Mackinac Island MI Cruises
Located at the intersection of two Great Lakes, you will find Mackinac Island between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan, floating on Lake Huron. Over 82 percent of Mackinac Island is a State Park, filled with over 70 miles of trails for strolling and horseback riding. Discover undeveloped back roads, secluded forests as well as scenic paved paths that take you through beautifully restored victorian houses. Motor transportation has been banned from the island since 1898, only bicycles and horses are allowed, giving the island a laid-back slower pace lifestyle. The rich history of Mackinac Island is presented throughout the many historic sites and museums that visitors can enjoy for an in-depth look into the island’s heritage. Many of the must-dos are the classics which generally involve horse drawn carriages, bicycles and fudge, but this Victorian-themed island offers a variety of activities that will keep everyone entertained.
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Mackinac Island on Lake Huron is a port of call for the following Great Lakes Cruises:
Viking Ponant Victory Cruise Lines Pearl Seas Cruises |
Things to do on Mackinac Island
FORT MACKINAC
Built during the American Revolution, Fort Mackinac served as a stronghold for both the British and American armies throughout its time as an active fort. Today, visitors can tour the fort and explore its original buildings, each restored to their original 1880s appearance. Exhibits, demonstrations and cannon firings bring to life everything from military training and battles to medical treatments and family life within the fort.
Address: 7127 Huron Rd. Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Website: https://www.mackinacparks.com/
MACKINAC ISLAND CARRIAGE TOURS
Carriage men originally provided tours of the Island back in 1869 when the first city carriage license was issued. Later in 1948, Mackinac Island Carriage Tours was established and has become the world's oldest and largest Horse and Buggy Service. When it was learned that automobiles startled the horses, the company’s president, Thomas Chambers petitioned the city to forever ban automobiles on the island, which is still in effect to this day. Continuously operating for five generations, descendants from the founding carriage men still manage the company today with 100 freight and passenger carriages pulled by over 400 horses.
Taxi Office: 906-847-3323
Website: https://www.mict.com/
CANNONBALL INN AND CATERING MACKINAC ISLAND
A must while visiting the area. Locals and tourists love this place.
For more information click here: Cannonball Inn
Built during the American Revolution, Fort Mackinac served as a stronghold for both the British and American armies throughout its time as an active fort. Today, visitors can tour the fort and explore its original buildings, each restored to their original 1880s appearance. Exhibits, demonstrations and cannon firings bring to life everything from military training and battles to medical treatments and family life within the fort.
Address: 7127 Huron Rd. Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Website: https://www.mackinacparks.com/
MACKINAC ISLAND CARRIAGE TOURS
Carriage men originally provided tours of the Island back in 1869 when the first city carriage license was issued. Later in 1948, Mackinac Island Carriage Tours was established and has become the world's oldest and largest Horse and Buggy Service. When it was learned that automobiles startled the horses, the company’s president, Thomas Chambers petitioned the city to forever ban automobiles on the island, which is still in effect to this day. Continuously operating for five generations, descendants from the founding carriage men still manage the company today with 100 freight and passenger carriages pulled by over 400 horses.
Taxi Office: 906-847-3323
Website: https://www.mict.com/
CANNONBALL INN AND CATERING MACKINAC ISLAND
A must while visiting the area. Locals and tourists love this place.
For more information click here: Cannonball Inn
Get to know Mackinac Island
- Native Americans were the first to inhabit Mackinac. The name “mackinac” means "big turtle”, derived from the Ojibwe word mishimikinaak. Early settlers thought the island resembled the shape of a turtle.
- Mackinac Island can only be accessed by ferry, boat or plane.
- The island has less than 600 year round residents, however over one million people visit the island yearly.
- The only forms of transportation allowed on Mackinac Island are horses, horse and carriages or bicycles. There are no motorized vehicles allowed on the island.
- Due to motorized vehicles being prohibited on the island, there are more bicycles per capita on Mackinac than anywhere else in the world! Most residents ride bicycles to get from place to place.
- Doud’s Grocery Store claims to be America’s oldest family owned grocery store, since 1884.
- The film Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer, was filmed on Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel, back in 1980 on location at the Grand Hotel. A fan club meets annually in celebration of this file.
- The Grand Hotel has been visited by five Presidents that include: President Truman, Kennedy, Ford, Bush and Clinton.
- The Grand Hotel celebrated it’s 131 Birthday and over 85 years of ownership by the Musser Family, in 2018.
- The Grand Hotel’s 660 foot Front Porch is the world’s largest, and is visible as you cruise towards the Island from Lake Huron.
- The Grand Hotel’s swimming pool was named after famous actress Ester William for the filming of the movie “This Time for Keeps”, on hotel grounds. It takes 500,000 gallons of water to fill Grand Hotel’s swimming pool.