Ah, summer. That time of year when tens of thousands of visitors from around the world take a break away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy some fun and relaxation on Mackinac Island, the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination.
You could stay the whole summer on Mackinac Island and not experience everything there is to see and do. But you can certainly get a taste of what makes Mackinac Island so special during a long weekend or midweek visit.
Check out the ideas in this sample 4-day itinerary for a summer visit to Mackinac Island and you’ll be sure to find something that suits everyone in your travel party.
Things to keep in mind for a summer visit to Mackinac Island
- Summer Weather on Mackinac Island – Summers on Mackinac Island feature beautiful, cool mornings and warm afternoons with comfortable humidity. You’ll find high temps in the 70s from June through August, with a pleasant transition to fall beginning in September when temps average in the mid-60s. 3 reasons Mackinac Island’s summer weather is so perfect
- Getting to Mackinac Island – If you didn’t already know, you can’t take the world-famous Mackinac Bridge to Mackinac Island. That’s because the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas and doesn’t go to the island. In fact, no roads do. Mackinac Island is car-free! You get to take a ferry instead (or fly a small plane into Mackinac Island Airport). Two Mackinac Island ferry companies depart from either Mackinaw City in the Lower Peninsula or from St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula, with a regular schedule of crossings starting in late April and continuing through October. What to do with your car when you go to Mackinac Island
- Getting Around Mackinac Island – The 8.2-mile loop around the perimeter of Mackinac Island is the only state highway in the country that’s car free. But, no worries, it’s easy to make your way around Mackinac Island on foot or bicycle. You can take your own bicycle to the island for an additional ferry fee or rent one in town once you arrive. Horse-drawn carriage tours of Mackinac Island and horse-drawn taxis also are popular ways of getting around. Rent a bike on Mackinac Island or bring your own?
- Summer Things To Do on Mackinac Island – If you like your vacations full of activity, then Mackinac Island offers lots of things to do. You can explore Mackinac Island’s hidden caves and rock formations by hiking, biking or horseback. Mackinac Island has golf courses including a 120-year-old links on a battlefield where British and Americans fought in the War of 1812. There are several museums and cool historic sites such as Fort Mackinac. And, of course, there’s a ton to do on the water like kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, parasailing and more. This is an island after all! 9 thrilling things to do on Mackinac Island
- Leisure on Mackinac Island – If you’re looking for a vacation full of relaxation, then Mackinac Island’s clip-clop pace of life is perfect. You can lounge the day away by a Mackinac Island swimming pool, listening to the clip-clop of horse hooves and letting the northern Michigan summer wash over you. You can stroll out to see Mackinac Island’s iconic Arch Rock, visit Mackinac Island’s butterfly houses and take a horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island or a sunset boat cruise off Mackinac Island. In downtown Mackinac Island you can browse unique Mackinac Island shops and sample great Mackinac Island restaurants and relax in Marquette Park with a Mackinac Island picnic. Of course, you also can finish the day – every day – with some world-famous Mackinac Island fudge. See all the great ways to unplug and relax on Mackinac Island
- Where to Stay on Mackinac Island – Mackinac Island has more than 1,600 rooms available in a variety of settings including resorts, hotels, B&Bs, condos, cottages and homes. You won’t find any franchise lodging chains on the island. Each place to stay is a one-of-a-kind property that offers a unique experience. Choosing where to stay on Mackinac Island
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