Visitor Info regarding Mackinac Island MI

Mackinac Island is a resort island that is in the straights of Mackinac and connected with Lake Michigan and Huron; it’s famous for the old world feel. One thing you’ll notice is how safe the streets and sidewalks are to bike and walk on and that’s because of the horse and bicycle culture. Main Street tends to be very busy and showcases how street crowding can be a problem. Be sure to stay out of the way of the horses and out of the downtown street for safety purposes. Living in a horse town is not familiar to most folks and on Mackinac Island; the horses have the right of way. Mackinac Island has quite the unique geology which over the course of time created many hills and cliffs that are beautiful and great to photograph. To top it all off, Mackinac lodgings are ageless and suit the scenery perfectly.

All three of Mackinac Island’s foremost sights were built during the late 1800s or are interpreted as if one was visiting them in that period. The largest town on Mackinac Island only has two streets, Main Street and Market Street. Good examples of late 1800s commercial architecture can be found throughout Main Street. A number of Market Street buildings demonstrate architecture of an even earlier period, the fur trade boom around the War of 1812 period. Upon the top of a steep hill which is above Main Street is Fort Mackinac. 1780 was the year the stone wall was built while most of the other buildings that make up the fort were built in the 1800s. Halfway up another steep hill is the Grand Hotel, a substantial 1884 summer palace offering upscale accommodation. Some other must see attractions on Mackinac Island include the State Park, the Surrey Hills Carriage Museum and Arch Park.

Mackinac Island contains a number of saddle horse trails and footpaths that sprawl throughout the island. These great paths have been around for over 150 years. Most people get from place to place by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. Main Street is a popular attraction on Mackinac Island and is a flat paved trail that is around 8 miles long. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours provides a horse-drawn ride along a set route through the interior of the Island. Visitors can also rent saddle horses or light buggies by the hour. If you are interested in the history behind Mackinac Island’s ghost stories, history and legends then consider taking a walking tour with the Haunts of Mackinac and their Haunted History Tours. Within the interior of the island there are three 9-hole golf courses. From the island’s harbour you’re able to charter sailboats to cruise the Straights of Mackinac.

Including the legendary Grand Hotel there are over 40 hotels to call home while you visit the island, such as Mackinac Island Bed and Breakfasts. Hotels, historic inns, apartments, bed-and-breakfasts, condos and Victorian era cottages are available. There are more than 30 licensed establishments on Mackinac Island that operate inside the summer hotels. Since the 1880s, Mackinac candy makers have made and sold fudge to visitors. Mackinac Island Fudge is still made with traditional ingredients and in the traditional process.

The ports Mackinaw City and St. Ignace of the Lower and Upper Peninsula respectively, are where most people catch commercial ferryboats to travel to Mackinac Island; this is the main medium of transportation to the island.