Great Lakes Tours & Trips
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The best Great Lakes tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaGreat Lakes travel expert at TourRadar
Best of Eastern Canada (End Montreal, 9 Days)
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Optional excursions were reasonably priced. Suggest you put together other places in each city as a walking guide.”
Joyce, traveled in October 2023
Waters thunder at Niagara's Horseshoe Falls before sailing through 1000 Islands from Kingston's harbor. Luxuriate at lakeside Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls-Fallsview, unlock hockey secrets at Oakville Academy. Indigenous culture comes alive at Madahoki Farm near Ottawa, while Ravine Winery offers tastings overlooking Lake Ontario.
Duration 9 days Destinations Toronto, Niagara Falls (USA), Kingston, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Trafalgar From $3,450
10% Off- US$3,105You save $345
Ontario & French Canada (6 destinations)
169 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Hotels were fabulous too.”
Sue, traveled in June 2023
The Great Lakes reveal their majesty aboard Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise and Thousand Islands boat tour. Toronto's CN Tower, Kingston's historic waterfront, and charming summer homes along St. Lawrence River await. Centrally located hotels provide bases for immersing in the region's maritime culture and natural wonders.
Duration 8 days Destinations Toronto, Niagara Falls (USA), Kingston, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Cosmos From $1,805
12% Off- US$1,591+$110 upfront costsYou save $213
Niagara Falls Toronto & 1000 Islands – 3 Days
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Leif and Peter were excellent tour guides, very knowledgeable, and Roberto the driver made us safe during 3 days travel.”
Kathleen, traveled in October 2023
The Great Lakes showcase their finest attractions: Niagara's American Falls and Horseshoe Falls, Toronto's vibrant waterfront at HTO Park, and the historic 1000 Islands. Your adventure includes Maid of the Mist voyage and stays at Wyndham Super 8 and Comfort Inn.
Duration 3 days Destinations New York City, Finger Lakes, Niagara Falls (USA), Toronto, Thousand Islands National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese Operator Amadeo From
12% Off- US$570
Mackinac Island featuring Niagara Falls
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodation, sights and food were all great. We highly recommend with this trip.”
Great Lakes gems shine from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, showcasing Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Mackinac Island's Victorian charm. The historic Island House welcomes you, Grand Hotel's famous lunch buffet delights, while Frankenmuth's German culture enchants. Bavarian dining and Niagara Falls illumination complete your journey.
Duration 8 days Destinations Buffalo, Erie, Cleveland, Dearborn, Mackinac Island, Frankenmuth, Niagara Falls Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operator Tours of Distinction From $2,499
8% Off- US$2,299You save $200
Algonquin Log Cabin 3-Day Canoe and Hike Adventure
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had the A-team for sure, Nicolene, Baris and Reese, it would not have been a great experience without you.”
Rowena, traveled in August 2022
The wilderness of Great Lakes unfolds from Algonquin Log Cabin base. Crystal waters of Surprise Lake, Otter Bay's beaver habitats, and spectacular Lookout Bluff vistas await. Three days of adventure feature gourmet meals, sauna access, and comfortable chalet accommodation.
Duration 3 days Destinations Algonquin Provincial Park Age Range 6 to 80 year olds Operator Voyageur Quest From
8% Off- US$518+$66 upfront costs
What people love about Great Lakes Tours
- Ontario & French Canada (6 destinations)
Yes Tour Was Great we got to see more places this way than if we would have not taken a tour.
- Niagara Falls Toronto & 1000 Islands – 3 Days
Leif and Peter, were excellent.. tour guides very knowledgeable, as well as Roberto the driver, made us safe during 3 days travel
This trip was fantastic. We loved visiting Mackinac Island and everything in between.
Mackinac Island featuring Niagara Falls
Travel Great Lakes your way
Explore a wide diversity of coach / bus tours through Great Lakes. We have 12 adventures that vary from 3 days to 11 days. With the greatest number of departures in July, this is also the most popular time of the year.
See all Coach / Bus toursDiscover hidden gems and off-the-beaten paths with over 39 adventures available in Great Lakes.
See all Explorer toursSelect from our extensive range of 42 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Great Lakes with our expert guides leading the way.
See all Fully Guided toursChoose from over 15 cultural tours and explore historical sites, local traditions and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Great Lakes. Our cultural tours vary from 3 days to 19 days.
