Aside from world-famous fudge, breathtaking views and a bustling downtown full of shopping, dining and nightlife, Mackinac Island is known for being a car-free travel destination full of historical sites. From forts that date to the Revolutionary War to some of Michigan’s oldest houses and churches, Mackinac Island is full of attractions that transport you back into the past to experience what life was like hundreds of years ago.
Here’s a look at nine historic Mackinac Island attractions to discover on your next visit:
Mackinac Island’s Historic Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac was built on Mackinac Island’s high bluffs back in 1780 by British redcoats in an effort to repel a potential American attack during the Revolutionary War. The fort came under U.S. control in the 19th century and later became part of the country’s second national park. When the fort ceased operation as a military outpost in 1895, it transferred to state control and became part of Michigan’s first state park.
Fort Mackinac features daily rifle and cannon demonstrations as well as guided walking tours of 14 original buildings full of interactive, hands-on exhibits and period furnishings from the 1880s. You can learn about 19th-century life and training of the Victorian soldier, family life on the fort, medical treatments and military justice. As a bonus, the panoramic vistas from Fort Mackinac are among the best on the island.
More things to do at Mackinac Island’s historic Fort Mackinac
Mackinac Island’s Fort Holmes
At 325 feet above sea level, Fort Holmes sits atop the highest point on Mackinac Island. The British built it as Fort George in an effort to fend off any U.S. attack during the War of 1812. When the blockhouse came under American control following the war, it was renamed Fort Holmes in honor of an Army major who died in the 1814 Battle of Mackinac Island.
Exploring Mackinac Island’s Fort Holmes
Biddle House Mackinac Island Native American Museum
The Biddle House not only is one of the oldest homes still standing on Mackinac Island, but it houses a museum that highlights the interesting intersection of cultures in the Upper Great Lakes during the fur-trading era. While Edward Biddle was an Englishman who worked in the fur trade and served in various community leadership roles, his wife, Agatha Biddle, had both French and Native American heritage and became a prominent figure in a society otherwise dominated by men.
Meet the Biddles and learn about life on Mackinac Island in the 1830s
Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum
The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum is located in the historic Indian Dormitory on Mackinac Island. The three-story museum features interactive displays and exhibitions to showcase fine and decorative arts, from Native American baskets and historic oil paintings from the 1700s to modern-day works. There’s also a Kids’ Art Studio for hands-on activities.
Art galleries of Mackinac Island
Benjamin Blacksmith Shop on Mackinac Island
Mackinac State Historic Parks conducts reenactments set in the 1950s inside an old blacksmith shop in Historic Downtown Mackinac. You can come watch a historical interpreter demonstrate the techniques that have manufactured horseshoes and carriage wheels on Mackinac Island for generations.
You also can visit Forge A Memory blacksmith shop in Surrey Hill and team up with the smith there to fashion your own souvenir knife.
Get to know the two blacksmith shops on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s McGulpin House
Dating all the way back to 1790, the McGulpin House is a rare example of early French Canadian architecture that survives to this day on Mackinac Island. You can tour the partially restored house during the summer to get a closer look at domestic life on Mackinac Island before it became a world-renowned travel destination.
Visit the McGulpin House on Mackinac Island
American Fur Co. Store and Dr. Beaumont Museum on Mackinac Island
Walk inside the historical American Fur Co. Store building and see exhibits that tell the jaw-dropping story of Alexis St. Martin, the man who lived on Mackinac Island with a hole in his stomach. After inadvertently being shot inside the store, St. Martin became the subject of groundbreaking experiments in human digestion done by Dr. William Beaumont, then the post surgeon at Fort Mackinac.
Stuart House City Museum on Mackinac Island
House in a former American Fur Co. building on Market Street, the Stuart House City Museum tells the amazing story of Cubbie the Bear and showcases many other exhibits that detail the unique and intriguing history of Mackinac Island. Admission to the city-owned attraction is by donation.
4 fascinating things to see inside Mackinac Island’s Stuart House City Museum
Mackinac Island State Park
Originally a national park, Mackinac Island State Park covers 80% of the island and features many historical sites including Fort Holmes and British Landing. The state park Visitor Center is located near the east end of downtown and is a great place to buy tickets for Fort Mackinac and other historic Mackinac Island attractions.
5 things you have to see in Michigan’s original national park
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