Welcome to this beautiful place named Mackinac Island! This place is a really beautiful hidden gem and is surrounded by many things to do while exploring.
The surroundings, the history, the peaceful nature all of these things make this area number one on the must-visit list. You will undoubtedly be surprised by how friendly the people are and how relaxing this place is.
The history of this place is also a major factor that attracts a lot of visitors here. There are many amazing and interesting places on Mackinac Island for visitors to visit and create good memories.
It is observed that visitors especially come here with their families to explore this place. They can enjoy having fun and also can have a relaxed time.
One of the most interesting and unique things that surprise most of the visitors is the ban on cars. Yes, in this place you can’t travel in a car during your journey.
As you can’t travel in cars, they provide you with another option. You’ll find people using bicycles, horses, carriages, and many other transportation options.
Don’t worry, as you can easily get these on the streets and have fun. It will make you feel as if you have gone back to the past times when vehicles were not invented.
This factor makes this place have less pollution rate as compared to other places and even more peaceful. This place is unique and perfect for visitors to explore.
So, let’s get started with the choices you can have while staying at Mackinac Island.
1. What You Should Know about Mackinac Island:
Mackinac Island is a peaceful as well as wonderful place surrounded by breathtaking nature. This place is also famous for its amazing natural beauty.
This place has many past stories that you will indeed explore on your trip and thus is also known as a historical island. You just can’t unsee the beauty and the stories here.
You will not regret the decision to visit this beautiful place, Mackinac Island. It is one of the best places one can visit with their family or loved ones to have fun moments.
As mentioned earlier, this place does not allow any cars. That’s why there are many other means of transportation available for visitors.
This place has many interesting things for one to explore, like visiting the amazing historic sites, downtown Mackinac, historic buildings, and many more. You can even try horseback riding, carriage rides, ferry rides, and more.
It’s a perfect place for family trips and even with your friends, as the options for having fun and exploring don’t end.
So, in short, this island is a must-visit, unique and special place where you can have many options to have fun. Some of them are listed below, so stay tuned!
2. Things to Do in Mackinac Island
There are many things one can do in such a unique and breathtaking place. Read till last to know about these.
2.1. Visit Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac is the most famous historical fort present in this place. This shows you the beauty and the lifestyle of the past lives of people living earlier.
Fort Mackinac is an amazing place near the area of Michigan. You can easily find many means of transportation to visit here. These are specially done so that the visitors can easily have fun without facing any difficulties.
You can either walk, enjoy nature around, or even try other like horseback riding, carriage rides, and more. On the main street of Mackinac Island, you can easily find many bike rental shops and even local food.
You have to pay a certain amount for visiting this wonderful location, Fort Mackinac.
They even have many different offers and tickets available for visitors. Just check their online website for more information about prices.
Like another fort, this one also opens at around noon, and the closing time differs each day. So it’s best if you check the timings before planning your trip to Fort Mackinac on their official website or contact them.
2.1.1. Things to Do:
Fort Mackinac is so unique and cool, with many interesting things to explore. The buildings and the surroundings also add another plus point for visiting this place with your loved ones.
When you visit this amazing fort, you are surely gonna blow up by the beautiful architecture of the building and the structure inside. All the rooms inside, the outside area, and even the boundaries are unique in their way.
The best part is that you have access to visit these places from the inside and explore the structures. There are also many guides present to help you.
This place shows you how the soldiers lived in the past and carried out all their other activities. There are many rooms present inside, such as the quarters, office place, and the higher-ranked soldier’s rooms.
You can even find some people dressed in the old-fashioned clothes of soldiers. You must keep your camera with you while exploring to capture amazing photos.
So visiting this place is such a good way to start your exploration journey on Mackinac Island. Enjoy the surroundings while having fun, and I bet you will have the best time.
2.2. Rent a Bike on Mackinac Island
As already mentioned earlier, cars, along with other automobiles, are banned on Mackinac Island. This factor makes this place more unique and special to explore.
