14 Night Chicago to Montreal Cruise and Land Tour from Chicago

Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. For your convenience, American Queen Voyages Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and the friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Representatives from AQV and a local port/city partner will be available to provide you with dining, entertainment, and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

Bold, brazen and distinctly American, Chicago has personality to spare. From our embarkation point at Navy Pier, to towering skyscrapers, to regional cuisine and a quirky dialect, this city represents the heart and soul of the Midwest. Chicagoans are easy to recognize and quick with a smile and a lighthearted quip. The quintessential Chicago experience is a visit to the 24.5-acre Millennium Park, a well-loved public space that is home to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, iconic Cloud Gate - a shiny bean-shaped sculpture, famous Crown Fountain, and Lurie Garden. Admire Chicago's architecture and history on an organized excursion or an informal walking tour through the city. Navy Pier is a good place to sample the local fare. Deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, or signature Chicago dogs... you decide. Shoppers are in for adventure along the Magnificent Mile, a 14-block stretch of Michigan Avenue, from the Chicago River to Oak Street. Here, you'll find malls and boutiques selling designer fashions as well as more affordable clothing. Keep in mind, this area is congested with shoppers - especially around the holidays and on weekends - so it's best to map out which shops you'd like to visit in advance. Not a shopper? Perhaps plan to visit the acclaimed Adler Planetarium or take the high-speed elevator up to the observatory at 360 Chicago, where, on a clear day, you can see Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The TILT attraction on the Skydeck open-air viewing deck lets thrill-seekers test their fear of heights as you admire Michigan Avenue, 1,000-feet below.

Located where a river meets the beautiful Lake Michigan, Muskegon has been known as the Lumber Queen of the World, the Port City, and the Riviera of the Midwest. Despite its various nicknames, the city has always been linked to the fresh waters that inspired its growth and have maintained its quality of life. Fur pelts, pine logs, and piston rings have traveled these waters to market. The Hudson Bay Company found riches in the furs from local forests. Chicago rebuilt itself with Muskegon timber after the great fire of 1871. During the lumbering era, Muskegon boasted more millionaires than any other town in America. Maritime history lovers will want to tour the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum. Landing Ship, Tank (LST), or tank landing ship, is the naval designation for ships first developed during World War II to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto shore. This enabled assaults on almost any beach. The LST had a specialized design that enabled ocean crossings as well as shore groundings. The bow had a large door that could open, deploy a ramp, and unload vehicles. This outdoor recreation hub of Michigan's sunset coast also offers beautiful beaches, scenic forests, and bountiful fishing. Residents have an appreciation for history and its significance while creating a new progressive identity. An optional premium experience takes guests by motorcoach to Grand Rapids to visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum to learn about America's 38th president and pay respects at his burial site.

Our riverboat docks at Sturgeon Bay, located midway along the 90-mile Door Peninsula in Door County, Wisconsin. Named for the long, fish-shaped bay it borders, Sturgeon Bay was settled in 1850 when the first house was built along the waterfront. The town developed quickly after that and, later in the 19th century became a center of stone quarrying, with five quarries shipping limestone to ports throughout the region. In the 1880s, a new canal safely linked Sturgeon Bay to Lake Michigan, attracting thousands of ships and making Sturgeon Bay a center of maritime traffic and shipbuilding. Today Sturgeon Bay is a fishermen's mecca, with some of the best bass fishing in the world. In addition to fishing, outdoor pursuits include kayaking, canoeing, biking around town or off-road on trails in Potawatomi State Park, or strolling the sand dunes at Whitefish Dunes State Park. The area also offers a 1.2-mile "Bridge Walk" across two of the three local bridges. Visitors can tour a restored tug or stop at the U.S. Coast Guard Canal Station lighthouses for views of the canal. To learn more about local history, it's best to experience Heritage Village at Big Creek or the Door County Maritime Museum. To stimulate your brain's right side, a casual stroll down historic 3rd Avenue is enlightening. Here you can visit art galleries, specialty gift shops and boutiques, and pause to soak in the scene with a snack and beverage at a local restaurant, cafe, brewery, distillery, or winery.

