As you arrive on a ferry boat and leave the dock, you’ll find yourself right in the middle of downtown Mackinac Island. Instantly, you get a taste of the energy coursing through Main Street, from horse-drawn carriages and bicycles on the road to unique shops and delicious restaurants filling historic buildings.
It’s all quite exciting.
Then, just a few steps to the left, you can encounter another delightful aspect of the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination: The quiet beauty of Mackinac Island’s Windermere Point.
Windermere Point is a public park with a large grassy area and rocky beach right on the edge of downtown. If you’ve ever seen television coverage of Mackinac Island’s Stone Skipping Competition every Fourth of July, then you’ve seen Windermere Point.
Windermere Point is one of the best spots for skipping stones on Mackinac Island and a great place for lots of other outdoor activities:
Watching Ferry Boats From Windermere Point
You’ll already have seen the view of Mackinac Island from the ferry boat when coming into the dock. Windermere Point is a scenic spot to get a perspective of the ferries from land as they come and go.
Taking a ferry boat to Mackinac Island
Family Photos At Windermere Point
Close to many Mackinac Island places to stay and easy to get to, Windermere Point is a popular place for family photos. The scenery is stunning, with the water, ferry boats and picturesque Round Island Lighthouse in the background.
How and where to get the perfect Mackinac Island photos
Kite Flying At Windermere Point
Because it’s located right on the water, there tends to be a nice breeze at Windermere Point. That makes it perfect for picking up a kite at Great Turtle Toys and letting it fly high above the beach. Even if you just come to watch, you’ll see people flying colorful kites at Windermere Point most every day of the travel season.
5 more things to do for kids on Mackinac Island
Picnics At Windermere Point
Whether you bring a blanket to spread out on the grass or you grab a seat at one of the many picnic tables on site, Windermere Point is one of the top spots for a Mackinac Island picnic. You can order take-out from any number of Mackinac Island restaurants or pick something up from Doud’s Market. Also, the Doghouse at Windermere Point serves up some of the best hot dogs on Mackinac Island right there in the park.
More perfect places for a picnic on Mackinac Island
Dogs On Leash At Windermere Point
Right along the boardwalk that extends to the west along the waterfront, Windermere Point is one of many dog-friendly destinations on Mackinac Island. You can splash around in the water and relax on the lawn before or after venturing along the boardwalk. Please remember to keep your dogs on leash at all times when visiting Mackinac Island.
Things to know about bringing your dog to Mackinac Island
RELATED MACKINAC ISLAND BLOGS:
