MACKINAC ISLAND
FUDGE, HORSES AND BIKING
Mackinac Island is a magical place to visit and travelers from all over the world come to see firsthand the charming qualities this island has to offer.
If you are planning a day trip to Mackinac Island, here are some must do’s during your day.
INFORMATION
PLAN OUT YOUR DAY
The best way to enjoy a day trip to Mackinac Island is to choose whether you want to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Staying an entire day from morning until evening can be too much, even for the most energized travelers!
Approximate travel time to the ferry docks from our hotels:
- Holiday Inn Express Mackinaw City – 5 minutes
- Days Inn Petoskey – 47 minutes
- Apple Tree Inn – 47 minutes
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites Petoskey – 49 minutes
- Charlevoix Inn and Suites – 1 hour 5 minutes
EARLY TRIP
The early trip to Mackinac Island is good for those that want to spend the morning and early afternoon on the island and head back to the hotel before dinner.
We recommend getting any early start. On busier days, the ferry boats, Shepler’s and Star Line will start filling up around 10am, so catching an earlier boat will help ensure you are not waiting for the next ferry boat.
Plan on being at the ferry docks at least a half hour before so you can get your vehicle parked, which may be off site. If you arrive a few minutes before the departure time, chances are you will have to wait for the next ferry.
TO DO
If you are bringing the family and this is your first time to visit Mackinac Island, here is what we recommend you do:
- Rent Bikes and ride around the Island
- Visit Fort Mackinac
- Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
- Butterfly House
- Haunts of Mackinac
TIPS:
- Try to plan a lunch during off peak time, say 11am or 2pm.
- Mackinac Island Carriage Tours is a great way to see most of the island by horse and carraige. You will also get an interesting history lesson going back to the French explorer days.
- Butterfly House is good for younger children
- Haunts of Mackinac is recommended for older children
LATE TRIP
The late trip to Mackinac Island is good for those that want to spend the afternoon and early evening on the island along with a possible dinner before heading back to the mainland.
The best time to head over for the afternoon is around 1-2pm. The lines going over will start to deplete and there will be more traffic coming back from the island.
Downtown Mackinac Island will be busy, so we recommend renting some bikes and heading out for a bike ride around the island. Upon your return, the downtown area will be less crowded as the early day visitors will start heading back.
If biking is not your thing, then we suggest the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. You get to ride around the island in a carriage pulled by horses. You get the whole history of Mackinac Island and will see some really cool features.
Plan on being at the ferry docks at least a half hour before so you can get your vehicle parked, which may be off site. If you arrive a few minutes before the departure time, chances are you will have to wait for the next ferry.
TO DO
If you are bringing the family and this is your first time to visit Mackinac Island, here is what we recommend you do:
- Rent Bikes and ride around the Island
- Visit Fort Mackinac
- Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
- Butterfly House
- Haunts of Mackinac
TIPS:
- Try to plan a dinner during off peak time, around 4pm or after 7pm.
- Mackinac Island Carriage Tours is a great way to see most of the island by horse and carraige. You will also get an interesting history lesson going back to the French explorer days.
- Butterfly House is good for younger children
- Haunts of Mackinac is recommended for older children
INFO + LINKS
TRANSPORTATION
1. SHEPLER’S MACKINAC ISLAND FERRY
556 E Central Ave
Mackinaw City, MI 49701
(231) 436-5023
Buy your tickets and parking online and save!
2. STAR LINE FERRY
801 S Huron Ave
Mackinaw City, MI 49701
(800) 638-9892
The classic ferry takes a long time. We recommend if riding Star Line to take the hydro-jet ferry boats. If you have children, you can actual take a pirate ship to the island and back!
3. MACKINAC ISLAND CARRIAGE TOURS
7396 Market St
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-3307
Horse carriage tours around Mackinac Island, along with transportation if needed.
ATTRACTIONS
1. MACKINAC CYCLE
7271 Main St
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-0047
High Quality bikes, fantastic service.
No deposit is required to rent our bikes.
At Mackinac Cycle:
- You pay when you return
- All rates are pro-rated after the first hour
- Half and full day rates are discounted
2. THE ORIGINAL MACKINAC ISLAND BUTTERFLY HOUSE
6750 McGulpin St
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-3972
The Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House is the 1st of its kind in Michigan, and the 3rd oldest LIVE butterfly exhibit in the United States. The world-renowned facility has 1800 sq ft of tropical garden filled with hundreds of live butterflies from four continents.
3. ORPHEUM THEATRE
7396 Main St
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-4093
Haunted theatre. Great for older kids,
teens and adults! Not great for young children.
4. CINDY’S RIDING STABLE
7447 Market Street
Mackinac Island, MI 49775
(906) 847-3572
Ride your own horse on the island!
4. JACK’S LIVERY STABLE
7754 Mahoney Ave
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-3391
Drive your own horse carriage!
DINING
1. PINK PONY
7221 Main St
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-3341
Excellent food, really good drinks, live entertainment and outdoor seating.
We highly recommend the outdoor seating if you can get it. Named one of the top 10 outdoor dining restaurants in the USA!
If you are of legal age, be sure to try the world famous Pink Pony Rum Runner!
2. SEABISCUIT CAFE
7337 Main St
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-3611
Very good food, great service and a the atmosphere is designed around the iconic race horse, seabiscuit.
3. MARY’S BISTRO DRAUGHT HOUSE
7463 Main St
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-9911
50 beers on tap. Indoor and Outdoor dining.
4. HORNS GASLIGHT BAR AND RESTAURANT
7300 Main St
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-6154
Good food and great entertainment! An island classic for decades and decades.
5. THE GATE HOUSE
1547 Grand Ave
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-3772
Indoor and outdoor dining. Great food and daily entertainment.