A great place to spend some down time and a completely different pace and experience that is very memorable

Most everything is family friendly - lodging, restaurants, cycling, education, etc.

Great info can be found on these two web sites:

• Mackinac Island

• Mackinac

How to Get There

Getting to the island requires a ferry ride. Depending on what direction you're coming from pick up the ferry from St Ignace (from Minneapolis) or Mackinaw City (from a southern state).

Getting to and from the island - that is a part of the experience - and makes for a unique experience. Enjoy all the extra things you have to do to get to your hotel room. 

The two main ferry lines are:

• Shepler's

• Star Line

We usually take Shepler's - I think because of their schedule. You can buy tickets ahead of time and save money - the tickets are not time specific (double check with new circumstances) - remember to buy your bike tickets if you are bringing them over (see below)

Ferry Tips

• Make sure your schedule lines up with the departure times - going to the island and coming back

• When arriving at the ferry dock - drive up and drop off all of your luggage - everything you have will be brought over on the ferry and brought to your hotel via a bike

• Buy food/ water bottles or whatever you need before going to the island - there are grocery stores there but it is more expensive

Parking

• When you arrive at the ferry dock you will drive as close as possible to the ferry so you can drop your bags

• They will tag your bags - and - depending on your place of lodging - the bags get brought to your hotel (not all places do this - otherwise - see below on how this happens)

• Park the car - and - I think it is still free to park or a small fee

Bring Your Bikes on the Ferry

• If you plan on riding bikes on the island - highly recommended - you will most likely want to bring your own - it is cheaper to bring your bikes than rent them

• Bring bike locks - I haven't heard of any issues and yet - I don't want want to find out

• Walking and bikes are your primary mode of getting around the island - you will use them a lot!

The Ferry Ride Over

• One of the highlights of the trip is the ride - it is so beautiful to see the islands

• Sit on top of the ferry - you get great views and you will get less queasy if you get motion sickness - the ride usually isn't rough it is just wavy

• Speaking of - if you do feel queasy - the best tip is to 

What to Expect When Arriving at the Island

• The ferry will dock and you will pick up your luggage and bikes at the luggage area and the front of the dock - not from the boat - similar to an airport but way less walking

• Talk to the staff and hire a bicyclist that can take your luggage to your room - this is quite the spectacle! They are usually college kids doing a summer job. 

• Make sure you have identified all of your luggage and bike to your hotel room along with your luggage carrier - you don't need to supervise the person with the luggage - thy know where to go so it makes it easy for you to navigate

• Riding to your hotel room is when things get really interesting - take it all in - the stores, the people on bikes, the horses - it is a highlight for me to see

• Be prepared to pay and tip the cyclist - with cash - around $20 to $25

• At the hotel - they will unload everything and from there - talk to your host to get your luggage to your room

Lodging

There are a lot of great options and every one of them have been great to stay in

Recommendations

To get fully immersed in Island Life stay in a Bed and Breakfast

Bed and Breakfast options - and - we are value shoppers so we don't stay in the high end places though there are plenty of those. Look for the best rate with the best room size for your needs - there are only great places to stay

Places we have stayed - in no particular order:

• Haan's 1830 Inn - just past the marina - very beautiful place

• Market Street Inn - close to the main road - walkable to go eat

• Small Point Bed and Breakfast - down at the end of the main road - very quiet and nice

• Bicycle Street Inn & Suites - in the center of the main street - my brother loves staying here

• Harbour View Inn - very beautiful place - I think they all are - just past the marina from the main road

• Lilac Tree Suites - another option - in the center of the main street

There are a lot of options - do some research on places - and call the hosts directly - they are very happy to help you figure things out

Want to go all out? Stay at the Grand Hotel

• Grand Hotel - and - you may want to at least explore this historic hotel. You have to pay a fee to go inside, however, you can visit the ice cream shop and get close.

  • Worth going inside!

  • Schedule a brunch to eat there - that way you don't have to pay a fee to get inside and the dining halls are amazing plus the food!

Where to Eat

Everything is so good - all great options

A couple of our favorites:

• Watercolor Cafe - great food, great location - and - art supplies to do some drawing, etc.

