Do you remember studying geography in grade school, and learning that Lake Superior is the largest fresh water body in the world? Lake Huron is the third largest. People come from all over the world to explore the region, but it remains a less-frequented for domestic travellers.
We THINK we know the Great Lakes, but when you’re standing on the deck of a small ship, or walking a quiet lakeside trail, it might feel like the coast of Maine, the Norwegian Coast… or maybe just something wonderfully its own. There are beaches, lighthouses, forests, indigenous culture, small towns, ship wreck museums and more to be explored.
The area is HUGE. The surface area of the Great Lakes is about the same size as the United Kingdom, and if you take the ribbon of land surrounding the Great Lakes, the region is larger than MOST countries in the world. That puts it in perspective.
Things TO DO and EXPLORE in the Great Lakes Region:
- LOCKS & CANALS: You don’t have to go to Europe to traverse through canals and locks. There’s plenty in the Great Lakes. Most cruises in the region travel the 27 miles through the Welland Canal between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, traversing 8 locks.
- NIAGARA FALLS: Yes… very touristy, but there’s a good reason for that.
- CITIES: Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Toronto. Two of these will serve as terminus ports.
- MACKINAC ISLAND: There’s a charm to a place with no cars. You get around on foot, by horse drawn carriage, or bicycle. Also take a walk through the historic GRAND HOTEL.
- SHIP WRECK SPOTTING: You can take boat tours of the wrecks of ships from previous centuries that weren’t as lucky to make it across.
- WALKING and LIGHT HIKING: There are tons of National Parks (in both countries), and other lake side walking trails and other opportunities for outdoor exploration.
- SEA KAYAKING: You’re on fresh water, but you can still get out in a canoe or kayak.
- MUSEUMS: The history, culture, and geology of the region is represented in several museums in communities surrounding the Great Lakes
Exploring by CRUISE SHIP:
You’ll only unpack once, and can cover much of the region quickly.
- Port intensive itineraries – you typically have a port every day.
- Mix of the urban (see the city-list above), and natural splendors of this place.
Exploring by LAND TOUR
There are an endless number of possibilities in an area as large as this. Here’s a few:
- MICHIGAN circle tour, with sand dunes, lakeside towns, and Mackinac Island.
- NIAGARA FALLS to QUEBEC CITY – Experience urban delights in Toronto and Montreal, visit Canada’s Capital in Ottawa, and North America’s only walled city in Quebec.
- MINNESOTA to Thunder Bay with rugged cliffs, boreal forest, and incredible scenery.
- GEORGIAN BAY with cinematic landscapes and over 30,000 islands in Lake Huron.
It’s in your own backyard, and there’s lots to learn and discover in the region. See why the Europeans spend so much time in the beautifully natural part of the world.
Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED Podcast
Check out our UNPACKED PODCAST where Kim & Bob talk about travelling to the GREAT LAKES, why you want to go there, and the best way to explore the region.
In Case You Missed It:
Is VIKING CRUISES taking over the world? Probably not, but their growth is undeniable. Here’s what you can expect from Viking in the next few years:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/viking-whats-new/
ENGAGE or RETREAT: Vacation Planning questions to make your next trip more perfect:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/engage-or-retreat-vacation-planning/
OUR BACKSTORY: We found ourselves on the same cruise as a handful of our clients a while ago, and learned lots about them, and they about us:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/our-clients-and-our-backstory/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
The word “EXPEDITION” throws some people off. If you want to get a little off the beaten track, and explore the more remote corners of the planet, then an expedition ship is the best way to do it. Here’s a video we did to help people determine whether such cruises are a good match for them:
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
Exploring the GREAT LAKES with VIKING
In our summer months, Viking’s Antarctica ships ply the waters of the Great Lakes. This is a great way to see if an Expedition Ship is right for you, while exploring this extraordinary region.
GREAT LAKES with VIKING for 8-days between Milwaukee and Toronto
- Visit Toronto, traverse the locks of the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Point Pelee NP, Detroit, Alpena (MI), Mackinac Island, Milwaukee
- 2026: Nordic Balconies from $7995. Departures April through October
- 2027: Nordic Balconies from $5995. Departures May through September.
