Mackinac Island & the Great Lakes Self-Launched: Detroit to Chicago in 8 Days
8 days · Great Lakes, USA
Globus charges £4,115
No-markup version: ~£1,065 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the coach and do this classic Great Lakes loop on your own terms — Detroit to Chicago via Frankenmuth, Mackinac Island, Petoskey, Traverse City and Grand Rapids. You'll hit every iconic stop (Henry Ford Museum, Mackinac Island carriage rides, Grand Hotel lunch, Frederik Meijer Gardens) using rental cars, ferries and public transit instead of a guided motorcoach. Budget accommodation swaps in at hostels and mid-range guesthouses, but the experiences stay just as rich. All cost estimates are approximate and based on 2025 solo traveller rates in USD converted to GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Detroit
Detroit, MI
Fly into Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) independently — flights are not included in the Globus tour either, so you're on equal footing. Take the SMART bus or a rideshare (~£15) into downtown. Check into a downtown hostel or budget hotel near the riverfront. Spend the afternoon exploring the Detroit Riverwalk and the Motown Museum neighbourhood. Head to Greektown for a cheap, lively first dinner.
🚌SMART bus Route 125 from airport to downtown (~£3) or rideshare (~£15)
🛏HI Detroit Hostel or mid-range option such as Hostel Detroit (~£45–60/night)
- →Arrive at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- →Transfer to downtown Detroit by SMART bus or rideshare
- →Explore the Detroit Riverwalk on foot
- →Visit the Motown Museum neighbourhood
- →Dinner in Greektown
Detroit: Henry Ford Museum & Frankenmuth
Detroit to Frankenmuth, MI
Start with a self-booked visit to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn — tickets are bookable directly online (~£22). Then rent a car for the drive north to Frankenmuth (~1.5 hrs). In Frankenmuth, recreate the Bavarian dinner experience at Zehnder's of Frankenmuth or Bavarian Inn Restaurant — both offer authentic German-style family chicken dinners for around £18–24 per person. Browse the Bavarian-themed streets in the evening.
🚌Rental car from Detroit (~£35–45/day including fuel); pickup at airport or downtown
🛏Bavarian Inn Lodge or Drury Inn Frankenmuth (~£70–90/night)
- →Self-booked entry to Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation (~£22)
- →Drive north to Frankenmuth via I-75 N (~1.5 hrs)
- →Explore Frankenmuth's Bavarian-themed downtown
- →Bavarian family-style dinner at Zehnder's or Bavarian Inn Restaurant (~£20)
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland & Ferry to Mackinac Island
Frankenmuth to Mackinac Island, MI
Morning visit to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland — the world's largest Christmas store, free to enter. Then drive north to Mackinaw City (~2.5 hrs). Park your rental car at one of the long-stay lots in Mackinaw City (~£8/day). Catch the Shepler's or Star Line Ferry across Lake Huron to Mackinac Island (~£25 return). No cars are allowed on the island — horse-drawn carriages and bikes are the only options. Check into your island accommodation and enjoy the evening atmosphere of Main Street.
🚌Rental car to Mackinaw City; ferry to island (~£25 return, book at dock or online)
🛏Hart's Haven B&B or Haan's 1830 Inn on Mackinac Island (~£80–110/night)
- →Free entry to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
- →Drive north to Mackinaw City via US-23 (~2.5 hrs)
- →Park car at long-stay lot in Mackinaw City (~£8/day)
- →Shepler's or Star Line Ferry to Mackinac Island (~£25 return)
- →Arrive and explore Main Street on foot
Mackinac Island: Forts, Fudge & the Grand Hotel
Mackinac Island, MI
Mackinac Island is a full day of self-paced exploration. Rent a bicycle (~£12/half day) and circumnavigate the island's 8-mile perimeter — a classic. Visit Fort Mackinac for self-guided history (~£13 entry). For the Grand Hotel experience, you don't need the full guided carriage lunch — instead, pay the non-guest porch fee (~£12) to access the iconic Grand Hotel porch and enjoy a drink with the famous view. Stop at multiple fudge shops along Main Street for free samples. Arch Rock and Skull Cave are free and reachable by bike or on foot.
🚌Bicycle rental on island (~£12 for half day)
🛏Hart's Haven B&B or Haan's 1830 Inn on Mackinac Island (~£80–110/night)
- →Rent a bicycle and cycle the 8-mile island perimeter (~£12/half day)
- →Self-guided visit to Fort Mackinac (~£13)
- →Pay the Grand Hotel non-guest porch access fee and enjoy a drink (~£12 + drinks)
- →Sample fudge at Murdick's Fudge and other Main Street shops (free samples)
- →Visit Arch Rock and Skull Cave (free, accessible by bike)
Ferry Back & Coastal Drive to Petoskey via Charlevoix
Mackinac Island to Petoskey, MI
Take the morning ferry back to Mackinaw City and collect your rental car. Walk around Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and the adjacent Colonial Michilimackinac State Historic Park (~£13 entry — arguably better value than the Globus stop). Drive south along the scenic US-31 through Charlevoix (~1.5 hrs): browse the distinctive hobbit-house architecture and stroll the marina. Continue to Cross Village to visit Legs Inn for traditional Polish food and a drink — a legendary roadside stop. Arrive in Petoskey for the night.
