About Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is an incredible vacation destination where you can experience one-of-a-kind attractions, enjoy delicious food, discover unique shops and see breathtaking sights.

But it is so much more than that.

Mackinac Island is a place where the horse is king, where the streets have been car-free for over 100 years. It is a place where life moves at the clip-clop pace of a carriage, and where the noise of day-to-day life is silenced by the delightful ding of a leisurely bicycle bell.

Mackinac Island is a place full of history where centuries-old forts and ancient rock formations have stood the test of time, and where it seems as though time stands still. It is a place where you can pause to smell the sweet scent of lilacs, and where you can treat your tongue to the simple pleasure of world-famous fudge.

But more than a place to go, Mackinac Island is a state of mind. One of the best places in the world, yet fully a world apart. And when you visit, no matter where else you’ve been, you’ll realize that there is only one Mackinac Island.

About Mackinac Island

Although it measures less than five square-miles, Mackinac Island is full of interesting things to do and extraordinary places to stay. It’s full of charming shops, diverse dining and exciting nightlife, too.

There are so many ways for visitors of all ages to enjoy a Mackinac Island vacation, so go ahead and start planning your trip. Here’s an overview of Mackinac Island, the Crown Jewel of the Great Lakes:

Downtown Mackinac Island is where the ferry boats from the mainland arrive and it’s where you’ll find many of the most popular attractions, from horse-drawn carriage tours and bike rentals to handfuls of fudge shops and many restaurants and bars. You’ll find relaxing places to stay here as well as in other parts of Mackinac Island.

At one end of downtown is historic Fort Mackinac, which sits high on the bluff overlooking the expansive Marquette Park and the marina below. Nearby you’ll find Mackinac State Historic Parks attractions including the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, the Biddle House Mackinac Island Native American Museum and Historic Downtown Mackinac sites on Market Street such as the early 19^th-century McGulpin House and the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop.

At the other end of downtown up the hill on Cadotte Avenue is the iconic Grand Hotel, which features the longest front porch in the world. Beyond the hotel and its Jewel Golf Course you’ll come to the Mackinac Island neighborhood of Surrey Hill, home to a horse stable and carriage museum, unique shops and Wings of Mackinac, one of Mackinac Island’s two butterfly houses.

660-foot porch and other Mackinac Island stats and facts
Why butterflies are such a big deal on Mackinac Island

Farther up Cadotte Avenue is Harrisonville, where many of Mackinac Island’s 500 year-round residents live.

Past Fort Mackinac on the southeast corner of Mackinac Island is the Mission District, which is home to Mission Point Resort and historic sites including Ste. Anne Church, the Mission Church and cottages on the East Bluff. It’s also where you can find the Greens of Mackinac golf putting course and The Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House & Insect World.

More than 80% of Mackinac Island is part of Mackinac Island State Park, which features legendary limestone rock formations that have been carved into shape by the Great Lakes over thousands of years. Many visitors enjoy seeing sights such as Arch Rock, Devil’s Kitchen and British Landing on a bike ride all the way around the outer rim of Mackinac Island. You can also venture into the middle of Mackinac Island and see Skull Cave, Sugar Loaf, Fort Holmes and other landmarks on more than 70 miles of trails that are perfect for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The state park also is home to Wawashkamo Golf Course, which was built atop a War of 1812 battleground and is the oldest golf course in Michigan.