A view of the docks from Mackinac Island on a crystal blue summer day. Flowers are in abundance especially their famous lilacs.

Mackinac Island (pronounced Mack-i-naw) is not a predictable spot for a Southern California gal to go on her summer vacation, but if you want to step back in time and experience an escape like no other, take a look. The island is accessible only by boat or small aircraft and sits at the top of Michigan's lower peninsula, just a bridge away from the upper arm or UP. So expect transportation during your stay to be either on foot, horseback, or most popular by bicycle. Surrounded by forest and the clear blue waters of Lake Huron, visitors flock here to enjoy its midwest hospitality and history.

Bikes are the way to go

The island is committed to conservation so no motorized vehicles are allowed

A little history

Careful urban planning has always been in place on Mackinac therefore it’s easy to get a feeling that time has stood still. Mackinac Island sits in Lake Huron and covers a little over four square miles. It was home to Odawa fur traders and other indigenous groups before Europe colonized there in the 17th century. Fort Mackinac was constructed on the island by the British during the American Revolutionary War. It was the site of two battles during the War of 1812 before the northern border was settled and the US gained the territory.

In the late 19th century, Mackinac Island became a popular tourist attraction and summer colony. It is the second National Park and many of the structures on the island have undergone extensive historic preservation and restoration. As a result, the entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark. In addition, around 80 percent of the island is preserved as Mackinac Island State Park.

Fort Mackinac

Arch Rock

Historic Victorian Home

St. Anne Church 1874

What to do

An obvious observation for anyone who visits Mackinac Island is this is a place for families and a place where generation after generation returns to enjoy all the island offers. My husband and I loved talking to "regulars" and hearing about their traditions of returning to the island every year. There is so much to do, rain or shine, including riding bikes along the lakeshore, visiting the famous once British-controlled forts, breathing in the scents from the world-famous fudge shops on Main Street, and soaking up the history from a guided horse-drawn carriage tour. If that isn't enough, there is golf, sports of every kind, art, and some of the most exemplary Victorian architecture on streets lined with abundant flowers and greenery.

World-Famous Fudge

Historic Forts

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

“Time seems to stand still on Mackinac Island not only because there are no cars, but also because there are two historic military forts and a handful of the oldest buildings in Michigan. Just by being here you’ll feel like you’re back in the past! Mackinac Island is home to many beautiful examples of Victorian architecture among the cottages and B&Bs that, in many cases, are well over 100 years old. The Island’s museums and reenactments by costumed interpreters also offer glimpses into the 19th-century lives of both soldiers and civilians.”

— Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau

Not a leaf out of place

Pride of ownership is evident with the well-maintained homes and gardens

Where to stay and eat

The island hosts many bed and breakfasts in historic Victorian homes, and there are a handful of larger-scale hotels with all the amenities one expects. However, if you are looking for a combination of history and hospitality, the Grand Hotel is an obvious choice. This National Historic Landmark hotel first opened its doors in 1887 as a summer retreat for vacationers who traveled to Michigan. Through many years of improvements, the hotel's growth continues to be known as a highly acclaimed and much-beloved getaway.

Carleton Varney, a protégé of Dorothy Draper, designed the Grand Hotel in its late 19th-century decor, including Pelargonium geraniums. Varney purposely designed the hotel so that all the rooms are different from each other in at least one aspect. The hotel has many distinctions, including hosting dignitaries including five U.S. Presidents, Mark Twain and Thomas Edison. It is also the site of significant motion pictures and boasts the world's longest porch - 660 feet long!

Dining on the island offers many choices. The Pink Pony on Main Street is a popular spot for pup fare, with an attached gift shop offering clothing and souvenirs in every shade of pink. The Grand Hotel has several restaurants on and off the property. The Woods Restaurant, a short carriage ride into the forest, is in a Tudor mansion with charming Bavarian decor. Before dinner, you can enjoy fresh-popped popcorn and bowl in America’s oldest operating duckpin bowling alley. The main dining room at the hotel requires men to wear a jacket and tie and women in dresses. If you want something simple, there are several pubs and family spots to enjoy a great meal.