Fly Drive packages

Arrive in Chicago and pick up the rental car at the airport, then proceed to the hotel. Take the rest of the day to explore the many sights of the "Windy City." Visit the Sears Tower, the John Hancock Center or the Amoco Building, some of the tallest buildings in the world, which offer observatory decks for a panoramic view of Chicago.

This morning at 08:00 hours you will be met by an AmericanTours representative and be provided with complete documentation including driving instructions and maps for your tour. Leaving Chicago, drive northwest and enter the state of Wisconsin. Pass through the state capitol, Madison on the way to the circus city of Baraboo. Continue to Wisconsin Dells where boats and ducks take visitors to the scenic bluffs of the Upper and Lower Dells cut by the Wisconsin River. Then continue on to La Crosse where the Black and La Crosse rivers meet. German and Norwegian immigrants drawn by the extensive pine groves populated this area and spread their culture throughout the town.

Today’s scenic drive follows the Mississippi River made famous in American history by Mark Twain’s novels. Enjoy spectacular views of the Mississippi River from atop the bluffs in O.L. Kipp. Winona, once a busy steamboat landing in the 1800s. Continue north to the city of Red Wing, a scenic river town brimming with Victorian architectural treasures. Cross into Minnesota and proceed to Minneapolis.

Minneapolis, one of the Twin Cities, is home to America’s best known retailers along Nicollet Mall, a pedestrian walkway. Summit Avenue, the longest avenue of Victorian mansions in America, leads to the cathedral of St. Paul. In Bloomington, Mall of America is the largest shopping entertainment complex in the United States. Enjoy Minnesota’s no-tax-on-clothing policy in over 5000 stores, 7 acre indoor Camp Snoopy, Underwater World Aquarium, restaurants, cinemas, and a nightclub district.

The port of Duluth is a city of gracious old homes, sitting on the shores of Lake Superior. In lakeside Canal Park, restaurants, nightclubs, shops, sightseeing cruises and ore-carrier tours entertain visitors. Cross back into Wisconsin to explore the quaint lakeside village of Bayfield and the pristine Apostles Islands. Cruise the islands aboard an excursion boat or take a short ferry ride to Madeline Island to tour Big Bay State Park. Overnight in Ashland.

Today travel into Michigan and explore the picturesque Keweenaw Peninsula. See historic Fort Wilkins and visit the Delaware Copper Mine before continuing by the L’Anse Indian Reservation to Marquette.

Follow scenic State Route 28 to Munising. Cruise boats go past the Pictured Rocks celebrated in Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha." This stunning area is conserved as the nucleus of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Continue by the two striking Tahquamenon Falls to St. Ignace.

Take the ferry to the timeless resort island of Mackinac, where cars are not allowed. Bicycles and horse-drawn carriages rule the roads. Visit Fort Mackinac, perched on a bluff overlooking the harbor, and enjoy the view from the magnificent veranda of the elegant old Grand Hotel. Return to St. Ignace late afternoon.

Cross the impressive bridge over the straits and visit Colonial Fort Michilimackinac. Then continue to one of the world's largest cherry growing regions and see some of the largest sand dunes along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Overnight in the resort town of Traverse City.

Drive across the state of Michigan to the university town of Ann Arbor and on to Dearborn, where you may visit the Henry Ford Museum. Arrive in Detroit, the nation's automobile manufacturing center, where the Civic Center and resurgent downtown core rise beside the river.

Cross into Canada and drive through the province of Ontario to one of America's great natural wonders: Niagara Falls.

A full day to enjoy the staggering power and beauty of Niagara Falls. A ride on the "Maid of the Mist" brings visitors close to the thundering waters. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Horseshoe Falls from vantage points at the Table Rock Scenic Tunnels. Another option would be a day trip to the Canadian Metropolis of Toronto.

Return into the United States and drive by Buffalo, through the state of New York and into Pittsburgh.

Enter the Buckeye State and discover the "New American City" of Cleveland, home of the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.

Today continue on scenic Route 6 along Lake Erie by Vermilion to Sandusky, then enter Indiana. Discover the colorful and historic northern part of this state, home of the third largest Amish community in the country and catch a glimpse into the daily life of this extraordinary cultural group. Overnight in Nappanee, the heart of Indiana's Amish Country.

Drive along scenic U.S. 12 back into Illinois and to Chicago, the beginning and end of the Great Lakes tour. Return the car at the airport before the departure flight.