Public Tours: Call for details: 248-619-6692 -- I do offer private tours for your group however, I need a minimum of 15 people to attend. Check the site or call me for the schedule and the point of departure and return. This site is always changing.
Unless noted, all Tours Are $80 per person & return @ 6:30 PM. Meals/snacks included. Please call for more details. Tours are updated weekly.
Always bring a camera for unique photo opportunities.
Make checks payable: Step On Bus Tours. Send to the address listed below.
Tours may be canceled if minimum attendance requirements are not met.
UPCOMING TOUR SCHEDULE:
April 26, 2013 Boats, Barons & Bootleggers—Detroit supplied the nation with more than 60% of alcohol during Prohibition. The Purple Gang was all the rage and ran the illegal alcohol industry and sidebar activities in the City. We will visit the actual haunts and homes. Re-enactors will tell the story. $70.00/ person
May 3, 2013 Mariachis, Tamales & Murals—Ole' Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the unique identity Mexicans celebrate in both Mexico and the United States. Mexicantown has plenty to offer on this guided tour. The tour will include stops at Deli, two restaurants, unique candy, bakery delights and much more. Also includes an hour and half stop at MGM Casino. $65.00/person
TOUR SOLD OUT - May 8, 2013 Holland Tulip Festival—Welcome to the Tulip Time Festival! Since 1929, the small city of Holland, Michigan has blossomed with literally hundreds of thousands of tulips – and an equal number of tulip-lovers who attend our annual Tulip Time Festival. Our docent-led motorcoach tour will take us past extraordinary colorful gardens, to the Dutch Market Platz, a stage performance, vendor shopping galore and a wonderful filling lunch. Tour the Market to see and taste Dutch foods and wares. There will be carnival rides. See how wood shoes are made, enjoy the parades and with all the crazy floats, bands and themes. $65.00/person
May 10, 2013 Holland Tulip Festival—Welcome to the Tulip Time Festival! Since 1929, the small city of Holland, Michigan has blossomed with literally hundreds of thousands of tulips – and an equal number of tulip-lovers who attend our annual Tulip Time Festival. Our docent-led motorcoach tour will take us past extraordinary colorful gardens, to the Dutch Market Platz, a stage performance, vendor shopping galore and a wonderful filling lunch. Tour the Market to see and taste Dutch foods and wares. There will be carnival rides. See how wood shoes are made, enjoy the parades and with all the crazy floats, bands and themes. $65.00/person SAME TOUR AS MAY 8TH, WITH PLENTY OF SEATS AVAILABLE
May 17, 2013 Amish Quilts, Crafts & Small Item Auction—Amish farms will hold their Quilt Auction and crafts with as many as 500 vendors selling crafts, antiques and flea market items. This is an exciting opportunity to mingle with Old Order Amish. There will be several hundred quilts auctioned. Because this event draws so many people, there will be a shuttle service should tour-goers wish to be adventurous and explore the city of Clare. Shopping opportunities abound. Bus will be equipped with boxes and coolers for purchases. Breakfast will be provided on the way and lunch will be on your own on the Auction premises or in Clare. $75.00/person
May 19-20, 2013 Shrine of Christ's Passion—This is an incredible tour that features a lot of interesting places to visit. We'll start with a tour by the artist of his works in St Catherine of Siena Church in Portage. Check in our hotal. Head over to Mendon for a vigil tour of St Edwards then over to Notre Dame where we will explore the Church and more. There will be plenty of shopping and dining opps. The next day we will see the Shrine of Christ's Passion, St John, IN hten on to our Amish meal. . $199.00/person (based on double occupancy)
