🍁 3-Day & 2-Night Northern Michigan Road Trip Guide

Finally, here it is! A dedicated travel guide for Mackinac Island! Day 3️⃣ Itinerary: Munising → St. Ignace → 🚢 Mackinac Island → Skybridge → East Lansing 🎫 Ferry Tickets & Tips We took the ferry to the island from St. Ignace, but you can also depart from Mackinaw City—choose based on your itinerary. Booking Channel: Search for sheplersferry.com on Google to buy tickets. Adult tickets cost $34, and ferries depart every 30 minutes ⏳. Money-Saving Hack: According to Xiaohongshu tips, tickets are cheaper if purchased at local hotels. If possible, buy them in advance before heading to the ferry terminal 💰. Important Alert: There’s another ferry company called Starline, which is recommended in many old guides—but it’s not operating recently! You can only take Sheplers to the island, so don’t make a wasted trip ❌! 🚴 Transportation on the Island Mackinac Island is car-free—no vehicles are allowed, which is super cool! 🚫🚗 You have two main options for getting around: Horse-Drawn Carriage Taxi: A 2-hour loop around the island 🐎—perfect for a relaxed, scenic ride. Bicycle Rental: A 1-hour loop around the island. We rented a tandem bike (two-person bike) 🚲. It was tricky to get the hang of at first, but once we got used to it, it was so much fun! There are many bike rental shops, so feel free to walk around and compare prices. 📍 Must-Visit Attractions Grand Hotel: The most iconic spot on the island 🏨—great for taking photos at the entrance (even if you don’t stay there!). Arch Rock: A natural rock arch with stunning lake views 🪨—a classic photo op you can’t miss. Fort Mackinac (Optional): A historic fort with an admission fee. They put on cannon-firing demonstrations by costumed soldiers 🏰—fun for history lovers. Butterfly Museum (Optional): A cozy spot with colorful butterflies fluttering around 🦋—nice for a quick stop if you have extra time. Scenic Roads: Even the casual walks are amazing! You’ll pass beautiful autumn foliage and charming horse-drawn carriages along the way 🍂. 🍽️ Food Recommendations Kingston Kitchen: A fantastic Jamaican restaurant 🇯🇲! We ordered ribs and coconut shrimp—huge portions and delicious flavor. Perfect for refueling after exploring. Local Treats: Fudge: The island’s signature snack 🍫! It tastes like a mix of brownie and chocolate—ask for samples before buying. We went to Ryba‘s; the staff recommended a vegan fudge (not too sweet) that makes a great gift for friends. Gelato: Try the island-exclusive Peanut Butter Mackinac Island Fudge flavor 🥜🍦—creamy, nutty, and totally addictive! Don’t skip it! 💝 Souvenir Shopping As soon as you get off the ferry, you’ll hit the island’s main street—filled with cute shops 🛍️! Fridge magnet lovers will be in heaven—there are tons of unique, Michigan-themed magnets. One shop has a huge selection of Jellycat plush toys 🧸—great for picking up a cuddly souvenir. #StudyInUSA #NorthernMichigan #AutumnFoliageInNorthernMichigan #RoadTrip #MackinacIsland #SelfDrivingTrip #TravelDiary #Michigan #LifeInNorthAmerica