Drive to the tip of the Michigan mitten and then cross the water on a ferry to arrive at this idyllic island known as Mackinac (Mack-i-naw). You will be arriving in a place where time has seemed to stand still. There are no motor vehicles but plenty of horse-drawn carriages, bicycles and pedestrians traversing the streets that are full of Victorian style buildings. The year round population of the island is around 500 people but summer brings, at least, a million visitors. If you don't mind some chill in the air, May or October are probably the best times to visit to avoid the crowds. If you don't mind more than a chill, winter is a great time too!
If you are traveling as a couple and feel like splurging, think about staying at Mackinac's most famous inn, The Grand Hotel. This hotel is sure to keep you lost in a world of historic charm with the view from the "world's longest porch", rooms decorated in a true Victorian fashion, afternoon tea and nightly dancing. The kids may like The Grand Hotel also with a pool, horseback riding, family movie nights and packed picnic lunches. Mission Point Resort also caters to families with special suites, free dining, kite flying on the lawn, bicycle rentals and a kid's club. Staying on the island may be too much for a low budget vacation and there are many alternatives in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. We rented a KOA cabin on the mainland and spent just a day exploring Mackinac Island. The cabin costs less than $70 a night and other than some loud local fauna (a bat feasting on bugs) the spot was perfect.
The ferry can be picked up on either side of the bridge, in St. Ignace or Mackinaw City and a ticket should run around $20 round trip per adult. There are also planes from St. Ignace, which are used more after the ships shut down for winter. As you approach the island, you can see the beautiful Victorian homes, docks, resorts and churches that make up the landscape of this historic island. We tourists, affectionately penned "fudgies", keep this island going and are welcomed into the town with a smile. When you arrive you may smell the horse doody on a hot day but the view will help you forget the scent.We strolled through the streets and shops and old churches and took in the view of Fort Mackinac. We then hopped onto a carriage tour, where the smell became more pungent but the stories and sights of this place fascinated me.
There were 2 facts that stuck with me and one was just how small the classes at the public school can get. 2016 had a graduating class of 4! The other unique Mackinac Island item is the ice bridge that the natives build every year, usually in the month of February (weather permitting). One brave soul travels across the ice, boring it to check for thickness and calls back after they make it across. The next step is to take stockpiled Christmas trees and place them at intervals across the way to mark the "ice bridge". Then the snowmobiles hit the ice and can travel on their own schedule and without a fee.
Mackinac is a beautiful place to visit and a great way to escape to the rat race. Wether you are more apt to enjoy leisurely afternoons on the porch of the Grand Hotel watching the boats, ride tandem bikes with the kids for the 8 miles around or take your snowmobile across the Straits of Mackinac and enjoy some food and hot toddies in Winter, Mackinac is a great spot. Christmas time is also growing in popularity and festivals do happen so check there events calendar. Contact us at Stowaway travels for great vacation plans anytime and anywhere!
