Each season brings a unique personality to Mackinac Island. A forest of color erupts in the fall, snow covers the landscape in winter and the state park awakens with new blooms in spring. But in summertime…well, there’s nothing quite like it.
See for yourself! Here are 20 glorious images to give you a glimpse of the summer splendor of Mackinac Island!
View of Lake Huron from the Mackinac Island Bluff
It takes a little bit of hiking to reach this spot on Mackinac Island’s Tranquil Bluff Trail, but as you can see the reward is worth the effort. The trail that runs along the bluffs high above Lake Huron is one of many paths that crisscross the island’s interior. Mackinac Island has more than 70 miles of trails for biking, hiking and horseback riding.
4 hiking and biking trails to explore on Mackinac Island
Views of the Mackinac Island Shoreline from M-185
While many trails run through the interior of Mackinac Island, the most popular route follows the outer rim of the island. Many visitors ride bikes 8.2 miles all the way around Mackinac Island on M-185, which is the only state highway in the country that’s car free. It takes about an hour or so to circumnavigate the island at a leisurely pace – a bit longer if you take a few moments to pull off the road and soak in views like this.
What to expect on the 8.2-mile bike ride around Mackinac Island
Views of Mackinac Island From the Water
There’s great water recreation around Mackinac Island. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard, charter a boat for some Great Lakes fishing and even take a cruise to Mackinac Island!
Mackinac Island: A Water Enthusiast’s Escape
Golf Course Views on Mackinac Island
There are two golf courses and two miniature golf courses on Mackinac Island: The Jewel is a plush resort course at Grand Hotel; Wawashkamo is the oldest continually-operating course in Michigan, dating to the 1800s; the Greens of Mackinac is an 18-hole natural grass putting course with stunning views right on the water at Mission Point Resort; The Gem is a miniature golf course at Grand Hotel’s Woodlands Activity Center.
Play the one-of-a-kind golf courses of Mackinac Island
Flowery Scenes on Mackinac Island
You can see Mackinac Island lilacs and many other beautiful native flowers and plants on the island. Be sure to check out the Mackinac Island Botanical Trail in Mackinac Island State Park.
Scavenger hunt on the Mackinac Island Botanical Trail
Charming Architecture of Mackinac Island
The architecture on Mackinac Island is a distinctive and photogenic part of the island’s history and charm. Still today, car free and powered by horses, Mackinac Island has an 1800s look and feel, even as Mackinac Island places to stay offer modern amenities that travelers want.
Mackinac Island’s most historic hotels
Views from Historic Fort Mackinac
Speaking of history, the British supposedly built historic Fort Mackinac because the island offered a well-protected bluff above the Straits of Mackinac. Really, the soldiers probably just liked the view from up there! And they didn’t even have the Mackinac Bridge to marvel at in the distance.
Things to do at Mackinac Island’s historic Fort Mackinac
Mackinac Island’s Scenic Marquette Park
Here’s another look from Fort Mackinac, overlooking Marquette Park. Readers’ Digest named this area the Best Picnic Spot in Michigan!
Places to go on Mackinac Island: Marquette Park
The Beauty of Mackinac Island’s British Landing
British Landing is located about halfway around Mackinac Island from downtown. It’s where British troops landed more than 200 years ago when they wrested control of Fort Mackinac from the Americans during the War of 1812. Today, the beach at British Landing is a popular site for weddings, and many visitors who ride bikes around Mackinac Island will stop here to take pictures by the water and grab a bite to eat at the Cannonball Drive Inn.
6 things to do at Mackinac Island’s British Landing
Mackinac Island Restaurants with Water Views
There are no chain hotels on Mackinac Island, so each and every place to stay is unique. Ditto for Mackinac Island bars and restaurants. They’re all one-of-a-kind experiences! Of course, many of them – like the Tea Room at Fort Mackinac here – share the same incredible lake breeze and gorgeous views.
Outdoor dining on Mackinac Island
More Gorgeous Water Views on Mackinac Island
Around every turn, Mackinac Island serves up summer splendor beyond belief.
And magical Mackinac Island sunsets that are a joy to behold.
Which sights will you see on Mackinac Island this summer? Plan your trip today!
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