J&L
- Apr 16, 2021

Top Things To Do on Mackinac Island, Michigan

Updated: Jun 15, 2023

Fun Fact

Motor vehicles are banned on the island and have been since the 19th century. How do residents of this island get by you may ask? They walk, bike, or ride their horse to the grocery store of course! Not having to sacrifice mainland amenities either, Amazon packages are still delivered here... by horse!

Things To Do on Mackinac Island

THINGS TO DO

WHAT TO EAT

WHAT TO DRINK

WHEN TO GO

WHERE TO STAY

GETTING AROUND

SUGGESTED DURATION

Views

1. Explore Main Street of Mackinac

Did we mention there are no motor vehicles allowed on the island? Pictured below is one of your three options for getting around the island: foot, bike, or horse! From the moment you step off the ferry, you will feel as though you went back in time. From the historic buildings, to the horses and buggies, to the smell of delicious baked goods, exploring Main Street is one of the top things to do on Mackinac Island.

Also Read: Best Fudge Shops of Mackinac Island

2. Biking on Mackinac Island

Grab your bike and head out on the M-185 (biker highway) of Mackinac Island. The M-185 is an 8.2 mile trail that hugs the coastline and will take you around the entire perimeter of the island. You are certainly able to bring your own bike on the ferries (roughly $13 in addition to your ferry ticket) but renting a bike is also available within downtown Mackinac.

We rented at Mackinac Island Bike Shop, which was conveniently located near the ferry docs and had competitive pricing. Prices range from $10-16/hour and includes a basket, helmet & water! We rented the tandem bicycle and highly enjoyed ourselves as we cruised down the M-185. Non-stop biking this trail will take roughly an hour, however, there are many sights to stop at along the M-185 that would require allotting more time. There are many Native American Cultural History Trail information plaques along the trail, as well as, beaches, Mackinac Bridge lookouts, and several hiking trails within Mackinac Island State Park.

Bike Rental: $10-16/Hour and include a basket & helmet

3. Swimming on Mackinac Island

The crystal clear waters surrounding Mackinac Island sure are enticing. After an 8.2 mile bike ride around the island on a hot summer day the waters may feel refreshing, but beware, the water is cold! Do not expect the long, white sand beaches of a tropical island. Mackinac Island beaches are rocky, yet beautiful. The best place to take a dip is at British Landing on the northern side of the island. Grab some fried pickles and/or ice cream at the below mentioned Cannonball Drive Inn and dip your toes in the beautiful blue waters that surround Mackinac Island.

Tip: Grab some ice cream at the Cannonball Drive Inn!

4. Mackinac Island State Park

Michigan's oldest state park, established in 1895. In fact, from 1875-1895 it was actually Mackinac National Park, the USA's second national park. Now, over 80% of the island is state park property. With natural wonders, historic sites, breathtaking vistas, and lush forests throughout, it is hard not to admire the beauty of this state park while on Mackinac Island. A beautiful way to experience the park (in addition to the M-185 bike trail) is by hiking the trails from Arch Rock to Fort Homes (both described below).

Also Read: Ultimate 1 Week Upper Peninsula Itinerary

5. Arch Rock

Arch rock is one of the natural wonders of Mackinac Island, made of limestone and formed by glaciers. This geological formation towers 146 feet above water and requires a short hike to get to the below pictured viewpoint. You can view Arch Rock from the M-185 bike path, however, the view from the top of the path has magnificent views of the contrasting greenery with a crystal clear water backdrop.

Note: Arch Rock is one of the natural wonders of Mackinac Island

6. Visit the Grand Hotel

Unless you want to spend $400/night for your lodging, you may want to consider spending the night elsewhere. However, the Grand Hotel is a sight to see! A beautiful, elegant, and historical hotel that hosts a lovely tea time if you are looking to treat yourself to a royal experience. One activity at the Grand Hotel that is completely free is taking a stroll around the grounds & gardens. Home to over 125,000 flowers with over a ton of bulbs planted annually, the Grand Hotel gardens are a must-see for any plant lover.

Fact: Home to over 125,000 flowers!

7. Enjoy the view from Fort Homes, the highest location in Mackinac

The Fort Homes redoubt was originally built in 1814 by British forces during the War of 1812. Its purpose was to aid in protection of the nearby Fort Mackinac in case of attack by the U.S. army. It just so happens that this fort is located at the highest point on Mackinac Island. While recognizing the historical importance of Fort Homes, be sure to enjoy the amazing views that surround you.

Also Read: Sleeping Bear Dunes Complete Guide

Noms

1. May's Candy Shop

Family owned for four generation, May's Candy Shop has delicious and creamy fudge that will make your trip to Mackinac Island worth it after just one bite. We recommend trying their Peanut Butter, Amaretto Chocolate Chip, and Butter Pecan flavors. Not in the mood for fudge? They also have amazing peanut brittle and English Toffee.

Try: Their Peanut Butter or Amaretto Chocolate Chip!

2. Cannonball Drive Inn

Looking for a snack as you bike around the Island? Stop at Cannonball Drive Inn and try their famous fried pickles! They are quartered, fried and served with ranch. Grab some pickles or their homemade chips and enjoy while sitting on the beach of British Landing. Don't miss this treat as you cruise down M-185!

Try: Their famous fried pickles!

3. The Chuckwagon

If you want to try a place on Mackinac Island that is full of history, charm, and breakfast recipes perfected over the last 70 years, head to Chuckwagon! Watch your meal prepared alongside the diner-style bar and be sure to try the Mackinac breakfast burrito. Offering great options for both breakfast and lunch, Chuckwagon has both dine-in and carryout.