And renting a bike here to explore this beautiful place, Mackinac Island, is the most suitable and pleasant way. You can always experience the fresh air amidst nature here.
Some basic things one should know before renting a bike are listed below.
2.2.1. Things to Know Before Renting a Bike
The price of these bikes depends on many factors, such as the different types of bikes, traveling duration, and even the shop. You don’t need to get the same price everywhere.
There are even many online rental shops that have their official website on the internet. You can easily choose the best cycle according to you and can select a reasonable charge for that.
Here in Mackinac Island, you can easily rent a bike for yourself. They have many different types of bikes in different sizes available for all ages of visitors.
You can easily choose and go to one of the rental shops on the island. The staff of the shop will help you in choosing the right bike, or you can try explaining about the bike you need.
Then, after the payment process, you get all those papers and tickets. They even provide you with the necessary things, such as locks and helmets.
The best part of exploring is that the roads here are perfect for biking. The roads are so smooth and clean, which makes the trip more pleasant.
While biking, you are also advised to enjoy the nature surrounding you. The roads, the weather, and nature around are the perfect mixture while traveling!
Don’t be afraid if you are not experienced and good at cycling, as the cycle and even the roads are taken care of and are also perfect for kids.
2.2.2. When Do You Have to Pay More for the Bikes That You Rent
As these are rental bikes, you must avoid all the necessary processes that can lead you to pay some extra charges.
If one is caught up in an accident or any other process that leads to damage to the rental bikes, then get ready to pay more.
Even if the time duration exceeds your initial fixed period, you have to pay more for the service. The shops can easily charge you for the damages and late fee fine.
So follow all the safety precautions and even lock your bikes before leaving them to avoid such practices.
When you are done exploring the beautiful historic places as well as many others, including nature, you have to return the rental bikes. You have to return it to the very same shop to avoid any extra charges.
Renting bikes has become a great adventure recently while exploring the place. Of course, it’s good if you stick to some safety options available, and then you just have to enjoy yourself!
2.3. Visit State Historic Parks in Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is also famous for its historical parks that are full of nature as well as some interesting things to explore. You can surely take a deep breath of fresh air in this greenery.
Some of these state parks need an entry ticket, while some let you go inside for free. You can easily book a ticket by either visiting their office or contacting them on their official website.
There are price differences in tickets for each age of visitors. You can check online or even ask the locals for basic pieces of information.
It does not matter if you are visiting the expensive one or the public one as both the places have some interesting and engaging things for the visitors.
2.3.1. Things to Know Before Visiting the Park
These parks have almost the same time of opening but different times of closing. This usually depends on many factors, including the number of people present and the weather in the particular area.
If you are planning to visit these beautiful historic gardens and parks on Mackinac Island, make sure to check all possibilities. You can even contact them through the number provided by them on their official websites.
Also, it is advised to visit these places a little earlier than the opening time to avoid parking problems. You can easily get a perfect parking spot without searching until the end.
These parks in Mackinac Island are so clean and well maintained just to let the visitors explore and see how beautiful the scenery is. You can even learn about the past while visiting here.
There are also some guides present in these places which help the visitors to know the importance of the area in the past as well as in the present. This is done so that this place remains maintained on Mackinac Island.
They have their own set of safety rules plus important guidelines that one needs to follow after entering these places on Mackinac Island. Some of them are the basics, like not damaging the sites or keeping cleanliness around the area.
There are a lot of interesting and engaging activities present in these places. You can either enjoy outdoor activities or can even try relaxed activities. Have a walk, have a picnic, and even enjoy the amazing views of the nature surrounding you.
2.3.2. Have Enough Time
Ensure that you have enough time for yourself while exploring such locations. You can even try the Mackinac Island carriage tours. This will surely remind you of the past times of Mackinac Island.
There are many other interesting things one can enjoy in these state parks. You can try a ferry ride, do a horseback riding tour, and just enjoy the moment.
This state park on Mackinac Island is a perfect location for visitors. So, if you are planning a visit to Mackinac Island, make sure to have time for these places also.
