Overview
Travel through time alongside your students on this Mackinac Island adventure! Your class will explore Fort Mackinac and Colonial Michilimackinac—a living history museum that recreates life during the American Revolution for voyagers, British soldiers, and French-Canadian merchant families. Your students will also discover an 18th century sawmill, take in a thrilling lumberjack competition, bike the perimeter of the island, and take in the breathtaking view from Castle Rock.
Itinerary
Day 1
Lunch
Travel to Mackinaw City, MI
Colonial Michilimackinac visit
Take a trip back in time to a reconstructed 18th century French and British fur-trading fort and watch historical interpreters recreate life in the 1700s as they blacksmith, cook, and garden. This open-air museum has one of the longest, ongoing archaeological digs in the U.S.
Historic Mill Creek visit
Explore beautifully kept hiking trails through the forest and up to the Treetop Discovery Tower where you'll find sweeping views of the city. Visit this reconstructed 18th century sawmill and witness the creek's power as you watch costumed sawyers use water-powered machinery to cut timber.
Dinner
Lumberjack show
Watch world champion lumberjacks face off in a fast-paced competition of turn-of-the-century skills, including logrolling, speed pole climbing, and axe throwing.
Day 2
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Cross the “Big Mac” Mackinac Bridge
Cross this incredible feat of human engineering, the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere at 5-miles long, and understand why it's a point of pride for Michiganians.
Castle Rock visit
Climb to the top of this historic limestone rock that rises 195 feet above sea level, known as "Pontiac's Lookout" by the Ojibwa Tribe. You'll find breathtaking, panoramic views that stretch up to 20 miles, featuring Mackinac Island, Lake Huron, and downtown St. Ignace.
Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry
Travel via ferry to this serene, car-free island. Step up to the top deck of the ferry for panoramic views of the historic Mackinac Bridge as you approach the Mackinac Island.
Fort Mackinac visit
Feel the thunderous boom of the iconic Fort Mackinac cannon firing and learn about the 18th and 19th century American history. Visit 14 original, restored buildings and learn about the soldiers' lives here, as well as the U.S. Army's evolving technology throughout the years.
Lunch
Mackinac Island self-guided bike tour
Bike around the picturesque and quaint Mackinac Island where you'll capture spectacular views of Lake Huron from every angle on this leisurely 8.2-mile loop. Take a break from biking and walk up 200 feet to view the 4,000-year-old limestone formation, Arch Rock.
Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry
Travel back to Mackinaw City from Mackinac Island.
Depart for home
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes from Mackinac Island
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.