Mackinaw City & Mackinaw Island, MI

Mackinaw and Mackinaw Island have a variety of things to do year round.  I can remember as a little girl traveling to the Mackinaw Bridge and thinking “Wow this bridge is so big!  How did they ever build it?”  Crossing the bridge is amazing.  There is so much to look at.  The bridge, the water, the shoreline build a feeling of excitement and anticipation as you traveling this magnificent structure.  Across all 5 miles of the Mackinaw Bridge you will experience a scary, loud humming noise.  Your entire vehicle radiates with an intense vibration.  The grates creating the road you are driving on allowing you to see all the way to the blue fresh water below you.  One of coolest things about Mackinaw City is this bridge that connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan.  Crossing the bridge you have the pleasure of seeing Lake Michigan to the left and Lake Huron to the right. 

One really cool thing to do is take a ferry ride from Mackinaw City to Mackinaw Island.  On the boat ride you can either sit on the roof top deck in the open air, or you can take a seat in the enclosed deck below.  My favorite place to sit is on the deck above.  Yes, the seat on the roof is guaranteed to wreck a good hairdo, but well worth it.  While on the boat ride you can see Mackinaw City, Mackinaw Island and the Upper Peninsula.  During the summer you might be able to see people parasailing or maybe you’re one of those adventurous people willing to try it. 

 

Once on the island you have an abundance of tourist things to choose from.  There are no cars on the island at any time.  Everyone on the island rides bikes, walks or takes carriage rides everywhere they go.  Seeing no cars on the entire island takes you back in time.  You arrive in a time period when life passes at a slower pace.  What a peaceful place.  The most popular activity on the island is either ride a bike or horse around the island.  While on this adventure you can visit Arch Rock. Arch Rock is an amazing landform.  Workers and people that live on the island will tell you many hotels are haunted. 

 

 

Both the island and the city offer many different historical Museums. Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Heritage Village, Mackinac Bridge Museum, and the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers are of few of the best historical destinations.  You will also be able to find the best homemade fudge and candy to satisfy your sweet tooth.  If you don’t get loads of candy or fudge while visiting here then you haven’t experienced the island life yet.

Mackinaw and Mackinaw Island has so many different activities to offer year around you could never get bored.