See all In-depth Cultural tours
Top operators in Great Lakes
- 4.5 (2,038 reviews)
"Optional excursions were reasonably priced. Suggest you put together other places in each city as a walking guide or short taxi or uber ride. Example access to close by museums open late and could walk to from hotel. Free time activities and what they are and where located is helpful.tour guide can offer to accompany a group interested to explore more during free leisure tome.Provide more detail info about the logistics of site visits. Niagara falls..suggest more water proof gear clothing and shoe types etc. Terrain to expect when visiting certain sites and possible alternatives.climbing and how difficult-easy or more strenuous or advanced climbing activity. Overall, small groups so much better than filling up bus. Thank you for giving single travelers their own bus space. Would love to watch more travel videos on longer driving distances.
- Tours
- 1 tours
- Age range
- 5 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 11h
- Response rate
- 96%
- Average price
- $570
- 4.5 (1,954 reviews)
"Day 1 and 3 of this tour were great. I really enjoyed it. However, Day 2 to Toronto was quite a boring day. No real highlights just a lot of time spent on the bus in traffic. Overall the trip was not very well organised and we ran late all the time. This was mostly due to a group of passengers who had their own interpreter/guide who did not advise them on appropriate group travel etiquette. They were completely incapable of conforming to departure times. Left the rest of the passengers annoyed by the delays they caused. Also it would help if the driver had a clear understanding of the route!
- Tours
- 1 tours
- Age range
- 1 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- Active
- Response time
- 25h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $285
- 4.5 (142 reviews)
"This was one of the most fun trips my best friend and I have taken, and all credit goes to Loretta, our tour director. She was kind and efficient, and you can tell she really cares about her job and the people she shepherds around the world! She is so accommodating and empathic. I do wish we hadn't had to wake up so early every morning but I understand that's a risk you take when signing up for a multi-destination trip. I also enjoyed every location we visited.
- Tours
- 5 tours
- Age range
- 12 to 100 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 13h
- Response rate
- 92%
- Average price
- $427
Great Lakes tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
44 tours in Great LakesExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Great Lakes. We have 44 adventures that vary from 3 days to 15 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
8 tours in Great LakesVisit Great Lakes with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Private / Personalized
11 tours in Great LakesThe Algonquin Log Cabin program offers a real private wilderness experience. You'll master paddling skills, trek Kitchie Island and explore Otter Bay with guides who know every corner. There's a dedicated chef preparing gourmet meals, comfortable cabin stays and also nighttime adventures in a 26-foot Voyageur Canoe. Our travelers often mention how knowledgeable the guides are, how good the food is and also how well the program balances active time with moments to relax. Want more hiking or paddling? Maybe focus on wildlife photography? We can adjust the program to match what you're after.
Top Great Lakes travel itineraries to fit your plans
Our 3-day Great Lakes tours pack quite a bit into a short time. The Algonquin Log Cabin program teaches you proper canoe skills while you explore - you'll paddle out to spot beaver lodges in the morning mist and hike through Kitchie Island. Our guides know every inch of these waters, and travelers tell us they love finishing their days with gourmet meals in the warm cabin setting. For Niagara focus, we run several tours from New York through the Finger Lakes, where you'll walk Watkins Glen Canyon and get up close to the falls on the Maid of the Mist. The Toronto-Niagara tours add city elements, with time to explore the historic Distillery District and also evening views of the illuminated falls.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
GANANOQUE, Thousand Islands National Park
A week gives you much more to explore around the Great Lakes. The Chicago-Toronto route really lets you get to know both cities - from Chicago's Millennium Park and Loop district through Michigan's charming Saugatuck and on to Niagara Falls' Canadian side. Our travelers particularly enjoy how the tour mixes city walks, visits to places like the Henry Ford Museum and also nights out in lively spots like Greektown.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls, Corning, New York City
Ten days opens up even more possibilities. From Chicago, you'll wind through Cleveland's Little Italy and excellent Art Museum, spend two nights taking in Niagara Falls, then continue to New York's financial district and Times Square. Another popular option heads toward Washington DC instead - you get all the Great Lakes highlights plus Capitol tours, Potomac River cruises and also dinners in Georgetown's restaurant scene.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, Niagara Falls
Demographics
Solo travelers find a welcoming home on our Eastern Canada circuits. You'll explore Toronto's neighborhood food scenes, experience Niagara's raw power and also discover quiet corners in the Thousand Islands. Our guests tell us they love having their personal space on the bus while still enjoying group dinners in places like Old Montreal's charming streets. The Algonquin tours work especially well - shared cabins and group activities naturally bring everyone together during canoe training, trail hikes and also late-night stargazing.