2.4. Try the Local Food of Mackinac Island
You all know that this place is unique and memorable in its own way, and so is the local food present on Mackinac Island. The local delicious food can be found everywhere here and will still taste the same.
Mackinac Island has many delicious local food options you can try during your visit. You must not miss these unless and until you don’t want to taste this place’s pure, authentic taste.
These mouth-watering local dishes are made freshly with fresh ingredients and, of course, with love. You can taste all these flavors in the very first bite of these delicious local dishes.
Some of the most famous local foods are listed below. Check them out!
2.4.1. Pastries:
This island has some delicious and special pastries that are best to let you start your day. They use some unique ingredients in the process so that it can be a god-sweet treat.
They have freshly baked treats such as pastries, croissants, and even more for the visitors. These all-sweet treats will bring a huge smile to your face
2.4.2. Fudge Ice Cream:
If you love ice cream and die heartfree of such treats, this one is for you. You must not let go of this golden opportunity placed right before you while staying on Mackinac Island.
This is one of the most famous local treats you can indulge in on this island. It is a fun combination of both fudge and ice cream.
You must not miss this one while exploring and having fun on Mackinac Island.
2.4.3. Sea Food:
On this island, you can try plenty of mouth-watering delicious seafood during your stay. The seafood they offer you can be considered one of the best Mackinac Island things.
They pick up fresh sea animals and cook them in their local way. These are usually cooked in different ways, such as grilling or frying, to make their taste more powerful.
This brings such a good local taste to the food that it is hard to resist.
2.4.4. Lavender Flavoured Food:
It is well known that this place, Mackinac Island, is famous for its beautiful lavender fields. Thus, you can easily find many dishes with the taste of these freshly picked local ingredients.
They are mostly used in the decorations of mouth-watering food plates. And you can even find many sweet treats with a taste of lavender flavor inside them.
The cookies, ice cream, and others, including lavender flavors, are some of the best Mackinac Island things you can try while exploring the local food stalls. You are gonna feel nice after trying out these flavorful, sweet treats and foods.
These are a few well-known local foods you will get to taste while visiting Mackinac Island. But don’t worry because the list of flavors is so long.
You are going to try more delicious and unique local food that is gonna blow your mind. So visit this beautiful and amazing place and enjoy!
2.5. Take a Carriage Tour
One of the best Mackinac Island things is the Mackinac Island carriage tour. It has become pretty popular in recent times.
As cars are banned here on this island, people usually tend to choose either rental bikes or carriage tours. It is an entertaining as well as attractive way to explore the beauty of the island and its history.
As this island is very beautiful as well as unique, this carriage tour adds another beauty to it. It will give you a glimpse into the island’s scenic beauty as well as of the old times.
On this island, visitors usually take carriages while visiting some Mackinac state historic parks or historic forts. This gives them the same vibes as old times, and they can enjoy more.
To enjoy this iconic Mackinac Island carriage tour, you have to book yourself a carriage ride. To do so, follow the following steps.
2.5.1. Book a Carriage Ride
There are many companies and even local shops that can provide you with carriage tours. You have to look through all those companies and the local shops with different charges and routes.
2.5.1.1. Contact the Companies
You can easily contact the companies and ask for all the necessary details. In the case of a local shop, you have to go personally and complete the rest process.
As there are many different types of carriages, choose the one in which you want to explore the places.
After finalizing the one which suits you the best, check about their other factors, including the routes and their time.
Check whether the time and the routes match your destination place. Contact them and be sure of such pieces of information.
2.5.1.2. Select the tour
Select the tour that suits your choices and the preferred time.
If you are done with the basic choosing process of carriage, you’ll need to make a reservation in your name. It can be done easily on their websites.
They also provide many offers for visitors, so don’t miss out on checking them out. You need to provide them with some of your required information.
2.5.1.3. Fill in the Information and Pay
Fill in all the information and complete your reservation process without any difficulties.
So, for the payment process, each of them has their way. As for the company, they will ask you to pay some advance to confirm. And the rest you have to pay after the tour.
