Mackinac Island, located in the upper portion of Michigan, is a getaway from reality and is known as the Jewel of the Great Lakes - where time stands still. No cars are allowed on the island - instead, it is all horse-drawn carriages and bicycles. Mackinac Island has plenty of outdoor activities, museums, and history to explore, as well as the two things it’s known best for - fudge and the Grand Hotel. The island is open from May to October and has two ferries that service the island to the mainland. Tourists need not worry about accommodation, as there are a number of places to stay when on Mackinac Island. If you’re planning a visit, check out these best things to do on Mackinac Island.
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1. The Grand Hotel
Beginning this weekend Inside Grand Hotel will air on additional PBS stations throughout the State of Michigan,...
Posted by Grand Hotel on Tuesday, 7 March 2017
The Grand Hotel, built in 1887, became a state historical building in 1954, and a national landmark in 1989 and is the premiere highlight of the island. It boasts 393 rooms and in July 2017, the hotel will be 130 years old. It’s been owned by three generations of the same family - the Musser Family - since 1933.
“We want every person who comes through these doors to feel welcome and special. Our staff and I strive to create and maintain an intimate, personalized experience for everyone” - Dan Musser III, Hotel President.
For ten dollars non-hotel guests can tour the hotel and grounds. Visitors can play golf on the course known as the Jewel, swim in the Esther Williams Swimming pool for a fee and finish their visit with ice cream at Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor. Two films were filmed at the hotel: “This Time for Keeps”, in 1947 and “Somewhere in Time”, in 1980.
The Grand Hotel
Address: 286 Grand Ave Mackinac Island
Price: 15 USD for golf, 5-10 USD for pool access and icecream, 10 USD to tour hotel
Access: Walk up streets from the main street to the hotel.
Contact: +1 (800) 33GRAND
Website: The Grand Hotel
2. Outdoor adventures: biking, riding and carriage tours
Fill in the blank: "My first trip to Mackinac Island was ___!" #MakeItMackinac
Posted by Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau on Tuesday, 13 December 2016
The island is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, with horse-drawn carriages provided by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. Established in 1868, the tours are by knowledgeable tour guides and they have 200 carriages with 400 horses. Small dogs are welcome on the tours as lap dogs and the tour covers a wide part of the island with a variety of location stops. For an additional cost, you get admission to one of the stops. Visitors can visit one of the island’s famous fudge shops.
Just step onto the main street and you will see several bicycle rental places that line the street - bicycles are one of the main ways to get around the island. There are 70 miles (113 kilometers) of natural and paved pathways for cyclists to enjoy. Electric scooters are also available. Ryba’s Bike Rental is in two locations on the island, where they have been for their 56 years of service.
You can go horseback riding at Cindy’s Riding Stables, who will guide you through the trails of the Mackinac park area. There are 83 miles (134 kilometers) of roads and trails to ride on. They have 30 horses and have been around since 1974. They also provide guides to ride with you.
Ryba's Bike Rental
Address: 7245 Main St
Price: hourly 15-30 USD or all day 35-65 USD
Opening Hours: 8 am - 6 pm, spring; 8 am - 8 pm, summer; 9 am - 6 pm, fall
Duration: Hourly or all day
Access: Right next to the ferry dock
Contact: +1 (906) 8473208
Website: Ryba’s Bike Rental
Cindy's Riding Stables
Address: 7447 Market St
Price: 45 USD per hour
Duration: 1-2 hrs
Contact: +1 (906) 8473572
Website: Cindy’s Riding Stables
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
Address: 7396 Market St, Mackinac Island
Price: 29-36 USD
Opening Hours: 9 am - 3 pm
Duration: 1 hr 45 min
Access: Located on the main street of the island
Contact: +1 (906) 8473307
Website: Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
3. Museums & history
If you’re not into the outdoors, you can explore the many museums where history comes alive. Fort Mackinac was founded during the American Revolution and hosts reenactments daily, with bugle music, cannon salutes and 14 different buildings for visitors to explore.
