It was a gorgeous Michigan day when we decided to make the trek towards the Upper Peninsula. As we approached the island from the south, we could see the Mackinac Island Bridge in the distance. A massive suspension bridge measuring over 26,000 feet connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan and traverses Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes. The residents of Michigan call it the “Big Mac” bridge and they refer to themselves as U-P’ers, living in the Upper Peninsula. Those living south of (or “under”) the bridge are lovingly referred to as trolls.
I had first heard of Mackinac Island, Michigan when I rented the movie “Somewhere in Time”. The production starred Christopher Reeve and was filmed on the island in the late-1970’s. When I began telling my friends that I was going to spend a week-long family vacation in Michigan, my friends highly recommended spending a day on the island.
We paid the toll to reach the upper peninsula side of the bridge and caught a ferry over to the island.
The bridge is somewhat reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
The light breeze off of the lake felt great as we patiently awaited the ferry. From Mackinaw City Harbor, we boarded the Shepler’s Ferry shortly after our arrival to the pier and took the 45 minute boat ride to the island.
The ferry ride was incredibly relaxing and smooth as sea gulls flew above us and the winds began to pick up half way through the journey. In the far distance The Grand Hotel dominated the horizon and was the first structure visible along the coast.
Mackinac Island has been a popular resort town since the early 19th century. With a quaint downtown full of shops, we arrived at the dock and disembarked, ready to explore the island.
We strolled through the downtown area prior to visiting the Grand Hotel. Admiring the yachts and sailboats in the harbor, we visited charming boutiques, restaurants and a large number of fudge shops.
We could not help but notice that there was a fudge shop on every corner, a fact for which Mackinac Island is known. According to one of the local “fudgies”, some of the shop owners have been making their famous fudge for over a century.
We had several options for getting around the island to include walking, horse and buggies as well as biking. No cars are permitted on the island, so this added to Mackinac’s charm and simplicity.
Among the historical buildings on Mackinac Island was St. Anne’s Church. Locals had congregated here since 1695, but this building, completed as we saw it today, was built in 1874.
Flower boxes adorned the windows of shops as we made our way to the Grand Hotel. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day to explore the island.
We passed a few horse and carriages that transported visitors to the Grand Hotel. We continued along the path that led us to the resort, passing beautiful estates and mansions that rest along the roadway.
The approach towards the hotel was breathtaking. Sitting atop the hill, the stately resort, with its Victorian architecture, commands attention. Built in the late 19th century, it has been a luxury vacation spot for celebrities, politicians and visitors from all over the world. Because we were not guests of the hotel, we were required to pay a $5 charge to visit.
The hotel is known for its grand porch lined with rocking chairs that are strategically placed to enjoy the scenery. We took a few moments to enjoy the scenic view from the rockers before making our way back to the harbor to catch the ferry.
We retraced our steps into town with one final view of the Grand Hotel’s horse and carriage. With our ferry tickets in hand, we couldn’t decide if we should make another fudge stop and after taking a vote, the ran to Murdick’s Fudge for a last minute treat.
From the harbor to the downtown, the fudge shops to the Grand Hotel, the self-guided tour of Mackinac Island would end up being one of the highlights of our vacation. Even on holiday it can be a rare occurrence to experience a place that maintains its charming atmosphere. And it was for this reason, that on Mackinac Island, we too most certainly felt that we experienced a moment “Somewhere in Time”.
Have you visited Mackinac Island? Did you stay overnight or visit for the day? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my day on Mackinac Island and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
7278 Main Street
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Telephone: 906 847 3307
This is the original carriage tour on the island! The tour takes close to 2 hours with six stops!
Where to Stay:
The Grand Hotel
286 Grand Avenue
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Telephone: 800 334 7263
Where to Eat:
Bistro on the Green
One Lakeshore Drive
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Telephone: 906 847 3312
We chose this location to enjoy the scenic view of the putting course. I started with the crispy calamari, that was perfectly breaded and served with Mission Point’s signature marinara sauce. I also ordered the grilled kabob, which was served with rice and tzatziki sauce with the perfect amount of garlic.
Murdick’s Fudge
7363 Main Street
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Telephone: 906-847-3530
Mackinac Island is famous for its fudge and Murdick’s Fudge has been around since 1887!
What to Eat:
- The Coney Dog from Detroit, Jackson or Flint.
- Vernor’s Ginger Ale
- Founded in the Upper Peninsula, the pasty is a pastry pocket with fruit filling
- Mackinac Island Fudge
- Apples
- Cherries
- Detroit Style Pizza shaped in a rectangle and baked until the edges are crispy.
- Better Made Chips from Detroit
- Germack Pistachios
- Walleye Fish from the Great Lakes
- Faygo beverages
What to Read:
- The Legend of Mackinac Island, by Kathy-jo Wargin
- Somewhere on Mackinac, by Jeff Adams
- Mystery on Mackinac Island, by Anna W. Hale
- The Remarkable Tale of Captain Kidd and the Astor Fortune, by Eugene Thor Petersen
- Mackinac Passage: The Boathouse Mystery, by Robert A. Lytle
Photo Guide to Mackinac Island:
- A View of Mackinac Bridge from Mackinaw City
- The Grand Hotel as you approach the island
- The charming shops on Main Street
- Arch Rock on the island
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