Mackinac Island is a great family-friendly destination. Located in Lake Huron in between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas, this is a popular attraction not just for Midwesterners, but for tourists from all over. Due to its historical architecture, unique restaurants and ban on motor vehicles, it’s a great place to escape from everyday life and slow down for a bit. In fact, it’s a designated National Historic Landmark. Additionally, the majority of the island is part of Mackinac Island State Park. From our personal experience, a full day on the island should suffice for most families. So what are the best things to do on Mackinac Island?
GETTING TO THE ISLAND
Well, the first obvious thing you need to figure out is getting on the island. Since there are no cars allowed on the island, you will have to take a ferry. Mackinac is serviced by two ferry services: Shepler’s Ferry and Star Line Ferry. Both of these offer departures from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Most visitors will likely choose the Mackinaw City departure since many tourists drive up from the south. But you can also take a ferry from St. Ignace, which is on the north side of the Mackinac Bridge.
There’s really no one ferry service to recommend over the other. They both essentially offer the same service. Depending on the schedule, certain departures will go under the Mackinac Bridge. The “Mighty Mac” is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world, and we think it’s totally worth the time to pick a departure that goes under the bridge. As you near the bridge and eventually pass under, you’ll be able to really get a sense of how massive it is.
The prices between the two companies are also very similar if not identical. Both also offer online discounts, so be sure to check the websites to save a few dollars. If you want the Hydro-Jet boat, go with Star Line. Otherwise, either of these services will get you to the island virtually the same way. Most visitors will just choose based on personal preference or previous experience. If you need to park your car for the day or overnight, be sure to compare the prices and options available.
THINGS TO DO
So what’s there to do once you get to Mackinac Island? Most of the attractions, restaurants and hotels are centered around the downtown area by the ferry stations on the south side of the island. But there’s plenty to see around the whole area, especially if you bike, which leads us to our first recommendation…
BIKE AROUND THE ISLAND
We believe the one of the best activities for visitors to do is to bike around the entire island. Remember, there’s no motorized vehicles here, so it’s a blast to ride on the paved roads without needing to worry about cars. The whole loop is around 8 miles, so it’s a doable activity for many families. As you ride along the coastline, you’ll be treated to scenic views of the lake. Of course, you could walk the entire length or explore the multitude of hiking paths if biking is not an option.
Some visitors bring their own bikes on the ferry (for a small fee). However, if you are unable to bring your own bicycle like most tourists, don’t worry! There are multiple rental vendors on the island available. Like the ferries, they provide virtually the same experience. The rates and offerings are similar and they all offer a variety of styles from cruisers, mountain bikes and tandems. You can also rent children’s bikes for kids, or tagalongs and carriers for really young ones. The hourly rate should suffice for an afternoon loop around the island. But if you want to do a more in-depth ride with more frequent and longer stops, the daily rate may be the more cost-effective option.
One stop we definitely recommend on your bike ride around the island is Arch Rock. This magnificent natural limestone arch at over 50 feet wide is an incredible sight with the beautiful blue waters of the lake as a background. If you are biking along the road, you will need to climb 200 steps to get to the overlook. For those that may have more limited mobility, you may want to consider a carriage tour to skip the stairs.
GRAND HOTEL & FORT MACKINAC
Another landmark of Mackinac Island is the swanky Grand Hotel. As expected, this is an expensive place to stay and even has an evening dress code. (More on that in the dining section below.) As a non-hotel guest, you may be subject to a small fee to enter. But even if you don’t go in, it’s still an enjoyable experience to walk around the beautifully-maintained grounds.
For a more family-friendly attraction or if you’re a history buff, you may want to stop by Fort Mackinac. Step back in time here with cannons, costumed interpreters and more. Established during the American Revolution, Fort Mackinac served as a military outpost for British and American soldiers. If you want to learn more about its history, be sure to check out their tours and exhibits.
CARRIAGE RIDES & OTHER ACTIVITIES
- Another popular activity is taking a carriage tour. Enjoy a good old-fashioned horse and buggy ride for a more intimate guided tour.
- If biking or horses aren’t your thing and you’re more drawn to the water, consider taking a kayaking tour to get a unique perspective around the island.
- Enjoy some friendly competition with your family at the 18-hole putting course at Mission Point.
- Mackinac Island has 2 butterfly conservatories, which may particularly interest families with younger kids: The Original Butterfly House and Insect World and Wings of Mackinac.
- Art lovers should check out the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Musuem for art related to and inspired by the island.
FUDGE, FUDGE AND MORE FUDGE
Mackinac Island is also well-known for its numerous fudge shops. Make sure to take some time to stop in and sample a variety of flavors. Depending on the shop, you’ll be able to select not just from the classics, but also have the opportunity to try some unique and innovative flavors! Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, this decadent delicacy makes for great gifts. Main Street is lined with fudge shops, so it’s a great way to reward yourself after a bike ride around the island! If you’re a fudge fan, you may want to schedule your visit around the annual Mackinac Island Fudge Festival, typically held in late August.
