Activities I have done
People frequently ask what enjoyable activities can be found on Mackinac Island. In truth, the possibilities for recreation and exploration are virtually limitless. I highly recommend that you visit the tourism bureau promptly upon your arrival or after you have checked into your accommodations, as this is the best way to obtain a comprehensive map of the island. Additionally, this visit will help you gain a better understanding of all the wonderful options available to you during your stay. Below, I am excited to share a bit about my morning walk, which has become my personal favorite activity. This delightful stroll takes me to the breathtaking Arch Rock, where I often enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the sunrise.
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
When someone is thinking of doing something to see big spots on the island I then recommend the Carriage Tour.
Carriage tours 906- 847- 3307
Email: info@mict.com
This tour starts downtown. You can get tickets ahead but know you still need to go to the kiosk to know which tour you will be on. Then you will load up and leave up Fort Hill and down Market St where they fill you in on the history. Later you pass the Grand Hotel and wind up at Surrey Hill Museum. There you want to see the Grand Hotel Carriage House, Wings of Mackinac, Forge a memory and the Surrey Hill museum. You load up and leave going to Arch Rock heading back down by Fort Mackinac and Governors Mansion.
Fabulous for first timers or veterans. Dog friendly and kids like it too. The drivers are great and tip are greatly appreciated. Be sure to have cash on you.
Drive your own carriage
Yes I did this one year. Nope I have zero experience with horses. But I had my niece and nephew along with my mom. I went to Jack Livery Stable
Jack's livery 906-847-3391
Drive-Yourself Horse and Buggy Rates
The following rates are in effect this season:
$100/hour for a two passenger carriage
$120/hour for a four passenger carriage
$140/hour for a four XL passenger carriage
Jewelry making class at Watercolor Cafe
If you are looking for a fun activity to do I say go to Watercolor Cafe web
site to see what you could do on your visit. Now the classes happen after it closes the cafe. Here are some examples:
Watercolor of Arch Rock at night
Lighthouse & Lilacs watercolor class
Resin Jewelry workshop (we took this class and it was easy and fun)
Different races- example Lilac 10k
Mackinac has the best scenery and it makes sense to join in on some of the incredible races they have to offer. I participated in the Lilac Festival 10k. It was tough at the beginning but it was a gorgeous run. Here are some of the other races:
Mackinac Island Fort2Fort 5 miles
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Run & Walk
Mackinac Island 8 mile run & walk
Great Turtle Half Marathon and 5.7 mile run/walk
Bike the island
Sure you think this is gonna happen but you would be surprised that sometimes you might not have the time or the weather.
Biking is so fun. I like to take my time and stop along the way. If I can make any suggestions they would be the following:
get a bike with a basket for water, sweatshirt, speaker, etc
stay to the side, be aware of other bikers and walk/runners
stop to look at the water
if different land sights are on the way stop to see them
Be sure to stop at British Landing and get a snack at Cannonball
Visit the cemeteries
If you haven’t ventured to the middle of the island to see the cemeteries please do so. I recommend going up Garrison Road which is off of Huron Road (by Fort Mankind)
There are 3 cemeteries:
Post Cemetery- oldest cemetery on the island that has graves dating back to the war of 1812
Ste. Anne’s Cemetery
Mackinac Island Cemetery
In order to be buried there you must have been a resident for 15 years or owned property that long.
Sit on the Grand Hotel Porch
I am a sucker for a good porch. This porch is the worlds largest at 660 feet. Built in 1887- The grand porch has chairs for you to relax and have a drink or just watch the ferries come in.
Find your favorite fudge
Now Mackinac is the fudge capital of the world. How do you choose which flavor? So I created a fun game. First here are the fudge shops:
Ryba’s Fudge -3 spots on Main
Murdicks Fudge- 2 on Main
May’s Candy shop
Kilwin’s Mackinac Island
Sanders Chocolate & ice cream
Murray Hotel Fudge Com
Joanns Fudge-2 on Main
Each store usually allows 3 samples
Have your notes pulled up on your phone or a piece of paper
Go into a store and pick 3 flavors you want
Write down what you tried and keep the notes
Go to the next fudge shop
Keep trying and writing down what you had and liked most
After awhile you will find out which particular fudge you like the most
Each shop has a lot of options to get deals too
Fort Mackinac
This historic establishment is one that is so fun to experience for several reasons
the history
there are reenactments
incredible views
The Grand Hotel tea room is at the front so you can sit and watch the gorgeous island bustle with life
a possibility of firing the cannon
a unique chance to see the history of the island
They tell you that your ticket is good for the other parts of the tour. Those place are on Market Street. I loved these parts of the fort tour. These are:
American Fur Company Store
Dr Beaumont Museum
McGulpin House
Explore the West and then East Bluff
You are introduced to these places when you come in on the ferry you might not realize it.
The West Bluff is up by the Grand Hotel. So when heading up past the Grand you venture past the Victorian houses. If you follow that to Pontiac Trail that will wind around to take you up to Annex Road. The views are stunnig. This is a great sunset walk.