If you like art, then visit the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, which features Native American and modern pieces of artwork. It has interactive exhibits and hands-on features as well as photographs and artwork from the Mackinac area. One of the family-friendly features is the kids art studio, which runs from June to August. Here, a trained staff member shows kids how to create art.
For island history, visit the Robert Stuart City Museum, also known as the Agent’s House. It is on the National List of Historic Places as well as Michigan’s list. Stuart was resident agent of the American Fur Company, for 14 years from 1820 and he lived in this house. Built in 1817, it housed the company’s main office then was altered to a boarding house during the Civil War era.
Mackinac Art Museum
Address: 7070 Main St Mackinac Island
Price: 6 USD Adult and 4.50 USD youth
Opening Hours: May to Oct 10 am - 5 pm
Duration: 1 hr
Access: Walk down the main street, past all the shops, towards the park
Website: Mackinac Art Museum
Fort Mackinac
Address: 7127 Huron Rd Mackinac Island
Price: 13 USD Adults and 7.50 USD youth
Opening Hours: May to Oct 9 am - 5 pm
Duration: 2 hours.
Access: On the boundary of the park
Website: Fort Mackinac
Robert Stuart City Museum
Address: 7342 Market St Mackinac Island
Price: Donation required
Opening Hours: 10 am - 4 pm
Duration: 1-2 hrs
Access: From the ferry go one block left, then go up a block on Astor St to Market, turn left and its just past city hall
Contact: +1 (906) 8478181
Website: Robert Stuart City Museum
The following content is contributed by Trip101 writer Laarni Lanox
4. Fort Holmes
Open from May to October, Fort Holmes is the highest point on Mackinac Island. It was built by the British during the War of 1812 when they conquered Fort Mackinac. The small outpost was then named Fort George to honor King George III of Britain. The renaming of the site came after the Americans took back the fort through a treaty by the end of the war. The new name was picked to remember Major Andrew Hunter Holmes, an American officer who died fighting to regain ownership of said fort in 1814. This is one of the most fascinating things to see on Mackinac Island, for although parts of the structure have succumbed to decay, there are still remnants of its history that make it worth a visit.
Fort Holmes
Address: 2234 Fort Holmes Rd, Mackinac Island
Website: Fort Holmes
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
5. Mackinac Island Butterfly House
Mackinac Island Butterfly House was built in 1991 by Doug Beardsley. He already had a greenhouse, and it occurred to him to add butterflies for the enjoyment of his customers. From its original humble beginnings, the butterfly house has evolved to become a marvelous man-made jungle with hundreds of butterfly species flying about. There are signages around to give you an idea of how the insect world operates. If you have a camera with you, a great spot to check out is the feeding station. Here you might see up to seven different butterfly species on a banana plate. Make sure to get a butterfly chart upon entry, and then try to look for some of them in the garden. This is a Mackinac Island activity that kids and adults alike will enjoy!
Mackinac Island Butterfly House
Address: 1575 Fort St, Mackinac Island
Website: Mackinac Island Butterfly House
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)
Price: 0 - 12 USD
6. Eagle Point Cave
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you don’t know what to do on Mackinac Island and you are into caves, then you shouldn’t miss exploring Eagle Point Cave, a natural hollow filled with mystery. This spot is found on the northern side of the island and will require you to hike just a few miles from the downtown area. If you take Tranquil Bluff Trail, which snakes atop Lake Huron, you can choose to reach the cave either from above or another path below. Whichever way you pick, you are guaranteed to witness some of the most beautiful sceneries on Mackinac Island. Remember to dress appropriately for the activity to help ensure you remain safe and comfortable throughout your adventures amid some of the island’s untouched forests.