RESTAURANTS
Mackinac Island has no shortage of restaurants. You will have plenty of options here, whether you’re looking for upscale dining, a lively bar or a family-friendly establishment.
If you’re looking for something fancy, look no further than the Grand Hotel. But if you’re going for dinner in the Main Dining Room, remember to come prepared. After 6:30 pm, there is a strict dress code throughout the hotel. This means a coat, tie and slacks for men, or a dress, skirt or pantsuit for women. You won’t be breaking out any shorts or denim here in the evening. Non-hotel guests can take part in dinner at an additional price. If you’re interested in attending but not staying at the hotel, be sure to check that non-hotel visitors can join for dinner on your specific day. The Grand Hotel also offers casual options as well, including The Gate House, Sushi Grand, Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor and more.
Another popular option around the island is The Chuckwagon. This diner is the opposite experience of the suit and tie atmosphere of the Grand Hotel. But it’s definitely more our style! The Chuckwagon is known for their delicious breakfasts and award-winning burgers. It’s a fun spot for the whole family and isn’t too tough on your wallet either.
There are several bar-and-grill options on Mackinac as well. We enjoyed getting a quick bite and beer at Cawthorne’s Village Inn. Unfortunately, this restaurant is no longer open, but there are many other great choices. Another tourist favorite is The Pink Pony. It’s known for good food, cocktails and a superb outdoor dining experience. The patio over the water provides beautiful views of the lake as you hang out, eat and drink. Their whitefish comes highly recommended. Oh, and did we mention there’s live music as well?
Millie’s on Main is another excellent homestyle pub. This cozy establishment offers the favorites you’d expect like burgers, sandwiches, fish, salads and more. Many guests enjoy the beef pasties here (basically a meat-filled pie) We also loved Seabiscuit Cafe, a great stop for drinks and appetizers. You got to try the cheese crock here! Nothing beats delicious melty cheese to dip in.
If you’re looking more for a romantic setting for a date night, there are several restaurants you may want to try out, such as 1852 Grill Room (seafood and steak) and Chianti (Italian). On the other hand, one kid-friendly option we want to point out is Mama La Rosa’s Pizza Buffet. Located in the Murray Hotel, this isn’t necessarily a unique Mackinac experience. But if your kids like pizza and everyone is really hungry, this can be a satisfying option. In fact, this is where we fueled up at lunch before going on our afternoon bike ride around the island.
This is just a small sampling of the dining available on Mackinac Island. With all the choices available, we’re confident your family will be able to find restaurants and cuisine that you’ll love!
MACKINAW CITY
While the main attraction is the island itself, many visitors will likely spend some time in Mackinaw City. If you’re not staying overnight on Mackinac Island, then you’re probably spending a night or two in Mackinaw City. A perk of staying off the island is that the hotels will be cheaper on the mainland and there’s a lot more options available. However, most of the accommodations in this small resort town are lower-end motels and hotels. Some are chains, while others are independently-owned. Overall, you won’t find anything too fancy here. On our last visit, we stayed at the Thunderbird Inn. It fit our needs, which for that trip, was literally just a place to sleep at night. They also offer a free continental breakfast and have an indoor pool.
If we could only recommend one restaurant in Mackinaw City, we’d choose Scalawags Whitefish & Chips. This area is known for whitefish and Scalawags is one of the best places to enjoy this local favorite. Even Karen, who’s not a big fish eater, thought their fried whitefish was good! For non-seafood fans, we recommend their chicken tenders. Their meal baskets also come with fries, coleslaw and hush puppies. With a tasty menu, this small local restaurant is a great option for all families.
Our other recommendation in Mackinaw City is Headlands International Dark Sky Park. If you have any astronomy lovers in your family or just love looking at the stars, this is an obvious stop. We came here at night after spending the whole day on Mackinac Island. Unfortunately, the night ended up being foggy and we were bombarded by mosquitoes. It can get a little crowded with other stargazers, but there’s plenty of space to spread out. So if it’s a clear night, bring some lawn chairs or a blanket and a TON of bug spray. Binoculars or a telescope would be an added bonus!
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
And there you have it! Mackinac Island and the surrounding area makes for a great day visit or weekend trip. Slow down and take in the relaxed Northern Michigan culture as you escape to simpler times. Whether you are looking for a romantic anniversary getaway or a fun-filled destination for the whole family, you’ll find it here.
Do you have any questions about Mackinac Island or want to share your favorite things to do there? Leave us a comment below. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check out our other itineraries and travel ideas on our Trips & Tips page!