Mackinac Island is a vacation destination for all generations. From children, to grandparents, newlyweds, and solo travelers, the island has something for everyone.
If you are traveling with someone who has limited mobility and wondering the best way to get around car-free Mackinac Island, this blog post is for you!
Here are three accessible transportation options for experiencing Mackinac Island with someone who has limited mobility, along with some tips for your stay:
Horse-Drawn Taxis on Mackinac Island
Horse-drawn taxis on Mackinac Island are available to take your group from Point A to Point B, most anywhere you need to go. Unlike regular taxis, you don’t wave down or hail these. The taxis on Mackinac Island need to be called (906-847-3323) and then dispatched. Tell them where you are and where you want to go.
Note that horse-drawn taxis won’t take you all the way around Mackinac Island. If you are wanting to tour the island and see the major points of interest without much walking, a horse-drawn carriage tour is a better option. Both public horse-drawn carriage tours of Mackinac Island and private horse-drawn carriage tours of Mackinac Island are available.
Electric Mobility Scooters for Rent on Mackinac Island
The second option would be renting an electric mobility scooter. A couple of Mackinac Island bicycle shops rent these by the hour or for a day at a time.
The electric scooters will not make it around the whole island, but you can cruise around downtown Mackinac Island and from Grand Hotel to Mission Point Resort.
It’s recommended to call a day ahead to reserve an electric scooter. Contact Mackinac Cycle or Ryba’s Bikes for more information.
Different Bicycle Options on Mackinac Island
A variety of Mackinac Island bicycle shops have 3-wheeled adult trikes available for rent. These are easy to use and great for folks who have any balance issues but still want to be independent.
Another option would be what’s called a chariot bicycle. A chariot bike is almost like a pedicab. Someone is up front, peddling, while a second person sits on a physical seat with their feet on the floor in the back.
It’s surprisingly easy and if someone in the group can pedal, this is a fun option to explore Mackinac Island!
Tips for Visiting Mackinac Island with Limited Mobility
- Anytime you leave the main road in town, there will be hills to climb. This includes routes to Grand Hotel, Fort Mackinac and Arch Rock.
- Downtown Mackinac Island is about 3 blocks long.
- Grand Hotel is about a 10- to 15-minute walk from downtown and Mission Point is about a 15-minute walk from downtown.
- Some bicycle shops have push wheelchairs available for rent.
- It might be a good idea to book your overnight stay on Mackinac Island near the downtown area.
- Visit our accessibility page for even more information.
If you have additional questions or would like to discuss more about planning your trip to Mackinac Island, don’t hesitate to contact our office at 906-847-3783 or by email.
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