We've been to both places and used to own a time-share in Door County, so we know that place pretty well. Of course, they are not very close to each other.

Mackinac Island itself is lovely in June when the lilacs bloom--spring and summer come later that far north. Things to do: the horseback rides, bicycling around the island, buying fudge, touring the fort, eating nice meals.
Door County has beaches, a couple state parks with hiking and bicycling, cute tourist towns, wonderful cherry pies (White Gull Inn), artist colonies, antique shopping (I'm told), sailing, luxurious resorts, condos, and campgrounds, and gorgeous scenery.

I can't speak for the Door County part, but if you want to include visits to Sault Ste. Marie and the locks, etc then 3 days on or near Mackinac Island is the way to go. You need 2 days just for the island with another day for Sault Ste. Marie and environs, plus St. Ignance.

So, for first week in October. DO you recommend 2 days in which place and 3 days in which place. Thanks!

In October much of the Island toursit stuff has closed for ther season so I'd go wih 2 days on Mackinac nd 3 in Door County

Having been to both places, I would vote for 3 days in Door County simply because it is much bigger than Mackinac Island and offers many of the same tourist type things (fudge and ice cream shops, tourist shopping, etc.) plus more varieties of quaint towns and scenery. The first week in Oct. may be Octoberfest in Door County which would mean high demand for housing plus a lot of traffic- especially on the west side of the county. Biking and horse back riding on Mackinac Island is great unless it has rained. With rain the roads become very slippery for biking--because of the horse droppings. Door County offers state parks that are great for hiking plus biking. Oct. is a great time to buy wonderful local apples (Honey Krisp and other varieties)as well as delicious Door County cherries! The trees are usually in peak color in Oct. so photography is also popular. The weather can be warm or cool during the day, but the evenings will be cool. Enjoy!

This was very helpful - thank you so much.

one suggestion re: accomodations on Mackinac Island..
DO NOT STAY AT MISSION POINT !
My family has stayed at Metivier, Bayview, Island House, Market Street Inn, Windemere, Haans, LakeView, Main Street Inn and I would recommend anyone of these..
Mission Point Resort is not a resort..what they quote you in price and what is included, is charged to you in hotel fees at the end...so don't think you are getting a good price.. and the others mentioned above were by far nicer and cleaner...

That is good to know. Of the places you have stayed, where would you recommend staying. We are going to be there mid-week the first week in October and would like to find something about $100. Thanks.

Amere -
I would suggest bringing your bicycles to Mackinac also..
you won't regret it...
We did the luncheon buffet at the Grand Hotel ( our big treat on vacation) .. it was $45pp for 18 yrs and up.. it was a well worth splurge and we will do it again.. and you can then spend the day at the Grand Hotel - just sitting on their porch all day..We also ate at StoneCliffe, Sirloin and Saddle - it was wonderful. I would spend 3 nights at Mackinac - it gets less crowded after 6pm..when the ferries leave with all the tourists that aren't staying on the island.. the town is really crowded between 10 and 4 - crazy crowded. If you bring your bikes, you can bike the inside of the island. If you bike British Landing, make sure you head toward British Landing ( its all downhill from the airport) not away from it.
Take time and visit the cemeterys too.

Door County is fantastic. Be sure to go to a fish boil.
http://www.doorcounty.com/dine/fish-boils.aspx
http://whitegullinn.com/fishboil.html

There are several small villages with great restaurants and shopping. Artists and craftsmen live in Door County.

Stay there for 3 days - you can drop in at Green Bay and visit Lambeau Field - home of the Green Bay Packers. Just kidding.

Mackinac Island is okay for a day or two but very overcrowded. Have been there a couple of times and think Door County in October would be the better of the two places.

Mackinac Island isn't even a little crowded in October.

Keith

Biking around the island of Mackinac is fun but you do not have to bring your own bikes, there are bike rentals there. We also loved lunch at the Grand Hotel as was stated above. For us, one day on Mackinac was enough but we did enjoy the surrounding area of Traverse Bay, Old Mission Peninsula, etc.

We spent a weekend in Door County in October a few yrs ago and found some things closed for the winter, but it is still larger and has more to see then Macinac.

I booked the Inn on Maple in Sister Bay for 2 nights in Door County. Anyone recommend a place to stay in between Door County and Mackinac? I think it is about a 6 hour drive, so if there is something to see along the way, we can spend the night to break up those hours of driving. Otherwise, we will probably go see the Soo Locks.