Escanaba, Michigan, nicknamed "Esky" by locals, is a travel destination worth exploring. The name translates to "land of the red buck" in Algonquian dialect of the Anishinaabe tribe that flourished in the area in the early 1900s. The city of Escanaba played an important role in the American Civil War as the supplier of lumber and iron ore, both resources having been abundant in the area at that time. Today, Escanaba's industrial impact has decreased as the demand for iron ore diminished, but its travel appeal has made headway as it boasts many natural attractions and activities. While a small town with a population of just over 12,000 people, Escanaba has a rich culture similar to that of Wisconsin. There are parks, boating, beaches, historical sites, and more. However, Escanaba is most known for its theater and performing arts. Home to the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, the Waterfront Art Festival, the Players de Noc, and many other arts organizations and galleries, entertainment is never far. And with lush parks, easy access to water sports, and waterfront sunsets, plus the must-have Yooper pasty delicacy (think, empanadas!), Esky offers many delights for you to enjoy.

Scheduling one of the available Mackinac Island cruises is an excellent way to explore the area. These cruises take you to beautiful Mackinac Island, where you can spend time among nature or stroll the downtown area. As most of the island is covered by a state park (about 80%), you'll find stunning views wherever you turn. Multiple opportunities abound for taking a step back into Mackinac Island's rich history with immersive experiences featuring living history interpreters. Guided by a comfortable vessel, visiting Mackinac Island is an excellent option for a getaway. This island is a unique destination famous for its car-free streets and fudge. It features many family-friendly activities and attractions that appeal to various interests, including a butterfly house. Mackinac Island, Michigan Cruises: History of the Area: Although the robust fur trade continued into the 1800s, the military and economic significance of Fort Mackinac was waning. By the latter half of the 19th century, tourism had emerged as the hallmark of Mackinac Island. Much of the land, designated a national park, was staffed by soldiers from the fort. Coastal resort hotels and Victorian cottages were developed. As more vacationers arrived, entrepreneurs worked to make Mackinac Island synonymous with fudge. In the 1920s, downtown shops innovated the brilliant techniques of demonstrating fudge making right in front of customers and using large ceiling fans to waft the sweet scent out into the street. And although Oldsmobile was making automobiles in nearby Lansing, Mackinac Island banned cars - a distinctive characteristic that remains to this day. Trapped in time and surrounded by staggeringly beautiful landscapes, visitors have found this treasured landmark to be the ideal vacation spot for centuries. No cars. No chain hotels. Just world-famous Mackinac Island Fudge, historic Fort Mackinac, and unique shopping. With awe-inspiring sunrises and unforgettable sunsets, Mackinac Island centers the spirit and soothes the soul. Visitors can experience the tranquil pace on a tour by horse-drawn carriage, just as they did back in 1920. You can tour the Biddle House and get a feel for domestic life during the fur trade. Fire a cannon at historic Fort Mackinac. Or explore the beauty of Mackinac Island State Park. Alternatively, enjoy stunning views of the Straits of Mackinac from the colossal porch - the world's longest - at the legendary Grand Hotel, opened in 1887.

Sault Ste. Marie or "the Sault" is located in Michigan and Ontario. There are two separate cities side by side in different countries; bridged together by name and commerce. Culture beats through street veins that connect these harbors to the distinctly different North American countryside beyond each border. Sault Ste. Marie is the oldest city in Michigan, and among the oldest cities in the United States. Some 2,000 years ago, Native Americans settled here for the fish and fur found along the rushing waters of the turbulent river that linked the Great Lakes of Huron and Superior. In the 1600s, French fur traders began calling this burgeoning settlement Saut de Gaston. In 1668, the Jesuit explorer Fr. Jacques Marquette renamed it Sault Ste. Marie in honor of the Virgin Mary. Throughout its history, the St. Mary's River has continued to dominate the life and events of Sault Ste. Marie - as it continues to do so today. Sault Ste. Marie is home to historical sites, lighthouses, pristine nature preserves, and the spectacular Tahquamenon Falls - it has a drop of nearly 50 feet and is more than 200 feet across. Peer into the past at the preserved fur traders' settlement homes on Water Street on an included tour. You will also view the fascinating Soo Locks built by the Fairbanks Scales company, despite challenging construction conditions. The system of two locks, in tandem, each 350 feet long, are the busiest locks in the world and include the largest lock in the Western Hemisphere.

