2021-Chicago to
Mt. Rushmore to Denver

Sunday, June 27 – Welcome to the “Windy City”, Chicago has everything you can want from a great international city. America’s third largest city is the birthplace of the skyscraper and Chicago has beautiful architecture. Chicago is also home to amazing food, hot dogs, steak and deep dish pizza. The Waldorf Astoria is located in the gold coast area of the city, close to Oak Street shopping.

Monday, June 28 – Depart Chicago this morning and drive through northern Illinois, then we will parallel the coast of Lake Michigan as we drive north. Lunch at the Harbor House in Milwaukee with beautiful lake views and New England style Seafood. Continuing our drive, we head north to the Osthoff Resort. The resort exudes a casual atmosphere with elegant surroundings and stunning grounds. Elkhart Lake is an authentic resort village which has grown from a summer resort town into a year-round destination.

Tuesday, June 29 – Door County is located on a Wisconsin peninsula that extends into Lake Michigan. With its rocky coastline, quaint villages, cherry orchards and picturesque lighthouses, Door County is pretty darn lovely! In the morning we will drive the eastern side of the peninsula up to the tip before stopping in Sister Bay with a beautiful marina and breathtaking shoreline. After lunch your afternoon is free to explore Door County.

Wednesday, June 30 – We will head toward Minnesota this morning, stopping in the town of Thorp for lunch. This afternoon we will tour the Holland Family Cheese factory and store. They use farm-fresh milk with traditional herbs, spices and berries gathered in the Netherlands to produce their cheese. We continue to Bloomington, Minnesota and the Mall of America. Since opening in 1992, the Mall of America has revolutionized the shopping experience of tens of millions yearly. CAUTION! Spending Danger Zone

Thursday, July 1 – Visit to Hastings, Minnesota where our morning adventure takes place as we play in the Extreme Sandbox. We enjoy lunch overlooking Lock and Dam #2 along the Upper Mississippi River. Watch the boats and barges pass through the lock. Your afternoon is free to enjoy the  Mall of America

Friday, July 2- New Ulm, was founded by German immigrants and they still hold tight to their German roots. We will enjoy a taste of Bavaria in a local New Ulm restaurant. We continue on to Pierre, South Dakota and the Signature Lodge. The lodge is one of the few hunting lodges to offer private guest accommodations. Chef Sean Finley prepares culinary specialties for your dining enjoyment tonight. Sleep well this evening in your quiet, elegant accommodations.

Saturday, July 3 – Drive across South Dakota to Custer State Park and stay at the State Game Lodge. The Lodge was built in 1920, it served as the “Summer White House” for President Calvin Coolidge. The location is central to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Black Elk Peak and Sturgis located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The park is 71,000 acres with lots of wildlife including a herd of 1300 bison. Fingerlike granite spires rise from the forest floor making this area known as the “Needles Region of South Dakota”.

Sunday, July 4 – PHOTO RALLY – Drive Badlands Loop Road, a two-lane road that passes through some of the most amazing buttes, cliffs and multicolored spires of Badlands National Park. Visit Mount Rushmore, far more impressive in person than any picture can convey. We will also visit the Crazy Horse Memorial still under construction on privately held land in the Black Hills.

Monday, July 5 – We drive to Denver, Colorado via Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Brown Palace Hotel is one of Denver’s most beloved and historic hotels, dating back to 1892. Early miners flocked to the west seeking their fortunes in gold and silver. Denver was a natural stopping point.

Tuesday, July 6 – End of Tour – Depart for home.