The Mackinac Blog

Welcome To Mackinac Island!

A trip to Mackinac Island is a journey to the best part of the past. Step off the ferry and you are immersed in a new world: horse carriages wait for passengers instead of taxis and families ride bicycles – yes, mom, dad and the kids, all together – through the streets downtown.

Some visitors to Mackinac Island come for the elegant places to stay, such as Grand Hotel or the Hotel Iroquois. Others for the rich history of Fort Mackinac. Still others come to shop and to hear the clip clop of the horses and take a scenic carriage tour or ride bicycles to the interior and around the shoreline of the island. And almost everyone, of course, wanders into one of the many sweet-smelling candy shops downtown for a taste (or more) of creamy Mackinac Island Fudge

One of the best ways to visit Mackinac Island is to find a place to stay on the island and experience the entire day – from sunrise to sunset – and watch the lights come on in the evening. Our Interactive Lodging Map will help you find your favorite resort, hotel or historic inn, or bed & breakfast on Mackinac Island.
 
Mackinac Island News And Special Events

 

Grand Hotel – Memorial Day Weekend Package – May 23 – 26, 2025
[ May 23, 2025 to May 26, 2025. ] For something different, something fun, come celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at America’s Summer Place! Explore the historic landmarks and natural beauty of Mackinac Island, enjoy the tradition of Afternoon Tea in the Parlor and nightly live musical entertainment, kick back and relax in a rocking chair on the World’s Longest Porch, and be one of [...] more...

Grand Hotel – Titanic Weekend – May 30 – June 1 , 2025
[ May 30, 2025 to June 1, 2025. ] The Year is 1912 and you have a First-Class Ticket on the Titanic. Experience a weekend of glamour and decadence in a way that only Grand Hotel could offer. Be whisked away each night with live bands, dancing, and authentic cuisine in the ballroom. Learn what it was really like to be on the “Unsinkable [...] more...

Grand Hotel Lilac Festival Week Package – June 6 – 8 & June 12 -17, 2025
[ June 6, 2025 to June 8, 2025. June 12, 2025 to June 17, 2025. ] Available Friday, June 6 - Sunday, June 8, 2025 & Thursday, June 12 - Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Description Join us for Mackinac Island’s annual Lilac Festival, where we celebrate the island’s beloved fragrant blooms! Since its inception in 1948, this 10-day festival has honored the lilac, a stunning flower with a rich history—some of which are over [...] more...

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival – June 6 – 15, 2025
[ June 6, 2025 to June 15, 2025. ] The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is a 10-day celebration, June 6 through 15, 2025. It’s the first and largest summer event on the Island, attracting thousands of visitors. Festivities for the 2025 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival include the coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen and Court, Lilac Festival 10K Run/Walk, horse drawn carriage tours, the Lilac [...] more...

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Mackinac Island Photo Albums

Mackinac Island Lilacs – Photos
The 2021 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival kicks off on Friday, June 4, 2021 and continues through Sunday (June 13, 2021)… To celebrate the lovely lilacs of Mackinac Island here is a collection of our favorite photos from previous years. Mackinac Island Lilacs – Photo Gallery (Click on photos for captions & slideshow view)   Comments Box SVG iconsUsed [...] more...

Chicago Yacht Club – Race to Mackinac – Photos
With 240 entrants, the Chicago Yacht Club’s Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust (CYCRTM) promises once again to be a spectacle worth taking in, as it returns to Lake Michigan and Lake Huron this week. Cruising and Performance Racing Divisions start the race at Chicago’s Navy Pier on Friday (July 16) and Saturday (July 17), [...] more...

TOP FIVE Reasons to Visit The Pink Pony – Photos
The Fourth of July is this coming weekend. And to help kick off the mid-summer vibe on Mackinac Island here’s our photo album of the TOP FIVE REASONS to visit the Pink Pony. If you’ve been to Mackinac Island, there is a very good chance you’ve stopped by the Pink Pony. Perhaps someone said, “Meet me [...] more...

Grand Hotel – Photos
Grand Hotel officially opens tomorrow (Friday, May 3, 2019) for its 133rd season! To celebrate the 2019 spring and summer season on Mackinac Island, here are some of our favorite photos of Grand Hotel from previous years. (Feel free to post your own favorite Grand Hotel photo in the comments below.) Grand Hotel – Photo Gallery [...] more...

Hotel Iroquois – Photos
Summer has officially arrived on Mackinac Island and the Hotel Iroquois is now open and welcoming guests for the 2019 season. The winner of Condé Nast Traveler’s “Best Small Hotel in the World” for three consecutive years, the Hotel Iroquois is known for its beautiful guest rooms and suites with stunning views of the Straits [...] more...

