Leisure travelers have sailed the Great Lakes for more than 150 years, reveling in the outstanding natural beauty of the landscape surrounding chain of five freshwater lakes that form part of the United States-Canada border and contain 21% of the earth’s fresh water. The grand tradition of luxury cruising through this network of lakes continues unabated today, and the attractions on the lakes’ shores have only increased in number. There really is something for every interest to be found in the Great Lakes. Here are three we think should not be missed:
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Located in Cleveland on the shores of Lake Erie, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the largest and most significant testimony to music that is synonymous with twentieth century politics and culture. Fans of rock music flock to the museum to walk through the exhibits located on seven floors, which chart the development of rock music from its earliest days, and celebrate the individuals on the museum’s famed inductee list. The iconic I.M. Pei building also is home to famous memorabilia associated with famous artists, including Michael Jackson’s famous glove from “Thriller,” handwritten lyrics by Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche.
Mackinac Island
History buffs flock to Mackinac Island year round to enjoy a taste of what life was like 100, 200, or even 300 years ago. Mackinac Island was an important trade landing in the early days of European colonization of the New World and was known to have been sacred spot to the Native Americans for more than 700 years before white men set foot on the continent. Mackinac became a popular summer resort for wealthy Americans in the nineteenth Century and much of the Victorian charm of this era has been preserved in the island’s current iteration as a National Historic Landmark where no motorized vehicles are allowed, only horse drawn carriages (and roller skates)!
The Soo Hoo Locks
Engineering enthusiasts won’t want to miss the impressive Soo Hoo Locks through which freighters, barges, and tugboats have traversed the 21-foot drop between Lake Superior and Lake Huron for more than 160 years. Designed to enable safe passage for trade boats through the dangerous rapids (or in French “sault”) the first lock was engineered in 1797, though destroyed by the American forces during the War of 1812. From 1855, however, American ingenuity made it possible for American entrepreneurship to flourish through the all-important conduit of the Great Lakes’ network. Today 10,000 ships pass through the locks from March - December.
Find out more about cruising through the Great Lakes by speaking to one of Alexander + Roberts’s knowledgeable reservation agents about our Small Ship Discovery voyage on the m/v Victory:
America’s Great Lakes.