Couples love how our Niagara-Toronto tours set the mood just right. The journey starts with wine tasting in the Finger Lakes, flows into intimate dinners at Skylon Tower watching the illuminated falls, and includes quiet moments in Niagara-on-the-Lake's charming Victorian streets. Many couples tell us they treasure their evening cruises through the Thousand Islands, peaceful walks in Quebec City's historic quarter and also private dining experiences in local gems. The mix of guided activities and couple time works perfectly, especially in Ottawa's ByWard Market and Montreal's Old Port.
Young adults click with our active itineraries that mix city energy with real outdoor challenges. You'll go from Toronto's entertainment scene and underground city networks to tackling Watkins Glen's winding gorge trails. The schedule includes Montreal's night spots, local food market visits and also plenty of free time to explore urban areas solo. Our Algonquin packages draw lots of young travelers - you'll learn proper canoe skills, swim under waterfalls, cook over campfires and also paddle under incredibly clear starlit skies.
Senior travelers appreciate our tours that blend comfort with real cultural experiences. The pace feels just right, with well-located hotels, easy walks through Old Quebec's historic streets and also scenic routes along the St. Lawrence River. Everyone enjoys exploring Kingston's heritage sites, visiting Notre-Dame Basilica and touring Ottawa's Parliament Hill. Our older guests often mention how much they value having their luggage handled between stops, included meals at local spots and also the freedom to join activities that match their energy levels. The mix of guided visits and free time lets everyone find their own rhythm.
Families get real value from our Great Lakes tours that blend learning with genuine fun. Kids love getting onto the ice at professional hockey facilities, where actual coaches teach them shooting and scoring techniques. The nature parts really come alive at Watkins Glen Canyon and on those Niagara Falls boats - nothing beats seeing your children's faces light up when they feel that cool mist. At Madahòkì Farm, families connect with indigenous culture through traditional dances, stories and also hands-on activities. As evening falls, everyone gathers to watch Niagara's light shows, and in winter, the torch-lit broomball games on frozen lakes create lasting memories. For families with older kids, our Log Cabin programs hit the sweet spot with canoe lessons, wildlife watching and also guided walks through ancient forests.
Solo Travelers46 tours- Couples34 tours
- Seniors (50+)17 tours
Best time to visit Great Lakes
- Spring 2025
- 21 tours
- popular 36 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer around the Great Lakes opens up so many possibilities. The longer tours connect multiple cities, letting you take boat rides at Niagara Falls, then explore Toronto, Ottawa and also Montreal. Our travelers get really excited about the hockey training - you'll work with pro coaches who provide gear and proper ice time. Out in Algonquin, you're right on the water - early morning paddles through the mist, waterfall swims, fishing on quiet lakes and also watching for moose near the shore. Some trips include extra touches like meals at traditional sugar shacks, time with indigenous cultures at Madahòkì Farm and night paddling under really clear starry skies. Our customers often mention how much they enjoy mixing active time on the water with learning about local culture.
- 37 tours
- 36 tours
- popular 38 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
From what our travelers tell us, Globus and Trafalgar stand out for organizing tours that really work well. Their guides like Susan Andrews and Gladys get a lot of praise - they know their stuff and make the whole experience better with their local knowledge and good planning. The coach tours do a solid job getting people to multiple places efficiently, though you should know some days involve quite a bit of time on the road. It's worth noting that while the included activities are generally good value, some of our customers mention the optional extras can get pricey - particularly those special dinner events. One traveler pointed this out after their Quebec City experience. A nice thing about these companies is how they balance structure with free time. The guides keep things running smoothly but don't overload you with endless facts and figures. Both operators clearly put effort into planning routes that make sense and include the key sights while keeping the travel pace manageable. I should mention the feedback on optional activities is mixed - while some find them expensive, others say they're worth it for the unique local experiences. It really depends what you're after. The main itineraries are well-tested though, and that's where both companies consistently deliver good value.
- popular 40 tours
- 34 tours
Contact our Great Lakes travel experts
Evan
Expert in Great Lakes at TourRadar
Evan is one of our seasoned Great Lakes Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Great Lakes tours answered!
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