Mission Point Resort – Photos
Over the winter Mission Point Resort completed renovations of 133 guest rooms in the Straits Lodge – all part of a multi-year $10 million update of the resort. (Rooms and suites in the Main Lodge were renovated in 2018.) Here’s a photo album of some of the lodging renovations during the last couple of years [...] more...

Chippewa Hotel – Photos
The month of June is a day away. To help you plan your Mackinac Island summer vacation, here is our latest photo album containing some of our favorite photos of the Chippewa Hotel and Pink Pony Bar & Grill, located at the eastern end of downtown Mackinac Island. Chippewa Hotel – Photo Gallery (Click on photos [...] more...

Lilac Tree Suites – Photos
Our latest lodging photo album features Lilac Tree Suites, located in the heart of downtown Mackinac Island. The Lilac Tree offers the quintessential Mackinac Island experience, with street-side suites with cozy bedrooms, spacious living rooms and breezy balconies overlooking all of the charms of downtown Mackinac Island. Lilac Tree Suites – Photo Gallery (Click on photos [...] more...

 
Mackinac Island Featured Lodging
 

Grand Hotel
Grand Hotel is situated on the southwestern bluff of Mackinac Island overlooking the Straits of Mackinac and – in the distance – the Mackinac Bridge. From the front porch – the world’s largest at 660 feet – guests can look down at the well-kept gardens and relax and enjoy the ambiance of “somewhere in [...] more...

Hotel Iroquois
Located on the waterfront at the western edge of town, the Hotel Iroquois is convenient to all the main-street attractions of Mackinac Island, yet far enough away to offer guests a bit of privacy from the downtown bustle. Stunning views of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge are the hallmark of a stay [...] more...

Mission Point Resort
Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island transcends time. The moment you step off the ferry, there’s an instant sense of nostalgia – where no cars or worries are allowed. Just as you notice the glistening waters steadfast to the horizon, you’re warmly greeted by staff who welcome all to experience the tranquility of Mackinac Island. For [...] more...

Chippewa Hotel Waterfront
A stay at the Chippewa Hotel puts you right in the middle of all the charms of Mackinac Island. Choose a main street room and wake up to the clip-clop of the horse carriages passing along the street below. Stay in a Harbor View waterfront room or suite and enjoy the views of the harbor [...] more...

Lilac Tree Suites
With thirty-nine uniquely appointed suites, Lilac Tree Suites reflects the French, English and American heritage of Mackinac Island. Each spacious suite has a living room and a separate sleeping room. No two suites are alike. The unique decor is accented with variations of wood, wicker and iron. Traditional antiques and modern fixtures combine to create an [...] more...

Main Street Inn and Suites
Step back in time with an overnight stay on beautiful and historic Mackinac Island. Our well-appointed 18 rooms and suites provide comfortable elegance, perfect for honeymoon couples to large families. We offer affordable accommodations with many outstanding amenities, including a communal sitting room with pool table, cable television, and games. Our nightly turndown service includes a fudge [...] more...

The Inn at Stonecliffe
Renovations started in late 2021 and go through the 2022 season The Inn at Stonecliffe is undergoing exciting renovations. We will provide limited services during the 2022 season such as bicycle rentals etc. We are not taking hotel room or private event reservations currently. We would like to thank you for being a part of our [...] more...

Harbour View Inn
Immerse yourself in the ​historic​ charm that has made Mackinac Island famous when you stay at the Harbour View Inn – a hotel with a fascinating history of its own. Located only a short walk from the best attractions on Michigan’s Mackinac Island, yet away from the bustling traffic of downtown, this relaxing hotel complex offers the perfect romantic retreat. more...

Island House Hotel
Guests choose Island House Hotel for the gorgeous waterfront views & ideal location to downtown. Long-time family stewards continue to add contemporary conveniences while preserving the historic ambiance of this award-winning state landmark. Amenities include casual and fine dining, a heated indoor pool, indoor/outdoor hot tubs, bicycle rental, and freshly decorated air-conditioned guest rooms with [...] more...

Lake View Hotel
A lot of people will mention the wide white porch while others will tell you first about the swimming pool in the center of the hotel that is enclosed within a four-story atrium. We like that this hotel is directly across from the ferry docks, and in the midst of the bustling activity of Main [...] more...

Metivier Inn
A small lovely boutique country inn, the Metivier Inn offers 22 charming guest rooms for your stay on Mackinac Island, each including air conditioning and private baths. The rooms are uniquely and tastefully decorated in a blend of English and French country style. Most of our rooms are ideal for couples or solo travelers, as [...] more...

Cottage Inn of Mackinac Island
Winter Lodging: Current Availability for December 2-3, December 8-10, December 15-17 and December 26-29, 2023 (Check website for latest winter availability.) Located on quiet Market Street, the Cottage Inn is just one block from the downtown area. Ferry Docks, Mackinac Island State Parks, historic Fort Mackinac and the Mackinac Island Marina are only a short stroll [...] more...