Try: The Mackinac Breakfast Burrito

4. Murdick's Fudge Ice Cream

As the oldest candy shop on Mackinac Island, you may say Murdick's has history backing its recipe. You cannot go wrong with a purchase at Murdick's! Amazing fudge and delicious ice cream, be sure to stop here along your journey for a quick treat. With 21 flavors of true Mackinac Island fudge, you may find yourself stopping more than once or stocking up with their buy 3 get 2 slices free deal!

Also Read: Top 4 Fudge Shops of Mackinac Island

Brews

1. Rusted Spoke Brewing Co.

[Mackinaw City]

A local brewery with scrumptious foods and delicious brews. You cannot go wrong spending an evening at Rusted Spoke Brewing Company. With accommodating staff and quick service, you may find yourself sticking around to try more than one of their brews. We recommend sampling their grapefruit wheat beer, Boats N' Hoes [4.5% ABV] or Lefty's Cappuccino coffee stout [5.4% ABV]. Perfect after a hot day filled with biking!

J&L Recommended: Lefty's Cappuccino Coffee Stout

2. Short's Brewery [Belaire]

Short's is located about 90 miles south of Mackinaw City, however, if you are heading to Mackinaw via I-75 this is only ~1 hour detour (and certainly worth it for one the Top 5 Breweries of Michigan). Known for their variety of unique and rotating brews, you will be sure to find something fun and eccentric that fits your taste buds. Our personal favorite is one of their flagships, Space Rock [5% ABV; 5.5 IBU] an American Pale Ale with orange-peel hop aromas. Another favorite is Soft Parade {7.5% ABV; 15 IBU], a Fruit Rye Ale that has gained much popularity.

Note: Shorts is one of our Top Breweries of Michigan!

3. Petoskey Brewing Company [Petoskey]

Petoskey Brewing is located in a historic building close to downtown Petoskey (about 40 minute detour if traveling to Mackinaw City via I-75). It has a scenic outdoor dining area with views of Mud Lake. As it is alongside a picturesque bike trail, consider stopping here on your next bike and brew! Our favorites were the Mint Chocolate Stout [6.4% ABV; 35 IBU] and the Blueberry Cranium Crush Cream Ale [7% ABV; 15 IBU]. This is a wonderful place to stop for noms, brews, and even a Belgium waffle at their on-site food truck.

J&L Recommended: Blueberry Cranium Crush Cream Ale

Planning Your Trip

How much does it cost to get to Mackinac Island?

There are two ferry launches that will take you to Mackinac Island: St. Ignace & Mackinaw City. Both competing ferries, Shepler's Ferry and Star Line Ferry, offer ferry rides from either location depending on which you consider more convenient. Each offer a discount when purchasing online ahead of time ($27/adult round-trip) and generally offer identical services. However, we chose to use Shepler's Ferry due to its user-friendly website, amazing customer service, and high-quality reviews.

We had an amazing experience and sat on the top deck each way, which gave us excellent views of the Mackinac Bridge. We would recommend getting to the ferry dock 15-20 minutes before the ferry is scheduled to leave and plan for a 15-20 min ferry ride each way.

Ferry Tickets: $27 per Adult for Round Trip Tickets

Best Lodging for Mackinac Island

Hotels near Mackinac Island

If you are looking for hotel options, the best places to stay within Mackinac island can be found here. However, if you are looking for a more affordable place to stay near Mackinac Island, you may consider staying off the island in one the neighboring towns of St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. While St. Ignace is a bit larger and less touristy than Mackinaw City, there are plenty of hotel and food options in both. Both cities have ferry launches which have the same duration to travel to Mackinac Island.

J&L Recommended Lodging: Deals on Hotels

Camping near Mackinac Island

When in the outdoorsy state of Michigan, we would recommend camping. You cannot go wrong with any of the Michigan State Park campgrounds (so popular, a lot of them book up 6 months in advance). We recommend two of our Michigan favorites when visiting Mackinac Island for the day.

The first is Wilderness State Park Campground, located only a 20 min drive from Mackinaw City. This is truly a hidden gem of a park with 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 20 miles of hiking trails, and a designated dark sky preserve, meaning it is one of the best places to stargaze in Michigan. Did we mention? You can reserve a campsite right along the water! The second is Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

Although about an hour drive to the St. Ignace ferry launch to Mackinac Island, you may find it worth the drive to camp at Rivermouth Campground. This is one of our favorite Michigan campgrounds because of the towering trees that surround each site and the river that backs up to most of the rustic campsites. The rustic section of this campground is serene, peaceful, and highly sought after so make sure to book early in the season.

J&L Recommended Lodging: Rivermouth Campground

Northern Michigan Camping Tips

Read up on Bear Safety ahead of your trip - over 9,000 black bears live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Although black bears are less of a threat than grizzly bears, bear spray is still a good precaution. This is an excellent video demonstrating how and when to use your bear spray.
Unlike grizzly bears, if a black bear approaches you be sure to FIGHT BACK.
Before entering the park, buy bear mace from a store in Mackinaw City - We used Frontiersmen and although we never needed to use it, felt it was a reliable choice.
Bring a separate set of clothes to only wear in the tent to avoid the scent of food that could be on your clothes throughout the day
Purchase unscented shampoo/soap/deodorant etc. and avoid any body sprays/perfumes/cologne when tent-camping
Bring waterproof jackets/pants

J&L Recommended: 1 Day Trip

When is the best time to visit Mackinac Island

When is the best time of year to visit Mackinac Island? While the island businesses and ferries are open for tourists from May-October, the most popular time to visit the island is between June & August as it has the warmest temperatures.