Amere

We are trying to figure out if we should spend 2 days in Door County area and 3 days in Mackinac Island area and maybe see the locks, or should we spend 3 days in Door County and 2 in Mackinac? Not sure of the amount/variety of things to do in each area.

madgirl

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.

boom_boom

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.

Amere

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

boom_boom

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

CollegeMom

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!

Amere

This was very helpful - thank you so much.

frugaltraveler

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...

Amere

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.

frugaltraveler

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.

bratsandbeer

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.

Keith

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

Keith

cd

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.

Amere

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.

bratsandbeer

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

frugaltraveler

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...

cd

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.

Holldoll

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.

cd

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

http://maps.google.com/

RoseH

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 !