We were there 2 years ago in October and it was crowded. But maybe it takes less people to make me feel crowded.

We stayed at the Lauerman's Guesthouse b & b in Marinette, WI - it was very nice.. There is a Comfort Inn in Manistique also...I think Manistique is about 2 hours from St. Ignace...

Amere
I loved Sister Bay!

However, I do not think it is possible to drive Door County to Mackinac in 6hrs. I suggest you google and do mapquest. I think it would be at least a 10 hr. drive.

A few years back I drove from Milwaukee to St. Ignace in 7ish hours (can't remember exactly cause of time change). It's definitely not a 10 hour drive. And Sister Bay would be a bit closer than Milwaukee--Milwaukee is 1.5 hours from Green Bay and Sister Bay is only about 1 hour from Green Bay. It's very doable.

Just for the heck of it I Googled maps and it said 8hrs 29min.

http://maps.google.com/

Can not tell you aobut Door C., but DH and I were in the mackinac area a few years back, we spent a day in the city of and 3 full days on the island.. loved it!!!!! there is a lot to do both places, great eateries, and if you go to the island make sure and do the horse and buggy tour, and rent bikes.. you can also go swimming., Enjoy and have a safe trip !

Oh wow, don't know why I was thinking 6 hours then! Thanks for the heads up. I will look at the two towns frugaltraveler recommended.

We booked the Metevier for the 2 nights on Mackinac. Starting to get so excited! Only 2 more weeks!

We leave tomorrow! I booked a motel in Manstinique as our stop between DC and Mac. Since the ferries are at a reduced schedule we wanted to get something closer to the island. Thanks for all your help!

One last question! We are going to take Sheppler's Ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island. On their Web site they have different pay-to-park options - indoor, fenced in, security, etc. Is there a need for that or should we be fine with free parking offered. I did not think it was a high crime area so I am a bit confused by all the options. Thanks!

I would think you could leave your car unlocked with many valuables inside and it would be fine. You can ask the ferry people if they ever have any troubles, but I would doubt it. They usually park the overnighters up right by the ticket booth, so I'm sure it will be okay.

Have fun!

p.s. Don't rely on the ferry times posted on their website. They often have "revised" schedules they fail to warn anyone about. I would call them today and make sure your departure time is set in stone.

Manistique is an interesting city with a great gift shop, The Mustard Seed on Cedar Street, if you have time to explore while there. It has many local items that are unique. The harbor boardwalk is also nice if the weather is good. Have a great trip and enjoy the fall colors!

I was a police officer in Mackinaw City in the late '70s and never once had a call regarding a break in to a vehicle parked at any of the ferry lots. I still read the local papers and crimes of all types are maybe a half dozen a month.

Just once had someone file a report that some items had been removed from a boat in the marina. Funny thing was, the person had already left town and was reporting to make an insurance claim. But they had left a bunch of bad checks for purchases made just before they left town, and their call gave me the info needed to have them picked up

Keith

Thank you for all of your comments. We just got back last night and had a great time. Door County was really nice and Sister Bay was a great option for a place to stay. The only thing we did not get to do was go to a Fish Boil. The best ones are closed on Sunday nights. We stay at the Star Motel in Manistique and it had a great view for $50. Mackinac Island was awesome! We had lunch at the Grand Hotel and a carriage ride. We drove Hwy 31 down Michigan and stayed a night in Grand Haven. We stopped in Holland, MI - a great little town. Thanks for all the help!

I was on the Island Sunday. Wonder if we passed each other.

Keith

Too funny! We actually were there Tuesday-Thursday. I am ready to go back. I was loving the cooler temperatures and no trafic.

I think my favorite thing was that they do the carriage tours the old way this time of year, rather than making us switch to the huge wagons once we were away from downtown.

Also, the Grand was not collecting the fee for going on the grounds. Though we would have used the credit toward the buffet, anyway.

Keith

Are these areas too cold to enjoy after November? Best to wait until spring?

Guess it depends on what you like. Things slow down in Door County and some of the shops and restaurants close or limit their hours. My real love affair with Door County is the water and it is just not as enjoyable (for me, anyway) when it is wintery cold.

There are those hardy souls that enjoy the peacefulness of the off-season.