View more places in Michigan
Mackinac Island has a deep Native American heritage, serving as a sacred place for the Anishinaabe peoples long before European contact. French fur traders established a mission and trading post here in the late 1600s, making it a vital hub of the Great Lakes fur trade. During the American Revolution, the British moved their fort from the mainland to the island’s limestone bluffs, constructing Fort Mackinac in 1780. The island was the site of a significant battle during the War of 1812, when British and Native American forces captured Fort Mackinac from the Americans. After the war, the fort was returned to the United States and the island transitioned toward its future as a summer resort destination.
Rent a bicycle and explore the island’s 70-plus miles of trails, from the flat Lake Shore Boulevard loop to challenging climbs through the forested interior. Step into one of the island’s historic fudge shops and watch confectioners craft the famous treat that has become synonymous with the island. Take a horse-drawn carriage tour through the streets and learn about the architecture and stories of the Victorian era. Wander along Main Street and browse the shops, galleries, and cafes housed in buildings from the 1800s. Visit the Mackinac Island Butterfly House, the first of its kind in Michigan, and walk among hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world.
The Grand Hotel commands attention with its colonial white facade and the world’s longest porch, stretching 660 feet along the front. From the hotel grounds, the view across the Straits of Mackinac takes in the Mackinac Bridge and passing freighters. Fort Mackinac rises above the harbor on the bluff, its whitewashed stone walls and cannon emplacements offering a window into 19th-century military life. The Governor’s Summer Residence, a stately Victorian mansion, overlooks the harbor with manicured gardens. Stroll through Marquette Park at the foot of the fort, where the Father Marquette statue marks the French missionary’s arrival.
Hike or bike the trails of Mackinac Island State Park, which covers over 80 percent of the island and makes it Michigan’s first state park. The Arch Rock formation, a natural limestone arch rising 146 feet above the shore, is one of the island’s most photographed landmarks and accessible via a short walk or bike ride. Kayak along the shoreline to see the island from the water and paddle beneath Sugar Loaf Rock and other geological formations. In winter, the island transforms into a quiet wonderland perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along groomed trails. Horseback riding on designated trails offers another classic way to experience the island’s interior meadows and forests.
The peak season runs from late May through early October, when ferries run frequently and all shops, restaurants, and attractions are open. June brings lilacs in full bloom and the island’s famous Lilac Festival, a weeklong celebration with parades and garden tours. July and August offer the warmest weather ideal for biking and boating but also draw the largest crowds. September and October deliver crisp autumn air, fall colors, and the Somewhere in Time Weekend for fans of the classic film. Winter on the island is quiet and isolated, reached only by small plane or snowmobile across the ice, offering a truly unique experience for adventurous travelers.
Guided tours of Fort Mackinac feature costumed interpreters performing rifle and cannon demonstrations throughout the summer. The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum showcases art inspired by the island, from Native American beadwork to contemporary paintings of the Straits. Wings of Mackinac butterfly conservatory houses hundreds of butterflies in a lush garden setting. Fort Holmes, a smaller wooden fortification on the island’s highest point, provides panoramic views of the Straits and surrounding islands. The Mackinac Island Carriage Tours operation, one of the oldest continuously operating horse-drawn carriage services in the country, offers narrated rides through downtown and into the state park.
Here are some of our recommended things to do near Mackinac Island. Select what you would enjoy!
Arch Rock is a spectacular natural limestone formation on Mackinac Island, rising 146 feet above the shoreline of Lake Huron and framing breathtaking views of the turquoise waters below . This iconic geological wonder was carved over thousands of ye…
Fort Mackinac is a historic military outpost perched on a limestone bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac and the harbor of Mackinac Island. Constructed by the British Army in 1780 during the American Revolution, the fort has stood sentinel over…