Mackinac Island is an island covering 3.8 square miles in land area in the Upper Peninsula. It is located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island was home to a Native American settlement before European exploration began in the 17th century. It served a strategic position amidst the commerce of the Great Lakes fur trade. This led to the establishment of Fort Mackinac on the island by the British during the American Revolutionary War. It was the scene of two battles during the War of 1812.
In the late 19th century, Mackinac Island became a popular tourist attraction and summer colony. Much of the island has undergone extensive historical preservation and restoration; as a result, the entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is well known for its numerous cultural events; its wide variety of architectural styles, including the famous Victorian Grand Hotel; and its ban on almost all motor vehicles. More than 80 percent of the island is preserved as Mackinac Island State Park.
Historic Places:
All of Mackinac Island was listed as a National Historic Landmark in October 1960. In addition, because of the island’s long history and preservation efforts starting in the 1890s, eight separate locations on the island, and a ninth site on adjacent Round Island, are listed in the United States National Register of Historic Places.
* Fort Mackinac was built in 1780 and was closed as a fort in 1895 as it no longer had any strategic purpose. It has been restored to its late 19th century state through efforts beginning in the 1930s.
* The Matthew Geary House was built in 1846, was added to the register in 1971, and is now available for vacation rentals.
* The Grand Hotel is a Victorian-style structure that opened in 1887. It gained national prominence after the 1980 film Somewhere in Time was shot on location at the hotel.
* The Indian Dormitory was constructed under direction of US Indian agent Henry Rowe Schoolcraft after the signing of the 1836 Treaty of Washington, as a school and a place for Native Americans visiting the island to stay when receiving yearly allotments. The building was restored in 1966 and converted to a museum. It has not been open to the public since 2003. Extensive renovation is needed, but there are no plans to reopen it in the next few years.
* Mission Church was built in 1829 and is the oldest surviving church building in Michigan. Restoration efforts have returned the church to its 1830s appearance.[
* Mission House was built in 1825 as a boarding school for Native American children. It became a hotel in 1849 and a rooming house in 1939. It is restored and now houses State Park employees.
* The Round Island Lighthouse is located just south of the island on the small, uninhabited Round Island. The light was built in 1894 and automated in 1924. Extensive restoration efforts began in the 1970s and the exterior and structure have since been repaired.
* The Agency House of the American Fur Company was built in 1820 as the home for the company’s Mackinac Island agent, Robert Stuart. It is now open to the public as a fur trade museum.
* The Michigan Governor’s Summer Residence was built overlooking the harbor in 1902 and was purchased by the state for use as a governor’s residence in 1943.
* The entire island, Haldimand Bay, and a small shipwreck form a historic district.
* Post Cemetery, which is said to be one of only four locations in the United States where the U.S. flag is always flown at half-staff (the others are the Punchbowl in Honolulu, the Gettysburg National Cemetery, and Arlington National Cemetery).
* Wawashkamo Golf Club was laid out in 1898 as a Scottish links-type course and is now the oldest continuously played golf coure in Michigan.
Film/Television:
The majority of the film Somewhere in Time was filmed on Mackinac Island. Several landmarks are visible in the film, including the Grand Hotel and the lighthouse on nearby Round Island. The Mackinac Bridge is faintly visible in the background of one scene. The film’s director said he needed to “find a place that looked like it hadn’t changed in eighty years.”
Mackinac Island appeared on two episodes of Dirty Jobs, with host Mike Rowe as a Mackinac Bridge maintenance worker, and a horse manure and garbage removal/composting collector.
Travel to Mackinac Island:
Hotels:
Lake View Hotel
www.lake-view-hotel.com
(906) 847-3384
Island House Hotel
www.theislandhouse.com
(906) 847-3347
Iroquois Hotel
www.iroquoishotel.com
(906) 847-3321
The Inn at stonecliffe
www.theinnatstonecliffe.com
(906) 847-3355
Chippewa Hotel Waterfront
www.chippewahotel.com
(906) 847-3341
Mission Point Resort
www.missionpoint.com
(906) 847-3312
Grand Hotel
www.grandhotel.com
(800) 334-7263
Mission Point Resort
www.missionpoint.com
(906) 847-3312
Harbor View Inn
- www.harbourviewinn.com
(906) 847-0101
Main Street Inn and Suites
www.mainstreetinnandsuites.com
(906) 847-6530
Getting to Mackinac Island:
By Road-
In order to get to Mackinac Island by road, you must first travel to Mackinac City in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan or St.Ignace in the Upper Peninsula. The Mackinac Bridge spans the Lower and Upper Peninsulas connecting the two communities. From here, scheduled ferryboat service is available throughout the day. Ample parking is available on the mainland at all ferry docks. Ferry tickets may be purchased on arrival at the docks.
You can also take a commercial airline from Detroit and Chicago to Pellston Airport, which is located 16 miles south of Mackinaw City. Air taxi service is available between Mackinac Island and Pelliston, as is taxi service between Pelliston and the ferry docks.
Traveling North ( Lower Peninsula to Mackinaw City)
Take US 31, 23 or I-75 North to I-75. Take I-75 North to Mackinaw City Exits (337, 338, and 339). Follow exits and signs to Mackinac Island Ferry Docks (Shepler’s, Star Line, Arnold).
Traveling South (Upper Peninsula to St. Ignace)
Take US 2 East or US-23 and I-75 South to St. Ignace. Take State Street Exit and follow signs to Mackinac Island Ferry Docks (Shepler’s, Star Line, Arnold).
By Air-
Great Lakes Air provides passenger charter service from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island. Great Lakes Air also is available to meet commercial flights arriving at Pellston and Traverse City. Charter flights from other destinations aboard single or multi-engine aircraft can be arranged. All flights are by reservation only. Great Lakes Air services Mackinac Island year around to whatever your destination.
Mackinac Island Airport
The Mackinac Island Airport has a 3,500 foot, lighted, paved runway, capable of handling private and charter aircraft.
For more airport information click here.
Commercial Airlines
Mackinac Island is served by the Pellston, Michigan airport located 12 miles south of Mackinaw City. Commercial air service to Pellston from Detroit, Chicago, and Minneapolis Airports are provided by Northwest Airlines.
Flight Services
| Great Lakes Air | 906-643-7165 |
| Air Services Inc. | 888-922-0406 |
| Northwest Airlines | 800-225-2525 |
| American Business Airways | 248-444-5202 |
Ground Services
| Mackinac Shuttle | 888-349-8294 |
| Wolverine Stage | 800-825-1450 |
| Island Airport Weather | 906-847-3778 |
| Mackinac Island Airport | 906-847-3231 |
Mackinac Island Ferry Information:
Snowmobiling to Mackinac Island (Ice Bridge):
Every winter when the ice is thick enough the local islanders will place small christmas trees, which creates a road, or bridge or sorts, on a small patch from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace. The locals use this route to carry supplies to the island from the main land. Snowmobilers flock from all across the country to get a chance to ride on the ice bridge. It is truly an amazing ride as you cruise across the bridge which parallels the Mackinac Bridge. Once to the island, you will be able to enjoy miles of snowmobile trails which will take you completely around the island as well as into the heart of the island if you’d like. There are no dull moments on this island in the winter!
Registering a snowmobile or need a trail pass? Click here
Check the latest trail conditions here