North America is a perennial chart-topper with the British market. While first-timers may head straight to the tourist hot spots, for those who want to explore further afield the Great Lakes region is a rewarding alternative.
Clustered around lakes Superior, Erie, Michigan and Huron in the northeast of the country, the states of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana are home to some of the US’s most iconic attractions.
The gateway to the region is Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, which is serviced by daily, direct British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow, and from Manchester by American Airlines.
There are also plenty of fun ways to get around. The region is well connected to the Amtrak rail network, or clients can opt for an RV motorhome, rent a Harley or go for a classic flydrive package.
Here’s a guide to some of the best attractions the region has to offer:
Cleveland, Ohio
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Arguably the best music attraction in the world, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is more like going to a party than visiting a museum. The floors of this visually spectacular building are an extravaganza of memorabilia, movies, music and interactive exhibits.
Watch a home game: Cleveland’s Downtown area is awash with stadiums, making it a mecca for sports enthusiasts. Whatever time of year your client visits, there’s bound to be either a baseball, ice hockey, basketball or football match that you can prebook them tickets for.
Playhouse Square: Cleveland’s theatre district is second only to New York in the number of productions staged each year. Seats, however, cost a fraction of what they would in the Big Apple.
- Where to stay: The recently renovated Ritz-Carlton is contemporary, elegant and the des res of Downtown.
Sandusky, Ohio
This area is Lake Erie’s waterfront playground, where the white-sand beach is backed by thrill rides.
Cedar Point: With 17 roller coasters – that’s more than any other amusement park in the world – Cedar Point is the place for adrenaline junkies to get their fix. Dragster is the scariest. It launches you 420ft, reaching a speed of 120mph in just four seconds. There are rides and playgrounds for tots and little kids, too, with the new Planet Snoopy proving a big hit.
- Where to stay:Castaway Bay, a hotel resort with its own water park, or Lighthouse Point, which offers luxury cabins on the shorefront next to Cedar Point, and has an RV camper village.
Detroit, Michigan
Known as motor city because it was where car-manufacturing moguls such as Henry Ford founded their empires, Detroit also lends its nickname to one of the most successful record labels of all-time: Motown. I
n recent years, the city has made huge strides in shedding its gritty reputation with a major facelift for the Downtown area and the addition of a pedestrianised waterfront. However, it’s still advisable to drive or take a cab rather than walk when exploring at night.
The Henry Ford Museum: Feast your eyes on an enviable display of auto eye-candy, which includes the last Model T Ford ever built and the first Mustang to come off the production line. Henry was also an avid collector of vintage Americana, also displayed.
The Motown Museum: This pint-sized building produced big names such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Gladys Knight. A tour takes you behind the scenes and then into Studio A where all the hits were recorded – and where visitors get a chance to take the mic.
MotorCity Casino: Retro-style neon, glitz and glamour – this is the place to see and be seen. Listen to the Motown-style bands on stage and the chink of quarter coins being dropped into the slot machines at an alarming rate.
- Where to stay: The Detroit Marriott Hotel at the Renaissance Centre is right on the waterfront with sweeping views across to Canada.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum: This museum, right next to the track, charts the rise of the Indy 500 race – held here each May – alongside a collection of early sports cars. Recommend the Grounds Tour to your clients. At certain times of the year, clients can do three laps of the circuit behind the wheel of a genuine Indy car.
Eiteljorg Museum: A collection of Native American and Western art interspersed with historical artefacts that tell the tale of the Wild West era.
- Where to stay:The Hampton Inn is comfortable and convenient.
Chicago, Illinois
The ultimate metropolis of the Great Lakes region and the home of Blues music, Chicago is a walkable city bursting with energy.
Millennium Park: Take a stroll around its contemporary sculptures and fountains, shop at the exclusive boutiques and department stores on the Magnificent Mile, and board a river cruise to marvel at the city’s skyscrapers. At the end of the day head for a bird’s-eye view of it all from the Sears Tower.
- Where to stay: Park Hyatt Chicago has luxury rooms, pool, spa and gym overlooking the cityscape and is within walking distance of the major attractions. Essex Inn has floor-to-ceiling windows and a swimming pool in a glass atrium.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Harley-Davidson Museum: Visitors get to swoon at the racing, business and pleasure incarnations of these sought-after ‘iron horses’. Just as much fun is admiring those parked outside by the Harley-Davidson fans who see visiting the museum, which opened last year, as a pilgrimage.
Milwaukee Art Museum: Looks good on the outside and is filled with treasures on the inside. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava’s design has wings that flap at noon.
Festivals Park: Nicknamed the City of Festivals, there are back-to-back events held at Milwaukee’s open-air exhibition space on the shores of Lake Michigan throughout the summer. These include Pride and Summerfest – the largest music festival on the planet, with 11 stages and 700 entertainers.
On the waterfront: Walk or cycle along the lake, through the parks and to the beach where you can watch volleyball matches or top up your tan.
- Where to stay:The Iron Horse is a newly opened, luxury, minimalist, boutique property with a motorbike theme, a fantastic restaurant and a lively bar.
Sample packages
North America Travel Service offers an Amtrak in the Great Lakes Region itinerary from £1,256 per person, incorporating 11 days/10 nights in Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Detroit. The price includes return flights with British Airways between Heathrow and Chicago and Amtrak transportation. northamericatravelservice.co.uk, 0113 246 1466
Travel 2 offers motorhome holidays in the Great Lakes region from £1,169 per person. The price includes return flights to Chicago from Heathrow, one night’s accommodation at the Hilton O’Hare (you must have a night in a hotel before collecting a motorhome) and seven nights’ C-19 motorhome vehicle rental. travel2.com, 0800 022 4182
Virgin Holidays has a seven-night fly-ride break, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow direct to Chicago and Harley-Davidson motorbike rental from £1,453. Prices are per person, based on two adults travelling between April 5-30 2010. virginholidays.co.uk, 0844 557 3860