May 31, 2013 Elegant Edsel & Eleanor Ford House—This vibrant tour winds through Grosse Pointe & Detroit lakeshore with a docent tour of the elegant Edsel & Eleanor Ford Mansion and grounds. Tour Guide Rose Szwed shares delightful commentaries, fascinating facts and sights about Jefferson Avenue and Lakeshore Drive. With stops along the way to appreciate the art and historical significance. Enjoy Belle Isle's historic structures, lunch at a private Yacht Club (with a complete tour of the artifacts on loan from the Detroit Institute of Arts) and docent tour of Grosse Pointe's St. Paul Cathedral. This trip includes roundtrip motorcoach, lunch and a few off-the-beaten path stops to astound and delight. $65.00/person
June 7, 2013 Arts, Amish & Adventure—Get ready to experience the world of horse and buggies. Enjoy a home cooked Amish meal in an Amish home, tour an Amish garden & horse farm, an authentic Amish pharmacy, Amish grocery store and more! A great way to learn about this unique lifestyle. $80.00/person
June 13, 2013 Wine Tasting & Herb Farm—Visit an Herb Farm which offers guests an opportunity to meander through the lush gardens and grapevine arbors where they will find special water features that attract birds as well as butterflies. Gardens are packed full of herbs and flowers that are home to a variety of creatures. One may see dragonflies sunning themselves as they lounge near one of our water features. Guests are welcome to visit the gift shop and other farm facilities where they will get a first-hand look at restored farm buildings that include three distinct and beautifully appointed dining rooms. Tour will stop at a historic Bed and Breakfast, two wineries and specialty stops. $65.00/person
June 21, 2013 Southwest Sacred Sites, Shrines and Sanctuaries—Did you know that an eight-mile walking path connects several spiritual centers in southwest Michigan? Our motorcoach tour will explore a Mennonite Retreat, an Episcopalian Abbey with monks living under the Rule of St. Benedict, a contemplative retreat center started by a Trappist Nun and the Peace/Sound Chamber. We will also visit a Catholic Church in Portage where the artist will give a talk about his stained/etched glass, central crucifix, paintings and more. Entry fees and hearty lunch included. $80.00/person
July 12, 2013 Gold, Diamonds & Pawnshops—Experience the shops from the TV Shows "Pawn Stars" and "Antiques Roadshow" as well as an additional very high end, suburban pawnshop. To complement the tour, a detective will speak to us about the ins and outs of the burglary industry and how thieves "fence" stolen merchandise Stop at DuMouchelle's for a tour and return later for an auction. $75.00/person
July 16, 2013 Antiques & Garden Tour—This is a treasure hunter’s tour. If you’re looking for an eclectic mix of antiquing, resale shopping, sales and deals and toss in a docent-led tour of the gardens of Michigan State, this is it. A box lunch is supplied along with snacks. We’re going to hit antique stores and more, including special stops in Mason’s historic Old Town, specialty shops, galleries and more. Lots to see and do. There will also be a scavenger hunt with a $10 gas card & other cool prizes to the winner. $55.00/person
July 26, 2013 Bounty Hunters: Raiders of Human Property—This is part Underground Railraod and part Bounty Hunters. Three separate docents on thsi tour that swings in teh far Southwest Michgian area combined iwth Northern Indiana. First time offered. $85.00/person
August 1, 2013 Fashion & Fun—We start at an authentic Canadian Tearoom, where you will enjoy the typical charming atmosphere, friendly service and exceptional food of the region. And whether you're a size 6 or a Plus Plus, you can take part in a fashion show featuring exciting lines by Tribal Fashions, French Dressing and more. Then on to an aggregation of wonderful specialty shops, featuring the elegant Ladies' Boutique. Afterwards, there will be a surprise casino stop. $80.00/person REMEMBER: you will need a passport, enhanced driver's license or passport card to cross the border for this trip.
