Just like getting to Mackinac Island is part of the adventure, getting around Mackinac Island once you arrive is also part of the fun. As a car-free destination, Mackinac Island runs on real horsepower. In fact, horses go hand in hand – or shall we say hoof in hoof – with Mackinac Island, just like pecans go with world-famous Mackinac Island fudge or brides go with grooms at Mackinac Island’s spectacular wedding venues.
To get the full Mackinac Island experience, you’ll want to befriend a horse while you’re here. So, you may be wondering, where can I ride horses on Mackinac Island? And what does it cost? Here’s the lowdown:
6 Ways To Travel By Horse On Mackinac Island
Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Mackinac Island
Perhaps one of the most popular things to do on Mackinac Island is enjoy a narrated horse-drawn carriage tour. It’s a fantastic way to get the lay of the land when you first arrive at the ferry dock. You can head to Mackinac Island Carriage Tours right downtown, where tours depart throughout the day. The tour lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes in peak season and takes you past Grand Hotel and Fort Mackinac with stops at Arch Rock and Surrey Hill. The tour costs around $41 for adults with discounts for kids ages 5-12. You can also get special pricing when you combine a carriage tour with other Mackinac Island attractions such as the Wings of Mackinac butterfly conservatory.
7 sights to see on a horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island
Private Carriage Tour of Mackinac Island
An alternative to the public horse-drawn carriage tour is a customized private tour of Mackinac Island with a personal guide. With a private tour through Mackinac Island Carriage Tours or Gough Carriages, you can ask your driver to show you parts of Mackinac Island unseen on the public tour. You’ll learn interesting tidbits about Mackinac Island and get more chances to stop for photos in some incredible settings. Private tours start at $210 per carriage for up to 4 people (additional costs with additional people) and have tours for up to 8 people.
10 questions about horses on Mackinac Island
Drive-It-Yourself Horse-Drawn Carriages on Mackinac Island
If you’re comfortable getting behind the wheel, er, reins of a horse-drawn carriage, then you can rent a Drive-It-Yourself carriage from Jack’s Livery Stable. After getting a brief lesson on how to drive a buggy, you can head out and explore Mackinac Island on your own. Buggies have room for two, four or six passengers and can be rented by the hour. It costs about $110 per hour for a 2-person carriage, $130 per hour for a 4-person carriage or $150 per hour for a 6-person carriage.
Taking the reins with a Drive-It-Yourself Carriage Tour
Horseback Riding on Mackinac Island
In addition to paved roads traveled by horse-drawn carriages, Mackinac Island is home to many miles of dirt trails that are perfect for horseback riding. It costs about $70 per hour to ride a saddle horse. Both Jack’s Livery Stable and Cindy’s Riding Stable offer guided and unguided trail riding through Mackinac Island State Park or even right through town.
Trails to explore on Mackinac Island
Horse Riding Lessons on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is also home to the Mackinac Community Equestrian Center where you can take horseback riding lessons in private, semi-private or group settings. It costs about $70-80 per hour for a private lesson, with lesser prices for semi-private or group lessons. Pony day camps also are offered at various times each summer at various price points for kids to learn about riding and caring for horses.
Mackinac Island: A horse lover’s dream
Horse-Drawn Taxis on Mackinac Island
Even though Mackinac Island is car free, there are taxis, believe it or not. Horse-drawn taxis! Wherever you are on Mackinac Island, call Mackinac Island Taxi for a ride 24 hours a day. Prices are about $10 per person, give or take a couple bucks depending on your destination. Kids are half-price when riding with an adult.
Everything to know about Mackinac Island taxis
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