Mackinac Island: Explore the island
If you live in the Midwest, there is a 90% chance you’ve heard of the Upper Peninsula or the “U.P.” It’s the upper portion of Michigan surrounded by Great Lakes Huron and Michigan.
There is a much smaller chance you’ve heard of Mackinac Island - which is located east of the straights of Mackinac where the two Great Lakes meet. It’s approximately 14 miles in circumference and is only reachable by ferry.
My first time visiting the island was when I was 15 years old and it was so magical that I had thought about it ever since. That experience was slightly different though, because we flew into the island’s unmanned airport and hailed a horse and carriage to take us to our B&B.
Getting to the island is an adventure no matter how you travel. Luckily for us, there was a direct Delta flight from MSP into the Chippewa County International Airport where we could rent a car (or take a shuttle) and drive the 40-45 minutes south to either St Ignace or Mackinaw City where we would catch a ferry to the island.
There were two car rental companies to choose from; we went with the local company because the process was old fashioned and quick. With no online booking, we exchanged information upon arrival and signed off on the car and we were on our way. There was a shuttle available, I’m not sure of the cost, but depending on what you want to do, sometimes it’s nice to have the freedom and flexibility of renting a car.
Once you get to Mackinaw City there are numerous parking lots for the ferry. Some lots have an overnight fee; the most expensive being the lot next to the ferry. There was a free parking lot however that was just a 5 minute walk across the street. We chose that option.
The ferry was about $30 per person and takes 15-25 minutes depending on the route. A ferry leaves every 15 minutes. Check ferry times here: Mackinac Island Ferry, Mackinaw City, St Ignace, Star Line (mackinacferry.com)
The ferry companies take very good care of your luggage, tagging it and organizing it when you arrive to the island. Depending on where you are staying, the staff will help determine where to put your bags and how to catch a carriage. There are no cars on Mackinac Island. Your options for transportation are walking, biking or taking a horse and carriage taxi.
Don’t ever expect to be in a hurry on Mackinac Island - some horses are slower than others, and sometimes they need to stop and rest! Just plan ahead with your days and don’t cut anything too close for time.
There are many options for accommodations including bed and breakfasts, air bnb and hotels. My advise would be to research ahead of time and watch prices. I’ve stayed in a B&B before which appear to be pretty spendy; the grand hotel is also very expensive at $600+/night. We found a great deal on Airbnb this time around. The building was called Oakwood, and here isa link to an airbnb listing in that building: Mackinac Island Lovely charming studio w/balcony!! - Condominiums for Rent in Mackinac Island, Michigan, United States - Airbnb
Once you get settled in, it’s great idea to rent a bicycle or schedule a guided tour. Check with the place you’re staying to see if they offer bike rentals, otherwise there are a few bike rental companies on the island. Bikes can be up to $50-$60 per adult for a whole day - but there are varying levels/style of bikes. We went during the 75th Lilac Festival and there was no shortage of bicycles and we didn’t have any troubles getting around despite the influx of tourists.
The trail around the island is one of the best bike rides I’ve ever been on, hands down. It’s very easy going and suitable for all ages. We’ve done it in clear weather and in the rain - both are enjoyable. It takes about 2.5 hours with minimal stops, and can take 4+ hours if you stop and take a little walk or hike, so you’ll want to leave yourself plenty of time to see where the journey takes you.
Mackinac Island has many hiking trails that go inland and generally have very little to no traffic. The busiest sight-seeing spot if the arch, which is reachable by taxi or from the bike path up a long, steep set of stairs. Other than the arch, there are caves and other hidden gems that don’t receive as much attention, so if you like going off the beaten trail you are in luck!
Check out some landmarks at: Selfie Spots on Mackinac Island MI - See - Mackinac Island Tourism
Something new that we did on this trip was play mini golf at Mission point. “This putting course offers a truly unique experience with 18 real bentgrass greens and beautiful views of the Straits of Mackinac. From late May to early September, the course transforms for Glow Golf at dusk with glow-in-the-dark golf balls, golf flag poles and neon glow sticks. Open daily and weather dependent; hours vary throughout the season.” There are two standard golf courses and two mini golf courses - fun for the whole family! A round of golf at the Jewel Golf Course is about $185 for 18 holes, $100 for 9 holes.
Food on the island isn’t necessarily cheap, but there is a little bit of variety (not much). You can also stop at the market for groceries and prepare some picnic lunches or meals if that is your style.
Dining at the Grand Hotel at least once is well worth the experience - there are 3 meals per day, buffet style, formal wear mandatory. It’s an incredibly timeless experience. Here is a link to view the dining options: Main Dining Room | Mackinac Island Dining | Grand Hotel. Even if you choose not to eat at the Grand Hotel, you can pay a $10 admission fee and take a tour; there are so many rooms with exquisite art and history - well worth the price of admission.
And while you’re at the Grand Hotel, make sure to check out the Cupola Bar which offers a stunning view of the island from above: Cupola Bar (grandhotel.com)
Another awesome restaurant on the island is just a bike ride away from the main part of town, called the Woods Restaurant: Woods Restaurant | Mackinac Island Dining | Grand Hotel
There are so many things to do on this island - you can stay for 2 days or an entire week; there probably won’t be enough time to get in all the wonderful activities. But that’s okay because it’s a great place to come back to!
Hopefully this post gives you a couple ideas, and if you have any questions at all or want recommendations, just leave a comment below!
And if you want to see our gallery of photos from Macinac, visit us on Facebook @northcastmn
