Toronto - Milwaukee

Toronto is Canada's most multicultural metropolis, where over 200 languages, the ROM's Libeskind crystal, Frank Gehry's AGO redesign, and neighborhoods spanning every cuisine on Earth create one of North America's most rewarding and underestimated cities. Visit September via Viking for the Toronto International Film Festival, waterfront island escapes, and the revelation that Canada's financial capital harbors cultural diversity rivaling any city on the continent.

Welland Canal, Canada, offers an authentic North American experience where stunning natural landscapes meet communities of genuine character. Visitors should explore the surrounding wilderness and sample the honest, locally sourced cuisine that defines the region. The ideal visiting period is May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration. Cruise lines including Hapag-Lloyd Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Cleveland is a reinvented Great Lakes city where world-class cultural institutions—the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the free Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Orchestra—meet a booming food scene anchored by the historic West Side Market. Must-dos include exploring University Circle's museums, dining in Ohio City, and hiking through the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Late May through September is the prime season for lakefront festivals and Great Lakes cruising.

Detroit, America's Motor City on the strait between Lakes Erie and Huron, is experiencing a remarkable renaissance with restored Art Deco landmarks, a world-class art museum, and the birthplace of Motown. Must-dos include the Diego Rivera murals at the DIA, the Motown Museum, and sampling Detroit-style pizza. May through October offers the best weather for exploring the revitalized riverfront.

Alpena is a small Michigan city atop the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where over two hundred shipwrecks lie preserved in Lake Huron's cold, clear waters — some with masts still standing after more than a century. Visit July through August via Viking's Great Lakes itineraries for glass-bottom boat encounters with 'Shipwreck Alley,' maritime heritage exhibits, and one of North America's most remarkable underwater archaeological treasures.

Mackinac Island is a car-free Victorian treasure in Michigan's Lake Huron, where horse-drawn carriages, the iconic Grand Hotel, and century-old fudge shops preserve an atmosphere of unhurried elegance. Visitors should not miss a carriage tour past Arch Rock and Fort Mackinac, followed by planked whitefish at a harborside tavern. The island is most enchanting from mid-June through September, when the Lilac Festival gives way to warm summer days perfect for cycling the eight-mile shoreline loop.

Sault Ste. Marie sits at the famous Soo Locks, where massive Great Lakes freighters are lifted between Lake Superior and Lake Huron—handling more tonnage annually than the Panama and Suez canals combined. Must-dos include watching the 1,000-foot ships pass through the locks, tasting a traditional Upper Peninsula pasty, and visiting Tahquamenon Falls State Park. June–September offers the busiest shipping traffic and best weather, while autumn brings spectacular northern Michigan foliage.

Apostle Islands, Lake Superior, Wisconsin, United States is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is May through September, when mild temperatures and long days favor unhurried exploration.

Sault Ste. Marie sits at the famous Soo Locks, where massive Great Lakes freighters are lifted between Lake Superior and Lake Huron—handling more tonnage annually than the Panama and Suez canals combined. Must-dos include watching the 1,000-foot ships pass through the locks, tasting a traditional Upper Peninsula pasty, and visiting Tahquamenon Falls State Park. June–September offers the busiest shipping traffic and best weather, while autumn brings spectacular northern Michigan foliage.

Parry Sound, Canada, offers an authentic North American experience where stunning natural landscapes meet communities of genuine character. Visitors should explore the surrounding wilderness and sample the honest, locally sourced cuisine that defines the region. The ideal visiting period is May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration. Cruise lines including Hapag-Lloyd Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Killarney sits on Georgian Bay's northern shore where the white quartzite La Cloche Mountains inspired Group of Seven masterpieces, leading to the creation of one of Ontario's finest provincial parks. Must-dos include hiking the Crack for panoramic views, paddling turquoise backcountry lakes, and eating legendary fish and chips at Herbert Fisheries. Visit September for ideal conditions — warm days, autumn colour, and clear skies over the 50-plus crystal-clear lakes of this Canadian Shield wilderness.

Milwaukee is America's brewing capital reinvented, where German heritage, a world-class art museum with Calatrava wings, and the world's largest music festival anchor a lakefront city of genuine warmth and surprising sophistication. Must-do experiences include the Milwaukee Art Museum, a Friday fish fry, the Harley-Davidson Museum, and craft brewery hopping. June through September is prime, with Summerfest in late June/July being the annual cultural peak.