These waters are home to a vast variety of wildlife - trout, salmon, walleye, smallmouth bass, crawfish, freshwater sponges, and sea lamprey, to name a few. That buffet attracts raptors such as hawks and bald eagles and waterfowl such as ducks, swans, and geese. Relax and enjoy the view on your own time on this peaceful lake cruising day. Sip a midmorning consomme, breathe in the fresh lake air on the upper deck, share convivial conversation with other guests, or delve into a captivating book as you look forward to yet another astounding sunset on the water.

The Detroit cruises take you along the Detroit River to top destinations throughout Canada and the US. Join the cruises to Detroit, which make stops in cities such as Chicago and Toronto. Along the way, you can explore various cities and locations via exciting excursions, such as a tour of Niagara Falls. Schedule your Detroit River cruise today! Detroit, commonly known as the "Motor City", is vibrant, progressive, and busting at the seams with charm. The West Canfield Historic District, located on Canfield Avenue between Second and Third streets, is the only block in Detroit lined on both sides with well-preserved Victorian homes and broad sidewalks. Corktown, the city's oldest neighborhood, has charming little shops and great places to eat. If architecture and history are appealing, visit the Guardian Building. Built in the 1920s, this building known as the Cathedral of Finance, is one of the foremost Art Deco style skyscrapers in the world. In addition to history, the city has many museums to see and experience. The Detroit Institute of Arts has one of the largest and most significant art collections in the country, with over 100 galleries to peruse. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, located inside the Midtown Cultural Center, is one of the world's oldest independent African American museums. Detroit is the home of MOTOWN so to see where some of the greatest legends in R&B recorded their tunes, visit the Motown Museum. Last, but not least, is the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, which showcases more contemporary art. Other highlights include One Campus Martius, an office building that has become an attraction for its 14-story lobby waterfall. An optional premium experience to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation lets you chronicle the captivating history of the automotive industry. Visitors are astounded by the museum's vast and varied artifacts of American heritage. Why cruise the Detroit River? Whether traveling on cruises from Detroit or selecting an option with Detroit as a stop, you'll encounter many exciting shore excursions that allow you to step into each city's past briefly. During a Detroit River cruise, you'll explore the border between Canada and the US, providing an exciting trip. Join a Detroit River cruise to see top attractions like Niagara Falls. You can also travel through the Thousand Islands, enjoy a slice of deep dish pizza in Chicago, or visit the famous bridge, "The Sault". These excursions are available through various Detroit cruises.

Step off the ship onto what some call America's "North Coast" and discover why Clevelanders are so fiercely proud of their home. The reinvented city reverberates with vitality and a cool new atmosphere. Expand your mind at the world-class Cleveland Museum of Art, with over 45,000 works to explore. You can also feel the backbeat at the museum devoted to one of America's finest gifts to the world - the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. An optional premium experience to Geauga County offers a glimpse into a simpler way of life with a visit to an Amish home for a traditional wedding feast.