August 9, 2013 Historic Toledo Churches—Tour a variety of historic Catholic Churches around Toledo area including Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, Sacred Heart Church, Historic church of St Patrick and two other historic area churches. Tour each of the churches and learn their rich history and how it affected the city of Toledo. We will partake in prayers at one location and also visit a Catholic religious goods store. There may be a visit to a convent as well. $65.00/person
August 13, 2013 Chocolate, Cheese & Churches—This fun tour will take us to a variety of historic churches of all denominations from Jackson to Kalamazoo filled with fantastic food fare. We’ll get an artist led tour of St. Catherine’s of Siena in Portage, a docent-led tour of Temple Beth Israel & Cemetery, one or two churches in Bronson Park Historic in Kalamazoo. We’ll stop for personal tours at Chocolate and Cheese Shops. We’ll munch with the monks for lunch at St. Gregory’s Episcopalian Abbey where we will tour the grounds. $70.00/person
August 15, 2013 White Wine or Red—Whatever your choice, you'll find great pairings in Ontario's Sun Parlour. We'll take country roads to our first stop, to sample the gifts from the Canadian land. Using locally grown herbs and produce, you can make your own pesto and salad dressing, from easy recipes to tempt and tantalize. We'll visit an authentic 140-year old English-style barn, where the Culinarist tours us through a shop featuring edible wreaths and other gifts from her garden. And because wine always seems to taste better when you've met the people whose craft and passion go into each bottle, we'll tour the winery, perhaps walk through the vineyards and then sample a few of the vintages that are making Ontario noted in the vintner's trade. . $80.00/person REMEMBER: you will need a passport, enhanced driver's license or passport card to cross the border for this trip.
August 23, 2013 Quilts, Quakers & Questors: The Underground Railroad—We will explore the secret passageways of the Underground Railroad that paved the route to freedom for many fugitive slaves in Southwest Michigan. During the tour you will explore actual stops, the home of Sojourner Truth and her gravesite, sites of the Kentucky Raid and much more. $80.00/person
September 6, 2013 Arts, Amish & Adventure—Get ready to experience the world of horse and buggies. Enjoy a home cooked Amish meal in an Amish home, tour an Amish garden & horse farm, an authentic Amish pharmacy, Amish grocery store and more! A great way to learn about this unique lifestyle. $80.00/person
October 4, 2013 Octoberfest, Brats, Shokolade & Swordplay —Enjoy lunch at an authentic German restaurant along with visiting a German market and gift shop. Learn about Germans in Michigan, hear from a medieval knight swordsman and experience a swordplay demonstration. Will also visit a German Import store, German church, bakery and explore German art. There will be entertaining talks about German songs and history along with lots of yummy treats. $80.00/person
October 8, 2013 Haunted Houses of Marshall—We all think we've seen 'em, but so stylish? Docent led. This will wow. Lunch at Win Schulers on your own. $65.00/person
October 11, 2013 Wonderful Witches & Wizards—Experience the treasures of Houdini, Thurston and Michigan's own Blackstone among hundreds of others. We'll visit the magical city of Colon, see the graves of the famous magicians and vaudevillians, have magic performed for us and then move on to the American Museum of Magic. Harry Blackstone Sr. will resurrect to perform the tour. Both have delighted the public with wonders of magic, celebrating the contributions and life stories of magicians from around the globe. Immerse yourself in the largest collection of magic artifacts on display anywhere in the U.S. Discover what has been described as "the Smithsonian of American Magic." $80.00/person
Contact me to request a tour for your group.
GIFT CERTIFICATES are available for a scheduled tour or for a specified amount where the recipient can then choose their own tour.
PAYMENT: Payment for all tours is due 2 weeks before the tour date (unless other arrangements have been made with the tour director).
PICK UP LOCATIONS: Pick up locations vary by tour and are determined by what is convenient for the majority of the tour attendees. Locations will be finalized in writing 10 days before the tour and attendees will be informed where and when to meet.
DEPARTURE TIMES: Please note that departure times are firm. We are unable to wait for late arrivals. Please respect everyone's time and pleasure in the trip by arriving at least 15 minutes before the departure time specified on your confirmation notice. There is no refund given if you are late and miss a tour.
The site is updated monthly. Always call for details.
