Are you wanting help with planning a summer vacation? Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island is the ideal unique spot you are searching for! A place with more than just a fair share of nature’s majesty this awe-inspiring landscape is sure to take you a step back in time with its quaint charm; where fairytale weddings take place and summer memories are made! Many people reconsider getting married on the island! There’s some magic you feel here that keeps pulling you in and makes you want to keep returning.

One of your biggest decisions to make while planning your Mackinac Island trip may be to choose from the plenty of options of available places to stay: on the island, in nearby Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, or finding a nearby campsite off the island.  For full convenience, I recommend staying on the island. When I went, I booked a room at the Lilac Suites & Spa Hotel, and absolutely LOVED it! It is located in the heart of downtown and surrounded by restaurants, bars, island activities, shops, and near the ferry docks.  It’s a very charming ambiance with great service and the entire property has suites only. I went during the best time – Lilac festival. It is a 10 day celebration and the largest event on the island. I had never experienced lilacs like that. Most lilacs in the Midwest are gone by May, but in this nostalgic island they are in full bloom and bursting in color in June.  It is truly an unforgettable sight. Nowhere else in the world can you see lilacs grow up to 40 feet and be 100 years old. Walking up and down the streets and smelling the many lilacs is mesmerizing.

If you are on a budget and do not mind taking a ferry for a couple of consecutive days there and back, you are going to save you a lot of money to stay on “the mainland”. Both cities have plenty of hotels to choose from. If you’re looking for a hotel in the city of St. Ignace with freebies and discounts, I suggest to go with I have booked clients there and they were fully satisfied.  Also, be sure you drive over the Mackinac Bridge at least once (Ps. This isn’t the island) I’d hate for you to be that close to the world’s fifth largest suspension bridge and missing out the experience of driving on it! This is likely how you’ll get your first look at Mackinac Island. The view of the straits of Mackinac from the bridge is amazing. It’s also impressive when you look down, and all you see below you are the waves of lakes Michigan and Huron churning and crunching into each other.

If you do decide to find a place off the island, make sure you are up to speed with the local ferry schedules.
For most Mackinac Island visitors the shuttle is a necessary means of transportation to and from the island. What most people don’t emphasize, however, is that the ferry itself is a form of entertainment! Our 20 minute ride with Star Line provided incredible views of Lake Huron, the Mackinac Bridge, light houses, sailboats and Mackinac Island mansions. Grab a spot on the upper deck for a well-deserved indulgence and more spectacular views. 

It won’t be wrong if you call this place seriously, where else do you see Clydesdales clopping down the street and not a vehicle in sight? With the lack of automobiles and abundance of historic architecture, it’s a special little island where you feel like you’ve time-traveled back to 1910. Since there are no cars allowed on Mackinac Island, biking is a lifesaver when you want to get from point A to point B quickly. There are several places on the island where you can rent bikes by the hour or day, so depending on your needs, you can pick one up when you get there. You’ll also see horse carriages jingle by on main street. If you’re an avid hippophile, you can hop in a horse taxi to get around town or go on a guided tour around the island in a carriage.

On Mackinac Island, you can’t throw a stone without hitting a fudge shop. The sweet smell fills the air downtown. My favorite is Ryba’s and my favorite flavors at Ryba’s are peanut butter and maple nut. People have been coming to Mackinac Island to buy fudge for over a century. It’s handmade in the shops while you watch. If you come to Mackinac, you have to buy fudge. It’s a tradition. Eat some while you’re there, and take some back to the folks at home. And even if you over-indulge on fudge (no judgement whatsoever!) you can burn those calories away by taking a walk or going for a bike ride around the island 😉 Also there are several admirable restaurants to choose from on Mackinac Island with cuisine ranging from hamburgers to high-end dinners.

Mackinac island is a world unto itself. Over 80% of the island is a Michigan State Park, the oldest one in the state established in 1895. You can watch rifle and cannon firing at Fort Mackinac. Parts of the fort are over 225 years old and here you’ll see people dressed in period clothing acting out rituals from that time. The trail that circles the island is eight miles long and takes you past many of the must-see landmarks. Arch Rock is one of the most iconic natural wonders on this trail, a 4,000 year old limestone formation standing 146 feet above the water. Devil’s Kitchen is a small cave carved out of the limestone by waves from Lake Huron. Dwightwood Spring is a natural spring flowing out of the limestone cliffs that surround the island. The incredible lake views with shockingly blue water make your leisurely stroll worthwhile, no matter where you go on the island! And while you enjoy the stupendous views leading through the sylvan settings, along shorelines, by rock formations and gorgeous panoramas, also make sure to relax, browse the shops on the main street, appreciate beautifully restored historic homes and soak up the interesting history of the island.

So hey, if you want to go see what the hype is all about, I completely get that! Book your summer weekend escape with Ever Ready Travel and rediscover America’s heartland with this bucket listed place. Especially for those living in the Midwest who can make an easy drive up to Mackinaw City, this road trip will certainly be a memorable one.