Mackinac Island
Michigan, USA
Hello inquisitive people. Wander Woman here. If you ever get the urge to step back in time, have I got the perfect place for you? Mackinac Island is in Lake Michigan, one of the United States Great Lakes. Taken together, the five Great Lakes comprise over 20% of the earth’s fresh surface water. They are, simply put, immense. The island sits near the iconic Mackinac Bridge, a 3,800-foot (1,158 m) long span that connects northern and southern Michigan. The closest mainland towns to Mackinac Island are Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, both of which run multiple ferries per day to and from the island. I opted to get a hotel in St. Ignace and make a day trip to the island. But should you prefer to stay on the island itself, it has hotels of its own.
Once you step off the ferry and onto the island, it’s as if you’ve gone back a hundred years or more in time. Motorized vehicles of any sort are forbidden on the island and have been since 1901. The most common modes of transportation on the island are horse-drawn carts and carriages, bicycles, and, last but not least, your own two feet! Over 80% of the island is a state park; there’s only one small town where the ferry lands, so it’s easily navigable even in the absence of cars. It is one of the most fundamentally charming places I have ever visited. So, what is there to do on Mackinac Island?
Walk around the charming downtown.
Admire the stately Victorian homes and quaint old churches. Grab some lunch; I recommend the Pink Pony pub/restaurant. Do some window shopping, and choose a souvenir for your trip. I went into a jewelry store and selected a blue opal ring. The shimmering blue and green hues of the stone reminded me of the water surrounding the island. Even the way it wraps around my finger makes me think of a wave.
Take a taxi, Mackinac Island style!
By which, of course, I mean a horsecart or carriage ride. This will probably be essential if you opt to stay in one of the island’s hotels since you won’t want to lug your own baggage through town on foot. But even if you don’t arrive with suitcases in tow, a carriage ride is a fun activity to engage in on the island. Watch where you place your feet when approaching the carriages or even just crossing the street; although kinder to the environment than motorized vehicles, horses do sometimes offload their own “emissions,” if you catch my meaning!
Check out the world’s longest front porch.
Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel holds the world record for the longest front porch! At 660 feet (201 m) long, it is indeed an impressive sight. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, it’s worth it to amble on over and admire its breathtaking facade and perhaps relax for a while in one of the iconic white rocking chairs overlooking the lake.
Get a dose of history at Fort Mackinac.
This fort was built by the British during the American Revolutionary War in the 1700s. As far as United States history goes, things don’t get much older than that! So stroll around the grounds, read the historical markers, and envision all the history that unfolded right beneath your feet.
Last but not least, indulge your sweet tooth!
Before you get on that ferry back to the mainland, be sure to enjoy a final sweet taste of the island. Mackinac Island is famous for fudge, and the small downtown area boasts at least one fudge shop per block. They’re everywhere! If fudge isn’t your style, the sweet shops stock a variety of other delectables, such as caramels, truffles, and candy apples. There’s sure to be something for every taste. Perhaps a frozen custard would be just the thing to eat on the ferry as you bid farewell to Mackinac Island… until next time.
Carriage horses on Mackinac Island
A picturesque church on Mackinac Island
Historic Fort Mackinac
A peaceful view of Mackinac Island, looking across the water toward the mainland
The Mackinac Bridge in the distance
Mackinac Bridge from the ferry
My sparkly souvenir of Mackinac Island