- Here’s our ITINERARY VIDEO from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/uDeGzBDb0mM
GREAT LAKES with VIKING for 15-days between Duluth MN and Toronto
- Visit Toronto, traverse the locks of the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Detroit, Alpena, Algoma (Wisconsin), Mackinac Island, Fathom Five National Marine Park (submarine available), Killarney (Ontario), Georgian Bay, Soo Locks transit, Silver Islet, Thunder Bay (submarine available), Duluth.
- 2026: Nordic Balconies from $16,995. Departures June through August.
- 2027: Nordic Balconies from $13,995. Departures May through August.
See our Ship Tour video of Viking Polaris here: https://youtu.be/izwAZ6NdFOo
See the Submarine and the HANGAR here: https://youtu.be/XlKq3ow2JrM
PONANT Small Ship Discovery of the GREAT LAKES
Ponant is an all-inclusive luxury small ship cruise line with a strong focus on the culinary offering, while exploring where other ships DON’T go:
Toronto to Milwaukee departing August 11 or 19 for 9-days (Smithsonian Journeys)
- Transit the Welland Canal, and visit Port Colborne (Niagara Falls), Parry Sound, Little Current (Manitoulin Island), Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Locks/foray into Lake Superior), and Mackinac Island before arriving in Milwaukee.
- Fares from $10,290
With just 184 guests, and your internet, gratuities, all beverages, and specialty dining included.
LAND Cruises of the GREAT LAKES with COLLETTE
MACKINAC ISLAND: Detroit to Chicago for 9-Days
- Start in Detroit, and then travel through Michigan to the scenic and historic Mackinac Island (with a two-night stay at the iconic Grand Hotel), visit Bay City, Frankenmuth, Dearborn (Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village) and finish in Chicago.
- Departures April through October from $3899
CANADA: Niagara Falls to Quebec City for 9-days
- Visit Toronto, Niagara on the Lake, Ottawa, Quebec City & Montreal.
- Experience the best of Canada’s urban scene, French culture, historic Quebec City, and the natural splendor of Niagara Falls.
- Departures May through October from $3599
TAUCK Great Lakes Cruise from Chicago to Toronto for 12-days
- Start with 2-nights in Chicago, then board the ship in Milwaukee and visit Muskegon, see the dunes in Saugatuck, Mackinac Island, sail the sunrise coast, Detroit (for Dearborn and the Ford Museum), Cleveland (for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), traverse the Welland Canal towards Toronto, and see Niagara Falls.
- Departures August and September from $10,990.
REGENT Seven Seas ALL-INCLUSIVE Luxury
Regent doesn’t operate on the Great Lakes, but here’s something in the region:
CANADA & NEW ENGLAND: New York to Montreal departing October 20, 2026 for 10-nights:
- Visit Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, Gaspe, Baie Comeau, Saguenay, Quebec City.
- Veranda Fares from $10,999.
OK… this next one’s a long way from the Great Lakes, but ECLIPSE CRUISES are selling quickly:
SOLAR ECLIPSE in the MED: Barcelona to Rome departing July 29, 2027 for 9-nights:
- Visit Alicante, Malta, Total Eclipse at Sea, Catania, Salerno, Golfo Aranci, Tuscany.
- Veranda Fares from $7999
TRAVELLING in SUMMER 2026? Be READY
FIFA WORLD CUP is the largest sporting event on the planet, and it’s coming to North America next summer. Even if you’re NOT a Soccer fan, you SHOULD have this on your radar if you plan to travel (internationally or domestically) in June or July of 2026. Here’s why:
- AIR TRAVEL domestically, as well as to/from Canada and Mexico will be very busy. You should be particularly aware of flights through Toronto and Vancouver.
- AIRPORTS: Even if you’re flying to Europe or Asia, domestic airports will be busy.
- HOTELS: If you’re trying to find lodging in a host city around game day, it will be tight.
- SECURITY: The security in airports and at venues will be enhanced, and slow everything down.
- SEATTLE & VANCOUVER: If you’re going to Alaska in June or July, book your hotel NOW. Both these cities are hosting multiple games.
- HOST CITIES:
- CANADA: Toronto, Vancouver
- MEXICO: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
- UNITED STATES: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle
FIFA’s impact on travel to host cities is equal to travelling to an Olympic Games. Be prepared.
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
