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What comes to mind when you think of Mackinac Island? Fudge? Horses? While both of those are VERY prevalent on the island, Mackinac is so much more than that. Here are a few things you need to do during your time on Mackinac Island.
Mackinac Island is best known as a coastal retreat that was built in the late 19th century. Even though a lot of time has passed since then, the grandeur of the island can still be seen today due to the island being a National Historic Landmark.
Before we dive into what you need to do, let’s take a quick look at the history of Mackinac Island.
History
Mackinac Island has a long and storied history. Many people don’t realize the island was originally settled by the Odawa and other indigenous settlements. Thanks to preservation efforts, evidence of the settlements and their impact on Mackinac can still be seen today. One of the easiest places to see this is the grounds in front of Fort Mackinac.
The island was a central point for the fur trade. In fact, Fort Mackinac was built around a trading post during the American Revolutionary War. The fort still stands today atop a hill overlooking Lake Huron. This along with other well-preserved buildings give a glimpse into life on Mackinac Island before it became a vacation retreat.
In the late 19th century, the island became a coastal retreat for summer vacations. Limited access to the island combined with no automobiles on the island added to the mystique of the island. That mystique remains today coupled with the fact the island has been preserved to reflect what the island looked like decades ago.
Let’s take a look at what you need to do when you are in Mackinac Island.
Rent Bikes
The BEST way to see the island is to rent a bike. Biking allows you to traverse the entire island and reach some areas that would be more difficult if you were trying to walk everywhere. There is a lot to see and a lot of ground to cover. This is all more challenging if you are only there for the day–as we were.
Haven’t ridden a bike in a while? No Problem! One of the bonuses of no cars on the island means you don’t have to worry about traffic while riding your bike. Also, the further you get out of the main tourist area, the less foot and bike traffic you have. It’s perfect for those who don’t feel comfortable on a bike.
While it is impossible to get lost on the island, there are different routes to choose from based on what you would like to see. Because of this, make sure you get a map from the bike rental shop. We chose to ride the perimeter of the island, but there are routes to see all of the historical sites and one that focuses on the resorts. Plan to spend about $17 per hour for the bike rental. Each shop will also have a 4- hour and 8-hour rental rate as well as pricing for multi day rentals.
Fort Mackinac
Sitting atop a hill, Fort Mackinac overlooks Lake Huron and is hard to miss. The fort was founded during the American Revolution by the British with America taking control in 1796. Thanks to restoration efforts, the Fort still looks like it did during its final years. Make sure to see the officers stone quarters, one of the original parts of Fort Mackinac. If you enjoy history, this is definitely worth the visit.
Tickets can be purchased online or onsite. Adult tickets are $16.25. TIP: if you are planning to rent bikes, you might want to wait until after you tour the fort due to the hourly rental rate.
Arch Rock
If you have looked at pictures of Mackinac Island, you may have seen Arch Rock. Standing 149 feet above the Straits of Mackinac this impressive geological structure is worth the visit AND the climb. If you want to get up close to Arch Rock, you will need to climb 207 steps to the viewing area. Think of it as a good way to burn off some of the fudge you have eaten. If stairs aren’t your thing, there are other routes that take you closer to the observation point.
The Grand Hotel
If there is one symbol of Mackinac Island, it would be the Grand Hotel. The historic hotel welcomes you as you come across on the ferry. The sprawling resort is one of the first sites you see when the island comes into view.
Built in the late 19th century, the grandeur of the past can still be seen today. Even if you aren’t staying at the Grand, you can tour the grounds for free or pay $12 to go inside. If you pay to enter, you can relax on the world’s largest porch and watch the world go by. You can also go to the Geranium Bar, the Fort Mackinac Tea Room or the Cupola Bar featuring gorgeous views of the water. Maybe you are craving some ice cream, no problem! Stop in Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor–no admission fee required.
Fudge
Yes, it’s cliche, but you NEED to try the fudge while in Mackinac. Seriously, it’s that good. I’m not the only one who thinks this. 10,000 lbs. of fudge are made each day during peak season and to make this happen, 10 tons of sugar are delivered to the island each week.
What makes Mackinac Island fudge different? It is prepared in copper kettles over a gas flame and then laid out on a marble slab to cool and be cut into blocks. I don’t know if that is the only secret, but it works! You can sample flavors before you buy to make sure you are getting your favorite. The fudge isn’t inexpensive, so you want to make sure you like your selection. We bought ours at Joann’s, however there are 13 fudge shops to choose from. Murdicks is another favorite of many tourists.
Conclusion
I hope this list of things you need to do in Mackinac helps you to plan your day. There is so much to see that staying overnight is ideal, but if you only have a day, you can absolutely hit the highlights.
Visit the Fort first thing if you want to tour. Rent some bikes and ride around the 8-mile perimeter stopping at Arch Rock on your loop. After turning your bikes in, have lunch at one of the iconic restaurants like the Pink Pony. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling around the Grand Hotel before catching the ferry back. Make sure to buy some fudge before leaving!