The Mackinac House
Mackinac Island has been charming visitors for decades with its beautiful landscape, history, shopping and sightseeing. The Mackinac House encompasses all the charm the island offers and is located steps away from it all. Mackinac House room types include: Deluxe Queen, Balcony Rooms, Tower Suite, Fort Suite and Lower Level Suite. Rates starting at $165 Our rooms [...] more...

Pine Cottage Bed & Breakfast
Pine Cottage Bed and Breakfast is one of Mackinac Island’s treasured hideaways, quietly tucked along Bogan Lane just steps away from Main Street, Lake Huron, nature trails, downtown shopping, dining, attractions, and nightlife. The unique Victorian farmhouse décor and design of each room with rustic hardwood floors lend itself to the quaint cottage’s much-beloved country character. [...] more...

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The Gardens of Mackinac Island – Photos

During August (and into September) the gardens of Mackinac Island are at their peaks – their flowers blossoming with unsurpassed color and brilliance. Be sure to enjoy all the splendor around you on your trip to Mackinac Island. Here are a few of our favorite photos of some of the gardens of Mackinac Island.

The Gardens of Mackinac Island – Photo Gallery (Click on photos for captions & slideshow view)
 

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Mackinac Island – Twilight Turtle Trek – January 11, 2025

Mackinac Island Turtle Trek – A lantern-lit ski and snowshoeing trek through some of Mackinac Island’s natural winter wonderland.

The trail begins at Greany Grove (corner of Arch Rock Road and Huron Road) with a bonfire and hot chocolate. The trail is groomed, track set, lit by lanterns and approximately two miles long.

This is a free event sponsored by Mackinac State Historic Parks, Mackinac Island Community Foundation and the Mackinac Island Ski Club. #thisismackinac

**Transportation can be difficult to Mackinac Island in the winter months. Please check ferry and plane schedules.**

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Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

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Visit Mackinac Island – Twilight Turtle Trek Website >>>>

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THE 2024 ANNUAL MACKINAC BRIDGE WALK – September 2, 2024

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The 2024 Annual Bridge Walk is currently scheduled for Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. Any updates will be posted here as the event approaches.

The Mackinac Bridge will be closed to public traffic from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 to accommodate the 2024 Annual Bridge Walk.

No bus transportation across the bridge will be provided as part of the event. Walkers who decide to walk across the entire bridge will need to arrange their own transportation back to the end of the bridge where they started after the bridge reopens to public traffic at noon. There is limited parking space available west of the Mackinac Bridge Authority plaza area.

For those seeking alternative transportation during the event, the local Mackinac Island ferry companies offer transportation between St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, and Mackinac Island, as well as between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. Local transportation companies also offer shuttle service between various locations.

There is no fee or registration required to participate in the walk. The walk begins at 7 a.m. You may start walking any time after the governor’s party starts the walk at approximately 7 a.m. No one will be permitted to start after 11:30 a.m., so make sure you arrive early.

The walk begins in St. Ignace at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula, and in Mackinaw City at the south end of the bridge in the Lower Peninsula. To participate in the walk you may:

– Walk form either end of the bridge, turning around at the midpoint and returning to the city you started from, where your transportation is located. The turnaround points will move towards the ends of the bridge beginning at 10 a.m., but walkers can walk at least a portion of the bridge if you start by 11:30 a.m. Walkers must be on the side of the bridge they wish to return to before 10 a.m. or you will be turned back.

– Walk from either end of the bridge and continue across to the other side. This option is most like previous bridge walks. However, since bus transportation across the bridge will not be provided, walkers who choose this option will need to arrange for their own transportation back across after the bridge reopens at noon. Walkers who do not reach the midpoint of the bridge before 10 a.m. will be turned back.

– Walk from either end of the bridge, continuing across to the other side, then walking back to the end of the bridge you started from. This option will mean a 10-mile round trip for participants. If walkers in this option do not reach the midpoint of the bridge on their return trip by 10 a.m. will be turned back.

Walkers will use the left-hand outside paved lane as they walk onto the bridge, regardless of which end of the bridge they start from. Walkers who turn back at the midpoint will turn right, then return using the opposite side outside paved lane. Walkers who choose to cross the entire bridge will stay in the left-hand outside paved lane all the way across.

The Michigan State Police and other official personnel will be available in the event of an emergency.

Please note, there are no restrooms on the bridge and the average length of time to walk the bridge is about two hours. Portable toilets will be available in St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.

Baby strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on the bridge during the walk. Prohibited items include signs, banners, umbrellas, bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, wagons and similar types of devices. With the sole exception of working service dogs, no animals are allowed. Walkers must stay away from bridge railings. The inside lane in both directions will remain open for emergency vehicles.