For the East Bluff I recommend this for a sunrise walk. To get here you want to take the stairs located behind the art museum. Once you get to the top go straight and this will take you all the way out to Arch Rock. Along the way you pass the one house called the Baby Grand.
Picnic in Marquette Park
This park is one that you love to hang out in. When the lilac festival is happening the smells are so intoxicating. This is when it is great to get something to go from any restaurant or a quick grab from Doud’s Market. This allows you to relax while sitting outside and taking in all the sounds of the island.
Shopping downtown and beyond
Sure everyone thinks Main Street is the only place to go shopping but that is not it. On side streets there are great little shops to explore. One thing I truly love is how Michigan artists are really focused here. Now if you aren’t from Michigan they still are all about supporting small businesses.
On Main Street you have a variety of options to choose from. Everything from clothes to art (so many great art shops) to stationary needs.
Market Street has a lot of the art shops on it. I love to venture in to see some of the artists I have had on the show.
Grand Hotel has redone their shops and Mission Point did too. They are all located at the bottom of the resorts.
Haunts of Mackinac
If you are someone who believes is the supernatural or even learning more history do this gem. I have actually done this twice and only heard a few stories twice. Each tour I believe might go a different way. They are an 1.5 long. Starting at dusk and as the season goes on the dark will be sooner. Lots of rich history told about the island and its inhabitants.
Haunts of Mackinac 906-847-8018
Sip-n-Sail Cruises
Sipnsail 844-906-9006
I did this years ago and in a few weeks will be doing it again but at night. We went in the morning for a Bloody Mary / Mimosa tour. It was fun to see a bit more of the island from the water. Since I went a lot more have been added along with music for entertainment. Bring money for tips to bartenders and musician.
Sit on Adirondack chair on the great lawn
Down at Mission Point the lawn in front of it is scattered with Adirondack chairs for anyone to sit in. Whenever the downtown is feeling overwhelming head down there to watch the freighters go by or read a good book.
Kids Activities
Original Butterfly House
Open from 10-7 and once you have gone once in the day you can go back. Step into heaven with butterflies from all over the world. When you visit the house they tell you to be careful where you are walking because you could step on them. Also make sure you check yourself that butterflies aren’t on you. It is so neat to sit and watch them fly and then eat. Some are just beautiful.
After you finish you go into insect world which has a lot too see. A great gift shop awaits for you to possibly purchase memories to last forever.
Original Butterfly House 906-847-3972
Wings of Mackinac
No you aren’t reading this wrong there are 2 butterfly houses. Wings is located up at Surrey Hill. You don’t have to take the carriage tour to go there. This is available to walk up and purchase your ticket. Same rules apply here about the butterflies.
This house is more greenhouse so you get to see outside more. It is a nice way to break up the tour or your day. Great gifts to choose from as well.
Wings 906-847-9464
3D Maze of Mirrors
I just recently did this fun little challenge. So when you go they give you 3d glasses along with gloves to put on. Reason being they don’t want you to smudge the mirrors. When we went in this was way different because of the 3d. I was laughing because I couldn’t figure out the whole pattern.
Kids love it. This is located on Main Street next to Murray Hotel.
3D Maze 231-420-0263
The Haunted Theatre
I have done this a few times and it makes me laugh. It is a fun twist when visiting Mackinac. Here you start off and it is dark. You then come up to different displays and hear voices all around you. I would say to go with a bunch of people because it is more fun!!!
Located on Main Street right next to Chuckwagon. I mean you can’t miss it.
Fort Holmes
How crazy that an island this size has 2 forts on it??? This is located at the highest point on the island. With a stunning panoramic view. Picnic tables around you make this an ideal place to have a picnic.
Full disclosure it is up some hills to get here. I don’t know to be honest if carriages go up that way. It is worth the hike. Just know the way up is hard but the way down so nice.
Sugarloaf
After heading back to town from Fort Holmes it is a good idea to go see this gorgeous formation. The natural formation that rises 75 feet above ground.
You can also hike down to be right next to it. It truly is stunning.
Crack in the Island
Venture inland next to the airport to find the big crack in the middle where the limestone base has split. Wiggle your way into the crack up to your head.
Cave in the woods
This is by crack in the island. This is a lesser of the know natural wonders of the island. I still think it is fun to see this in person.
Nightlife on Mackinac
Ok once upon a time my adventures on the island were merely for the nightlife. Which I will be honest is great. They actually used have bar crawl tshirts to wear.
Some might say where do you go. This can depend on what you are looking for. More elegant do the Grand. Casual and fun is downtown. Most places have a website that will let you know if there is any entertainment. Here are some places to look at their entertainment menu:
Ride a horse
Cindy's Riding Stable 906-847-3672
This is a great way to experience the inner island. The horses know this path backwards. I have zero experience and my horse was great.
Cindy’s is located on Market Street. You might have passed it and didn’t realize. They ask you great questions and you never feel uncomfortable.
Try a new trail each visit
There are so many trails to explore when you are on the island. How do you choose which one to take? I recommend trying a new one every visit.
There are more that 70 miles of hiking trails through the state park- which makes up more than 80% of Mackinac.