Mackinaw City Michigan | Written by Sherry Trautman | Traveling Michigan
Mackinaw City Michigan: Ultimate Visitors Guide! Best Things to Do, Deals, Tours, Where To Stay, Fudge and Ferries! KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
This past year we visited Mackinaw City three times! We always visit the city every summer, fall and winter as it's gorgeous in every season!
Mackinaw City Michigan-Day or night, is a vibrant city hoppin' with great eats, shopping and exploring. We know you will love it!
We are always in awe of the stunning Mackinac Bridge and sparkling waters while catching a glimpse of the majestic Grand Hotel off in the distance.
Visiting Mackinaw City during all four seasons awards you with vastly different experiences.
We feel the photo above embodies the very essence of the summer at Mackinaw City...
Shepler's ferry, sparking water, waving grasses, bobbing boats, the beautiful waving American flag and spectacular clouds.
Sigh...I love summer.
Here are our recommended hotels and places to stay in Mackinaw City Michigan.
So let's dig right in with our favorite must-see spots and fun things to do in Mackinaw City. We hope this Mackinaw City Michigan's Visitor's Guide will be helpful for planning your next trip!
We recommend getting out on the water and seeing the Mackinaw Bridge, Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City from a different perspective!
Book a gorgeous one hour cruise from Mackinaw City where you will sail between the straits that separate Michigan's peninsulas. You will also cruise below the Mackinaw Bridge while watching the sun set in glorious tones of reds, pinks and oranges.
You will hear lots of stories from the Captain along the way! Super fun things to do in Mackinaw City!
You need to get out on the water during your Mackinaw City Michigan vacation and this history cruise is the perfect way to do it!
Get ready to sail under Michigan’s majestic Mackinac Bridge on this fun Mackinac Bridge History Cruise. Learn about the exciting folklore and shipwrecks that happened on this guided, 1-hour history cruise. Plus you get to see Fort Michilimackinac and the Old Mackinac Point Light from the water!
What's not to love about quaint shops, FUDGE and pizza parlors! I love wandering through the stores, finding cute Mackinaw City shirts and just enjoying the day!
For 65 years, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City Michigan helped passing ships navigate the treacherous waters of the Straits of Mackinac.
Today, you can explore the lighthouse grounds, tour the restored keeper’s quarters, climb the tower and obtain an exquisite view of the Great Lakes and the Straits of Mackinac.
It's free to wander the grounds but there is a fee to enter the lighthouse. Seriously, what a view of the gorgeous Mackinaw Bridge!
As you can see, the Mackinaw Bridge is gorgeous even during the winter!
Why walk under the famous Mackinaw Bridge? Well, it's cool! You can see vehicles passing overhead and it's just a cool experience.
Mackinaw Crossings is a great spot to get your shopping on! Since it is near the downtown area and Shepler's Ferry, you will have to wander through this quaint shopping area!
Location: 500 Headlands Rd, Mackinaw City, MI
Take the self guided tour at McGulpin Point lighthouse! There are several stops, each marked with a sign and instructions. Use your cell phone to access the interactive TourSphere tour at emmetcounty.toursphere.com or call 231-486-0003 to listen to the audio stops.
Located near the Icebreaker, Shepler's ferry and Mackinaw Crossings, this zip lining adventure is a great time!
Mackinac Old Time Trolley Company is a great way to tour the city!
Shepler's is more than just a ferry to Mackinac Island.
They have so many cruises including:
Seriously, how fun are these! We are hoping to embark on a lighthouse cruise this summer.
9001 W. US Hwy 23 Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Prepare to witness the power of the creek harnessed to cut timber into lumber at one of the oldest industrial sites on the Upper Great Lakes while visiting the reconstructed 18th century water-powered sawmill.
You can also soar through the trees on a zip line during an Adventure Tour. Historic Mill Creek Discover Park offers a variety of programs, tours and ziplining.
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park is situated on over 600 acres with three miles of trails that contain beautiful forests, wildflowers and scenic views. A variety of wildlife species make their homes there.
So grab your walking shoes and wear comfortable clothing as you will find adventure at every turn!
So guys, Chris absolutely LOVES this place! Last summer, we ate here three times in three days! The sauce is so delicious, the toppings are very fresh and the CHEESE, well...
Just so you know, when you go in, walk toward the back and get in line to order. You will place your order, get a number and wait for it to be called. It's self service so you save money.
By Guest Writer, Larry Collin
BUDGET TRAVEL TIP: We recommend staying in Mackinaw City for lower priced lodging, food, shopping and amenities. We stay two nights-the night before our Mackinac Island trip and the night after.
We always arrive at Mackinaw City the day before our trip to the Island so we can enjoy the numerous sites in the city. After checking into Parkplace Inn, we enjoy walking across the street to take pictures of the Mackinac Point Lighthouse and the famous Mackinac Bridge.
However, it's not long before hunger begins to set in so we walk back to the hotel and drive about one mile to the downtown area...we could always walk but, we figure we will get enough exercise tomorrow. (We feel good about that rationalization!)
One of our favorite places to eat dinner is at the Dixie Saloon restaurant because their perch and burgers are excellent. We always hope there is an open table upstairs in the balcony area because it looks and feels like a cozy log cabin. Sometimes the wait times can be long so be sure to arrive before or after conventional meal times.
Sometimes when we are looking for a quick bite to eat and a drink, we enjoy O'Reilly's Irish Pub. This place is kind of a hidden gem as it is right next to the Dixie Saloon. You can walk inside between the two restaurants.
Their steak burgers and onion rings are tasty. Plus I like the comfortable, friendly atmosphere and the wooden booths.
As for dessert, we like to go to one of the local ice cream parlors to buy heaping cones of our favorite delicious Mackinac Island Fudge ice cream.
It's a perfect treat for the end of a good meal.
Since it's easy to walk around downtown we also like to splurge and got a pound of Mackinac Island fudge which is a decedent treat that you can only get in this area!
Other than eating, there are many more things to do in the town including shopping, mini-golf, sightseeing, zip-lining and boat tours. You won't be bored!
~Larry Collin
Plan your Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk today!
Every Labor Day, thousands of walkers descend upon the iconic Mackinac Bridge for the chance to walk across the majestic structure.
Mackinaw City dazzled its visitors with rare sparkling blue ice in February/early March 2018. This phenomenon last occurred 7 years ago so visitors flocked to the city in droves to photograph and witness the spectacular event! Enjoy our photographs here! For additional blue ice photos, parking tips and "in the know" advice, click here!
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A must see Not rated yet
Looks like such a lovely place to visit.
We were just looking for something like this! Not rated yet
Thank you so much for sharing! Our family was just looking for somewhere to go (hopefully) this summer. We were thinking New England, but Mackinaw City …