Except for pre-qualified, registered participants in the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Run, no running or racing is permitted on the bridge. Playing tag on the bridge is not permitted and no smoking on the bridge, please. For information on the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Run, please go to www.michiganfitness.org or contact the Governor’s Council at 517-347-7891.

You will receive a numbered bridge walk certificate at the completion of your walk. Certificates will be distributed at both ends of the bridge. Individuals under the age of 18 should have the permission of a parent or guardian to participate in the walk. Any two or more people walking together should make plans for a meeting place in the event that they become separated during the walk.

Disclaimer of liability: Before beginning the walk, all participants should carefully determine that they are physically fit and medically able to participate in the annual walk since the physical strain of the walk could lead to serious health problems. Participants should also understand that walking involves risks of injury from falls due to the surface condition of the bridge, contact with other participants, and the effects of weather including high heat and/or humidity.

THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, MACKINAC BRIDGE AUTHORITY, ST. IGNACE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MACKINAW CITY CHAMBER OR COMMERCE, AND ALL THEIR RESPECTIVE EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, VOLUNTEERS AND SPONSORS ASSUME NO OBLIGATIONS WITH REGARD TO SUCH RISKS AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY ARISING FROM ANY WALKER’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ANNUAL WALK.

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Visit Mackinac Bridge Walk Website >>>>

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Mackinac Bridge – Photos From Instagram

Tag your Mackinac Bridge Walk instagram photos with #mackinacbridge and they will appear here in our Mackinac Bridge Instagram Photo Stream.

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Mighty Mac Bridge reflecting on the icy Straits la ...

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Perched proudly on the shores of Mackinac Island, ...

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Our Grand Gift to You. Savings of 30-50% off stays ...

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The hustle and bustle of Mackinac Island during th ...

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Mac & Trees. #michigan #puremichigan #mackinacbrid ...

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The Autumn Flame Red Maples are very much ablaze t ...

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Happy 188th, Michigan! I’m extremely thankful that ...

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It's been just over a week since we closed Grand a ...

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Today for Patriot Day, we remember and mourn the l ...

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Mighty Mac in Blue!! Had to post some blue for Lio ...

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Driving across the Mackinac Bridge is a treat for ...

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Evening strolls at sunset on Mackinac Island are t ...

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Reaching for the heavens. #PureMichigan : nat_geo_ ...

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Painting the Mighty Mac with lights. : michigansky ...

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The Mighty Mac • cred: nat_geo_vibes Thank you fo ...

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Mackinac Island Wedding Show – Mission Point Resort – October 22, 2023

Join us on Sunday, October 22nd for the 2023 Mackinac Island Wedding Show at Mission Point Resort to discover what your dream wedding looks like!

This popular wedding event is the perfect time to find everything you need to plan your special day at Mission Point! At the Mackinac Island Wedding Show, you, your fiancé and your families can meet face-to-face with local vendors and island experts who will guide you through the logistics and details of planning an island wedding. This includes florists, DJs, photographers, ferries, fudge companies, officiants, etc. All vendors attending the show are local and familiar with Mackinac Island. You cannot afford to miss this unique destination wedding experience on your journey to one of the most fabulous days of your life!

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Visit Mission Point Resort Website >>>>

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Mission Point Resort On Facebook

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Visit Mission Point Resort On Facebook >>>

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Visit Mission Point Resort Website >>>>

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Mackinac Island Spring 2014 Ferry Schedules

 
Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry – 5/8

Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry is now offering service from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. They are on there expanded spring service schedule.

Ferry Schedules

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry – 5/8 Update

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry is currently running boats on their expanded spring schedule from their Main Dock in St. Ignace and from Mackinaw City.

2014 Ferry Rates & Schedules

Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry
First Class Service. Every Guest. Every Day. Shepler’s clean, comfortable passenger ferries zip you safely to Mackinac Island in just 16 minutes! You may choose from the cushioned seats and wide aisles of our main deck lounge, or experience a spectacular panoramic view of the Straits of Mackinac from the open-air top-deck seating area. Our 2021 season starts [...] more...

Arnold Transit Company
At Arnold Transit Company, we do more than ferry passengers—we create unforgettable experiences on the Straits of Mackinac. As we revive this historic brand, we’re looking for passionate crew members to be part of the journey! Providing First-Class Ferry Service to Mackinac Island – America’s #1 Summer Destination – Since 1878 Quick Links: • 2025 Summer Schedules • [...] more...

Arnold Mackinac Island Ferry – Ended Passenger Service – 2016
Arnold Mackinac Island Ferry – Ended Passenger Service November 10016 – It was a pleasure serving you. Thank you for 138 years of memories. This is your ATCO crew signing off. Arnold Freight Company continues to offer freight service to Mackinac Island… (See Facebook feed below) Mackinac Island Passenger Ferry Services Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry First Class Service. Every Guest. [...] more...

 
 

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