Mackinac Island State Park
Mackinac Island State Park things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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We visited this island in the month of August and it was wonderful weather. This beautiful island is only reachable by flight or ferry from Mackinaw city and St.Ignace. You will park your car in sheppers parking area and then take the shuttle to ferry deck. The ferry will take approx 35-40 min to reach the island. The best thing about the island was, it has only bicycles and carriages, no cars, no motor cycle. That sounds so refreshing. Complete island can be cover in 90-120 min by bike. It will be 8 mile round trip but if you are walking in the trail, it will be around 80 miles. Bike rental will start from $10. Famous attractions here are Grand Hotel, Fort, Arch rock. Walking in the streets, checking restaurants and gift shops feel so good. After checking out the history of the island, you feel like you traveled back in time. Some of the hotels, churches and residents were from 1700 century. If you are a history buff then carriage tour is definitely recommended. Wait time in restaurants can be long enough so plan accordingly. The island is also known for its fudge with more than ten fudge shops which I don’t think is needed. The visitor Center is a good place to grab all the information however I didn’t find state park stamp there.There are lots of trails in the state park but do remember to carry water with you as you will not find public drinking water. Lake water is crystal clear and we can see fishes around. Many picnic spots are also available and yes dogs are allowed in the island. The people in the island are very kind.
RAJAT JAISRAJAT JAIS
00
One of the best location to be in if you are staying by Mackinac. Renting sites were all gone so landed up tenting at RV site. It was about 5 mins walk from lake itself. To my bad luck it started to rain at night but my wife got her chance to experience tenting in rain. I have to say this it’s not a good experience ever. Well, next morning we bikes to the boat site it took us to Meckinac. They charge you like 13 bucks for return fare for bikes. There are plenty you can rent in the island itself. Be watchful of which boat you get onto on your way back because there are 3 routes and boat do not automatically drop you off where they pick you from. It was cold and windy, it means deck gets cold and when boat turns water get onto to the deck and on people. Water was enough to get people to get drenched. I did not find any interesting restaurant around. So keep your expectation low. Do not expect too many late night opened restaurants. To be honest food wise it was a bit of disappointment. I also thought, I might see lots of local artists stuff. I was sorta disappointed on that front too. I also thought fees to the fort on Meckinac was little higher than I would expect.
Vicky NahVicky Nah
00
We visited the island over the Memorial Day weekend. We had high hopes based on the reviews and vlogs. Unfortunately, we didn’t find it as good of an experience overall as we expected. We took the Shepler’s ferry and I think they have a great service. We made it there in time to catch the Mighty Mac which takes us under the Mackinaw bridge, that was nice. As soon as we got off at the island, we realized how crowded it was in the downtown area. The roads are chaos with people who don’t have the skills of riding a bike going all over the place. They don’t even stop at pedestrian crossings! We skipped the Grand Hotel and the Fort. We walked to the Arch Rock which looks beautiful, then the Greens of Mackinac which was also a nice place to hangout. We tried the fudge and that was a waste of money! Overall, I’m “not” rating it as a bad place or not worth the visit. It’s more of a highly commercialized and crowded tourist place than a place with worth-seeing attractions. If you have the time and budget, I’d still recommend seeing the island. Just don’t expect too much, unless your desire is to try a bike, horse carriage and spend money on restaurants.
TG GunasekaraTG Gunasekara
00
Situated between the Upper and Lower Peninsula of Michigan in the straits of Mackinac where Lake Huron meets Lake Michigan is this 8.2 miles around beautiful island. You can only get to this island by ferry or airplane. The island is set back in time as you can only use bicycles, horses, horse carriages or go by foot as no automation is allowed save the the police vehicles, ambulance and fire trucks. The island has beautiful rock formations such as, Arch Rock and is loaded with French/British/Native American history. The island is also known for their fudge. I personally recommend Joann’s Fudge as I used to be a fudge girl and my brothers were fudge makers. The tourist season runs from May to October however, you can get over to the island in the winter time. I used to live and work for Frank and Joan Nephew on the island and highly recommend going here as it is one of Michigan’s best tourist destinations. Make sure to get some Joann’s Fudge to take home with you. I usually take Shepler’s Ferry. I’ve met Mr. Shepler and he’s one heck of a nice man.
Angela BrownAngela Brown
00
I was not wild about going here, as I feared it would be another of my wife's "death march" tours, but was pleasantly surprised. The park is only accessible by ferry, and most hotels give discounts on the fare. Get one of the fast boats.you you can walk the island, rent a bike (or ferry your own across) AR arrange for a carriage tour. We found out after the fact that you can get a family pass at the bridge welcome center that gives you access to the lighthouse museum and colonial museum on the mainland, as well as fort Mackinac and other museums on the island. Best deal. To visit the Grand Hotel is a $10 fee, but it is something to behold. Lunch is pricey, but food is excellent and the service is top notch. We did a carriage tour and the drivers were very informative. The fort gives canon and musket firing demos as well as bayonet drill. The exhibits in some of the building include projections to karate some of the history. Well done. The park is worthy of a couple of days minimum.
kevin zelhartkevin zelhart
40
Mackinac Island State Park is an amazing destination for a visit in any season, with a beauty so captivating you'd wish you could stay forever. I visited last fall in October and its about 5-6 hour drive from Detroit, you'll reach Mackinaw City and from there, take a ferry to the island. You can book ferry tickets online or buy at ferry entrance. Embrace the unique experience of a car-free island, where bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the primary modes of transport. The island features incredible hotels and restaurants that cater to every taste, ensuring your stay is comfortable and delightful. Be sure to catch the breathtaking sunsets over Lake Michigan, a sight that truly showcases the lake's grandeur. Mackinac Island is a perfect getaway for those seeking an amazing time with friends and family, offering both relaxation and adventure. I would definitely 💯 recommend it to anyone looking for a truly memorable experience.
KrishnaKrishna
10
Nearby Attractions Of Mackinac Island State Park
Fort Mackinac
Fort Holmes
Skull Cave
Michigan Governor's Summer Residence
Wings of Mackinac
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Somewhere In Time Gazebo
Mackinac Island Bike Tours - CAP Excursions
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Fort Holmes
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Skull Cave
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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence
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Nearby Restaurants Of Mackinac Island State Park
Fort Mackinac Tea Room Restaurant
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Reviews
Overview
4.8
(3.4K reviews)
Phone
(906) 847-3328
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Website
mackinacparks.com
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Deep Dive
A deep dive into Mackinac Island State Park
