A Summer Respite on the Great Lakes

Located on the tranquil waters of Lake Huron, Mackinac Island is an incredibly popular summer destination – and for good reason. Walk or bike across the peaceful landscape of the island and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time to when life moved just a little bit slower. From the expansive woods to the stately architecture of the Grand Hotel, Mackinac truly encapsulates the beauty of northern Michigan.

How to Get There

💡 Take Shepler’s Ferry from St. Ignace. The ride is short and is often less crowded than voyages originating in Mackinaw City. Prices are reasonable too and, if you time it just right, you can snag a Mighty Mac Departure at no extra charge. This special ferry adds a few minutes to the trip but provides some amazing views of the Mackinac Bridge as it passes underneath.

Other ferry companies run regular service from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace to the island, including Arnold Transit Company and the Star Line, which runs the region’s only Hydro-Jet fast ferries. All of these lines offer you the option to bring along your luggage, bikes and more.

Once you step off the ferry, you’re immediately transported back in time to an era before automobiles. Cars are banned on the island, so your main methods of getting around will be by foot, bike or horse-drawn carriage.

Things to Do

One of the top attractions on the island is walking the grounds of the Grand Hotel. The lush lawn, including the Secret Garden, is free of charge to non-guests and features a large space for picnics, sunbathing or a casual game of frisbee. Or grab a friend and play a game of giant chess.

If you want to explore the interior of the hotel, which was built in the 1880s, you’ll have to buy an admission pass. For $12, you can relax in the rocking chairs on the world’s longest front porch or soak in the green and pink designs of the hotel’s rooms and hallways. And if you’re looking for a sweet treat to beat the summertime heat, grab a cone at Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor.

Also located on the hotel property is the Grand Hotel Stables. There’s a nice little museum here that highlights the history of carriage designs on Mackinac Island, and if you’re lucky, you might get to see the hotel staff hooking up some horses to one of their ornate enclosed carriages.

Right across the way is Wings of Mackinac, a lovely butterfly house that features dozens of different types of these fragile insects. It doesn’t take long to walk through the greenhouse, but it’s a worthwhile excursion if even one butterfly happens to land on you.

Learn about some of the more historical aspects of the island at Fort Mackinac. Here, there’s a plethora of old buildings to explore, from soldier’s quarters to a bathhouse, and its position on a high bluff affords visitors sweeping panoramic views of the south side of the island. Interactive exhibits tell of the importance of the fort and its influence on the culture of Mackinac Island. There’s even an on-site restaurant.

Adjacent to the fort is Mackinac Island State Park – our nation’s second National Park until it was handed over to the state of Michigan in 1895 – where you can walk its tree-lined avenues to Arch Rock, a unique natural feature that has stood the test of time. This oddly-shaped limestone rock has been a huge draw for decades and was a catalyst for the creation of the original Mackinac National Park. A small bridge also juts out past the rock and provides amazing vistas of Lake Huron and points east.

Back by the docks, take a little stroll through the quaint town and check out the shops and restaurants that line the streets. Pop into some of the souvenir stores and grab a kitschy magnet or t-shirt to take home. Also be sure to check out Doud’s Market, the self-proclaimed oldest grocery store in the nation.

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The Mackinac Bridge

Nicknamed “Mighty Mac“, the Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere and is an engineering marvel. It’s a beloved symbol of Northern Michigan and a welcome sight for folks escaping the hustle and bustle of the city on their way to the Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island.

What to Know

The toll to cross the bridge in either direction is $4 per car ($2 per axle) and the entire span is nearly five miles long. It can often get pretty windy and conditions on the Straits aren’t always great, so it’s best to cross the bridge slowly and with caution. If the weather is truly terrible, officials will close the bridge to traffic temporarily.

Where to See It

From Mackinaw City, the rocky beach in front of the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse offers clear vistas of the bridge and the Straits. On the north shore near St. Ignace, Bridge View Park is your go-to dedicated overlook.

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What to Eat

One very popular breakfast spot is the Pancake House, though you can also grab a hearty meal at the Good Day Cafe or some coffee and a pastry at Lucky Bean Coffee House. The Pink Pony is a highly recommended grill that serves up fantastic lunches and dinners, Mighty Mac Hamburgers is great for a quick bite and the Gate House offers indoor/outdoor dining in the shadow of the Grand Hotel.

Don’t forget to hit up Murdick’s Fudge for a piece of the chocolatey goodness that Mackinac Island is famous for. There’s so many varieties to choose from, you’ll have a hard time deciding what to get! A few other fudge places are scattered across the village too, including Ryba’s Fudge Shop and Joann’s Fudge.

Where to Stay

Spending the night on Mackinac Island isn’t gonna be cheap, no matter which route you go. There are, however, many comfortable and amenity-rich options should you choose to stay on the island.

Hotels:
– Inn on Mackinac
– Chippewa Hotel Waterfront
– Downtown Harbor Suites

Bed & Breakfasts:
– Cloghaun Bed & Breakfast
– Lilac House B&B
– Bayview Bed & Breakfast