  • Watercolor Cafe Art Classes

• Grand Hotel for brunch - this is worth the money to go at least once

• Island Slice Pizzeria - this place - love the pizza, pasta - we visit this place for lunch and dinner several times a trip

• The Chuckwagon for some good quick hamburger/ fries

• Pink Pony

• Millie's on Main is a place we go to a lot - convenient, good food and cost effective

• Bistro on the Greens - great outdoor seating

• There are many more - and - the best fun is exploring new places!

Coffee Places

My favorite place to visit on the island is Lucky Bean Coffee House and there is a Starbucks on the island but why go there when you have uniqueness...

Mackinac Fudge

Mackinac Fudge is world famous and it is legit great

Stop by each of the five distinct fudge shops and try their fudge samples - then - buy a few slices. Not supposed to refrigerate fudge - not sure why

• JoAnn's - favorite!

• Murdick's

• Ryba's

• Devon's

• May's

What to Do

There are so many tempos of activity you can do on the island

Being Active - Cycling/ Walking

• Pack up some food and bike around the island - it is around ten miles and fairly flat - and take your time - don't rush it because what else is there to do?

  • There are places to stop to eat your lunch along the way

  • Stop at the rock archway for sure

  • Stop anywhere that looks beautiful and sit on the shore and let the waves roll in

  • About halfway around the island is a place with restrooms

  • Stop by the Devil's Kitchen - it is a small cave - the kids like it

• There are a lot of interior trails/ roads to explore on the inner island - just be prepared for a workout - the hills are steep - great to go down and most likely would need to walk them up

  • No particular recommendation except:

    • Head to the Archway

    • Visit the Mackinac Island Cemetery

    • Head to Fort Holmes - fabulous views

    • Stop by Skull Cave

    • Head up to Sugar Loaf

    • Visit the airport along the way

    • Visit the Somewhere in Time gazebo

    • Drop by and go inside the Little Stone Church

  • Take at least one horse taxi - it is great to travel at a very slow pace :)

Being Active - Miniature Golf

There is a great place to go - during the day and at night - called The Greens of Mackinac

Relaxing

• It is vacation and there are plenty of places to chill

  • Most lodging places have nice decks or other outdoor seating to watch all the horses, cyclists and people going by

  • Head to the Library - there is a fantastic deck in the back of the library that is always available to hang out and enjoy the beautiful views

  • Sitting at the docks at the marina is very nice

  • Head down to Mission Point Resort and sit on the chairs that are placed out on the grassy area

  • At sunset - head down to the library - or along the shore there - and take in the sun setting on the Mackinac Bridge

  • Bring some food down and eat at the tables near the library

Learning

• Watercolor Cafe Art Classes

• Grand Hotel Experiences [tours, Secret Garden, 

• The Mackinac Island City Hall has a great little museum

• Take a Carriage Tour - I haven't done it - I would rather bike around but it looks good

• Fort Mackinac is worth going to at least once - just to get a feel for the history

• Butterfly House - sounds good - never tried it :)

• The library is fantastic

Shopping

There are countless really distinct stores to visit - whether it is art, unique trinkets and clothing. Just walk up and down the street.

Getting Around the Island

There are no cars on the island - except for an ambulance and a few construction vehicles

The options are:

• Walking - easiest to get around the main streets

• Cycling - my favorite - it is fast and efficient

• Horse Taxis

Leaving the Island

The toughest part of the trip is leaving!

• Check your ferry schedule (online)  and your lodging host will be more than happy to help you out

• You may check out and store your bags at your place of lodging until departure

• Have your lodging host schedule someone to come pick up your bags to bring to the dock when you depart

• Once at the dock - pay the cyclist and they will make sure to get your bags on a cart to go on the ferry

• Walk your bikes to the ferry where they will load them up

• You will stand in line to get on the ferry

• Grab an upper deck for the trip back and enjoy the ride

• When you reach the dock go down and grab your bikes to walk off the dock

• Someone goes to get the car - drive it up to the luggage pick up place - where you can let them know what bags are yours and you can load up the car