Nick & Becca
Things To Do
Shopping
There are multiple gift shops and art galleries in the downtown Mackinac Island area. Mackinac Island is known for fudge and other sweet treats. Be sure to check out one of the 13 fudge shops on the island to see how the fudge is made and try a few samples!
Dining and Nightlife
Downtown Mackinac Island offers a wide range of dining options, including plenty of local Michigan favorites and gorgeous waterfront views. With more than a dozen bars and most hosting live music nightly, Mackinac Pub Crawls are a long-standing tradition. Some of our favorites are the Gate House, the Pink Pony, Mary's Bistro, and Horn's Bar.
Ryba's Bicycle Rentals
Renting bicycles for a ride around the island is a must! There are multiple bicycle rental locations in downtown Mackinac Island offering single and tandem bicycles. There are also bicycles available for rent at Mission Point Resort.
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
A carriage tour is a great way to see the island and learn about it's history. The Mackinac Island Carriage Tour is narrated and will take you through downtown to Surrey Hills, Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac and the Grand Hotel. Gough Carriages offer a private tours with customized itineraries. (http://www.goughcarriages.com) Jack’s Livery Stable offers "drive your own buggies". Carriages are available for two, four, or six passengers and are available by the hour. Stable hands give a short lesson on how to drive and then you are off to explore. (http://www.jacksliverystable.com/)
Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac was founded during the American Revolution. Believing Fort Michilimackinac at what is now Mackinaw City was too vulnerable to American attack, the British moved the fort to Mackinac Island in 1780. Americans took control in 1796. In July 1812, in the first land engagement of the War of 1812 in the United States, the British captured the fort. It was returned to the United States after the war. The fort remained active until 1895. During these years Mackinac Island was transformed from a center of the fur trade into a major summer resort. Since 1959 the fort has been open to the public as a living history museum. Today you can see exhibits explaining everything from military training and battles to medical treatments to family life within the fort. There are daily cannon salutes, reenactments, and interactive displays. The fort is located on the bluff that overlooks the Straits of Mackinac on the east end of downtown.
Cindy's Riding Stable
Cindy's riding stable offers saddled horse rental with guided and unguided trail riding.
The Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House and Insect World
This 1800 sq ft tropical garden is filled with hundreds of live butterflies from four continents and is the 3rd oldest live butterfly exhibit in the United States.
Walking Tours
Take a walking tour with a Mackinac expert to learn about the history of the island and see the highlights! See Fort Mackinac, the Island schoolhouse, the Governor’s residence, Grand Hotel, West Bluff summer cottages, the Straits of Mackinac, and Victorian architecture. Haunts of Mackinac walking tours will teach you about the history of Mackinac and the hauntings and ghost stories it is famous for. (http://www.hauntsofmackinac.com/)
Hiking Mackinac
Get out of downtown and enjoy a quiet hike to one of the more scenic spots on Mackinac. There are more than 70 miles of roads and trails on the island. Popular trails include "Accross the Turtle's Back" trail, the Tranquil Bluff Trail and the British Landing Nature Trail. Arch Rock, Chimney Rock, and Fort Holmes are iconic Mackinac sites that are worth the walk! Trail maps can be downloaded and printed (https://www.mackinacisland.org/wp-content/uploads/mackinac-island-overview-map.pdf) or purchased from the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor's Center.
Golf
There are two golf courses on the island: The Jewel is a unique and beautiful course. The Grand nine is located across the street from the Grand Hotel, with views of Lake Huron and Round Island. The Woods nine is set in the interior of Mackinac Island, with views of the Mackinac Bridge and the Upper Peninsula. After completing the Grand nine, you and your clubs will be transported via horse-drawn carriage a mile and a half to the Woods nine. The Wawashkamo Golf Club, located at the British Landing, is a nine-hole links golf course. The course was established in 1898 at the site of the 1814 Battle of Mackinac Island and is the oldest continuously played golf course in Michigan. The golf course retains many of the features of a nineteenth-century golf links, including a relatively treeless layout, comparatively short holes, and very long rough.
Fishing
Fishing on the Great Lakes is one of our favorite things to do! Check out one of the many local fishing charters for a fun and relaxing day on the water. In July and August charters will take you out into the Straits of Mackinac to fish for King Salmon, Lake Trout, & Steelhead. North Shore Sport Fishing Charters (https://northshoresportfishingcharter.com/) and E.U.P. Fishing Charters (http://eupfishingcharters.net/) are both based out of St. Ignace, MI. Mackinac Island departures can be requested.
Great Turtle Kayak Tours
Explore the Straits of Mackinac in a single kayak, tandem kayak, or stand up paddleboard.
Mackinaw Parasailing, Mackinac Island
Try parasailing through the Straits of Mackinac.
Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau
We've suggested some of our favorite things to do in the area, but there is so much more! Check our the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau website below for more ideas. We're so excited for you to experience one of our favorite places!