🚌Rental car along US-31 coastal route (~1.5 hrs Mackinaw City to Charlevoix, 30 min to Petoskey)
🛏Apple Tree Inn Petoskey or Stafford's Perry Hotel budget rooms (~£70–90/night)
- →Morning ferry back to Mackinaw City (~£25 return already paid)
- →Visit Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and Colonial Michilimackinac State Historic Park (~£13)
- →Scenic coastal drive south via US-31 through Charlevoix
- →Explore Charlevoix's Hobbit Houses and marina
- →Stop at Legs Inn in Cross Village for Polish food and craft beer (~£18)
Traverse City Wine Country & Grand Rapids
Petoskey to Traverse City to Grand Rapids, MI
Drive south to Traverse City (~45 min), the 'Cherry Capital of the World'. Spend the morning in the historic downtown — browse the food hall, grab coffee and explore the waterfront along Grand Traverse Bay. Drive out to Old Mission Peninsula for free winery tastings if keen (~£10–15 tasting fees). Then drive to Grand Rapids (~2.5 hrs). Choose between the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (self-guided entry ~£18, no need for a guided trolley) or the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (free entry).
🚌Rental car: Petoskey to Traverse City (~45 min), Traverse City to Grand Rapids (~2.5 hrs)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Grand Rapids, e.g. CityFlatsHotel or Airbnb (~£55–80/night)
- →Drive to Traverse City via US-31 (~45 min)
- →Explore Traverse City historic downtown and waterfront
- →Optional: Old Mission Peninsula winery tasting (~£10–15)
- →Drive to Grand Rapids via US-131 (~2.5 hrs)
- →Self-guided visit to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (~£18) OR Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (free)
Drive to Chicago & City Sightseeing
Grand Rapids to Chicago, IL
Return your rental car and hop on a Flixbus or Greyhound from Grand Rapids to Chicago (~3 hrs, ~£15–20). Alternatively, keep the car and drive via I-196/I-94 (~3 hrs) and return it at O'Hare or downtown Chicago. On arrival, do a self-guided Chicago architecture and waterfront walk along the Riverwalk and Millennium Park (free). The Chicago Architecture Foundation boat tour (~£35) is a brilliant self-booked equivalent to a guided city tour. Head up to the 360 Chicago observation deck or The Bean for iconic views. Celebrate with a deep-dish pizza dinner (~£18).
🚌Flixbus Grand Rapids to Chicago (~£15–20) or rental car return at Chicago (~£35–45 day)
🛏HI Chicago Hostel or budget hotel in the Loop (~£50–80/night)
- →Flixbus or drive from Grand Rapids to Chicago (~3 hrs, ~£15–20 by bus)
- →Self-guided walk: Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park and The Bean (free)
- →Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise (~£35, book via their website or GetYourGuide)
- →Visit 360 Chicago observation deck (~£22) or Navy Pier (free to walk)
- →Farewell deep-dish pizza dinner at Lou Malnati's or Giordano's (~£18)
Chicago: Final Morning & Departure
Chicago, IL
Enjoy a final Chicago morning at your own pace. Grab breakfast at the Chicago French Market or a diner in the Loop. If time allows, visit the Art Institute of Chicago (~£22) or explore the neighbourhoods of Wicker Park or Lincoln Park on foot for free. Take the CTA Blue Line (~£3) to O'Hare or the Orange Line (~£3) to Midway for your departure flight.
🚌CTA Blue Line to O'Hare (~£3) or CTA Orange Line to Midway (~£3)
🛏Check out — tour ends
- →Breakfast at Chicago French Market or local diner
- →Optional: Art Institute of Chicago (~£22)
- →Explore Lincoln Park or Wicker Park neighbourhood on foot (free)
- →CTA train to O'Hare (~£3) or Midway (~£3) for departure
Self-launched vs. Globus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Globus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,065 | £4,115 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £3,050 per person (74%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Globus-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,065
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Mackinac Island & the Great Lakes Self-Launched: Detroit to Chicago in 8 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,065 per person for 8 days in Great Lakes, USA. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Globus?+
Yes — Globus charges around £4,115 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,065 — a saving of roughly £3,050 (74%) per person.
How long is the Great Lakes, USA trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Great Lakes, USA.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, road-trip, city-breaks trip through Great Lakes, USA, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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