Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is a resort island that is in the straights of Mackinac and connected with Lake Michigan and Huron; it's famous for the old world feel. The horse and bicycle culture that is practiced on the island allows the sidewalks and streets to be safe to walk and bike on. However the island's busy Main Street can become overcrowded. Safety should be a number one priority and staying off the downtown street and out of the way of horses can really help in that regard. On Mackinac Island be sure to remember that horses have the right of way; this is sometimes something people are not familiar with when they visit. The island's unusual geology has produced a series of hills and bluffs that are beautiful and great to photograph.

The three famous sites of the island were created during the late 1800s or at least that's what they make you think. Main Street and Market Street make up the largest town. The unique commercial architecture of the late 1800s is all around you on Main Street. A number of Market Street buildings demonstrate architecture of an even earlier period, the fur trade boom around the War of 1812 period. Upon the top of a steep hill which is above Main Street is Fort Mackinac. Fort Mackinac's stone wall was constructed in the 1780's, while the bulk of the buildings contained within Fort Mackinac were built in the 1800s. Halfway up another steep hill is the Grand Hotel, a substantial 1884 summer palace offering upscale accommodation. Other interesting sites include the Mackinac Island State Park, the Surrey Hills Carriage Museum and Arch Rock.

Throughout Mackinac Island there is a number of footpaths and horse trails that wind through the interior. A large amount of these trails have been in use for at least 150 years. The most common mode of transportation from place to place is by horse-drawn carriage or bicycle. Main Street is a popular attraction and is a flat paved trail that is around 8 miles long. Guided tours are offered through Mackinac Island Carriage Tours that can show you the interior of the island from a horse drawn ride. Saddle horses or light buggies can be chartered by the hour by visitors. If ghost stories, history and legends are something you're interested in consider taking an easy going walking tour with the Haunts of Mackinac and their Haunted History tours. The island contains three 9-hole golf courses. You are also able to charter sailboat cruises from the island's harbour to the Straights of Mackinac.

Mackinac Island has numerous hotel options available and the Grand Hotel is just one of over 40 different options available. Hotels, historic inns, apartments, bed-and-breakfasts, condos and Victorian era cottages are available. Bars and restaurants and other various licensed establishments operate within the summer hotels of Mackinac Island. Fudge that is created by the Mackinac Island candy makers has been sold since the 1880s. The fudge made on Mackinac Island is made with traditional ingredients and in a process that is classical.

The ports Mackinaw City and St. Ignace of the Lower and Upper Peninsula respectively, are where most people catch commercial ferryboats to travel to Mackinac Island; this is the main medium of transportation to the island.

Pete McNulty visited Mackinac Island a few years ago and fell in love with the place. The lack of vehicles made it especially lovely, as Pete is an avid cyclist. He decided to promote the island by building a website dedicated to promoting its charms; http://www.mackinacislandlodgings.com - check it out for great information on where to stay and what to do on the island!

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