But other companies can also ask you to pay the full price at the time of booking only. This is done to avoid any future misunderstandings.
The payment process entirely depends on the company and the local shops in which you are making a reservation.
But if you are booking in local ones, you have to pay the price on the exact date and time. So, the entire payment process is different for different companies and the local ones.
You just have to follow the above-mentioned steps, and you can book yourself the best carriage rides on this beautiful Mackinac Island.
By following all the steps, you can have a fun and delightful journey in which you can explore the beauty of Mackinac Island.
This also helps to preserve Michigan’s history among new generations of people. Along with the island’s history, it also supports the local economy of Mackinac Island
2.6. Visit Lake Michigan
This is one of the most beautiful and great lakes one can visit while exploring Mackinac Island. In the past few years, this lake has become more famous due to its breathtaking beauty scenes and even the surroundings.
This place is perfect for all the people, including the elders as well as kids. That’s why many people come here just to enjoy these breathtaking scenes of the lake.
You can easily check all the information about timings on their online website or can even ask the local people for more.
Make sure to have the correct information so that you can enjoy it without facing any difficulties.
2.6.1. Things to Do:
This lake has clean blue waters, which is very beautiful to see. One can easily enjoy all the outdoor activities and also can relax here with their loved ones.
As already mentioned, cars are banned here, which makes the air less polluted and the rivers are well maintained. This makes this place so clean and fresh that people love spending their time here.
There are also arrangements for all types of outdoor activities in this place. One can easily enjoy these outdoor activities in this place, including boat riding, fishing, swimming, and even more.
Many people even enjoy playing in the sand near the beachy area. You can either play beach games, make sandcastles, or even take a sunbath.
You can even visit the Mackinac Point lighthouse here. Many of them are free to visit, but some of the old lighthouses may charge you a ticket.
You can even climb up to the top and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surroundings. Make sure to check the timing and other information about the lighthouse you want to visit.
It will be a fun as well as captivating trip here with your loved ones. So make sure to follow the safety rules and enjoy till the last!
3. Conclusion
So, to sum up the whole, there are many historic places with many engaging things one can do while exploring the beautiful Mackinac Island. This place has many things that can be enjoyed by the kids, youngsters, and even the elders.
There are many things one can easily enjoy on this beautiful Mackinac Island. Some of them are exploring the beautiful roman catholic church, downtown Mackinac, beautiful Lake Michigan, and engaging horse-drawn carriage rides.
Apart from the above-mentioned things, you can find more fun and interesting activities on Mackinac Island. You just have to make enough time for yourself while exploring these things and sites.
Here, you can explore the historic sites and their historic maps, like Fort Mackinac. You can easily rent a bike or have yourself a carriage tour for a relaxing and fun journey to your destination.
Try all the delicious local food in between your journey to enjoy and recharge yourself. The taste of local foods will not let you down.
3.1. Remember to Explore the Other Things
You can even try to explore more about the island’s past. The local people of this place are very friendly to the visitors. So make sure to have a long and nice talk with them.
Join the local people, talk to them, listen to the old tales, and explore the same. This is way more fun to explore than having a guide with you.
You will get to see amazing views and even more such things that will create a huge impact on your daily life. One of them is to make your own as well as the nearby areas clean and maintained.
Just don’t forget to do the things mentioned in this article while visiting there. There are many activities all of us can easily enjoy.
So get all your important things and pack your bags. Start your beautiful journey and make some unforgettable memories.
4. FAQs
Below are some of the most common questions asked. So check them too!
4.1. What are the popular and fun things to do on Mackinac Island?
A) There are many popular and fun things to do here. Some of them are exploring Fort Mackinac, biking, taking a carriage tour, and trying out the local foods.
4.2. Can visitors bring their car to Mackinac Island?
A) No, you can not bring your car to this beautiful island as cars, along with other automobiles, are banned on Mackinac Island.
4.3. Are there tours available on Mackinac Island?
A) Yes, you can easily find many guided tours on this island. They can help you to enjoy the places more by providing correct information.
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
