Few places feel more magical than when your family first steps off the ferry onto Mackinac Island, entering a destination that transports you back to the 1800s with its lack of automobiles and preferred modes of transportation — walking, bicycle or a majestic horse-drawn carriage.
Stress, schedules and screen time fade into the past while living alongside tulips, lilacs and the scent of world-famous Mackinac Island fudge and homemade ice cream shops that adorn the island.
More than 80% of the island is a state park, meaning outdoor recreation activities are plentiful while you take in the fresh air that surrounds this Great Lakes icon.
Visitors’ favorite activities include a family-friendly eight-mile loop around the island, with numerous stops for picnics and photos. The grand prize is an ice cream cone or a stop at a fudge shop when you arrive back in town, surrounded by flowers and American flags swaying in the breeze. Other outdoor recreation options, like a round of golf, swimming and traditional lawn games, can keep the family entertained for days.
History buffs can get their fill, too, with not one but two historic forts and museums exploring the island’s Native American heritage, early settler life and the trapping and fur trade that built the destination’s rich and historic past. Live demonstrations at the local blacksmith shop are also entertaining for the whole family.
Getting to the island is easier than most travelers expect. Regional airports like Traverse City offer convenient access, while bigger hubs like Detroit or Grand Rapids are a few hours away and likely have more competitive airfare. For those wanting to extend their family adventure, consider flying to Marquette and exploring the rugged shoreline along Lake Superior at sites like Presque Isle Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Tahquamenon Falls State Park or the engineering marvel Soo Locks, which help ships traverse between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
The required ferry ride between the island and either Mackinaw City, on the tip of the Lower Peninsula, or St. Ignace, on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, means the adventure starts before you even arrive.
The main tourism season runs from May through October, with the mid-June Mackinac Island Lilac Festival kicking off the busy summer season. Regardless of when you visit, you are sure to reconnect with the island’s slower pace of life and unmatched natural beauty.
Accommodations range from quaint inns to the historic Grand Hotel, home to the world’s longest porch. Famous for its sweeping 660-foot-long porch with views over Lake Huron, the property’s elegance is matched only by its surrounding natural beauty and thousands of red geraniums that line the porch and infuse hotel products, from soaps to shampoos.
Each room at the Grand Hotel is individually decorated and offers a uniquely “grand” experience, with no two rooms the same. Need more space to spread out? Spacious suites are available, including those with parlors, one- or two-bedroom layouts and rooms with outdoor balconies.
If staying overnight, it is important to plan for the resort’s strict evening dress code. While the resort maintains a fully family-friendly environment, traditional elegance is part of the experience. At 6 p.m., the resort embraces its “rich history, and the dress code reflects the timeless style that has been part of the story for generations.” Children over the age of 12 are encouraged to participate in the experience.
A minimum two-night stay is recommended to best experience all the island has to offer and longer stays provide plenty of activities to occupy and entertain visitors of all ages. If planning a summer getaway, it’s essential to book early. The shoulder season offers better pricing and fewer crowds, making it more flexible for larger groups.
Mackinac Island immerses you in a rare environment that encourages you and your family to slow down together and reconnect. Whether traveling with young children, parents or grandparents, the island creates irreplaceable memories in surroundings that are truly unique and special on this beautiful planet.
Cole Sjoholm
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