Eagle Point Cave
Address: Scott’s Road, Mackinac Island, MI
7. Maze of Mirrors
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you have children and are wondering where to take them while vacationing on Mackinac Island, then look no further. Maze of Mirrors offers you and your family a fun way to bond. The maze can be solved in about 15 to 20 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about kids getting impatient - they might even find the activity too short! You will be given gloves to ensure safety and cleanliness, along with 3D glasses that make everything come to life. Just make sure to keep an eye on younger children as they might bump into the life-size glass mirrors.
Maze of Mirrors
Address: 7264 Main St, Mackinac Island
Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)
8. Mackinac Island State Park
Being the first state park in Michigan, Mackinac Island State Park promises an outdoor experience that is one for the books. The best way to wander about is with a bicycle or a horse carriage, but if you want more exercise added to your adventure, walking and hiking are always on the table. Just be mindful of traffic rules - although cars have been banned in the area since 1898, there are hundreds of horses and thousands of bicycles that share the road. Here you will find significant landmarks, peaceful forests, astonishing rock formations, and beautiful nature trails. And the best part? Pets are welcome to explore with you! Of course, it is expected that you’ll clean up after your furry friends.
Mackinac Island State Park
Address: 7029 Huron Rd, Mackinac Island
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
9. Arch Rock
Arch Rock is the most easily identifiable rock formation on Mackinac Island. It is 50 feet (15 meters) wide and 146 feet (45 meters) tall, standing majestically over the water. You can ride a horse carriage or bike near the location, then hike a little to reach the main attraction. As the spot is highly popular, a number of paved roads such as Arch Rock Road and Arch Rock Bicycle lead there. If you’ve planned a tour around the island, Arch Rock can also be seen from the shoreline below. This structure is formed by nature from limestone, with a history dating as far back as the post-glacial Lake Nipissing period. Native Americans believe this place holds spiritual power and have told fascinating stories about it.
Arch Rock
Address: 6131 Arch Rock Rd, Mackinac Island
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
10. Marquette Park
If you’re visiting Fort Mackinac, then it is only fitting that you include Marquette Park in your itinerary, as the cape is located right at the foot of the fort. To reach the place, head on over to the east side of downtown, then proceed toward the edge of the harbor. Whether you’re meeting a friend or bonding with the whole family, Marquette Park makes for the perfect spot to hang around and have a picnic. If you have the freedom to schedule your visit, then time your travel to coincide with the Lilac Festival and Fall Color season. During these events, the venue is exceptionally gorgeous and perfect for taking pictures.
Marquette Park
Address: 7200 Huron St, Mackinac Island
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
11. Lady Of Liberty
Mackinac Island boasts its own replica of the Statue of Liberty. This was made possible through the Strengthen the Arm of Liberty campaign of Boy Scouts of America in 1950 when the organization celebrated its 40th anniversary. A total of 200 replicas were installed in 39 states all over the country during this event. This particular statue can be found at Mackinac Island Marina, overlooking the harbor, much like how the original Lady Liberty is placed in New York City. Over the years, the replica has suffered deterioration from exposure to time and the elements. Fortunately, the community came together to have the statue restored.
Lady Of Liberty
Address: 6927-6999 Lake Shore Dr, Mackinac Island
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
12. Biddle House
Biddle House was owned by the Biddle family in the 1820s. Agatha and Edward Biddle were merchants, so the house depicts the life of people in relative prosperity at that time. The structure had been restored in 1959 to make it look the way it did in the old days. At this Mackinac Island attraction, you will find a period kitchen with an open-hearth fireplace that is still working. You can even witness a live performance of costumed interpreters, the highlights of which include cooking demonstrations. There are also two galleries on-site that exhibit the life of the Biddles, along with interesting stories about the Anishnaabek of northern Michigan.
Biddle House
Address: 7406 Market St, Mackinac Island
Price: 5.50 - 8.50 USD
Come visit Michigan's Mackinac Island
Add this place to your adventure list, it has many things that await you. Make memories that last a lifetime and enjoy a relaxing time where time stands still and technology is put on hold. A place rich in history and welcoming people, as well as nationally recognized landmarks and locations. Be sure to try out some of these best things to do on Mackinac Island!
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