Walking Time: Varies
Distance: Varies
Mackinac Island has been widely acclaimed in the national media in the past couple years, increasing its popularity including for Viking Cruise Ships, which make it a stop on its Great Lakes cruises. But before everybody knew about this beautiful place, many Michiganders already held it in a special place in their hearts. The pace is slower, the noises more natural.
You’ll be spending most of your time outdoors. Spring, especially May and June when the lilacs are blooming, and summer, when all the gardens are on majestic display, are wonderful times to visit. Fall has its own charms, as the colors come and the crowds scatter, adding to the serenity of the island.
Walking West
The ferry will dock island-side and you’ll be ushered onto Main Street. The two-lane road runs around the entire eight miles circumventing the island, which can easily be biked and passes many beautiful natural sights. Bike rentals are available, or you can bring your own (ferry service allows you to for an additional fee).
Main Street sidewalks can be crowded at times, especially around mealtimes. Peruse the unique collection of shops: Lilacs and Lace, Great Turtle Toys, the Loon Feather, and Benjamin Gifts are must-see stops. You’ll find art galleries, fine clothing stores, and your basic souvenir shops all scattered around the downtown area. It’s easy to spend a couple hours going in and out of stores. You’ll need some sustenance as you go along. Fudge shops abound in this area, so pick up a slice or two; many fudge shops have ice cream and taffy as well.
From the downtown area, head west – the side with the Mackinac Bridge. You can choose to cut up one of the streets up to the quieter and more quaint Market Street for additional shops, B&Bs, and a horse riding rental. There is also a museum on the east end of the street: Stuart House Museum, the past home of John Jacob Aster (who would later die on the Titanic).
If you prefer to stay on Main Street, you will pass Windermere Point, home of Doghouse at Windermere Point, a simple eatery with outdoor dining space with the best “dogs” on the island, as well as chili dogs, chips, ice bars, and more. This is also a great spot to relax, observe boat traffic, see Round Island lighthouse, and take in some kite-flying.
Continue in this direction to pass some historic homes and take Cadotte Street back into the island. Here, you’ll encounter Little Stone Church and within easy distance see the Grand Hotel. You are free to explore some of the gardens. You can access the Grand Hotel by paying a small entrance fee, and it’s well worth it so that you can walk the expansive 660-foot porch, the longest in the world. The iconic red geraniums are everywhere, and the Mackinac Bridge beckons from a distance.
To the front of the Grand Hotel is another road, West Bluff Road. Take this if you would like to see several magnificent Victorian homes, situated high above the lake. You might recognize them from when you ferried in. Find Pontiac’s Trail and take the West Bluff Stairs back down to M-185 (the road that goes around the island and connects with Main Street. Walk back toward town. On the way, you’ll pass the “Is It You” monument from the classic film, Somewhere in Time, which plays daily up at Mission Point.
Walking East
At the east end of Main Street is Marquette Park, a popular spot across from the marina where kids love to run and play, people play games or picnic, or simply to take a break during their day. Above, and a steep climb, is Fort Mackinac, the oldest building on the island. Admission is $16.25 for adults and $9.75 for children, but you can easily spend a lot of time here. The fort is first and foremost a museum, as this has been in existence and in use since the American Revolution. There are still artifacts being unearthed. A major battle, the Battle of Mackinac Island, is conveyed via a movie. You can attend cannon and rifle demonstrations, or even visit the tea room, which has one of the best views of Lake Huron. It’s easy to see why this location was strategically valuable – in addition to being downright beautiful.
After the fort, you can choose to take the trails located behind and start journeying further inland. There are many to choose from: Arch Rock Bicycle Trail goes to Arch Rock and Nicolet Watchtower, as well as leads to Tranquil Bluff Trail to an overlook. You can take Garrison Road instead to see Skull Cave, Fort Holmes, and Sugar Loaf.
Alternatively, walk back down the hill to M-185 and turn left. This scenic walk will take you past several historic homes that have been converted into hotels. You’ll come across Saint Anne Church, a favorite for destination weddings. Near Saint Anne’s is the Butterfly House, which is 1800 square feet of tropical garden and hundreds of butterflies. This educational and enchanting attraction encourages an appreciation and curiosity of the natural world. Return to M-185 and walk until you reach Mission Point Resort. The expansive lawn with its white Adirondack chairs offer respite. There are a couple restaurants and a mini golf course as well. You might be lucky enough to see a Great Lakes freighter go by.
If you’re biking, you can choose to continue onward and bike around the island. Some people choose to take a leisurely walk; the roadway is relatively flat. You’ll see Arch Rock from below, one of many natural formations you’ll encounter. All in all, it’s about relaxing and enjoying the view.
There are a handful of eateries away from the main area, but the majority are downtown. Be aware, island pricing is higher than mainland pricing. If you’re on Mackinac Island for the day, you can pick and choose how to eat. You can bring a picnic along or pick up groceries at Doud’s Market. If you want to enjoy a classic Mackinac Island restaurant, visit the Pink Pony, Horn’s Bar, Island Slice Pizzeria, Village Inn, or Seabiscuit Café. For high-class dining, there are restaurants at the Hotel Iroquois, the Grand Hotel, Island House, and Mission Point. Here is a road map of the island, along with primary attractions, for reference: https://www.mackinacisland.org/wp-content/uploads/MITB_LocatorMap_2023_Web2-copy-1-scaled.jpg.
