Weather on Mackinac Island varies widely during the year because the climate truly does feature all four seasons. Temperate summers on Mackinac Island provide the perfect escape from overbearing heat and humidity. Gorgeous autumns on Mackinac Island offer bursts of fall color with warm days and cool nights. And the winters on Mackinac Island beckon hardy travelers with the promise of a snowy retreat from the rest of the world.
When you visit Mackinac Island in the spring, you’ll experience yet another aspect of the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination. Perhaps more than any other time of year on Mackinac Island, spring brings weather variability that can give you a feel for two or three different seasons in a single weekend.
As the Mackinac Island ferries resume regular service from the mainland in late April, it can be typical for temperatures to be in the 30s or 40s one day and then pushing 70 degrees the next. While May is generally very pleasant with daytime temperatures regularly in the 50s and 60s, it’s not uncommon for the mercury to top 80 degrees before Memorial Day. Nor is it unusual for nightly low temperatures to dip below the freezing point.
Here are the average temperatures on Mackinac Island in the spring:
- Daytime temps in the 50s during the last week of April
- Daytime temps of 61 degrees in May
- Daytime temps of 70 degrees in June, with comfortable overnight lows of 51 degrees
How to Pack for Spring Weather on Mackinac Island
So, what does all this weather data mean for your spring visit to Mackinac Island? Well, for one, be sure to pack a variety of clothing and plan to dress in layers. Sweaters and jackets are a must in the spring – and maybe even a winter coat and gloves, depending on the forecast! Yet, you’ll warm up quickly just by walking around town, especially on a sunny day. And if you go hiking up into the interior of Mackinac Island, it won’t take long to break a sweat on all but the chilliest of days.
When you pack a variety of warm-weather and cool-weather clothes, you’ll be ready no matter what Mother Nature brings to Mackinac Island during your spring visit. Plus, wearing layers will let you comfortably take advantage of Mackinac Island’s dozens of delightful outdoor dining options.
What to pack for a trip to Mackinac Island
Things To Do on Mackinac Island in the Spring
Whether it’s warm or cool, Mackinac Island will be ready with adventures for you. On a typical spring day, you’ll be able to enjoy a relaxing horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island landmarks. You’ll feel comfortable walking through downtown Mackinac Island and browsing Mackinac Island’s unique shops or sampling world-famous Mackinac Island fudge. You could play a round of golf on Mackinac Island, rent a bike from a Mackinac Island bike shop and explore Fort Mackinac.
Even if it happens to be cold on Mackinac Island during your spring trip, you’ll find plenty of things to do. Horseback riding through Mackinac Island State Park can be especially enjoyable in jeans and a sweatshirt when the air is crisp. Ditto for geocaching on Mackinac Island, which has hidden treasures all over. And if you plan to do a lot of hiking to discover Mackinac Island’s famous rock formations, you might even prefer cooler temperatures!
Of course, on cooler spring days you can also be inspired by Mackinac Island’s art galleries or get a kick out of zany downtown Mackinac Island attractions including the Haunted Theatre and Maze of Mirrors. You can pamper yourself with a massage in a Mackinac Island spa or indulge your taste buds at one of Mackinac Island’s many distinctive places to eat and drink. And if it’s wet out, well, visiting a Mackinac Island butterfly conservatory is just one of many things to do during a rainy day on Mackinac Island.
Come experience spring on Mackinac Island for yourself! While some Mackinac Island shops and attractions open in late April, most everything else is ready for visitors by early May. Find a place to stay on Mackinac Island and plan your trip today.
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