MACKINAC ISLAND

After our visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, we made a steadfast decision to continue planning local weekend trips during this pandemic season for as long as we safety can given the local regulations. We landed on revisiting Mackinac Island as our next destination.

Mackinac Island is a small island in Lake Huron, located between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsula. It's known for its hiking trails, historical fort, shopping, and fudge. No cars are allowed here, and transportation is facilitated by horse-drawn carriage or bicycle.

While we would highly recommend staying on the island for a first-time visit, we opted to save some money this trip and booked a cabin on the mainland in Mackinaw City. We took an early morning ferry to the island and spent the day hiking, forging a knife, indulging on ice cream, and purchasing fudge. It was a beautiful day spent on the island.

Accommodation: Mackinac Lakefront Cabin Rentals

Adventures: Shepler's Ferry Mighty Mac Tour, Mackinac Island State Park, Arch Rock, Skull Cave, Forge a Memory, Grand Hotel, Murdick's Fudge

Takeaways:
1) The ferry ride over to the island is part of the adventure.

2) The Grand Hotel charges non-guests a $10 entry fee, which seemed excessive. (We passed on seeing the "World's Longest Porch".)

3) The island has a different vibe outside Main Street.

4) Mackinaw City retains the "aw" spelling while the bridge, straits and island use the "ac" spelling. They're all pronounced the same.

Memorable Moments:

1) Hiking to Arch Rock.

2) Forging a knife.

Foodstuff: 

Fudge. The island is famous for it.

Ice cream, be sure to try the following flavors when on the island: 

• Mackinac Island Fudge (vanilla ice cream with chewy fudge pieces and swirled with butter fudge sauce)
• Peanut Butter Mackinac Island Fudge (peanut butter flavored ice cream with a thick fudge ribbon with chocolate peanut truffle pieces)

Restaurant Picks:

Good Day Cafe (takeaway, excellent breakfast sandwiches - try the Darn Good Egg Sandwich)

7216 Main Street

The Gate House

1547 Grand Ave

Pink Pony (try the Mackinac surf & turf)

7221 Main Street

Island Slice Pizzeria (go-to for late night pizza cravings)

7248 Main Street

Recommendations:

1) Wear comfortable walking shoes.

2) Consider renting a bicycle.

3) Be prepared to pay top prices. Remember it's an upscale tourist destination located on an island.

Next Time:

1) Visit Fort Mackinac. Maybe sign up to fire the cannon.

2) Take a carriage tour.

3) Sign up for a kayak tour or rent a bicycle.

4) Book a room and do some late night bar hopping.