Michigan's Gorgeous Tourist Destination Offers A Serene Escape Full Of Fun

While Michigan's stunning coastline has some of the best sandy beaches in the country and makes for an incredibly scenic road trip, you'll hit the literal end of the road at the ferry terminal to the state's well-known scenic escape, Mackinac Island. A Michigan icon and getaway for over a century, Mackinac Island is a place where you can travel back in time with car-free streets and feel history come alive. Mackinac (pronounced as MACK-in-awe) Island has a deep history with roots from the Anishinaabe people, the French, and the British before it became an American island in 1796.

Though time has passed, the island has retained much of its stunning Victorian architecture and forms of transportation used before the Gilded Age; life on the island literally moves at the pace of a horse and buggy or as fast as you can pedal on your bicycle, unless there is an emergency. You'll be able to walk through scenic downtown in less than 10 minutes — if you can keep yourself from temptation lurking in the plethora of fudge shops and ice cream parlors.

While you can fly to Mackinac Island on a charter flight or a private plane, you'll likely reach the island by ferry, even in the winter months, from either Mackinaw on the Lower Peninsula or St. Ignace on the Upper Peninsula. Tickets are available online from either Arnold Transit Company or Sheplers Ferry. Boats normally operate throughout the day and evening during the summer, with fewer trips during winter. On the short ride, be sure to keep your camera or phone ready for gorgeous views in the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet.

Historic Mackinac Island State Park draws tourists seeking an escape to simpler times centuries ago. From May 1 through October 24, the park comes alive as an interactive outdoor museum with performances and demonstrations where the past lives on. Soldiers at Fort Mackinac demonstrate how the historic British-built fort was guarded, complete with older weapons demonstrations — including of the fort's cannon. Tour the fort grounds and see how soldiers and officers lived hundreds of years ago, and soak in the beautiful views of downtown along the fort walls. Visit during the mornings, and you'll hear the cannon blast. One lucky visitor each day can also shoot the cannon for $75, but be sure to book ahead.

Visitors curious about the lifestyle of settlers and changes to society in the region during the 1800s shouldn't miss visiting the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop or the Biddle House. The Benjamin family ran a blacksmith shop on the island for decades, and the Biddle family witnessed sociocultural changes to the region as Michigan developed. Tickets for all attractions in the state park, including a visit to Fort Mackinac, are $17.50 for adults and $10.50 for children under 13. Larger families or families spending multiple days on the island or wanting to enjoy a meal in the fort's Tea Room on a separate date should consider purchasing the $95 family pass, which includes unlimited access to all of the park's attractions for a week. Visitors who are curious to see the real past shouldn't miss watching a decades-long archaeological dig at the Colonial Michilimakinac village after they arrive back in Mackinaw City. The site is only active during the summer months. 

Beautiful Mackinac Island was designated as the second national park in the United States after Yellowstone, and has 80% of its territory accessible to the public, including the island's iconic 146-foot Arch Rock, made of limestone. While no longer a national park, it is still definitely worth exploring. For this, your best option is to hop on a bicycle (or go tandem for double the fun) and explore the stunning and scenic 8.2-mile-long State Highway M-185. On your ride, you'll likely feel a cooling, gentle breeze and see the waves working their way toward shore from cerulean Lake Huron. If you need a sweet treat or a pick-me-up, don't miss stopping at the Cannonball Oasis, near where the British briefly took back Mackinac Island during the War of 1812. Just save a bit of strength for a visit to Sunset Rock in the evening for some of the best sunset views on the island. 

Ideally, the best time to visit is early to mid-June when the island is bursting with life. You'll likely see beautiful blossoms, migrating raptors and birds of prey, and the annual nine-day Lilac Festival, Mackinac Island's largest festival. Also, if you are a gardener, make sure to ask at the Mission Point Resort if you can take a tulip bulb home.

If your sweet tooth has taken the lead, you'll find yourself being pulled in every direction in the beautiful downtown. On Mackinac Island, over a dozen local shops make over five tons of world-renowned Mackinac Island fudge during the summer days for visitors. While you'll likely find plenty to sample and take home, Ryba's offers fudge-making classes if you want to learn a few tricks of the trade. Half-hour fudge-making experience classes cost around $500 for up to four people.

Mackinac Island is a four-season destination and makes a great getaway or quick escape year-round. Despite having just 500 full-time residents, over one million visitors come to Mackinac Island every year, mainly in summer. If the crowded Mackinac summer months are unappealing, the island's off-season is a great time to get away from the crowds and explore the natural wonders on slow-paced island time. March is still snowy and a great time to grab a pair of cross-country skis and snowshoes and hit the trails. Early fall is still a great time to kayak, see the magnificent fall foliage, and explore the Mackinac Island Botanical Trail. At this time, you may even find a discounted room in the island's iconic Grand Hotel, one of the best historic Victorian era hotels in America for a luxurious summer vacation.

If you're visiting Mackinac Island during the off-season, plan to be self-sufficient in getting around and willing to rely on your own two feet or a bicycle. Be sure to pack several layers of clothing, prepare for no public bathrooms, and be ready for fluctuating temperatures. You'll be able to find a bite to eat at the Kingston Kitchen and the Mustang Lounge, and groceries and sundries at Doud's Market, open year-round. Fewer tourists means that fewer shops and hotels will be open. Optimally, be well-prepared before arriving, including having everything booked in advance, from bicycle rentals to hotels. On the positive side, in the off-season, you'll have a stunning and picturesque island nearly all to yourself.