Explore with Viking—Great Lakes

See the sights of Milwaukee, on the shores of Lake Michigan, during a panoramic excursion. Meet your guide at the pier and set out by motor coach to delve into the city’s past and present. Your guide will regale you with historic tales of the first European settlers who arrived on these shores during the early 19th-century, creating distinctly German, Irish, Polish and Italian neighborhoods. Stop in front of the Milwaukee Art Museum to behold the stunning Quadracci Pavilion, a winged structure designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Learn about the North Point Lighthouse and stop to visit the Pabst Mansion, a grand Flemish Renaissance Revival-styled house built for the founder of the Pabst Brewing Company. Cap your tour with a visit to Milwaukee-born Harley-Davidson campus and gift shop, before returning to your ship.

Explore the history of American achievement during the 20th century at the Henry Ford Museum of Innovation. Founded by famed automobile manufacturer Henry Ford, the museum contains an extensive collection of historically significant artifacts and Americana that tell the story of 20th-century American society. Enjoy a guided tour, during which you can admire American ingenuity through exhibits showcasing the evolution of presidential limousines during the past century and a replica of the airplane flown by the Wrights at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Enjoy free time to browse the museum’s many culturally important items, such as the limousine President John F. Kennedy was riding in on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, President Abraham Lincoln’s chair from Ford’s Theatre and the Montgomery bus where civil rights icon Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat in 1955.

Discover the charming downtown of Alpena during a guided walk. Meet your knowledgeable guide and set out to see the sights of the town called the “Sanctuary of the Great Lakes.” You will pass notable landmarks, including the IOOF Centennial Building, a well-preserved example of late Victorian-era commercial architecture, as well as a number of historically significant and uniquely shaped buildings that tell the story of the development of Alpena. Learn the story behind the inspiring murals on display throughout the downtown district and gain insight into local life in Alpena. Cap your walk with free time to explore the displays and artifacts at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, including an immersive storm experience while standing on the deck of a full-size replica of a schooner. Afterward, you will walk back to your ship.

Discover the historical sights and yesteryear charm of scenic Mackinac Island. A National Historic Landmark, the island has undergone extensive preservation and restoration, including the banning of almost all motor vehicles. You will embark on a horse-drawn carriage ride to view major landmarks. See Fort Mackinac, one of the few Revolutionary War fortresses still in existence. Built atop a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, this former military outpost was the site of two strategic battles during the War of 1812. Admire the elegant facade of the Victorian-era Grand Hotel; a vacation destination for several US presidents, the hotel’s 660-foot-long front porch is billed as the “longest in the world.” Stroll the bustling downtown streets, then enjoy free time to explore the shops or sample the island’s renowned fudge.

Admire the power and majesty of nature during an excursion to view the world-famous Niagara Falls. Retreating glaciers and meltwater combined to create the falls—Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil—at the end of the last Ice Age more than 10,000 years ago. Reaching heights of up to 187 feet and measuring 2,590 feet wide, an astounding 600,000 gallons per second wash over Horseshoe, the tallest of the falls. From your berth at Port Colborne, travel north through the Canadian countryside of the Niagara Peninsula to the falls, which straddle the border between the United States and Canada. Take a walk along the top of the gorge, gazing down in awe at the thundering waters as they cascade over the edge of the falls. Afterward, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Immerse yourself in Thunder Bay’s maritime heritage during a museum visit and boat ride over storied shipwrecks. Begin your exploration at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. On arrival, you will enjoy a video presentation showcasing the area’s shipwrecks and the research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Explore the exhibits with your guide, including a replica of a 19th-century schooner and simulator where you can experience the sensation of being caught on the water in the middle of a storm. Learn about the history of Great Lakes shipping and the many tragic shipwrecks that reside on the bottom of Lake Huron, as well as stories of miraculous survival, then view artifacts recovered from the lake. After, embark on a cruise into Thunder Bay with an expert archaeologist on board a purpose-built, glass-bottom boat to glimpse the ships beneath the surface.

Marvel at the power of Horseshoe Falls during a thrilling boat ride to the turbulent pools at its base. Reaching heights of up to 187 feet and measuring 2,590 feet wide, an astounding 600,000 gallons per second wash over Horseshoe, the tallest of Niagara’s three waterfalls. From your berth, travel north through the Canadian countryside of the Niagara Peninsula to the falls, which straddle the border between the United States and Canada. Take an eye-opening stroll along the top of the gorge, gazing down in awe at the thundering waters as they cascade over the edge of the falls. Then, don your rain poncho and take an exciting boat ride to the foot of Horseshoe Falls. Look up to view the falls as they cascade from above, creating a wall of mist and a deafening roar. Afterward, you will return to shore and your ship.

Take to the streets of Mackinac for a walk that will offer insight into the island’s history, culture and heritage. At the pier, meet your knowledgeable guide, who will offer an insider’s perspective into life on the island as you pass important historical, cultural and architectural sights. Your route will take you by charming Market Street, the bucolic green space of Marquette Park, the island’s bustling harbor, historic Victorian-era cottages and hotels, and Mission Church—built in 1829, it is the oldest surviving church in the state of Michigan. You will also pause to take in the sweeping views from scenic East Bluff. Conclude your tour at a local fudge shop, where you will have an opportunity to sample these tasty local sweets, before returning to the pier and your ship.

Explore the highlights of Mackinac Island and enjoy lunch at the iconic Grand Hotel. Set out on a leisurely horse-drawn carriage ride—almost all motor vehicles are banned from the island—to see the island’s major sites. See charming cottages nestled between landmarks such as the Governor’s Summer House, Arch Rock and Fort Mackinac, one of the few Revolutionary War fortresses still in existence. Built to defend the surrounding waterway, the fort sits atop a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac; it was the site of two strategic battles during the War of 1812. Continue to the elegant Victorian-era Grand Hotel; built in 1887, this Queen Anne-style hotel is a registered National Historic Landmark. Cap your visit with a buffet-style lunch while taking in sweeping views of the Straits of Mackinac from the world’s longest front porch, followed by free time.