We dock at Port Colborne, located on Lake Erie. Originally called Gravelly Bay, after the shallow, bedrock-floored bay upon which it sits, the city traces its roots to the United Empire Loyalist settlements established in the area following the American Revolution. The original village was renamed after Sir John Colborne, the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada at the time the Welland Canal's new southern terminus opened in 1833. In the year 1888, American tourists from southern states began building vacation homes on the lakeshore of the western edge of the town. By 1890, these southern transplants had created an entire gated community called the Humberstone Club. Over 30 grand summer homes, along with a variety of clubhouses and service buildings, were built along the lake in the following years, many of which still stand today on historic Tennessee Avenue. Described by the city as "Niagara's South Coast", tourism is important to Port Colborne's local economy. The city features live theatre, golfing, trails, fishing, beaches, restaurants, recreation, a marina, and shopping districts along the Welland Canal. But most American Queen Voyages guests will consider Port Colborne as the gateway to Niagara Falls, which is approximately 45 minutes away by coach. Since its formation 12,000 years ago, the power and grandeur of Niagara Falls has been coveted by explorers, honeymooners, daredevils, and the curious. An optional premium experience ferries you past the roiling waterfall whitewater and massive rock formations; followed by a tasting at a local winery and time to shop for souvenirs.

A Frenchman named Etienne Brule was sent into the "Canadian" wilderness by the famous explorer Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600s. Brule found the river and portage routes from the St. Lawrence Seaway to Lake Huron, possibly Lakes Superior and Michigan, and eventually Lake Ontario. The native Huron peoples had long called this area between the Humber and Don rivers "Toronto", believed to mean "meeting place". A bustling village evolved into a French trading post. After the British won the Seven Years' War, the settlement was renamed York in 1793. More than 40 years later, the city officially became Toronto on March 6, 1834. Following an unsuccessful American invasion in 1812, several devastating fires, and a rebellion in 1837, there was a slow but steady increase in the population of white Anglo-Saxon Protestants leading into the 20th century. Unlike the USA's "melting pot" concept, Toronto can be described as more of a "tossed salad" of ethnic groups. Since World War II, the city has attracted residents from all over the world; more than 27.5 million visitors annually. Indeed, Toronto is the leading destination for tourists in Canada - a bold, dynamic city offering superb attractions, music, and events. This vibrant, modern city with 19th-century flair offers a cultural kaleidoscope for residents and visitors alike. Considered Canada's premier metropolis, the diverse city also provides diverse dining delicacies. Perhaps visit historic St. Lawrence Market, where the flavors of Toronto have come alive in authentic artisan foods for more than 200 years.

The port of Gananoque is located at the confluence of the St Lawrence and Gananoque rivers, in the heart of the Thousand Islands - a North American archipelago comprised of 1,864 islands that straddle the Canada-U.S. border in the St Lawrence River as it emerges from Lake Ontario. They stretch for about 50 miles (80 kilometers) downstream from Kingston, Ontario. The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario and the U.S. islands are in the state of New York. Recognized as one of Eastern Ontario's most stunning waterfront communities, Gananoque can mean "Water Rising over Rocks" or "Garden of the Great Spirit", depending on who you ask. And equally colorful is the life of Joel Stone, who was granted the land by the British in 1793. He started with 700 acres and a flour mill, and then saw potential to develop lumbering, mining, and milling. Indeed, by the early 19th century, the Gananoque River was lined on both banks by numerous mills, a tannery, tool manufacturing plant, and harness and carriage factory. The influence of the river to the town continues today, for the people that call this place home, those that summer on the islands and visitors. The natural beauty of the Gananoque region has been a conduit for the creative community. Whether one is artsy with a twist of outdoorsy or a bucket list traveler in need of a dash of adrenaline, there is never a shortage of things to do, places to visit, and memories to make.

Enjoy your day at sea - a day to rise with the sun and meet with friends in the restaurant of your choosing over breakfast...or sleep in and order room service. Gather in for snacks and games in one of many intimate venues or take in the view from the observation deck with your favorite cocktail in hand. This day is yours to craft as you desire.

As your American Queen Voyages journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town - whether it's an optional premier post-cruise experience or a quick transfer to the airport for your final trip home - your AQV team can pre-arrange everything for you.