Time off guide for Mackinac Island

Being a tourist destination, Mackinac Island has numerous places of tourist interest and people on a visit to the island can enjoy a host of other activities too. Here is an overall guide on how to get to the island and what all to do while we are there.

The only way to get to Mackinac Island is by road or flight till Mackinac city and then taking a ferry.It is a picturesque delight to see the beautiful landscape and the numerous houses along the coast! The adventure of Mackinac Island starts right as you start your ferry journey to the island. At present,there are two ferry operator services plying to the island – Star Line and Shepler’s.The ferry services operate from the upper as well as the lower peninsula of Michigan. Therefore, deciding on which ferry service to choose from has to be in accordance with which point would be nearest to you.

The ferry tickets are easily available at the ferry terminals. However,if you wish to save time and money, go online and buy the ticket in advance.

On reaching the island, we can either hire a bike, go around on horseback, walk or take up the much-preferred Mackinac Island Carriage Tours ride to see the island.

For many people, moving around on the island can prove to be a bit of a challenge since motor vehicles are totally prohibited. One has to depend either on bicycles, horses, foot or avail the fun-filled Mackinac Island Carriage Tours to take a tour around the island. It is therefore advisable to carry clothes and shoes that are comfortable to wear while hiking, cycling or riding a horse. Guided tours on carriages drawn by horses with a stop-over at tourist sites are one thing most tourists look forward to while on a visit to the island. Many people who get to the island in a ferry get bikes, or you may even get it on rent to ride around the island. Apart from these, there are horses on rent to take tourists around the island. These lifetime experiences during the tour of the island not only add up to the many adventures, but it also makes the vacation more thrilling and fun-filled.

Mackinac Island is an idyllic vacation destination and is located by the side of Lake Huron. However, the island is not only known for its scenic beauty but also its numerous historical and significant monuments and buildings built when it was a European colony. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours drawn by horses is probably one of the best ways to go around the island. However, you can try hiking or biking as well. Some of the “must visit” places on the island are –

The park occupies more than 80% of the entire area of the island. It is a rich mix of coniferous and hardwood forest in which trees like the fragrant spruce, paper birch, cedar, balsam fir, maple, oak, hemlock, white pine, etc grow. The forest is also home to many species of birds like the gulls, finches, warblers and sparrows and small animals like muskrat, raccoons, red fox, squirrels, hares, and chipmunks. Although camping and hunting are prohibited in the Mackinac Island State Park, hiking along the trails is a must. Since cars and vehicles are not allowed within the island, you have to go around the park either by hiking, cycling, horse riding or in a Mackinac Island Carriage Tours.

As the name states, Fort Mackinac was home to many soldiers and their families who guarded the island against intruders. It now houses a museum which has numerous exhibits from the earlier times and weapons that the soldiers used to keep the enemies at bay. Out of the 14 buildings within the premises, there is one which is said to be the oldest among all the buildings in the state of Michigan. Tour guides or interpreters take the tourists around the fort throwing light on the various aspects of the island, the lives of the people who lived in the fort, the past wars, historical significance of the fort, etc. A part of the museum has interactive displays which are specially meant for children. The Fort remains open for tourists on all days of the week from May to October. Hiking is probably the best way to reach Fort Mackinac from the island as it takes only 5 minutes and is also cost-effective. However, the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours also conducts tours which take you to Fort Mackinac.

Address:7127 Huron Road, Mackinac Island, Michigan 49757

The Arch rock is a naturally formed rock marvel which lies near the coast on the eastern part of the Mackinac Island. It was formed by the action of water and wind on limestone over a span of thousands of years. The Arch rock is believed to have many superpowers by the native Americans and has many tales revolving around the rock. It is 146 feet above sea level and about 50 feet wide. Visitors can reach the top of the arch through the Arch Rock Bicycle Trail or even walk up through stairways from Shore Road. The Mackinac Island Carriage Tours conducted tours also take tourists to this natural wonder of the beautiful Mackinac Island. It is one among the most sought-after tourist points in the island.

It is one of the oldest butterfly museums in the United States of America and the first in the state of Michigan (USA). The museum spans over an area of 1800 square foot of tropical garden and houses innumerable species of live butterflies from almost all the continents. The butterflies fly about freely in the tropical garden, which is full of blooming flowers. The Education room within the premises of the museum teaches the visitors about the various aspects of butterflies and the different stages it undergoes before turning into a butterfly.

A part of the Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House building was turned into an insect museum aptly named as the Insect World. The Insect World exhibits a wide variety of live insects and educates the tourists about them. The 16-foot Walking Stick insects and the world’s heaviest bugs are some of the biggest showstoppers in the Insect World.

The Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House is one of the tourist points in the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours.

Address:6750 McGulpin Street, Mackinac Island, Michigan 49757

It was originally named Fort George after the King of Britain, George the III but after the return of the Americans to Fort Mackinac in 1815, the name was changed to Fort Holmes. The fort was built in order to defend the northern side of Fort Mackinac which safeguarded the harbor. Apart from the rich historical background, Fort Holmes gives a beautiful view of the setting sun and the Strait of Mackinac as it sits in the highest point of Mackinac Island. In case you visit the island on the 4th of July, you can get a breathtaking view of the Mackinac Island fireworks in the sky and also far away in Mackinaw City, St. Ignace and Cheboygan. With all the climb and stairways to the fort, hiking can prove to quite tiring, especially for small children and older adults. Therefore, the best way to get to the top is by hopping into a Mackinac Island Carriage Tours and enjoying the scenic beauty of the island while getting there.

