Lake Huron and Michigan are connected by the Mackinac straight also in this straight lays the famous resort Island Mackinac Island which is renowned for its contemporary character. The horse and bicycle culture that is practiced on the island allows the sidewalks and streets to be safe to walk and bike on. However, street crowding is a problem, especially on the island’s busy Main Street. Be sure to stay out of the way of the horses and out of the downtown street for safety purposes. On Mackinac Island be sure to remember that horses have the right of way; this is sometimes something people are not familiar with when they visit. The unique geology of the island allows for the island to be a very scenic and beautiful place to photograph. To top it all off, Mackinac lodgings are ageless and suit the scenery perfectly.
The foremost sites were built on Mackinac Island in the late 1800s or are interpreted as though they were anyways. Main Street and Market Street make up the largest town. Main Street has good examples of commercial architecture of the late 1800s. Buildings on Market Street are from an earlier period having been built during the War of 1812 period. Upon the top of a steep hill which is above Main Street is Fort Mackinac. Fort Mackinac’s stone walls date from the 1780’s; the majority of the rest of the buildings were built in the 1800s though. Halfway up another steep hill is the Grand Hotel, a substantial 1884 summer palace offering upscale accommodation. The Surrey Hills Carriage Museum, Arch Park and the Mackinac Island State Park are some of the other appealing sights to see.
A wide variety of footpaths and saddle-horse trails snake through the interior of Mackinac Island. These great paths have been around for over 150 years. Most people get from place to place by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. Main Street is a rather flat paved trail that is approximately 8 miles long and is one of the top destinations of Mackinac Island. While on Mackinac Island consider taking part in a carriage tour which allows you to tour the interior of the island from the comfort of a horse drawn carriage. Light buggies and saddle horses can be rented by the hour. If you are interested in the history behind Mackinac Island’s ghost stories, history and legends then consider taking a walking tour with the Haunts of Mackinac and their Haunted History Tours. Within the interior of the island there are three 9-hole golf courses. Also available to create a more memorable experience are charter sailboat cruises from the harbour to the Straights of Mackinac.
The famous Grand Hotel is an excellent place to seek accommodation, but there are around 40 other hotels available also, including Condo Rental on Mackinac Island. Luxury hotels, old fashioned inns, apartments, condos and respectable Victorian era cottages are some options of accommodation to consider while you visit Mackinac Island. There are more than 30 licensed establishments on Mackinac Island that operate inside the summer hotels. Since the 1880s, Mackinac candy makers have made and sold fudge to visitors. Mackinac Island Fudge is still made with traditional ingredients and in the traditional process.
When travelling to Mackinac Island the main means of transportation used is commercial ferryboat from either Mackinaw City on the Lower Peninsula or St. Ignace on the Upper Peninsula. So do yourself a favour and visit this historic place and stay at a charming Mackinac Island establishment.