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Stretching across more than 3,700 kilometres through the heartland of North America, The Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System is the gateway to a wide variety of major port cities and picturesque destinations. New and undiscovered sights are available on every step of the journey for cruise lines and their guests to explore, starting on the Atlantic coast at the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and ending on the far western shore of Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota. Each of the port cities dotting the ever-changing shoreline are full of historic, maritime and midwestern charm.
While the Great Lakes region may be best known for its strong agricultural roots and critical role at the heartland of North American manufacturing, tourists visiting the region for the first time are often surprised by the rich history in the various modes of transportation also preserved along the shores of the Great Lakes. With the water an important part of everyday life, historical museums that showcase these legacies are close to the cruise berths used on Great Lakes itineraries.
While in Muskegon, Michigan, guests can take a tour of the SS Milwaukee Clipper, known as the “Queen of the Great Lakes”. Built in 1904 by American Shipbuilding Company, this 361-foot passenger and package freight steamer, originally known as Juniata, is powered by a 3,000-horsepower quadruple expansion steam engine, which is only one of seven such engines built for Great Lakes passenger service. Carrying 350 passengers in staterooms, Juniata was the epitome of first-class travel and sailed between Buffalo, New York, and Duluth.
In the late 1930s the demand for a new steamer to provide a cross-lake service launched the effort to redesign Juniata. As part of the redesign, the wooden superstructure was removed and replaced by an all-steel, streamlined superstructure, the first design of its type in the world. On 2 June 1941, its name was changed to SS Milwaukee Clipper and on 3 June, it made its maiden voyage to Muskegon. From 1941 until 1970, Milwaukee Clipper carried thousands of passengers and automobiles between Muskegon and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Detroit showcases the inventions of America’s greatest minds
At the port of Buffalo, New York, passengers can visit The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park, the largest inland naval and military park in the country. Located on Buffalo’s Waterfront, this unique family destination features four decommissioned naval vessels that served in a variety of military conflicts in the USA’s history: USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, USS Croaker and PTF-17.
The Buffalo Naval & Military Park also features a beautifully manicured monuments garden, museum, US military exhibits and a maritime simulator.
Meanwhile, during a stopover in Milwaukee, passengers can discover the culture and history of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle through stories and interactive exhibits that celebrate expression, camaraderie and love for the sport of motorbiking. With an unrivalled collection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and memorabilia spanning two exhibition floors, a 20-acre, park-like campus, one-of-a-kind shopping and dining experiences and a full calendar of activities, the Harley-Davidson Museum is one of Milwaukee’s top tourist destinations for visitors from around the globe. No matter how long your visit, a trip to the Harley-Davidson Museum is an experience that will last a lifetime.
Established in 1956, the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has grown to become one of the largest, oldest, and most well-respected rail museums in the USA. Offering over 70 pieces of rolling stock, more than 100,000 artifacts, seasonal train rides, indoor and outdoor exhibits, operating and display tracks and more, the National Railroad Museum dedicated staff and volunteers warmly welcome more than 100,000 visitors annually.
The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park features four decommissioned naval vessels
For guests who make a stop in Detroit, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation offers a chance to experience the strides of America’s greatest minds while fully immersed in their stories. They’ll step inside the bus where American civil rights activist Rosa Parks took a stand by taking a seat, explore the Wright brothers’ flying achievements and make themselves at home inside Buckminster Fuller’s circular Dymaxion House. Passengers can step into the place of the movers and shakers who blazed the trail to where we stand today.
Through themed collections and interactive exhibits, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village pay homage to some of our nation’s most important and prolific thinkers and doers.
On the western shore of Lake Superior, housed in the Historic Duluth Union Depot in Duluth, Minnesota, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum showcases a large collection of Railroad Equipment. With interactive exhibits as well as history from the region, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is a must-visit attraction. In the summer and autumn months the museum’s North Shore Scenic Railroad offers train excursions from Memorial Day in May until mid-October using historic rail equipment from the museum collection. Guests can complete their experience with a ride on the historic Lakefront Line along the shore of scenic Lake Superior. Paired together, these two excursions offer one of the richest historic experiences in railroading.
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