in pure elegance, where the interiors burst with the bold, joyful vision of Dorothy Draper and her design firm. Draper’s influence, carried forward by her protégé Carleton Varney and the ongoing work of Dorothy Draper & Company, transformed the spaces with maximalist flair: vibrant florals inspired by the island’s gardens, dramatic stripes, black-and-white checkerboard floors, rich colors, and uniquely decorated rooms that ban beige in favor of theatrical, unforgettable glamour.

Thursday, Aug 24th

Mackinac Island (B,D)

Enjoy a free day to explore Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel.

Friday, Aug 25

Bronners Christmas Shop and Frankenmuth, MI (B)

Frankenmuth, Michigan, offers a charming detour into the heart of “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” a picturesque town founded by Bavarian Lutheran immigrants in 1845 and celebrated for its authentic German architecture, flower-lined streets, horse-drawn carriages, and warm hospitality that evokes a European village. Visitors stroll past half-timbered buildings, sample famous family-style chicken dinners, and soak in the festive atmosphere that defines this popular destination year-round. A highlight of any stop is Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store, founded in 1945 by Wally Bronner and sprawling across a massive Alpine-style complex the size of several football fields on beautifully landscaped grounds. Inside, more than 50,000 ornaments, trims, nativities, and gifts from around the world fill aisles of perpetual holiday cheer, with hundreds of decorated trees, personalized keepsakes, and the glowing outdoor Christmas Lane inviting guests to celebrate the season any day of the year.

Saturday, Aug 26th

Return Home (B) Arrive in Nashville