The colonial and Victorian Island Mackinac Island is a famous resort Island, laying in the Mackinac straight that connects Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Families are safe to walk the sidewalks and bike on the streets due to the old fashioned horse-and-bicycle culture that is practiced. The island’s busy Main Street showcases how street crowding can be a problem. Stay out of the way of horses and off the downtown street for safety purposes. Mackinac Island is a horse town and some people are not used to this; remember horses have the right of way. The unique geology of the island allows for the island to be a very scenic and beautiful place to photograph. The accommodation on Mackinac blends in harmoniously with the surroundings.
The three most sought after sights of Mackinac Island were built in the late 1800s or at least have the feel that you are visiting them in that time period. The biggest town on Mackinac Island only consists of two streets, Market and Main Street. Main Street has good examples of commercial architecture of the late 1800s. Built during the fur-trade boom of the War of 1812 period, a number of Market Street Buildings are even older. On a steep bluff above Main Street is Fort Mackinac. Most of the buildings were built in the 1800s, however the stone walls of the fort date to 1780. In 1884 an incredibly luxurious summer palace was built, now this palace has been converted into a hotel known as the Grand Hotel. Some other must see attractions on Mackinac Island include the State Park, the Surrey Hills Carriage Museum and Arch Park.
Winding footpaths and horse trails allow you to meander through the interior of Mackinac Island. A large amount of these trails have been in use for at least 150 years. Travel on Mackinac Island tends to be from bicycle or horse drawn carriage. Main Street is the 8-mile, relatively flat paved trail around the Island and a favourite destination. Guided tours are offered through Mackinac Island Carriage Tours that can show you the interior of the island from a horse drawn ride. It’s possible to charter light buggies or saddle horses by the hour. For an interesting view of the islands history, ghost stories, and legends, take an easy paced walking tour with Haunts of Mackinac and their Haunted History Tours. Mackinac Island contains 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 island has numerous hotel options available and the Grand Hotel is just one of over 40 different options available, such as Cottage Inn on Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island has many different lodging options available such as Hotels, apartments, historic inns, cozy bed and breakfasts and even Victorian era cottages. Mackinac Island has more than 30 licensed establishments, but many of these are restaurants and bars operating inside the summer hotels. Fudge that is created by the Mackinac Island candy makers has been sold since the 1880s. The making of the fudge on Mackinac Island is still done using the traditional process and with the traditional ingredients.
Commercial ferryboats from either the Mackinaw City or St. Ignace ports are the main means of travelling to Mackinac Island.