Address: Fort Holmes Road, Mackinac Island, Michigan 49757

Mackinac Island is a haven for nature lovers, but the island has more to offer visitors than the scenic beauty of the place. The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum has numerous art exhibits which have been inspired by the Mackinac Island, its people, culture, history, etc. Hand beaded clothes made by the native Americans, the Great Lake maps of the 17th and 18th century, decorative pieces from the Victorian era and some original photos of the island in the 19th and 20th century are some of the rare and unique exhibits at the museum. Along with these, there are some significant works of the noted Victorian-era photographer William H. Gardiner who is well known for his work on Mackinac Island, which is on display at the museum. Visitors do not require buying a ticket to get into the museum since it is free. However, a proof of an overnight stay at a hotel which has a membership at the Mackinac Island Convention & Visitors Bureau is required to avail a free entry. Several temporary art exhibits, exhibitions of contemporary artworks and art studio for kids are also held from time to time. Getting to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum is easy. You may either hike your way there or take a bike ride. The Mackinac Island Carriage Tours is also an easy and most preferred option among visitors.

Address: 7070 Main S, Mackinac Island, Michigan 49757

Kayaking alone or on a double kayak is one of the best adventures to experience along the Mackinac Island coastline. While kayaking, you can come across turtles and birds, sail through the historic lighthouses or just experience the calmness of the water around. There are different types of kayak tours conducted in and around the Haldimand Bay and Mackinac Island.

The kayaking trips are conducted keeping in mind the age and the level of skill of the tourist. However, in order to keep a safety measure, trained and experienced guides who have been certified by the Red Cross accompany tourists on these kayaking adventure tours. Other than the most preferred Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, the kayak tour is the other favorite among tourists visiting the island.

The Haunted Theatre is among one of most sought after tourist attraction for visitors to the Mackinac Island. It was started in the year 1974 and exhibited the statues of supernatural beings and devils which are believed to a part of the Mackinac Island in the past. The theatre also talks and showcases mythological and legendary characters. The theatre is open for all ages and is open all 365 days in the year. The place can also be booked for birthday parties and official gatherings.

The usual Mackinac Island Carriage Tours that are conducted do not have the Haunted Theatre in their list of tourist points. However, if you take a private carriage ride around the island, you may ask your carriage driver to include the Haunted Theatre in the itinerary list.

Address: Main Street, Mackinac Island, Michigan 49757

Located at Mission Point, visitors get picturesque views of the island and the water body around from the Mackinac Island Observation Tower. The building exhibits things pertaining to nature and historical items of the island and the Great Lakes area. Apart from these, there are few things and memorabilia on display that are from the movie “Somewhere in Time” since the movie was shot there.

Although the place is one among the many interesting tourist points in the island, the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours ride does not include the place in its itinerary. Therefore, you may walk or reach the place on a bike.

Address: One Lakeshore Drive, Mackinac Island, Michigan 49757

Like the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours ride, a fishing trip around Mackinac Island is also high on many visitors’ list of “must-dos.” People interested in fishing can take a guided fishing tour around Mackinac Island and through the Straits of Mackinac on fishing boats that are navigated by trained boat captains. The water body surrounding the Mackinac Island abounds in plenty of fish like the Trout, Kingfish, Atlantic Salmon, etc. The fishing tours are conducted throughout the year, and each fishing trip lasts anything in between 3-5 hours.

Along with a Mackinac Island Carriage Tours ride tour, eating Murdick’s Fudges is an absolute “must-have” while you are on a visit to the Mackinac Island. The Murdick’s Fudge Store is a family-run business, and they have been selling fudges on the island for 130 years. There are 18 special fudge flavors to choose from.

Address: 7363 Main Street, Mackinac Island, Michigan 49757

Being a famous tourist destination, there is no dearth of hotels, inns, and resorts in Mackinac Island. However, it would be advisable to book hotel rooms in advance through travel sites, especially during the peak season.

Below mentioned are few hotels, resorts, and inns at the island.

It is a beautiful Lakeside property spread over 18 acres. The best part about the resort is that it is kid-friendly and dog-friendly too!

The Inn is more than a century-old property surrounded by woods. It was built as a summer house in 1904, and it still retains its elegance.

The Grand Hotel is one of the most important landmarks in Mackinac Island. Being a high-end five-star property, the tariff is a bit on the higher side. However, tourists who cannot afford a stay at the hotel can get a five-star experience by paying $10.

The Ideal Length of Stay

The ideal length of stay depends on what one wants to do at the island. If you wish to visit only the important tourist points on a Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, then a day’s stay is all that one would require. Many say that just a day’s stay at the island is not enough. According to most people, staying over for 2-3 days is sufficient to visit all the hot spots. However, if you wish to hike around the various tourist points on the island, then one will require more days of stay.

Since motor vehicles are totally prohibited on the island, visitors must be prepared to walk or ride around in a bike. Therefore, it is imperative for them to bring clothes and shoes which are comfortable while walking or riding a bike. Moreover, hiking rather than taking a carriage ride can save you some money.

With an average temperature of about 63 degrees Fahrenheit, June to September is a great time to visit Mackinac Island. The temperature and humidity level in the island are just apt for the outdoors during these months, which makes it a great time to visit places. However, October is also a great time to visit the island.

With its awe-inspiring natural beauty and rich history, Mackinac Island is truly a traveler’s delight. Plan out your next holiday to this beautiful island destination and have an experience of a lifetime.