Mackinac Island - enough to do for a week?
Apr 7th, 2002, 09:36 AM
#2
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Michelle,
Although I've never stayed on the island, I did live very close to it (a town called Cheboygan) for a year and from what other people have told me, there isn't a lot to do in the way of activities except for biking, walking, and shopping in small shops. Things could have changed since I've been given that information, though. I'm sure you'll get other responses from those who have gone to the island.
The towns of Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Traverse City aren't far from the island, though and are really nice. Great views of the lake and lots of shopping, golfing, etc. Even though I lived in Cheboygan, I wouldn't recommend it for anything to do! ;-)
Have some fudge in Mackinaw City. Sure, it's a touristy thing to do (the townspeople are nicknamed "Fudgies"), but that's part of the fun!
Although I've never stayed on the island, I did live very close to it (a town called Cheboygan) for a year and from what other people have told me, there isn't a lot to do in the way of activities except for biking, walking, and shopping in small shops. Things could have changed since I've been given that information, though. I'm sure you'll get other responses from those who have gone to the island.
The towns of Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Traverse City aren't far from the island, though and are really nice. Great views of the lake and lots of shopping, golfing, etc. Even though I lived in Cheboygan, I wouldn't recommend it for anything to do! ;-)
Have some fudge in Mackinaw City. Sure, it's a touristy thing to do (the townspeople are nicknamed "Fudgies"), but that's part of the fun!
Apr 7th, 2002, 10:12 AM
#3
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Michelle, I wouldn't spend more than two-three days on the island, tops. Where are you staying? If you are at the Grand Hotel, that in itself is a treat and may warrant three days. Otherwise, once you walked down mainstreet, eaten the fudge, ridden bikes around the island, seen the fort and partied with the kids (who work on the island) in the pub at night, you've pretty much done it. Other attractions, within driving distance are Tahquamenon Falls in the U.P., or the beautiful Petoskey region on the Northwest coast would be worth a visit with the rest of your time.
Apr 7th, 2002, 10:38 AM
#4
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No, there's not enough to do for a week on the island. I think I'd only spend one night on the island. For the rest of the week use either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace as your home base and explore from there.
I'm mainly into waterfalls and scenery, but there is a large new shopping center in Mackinaw City now called Mackinaw Crossings. They have a lazer show with music every night during the summer. They also have a musical of some sort going on at the stage there. I'm not sure what it is this year yet. There are casinos in the area, either in St. Ignace, Petoskey, Sault Ste. Marie, or Manistique. If you have any specific questions just ask.
I'm mainly into waterfalls and scenery, but there is a large new shopping center in Mackinaw City now called Mackinaw Crossings. They have a lazer show with music every night during the summer. They also have a musical of some sort going on at the stage there. I'm not sure what it is this year yet. There are casinos in the area, either in St. Ignace, Petoskey, Sault Ste. Marie, or Manistique. If you have any specific questions just ask.
Apr 7th, 2002, 12:04 PM
#6
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Well, the first day you can visit a fudge factory. The second day you can visit another fudge factory. The third day. . . and so on. Seriously, I agree that there isn't a lot to do, although we did spend a nice full day on bicycles, mainly circling the island which is pretty flat, then we started towards the center of the island. It looks relatively flat there, but it felt like climbing the Alps.
Apr 8th, 2002, 08:44 AM
#8
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Definately don't plan on a week, but you will enjoy a couple of nights. The fun thing here is to rent bikes and ride all around the island, which is a beautiful state park. The Grand Hotel and Mission Point Resort are the two large properties to stay. If you want to stay in Northern Michigan for a week, however, plan on staying at the Inn at Bay Harbor (between Petoskey and Charlevoix) and visit those two towns. Then go to Mackinac (or start in Mackinac and then go here). We do this very often when we visit this beautiful area.
Apr 8th, 2002, 04:06 PM
#10
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It all depends upon what you like to do. If you want to relax, read, walk, eat, and slow down, Mackinac is the place to go. It is quiet and beautiful. If your goal is to pack as many events into the week as possible, then only stay a few nights. I think of it as an old fashioned vacation, where the goal is to relax, not run from spot to spot (like we do on every other vacation!)
Apr 21st, 2002, 03:33 PM
#13
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Hi Michelle,(great name!)
Our family has been to Mackinaw twice, both in July. The weather is beautiful,very little humidity, and the lake water is still frigid! Ha! We stayed at the Iroquois on the island and then went further into the UP which was even more beautiful! Tahquemenon Falls were great but even better was our trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising! Definitely beautiful! Not far from Mackinac either. Then, instead of going back the same way, we came down the WI side. Great trip! enjoy! Michelle
Our family has been to Mackinaw twice, both in July. The weather is beautiful,very little humidity, and the lake water is still frigid! Ha! We stayed at the Iroquois on the island and then went further into the UP which was even more beautiful! Tahquemenon Falls were great but even better was our trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising! Definitely beautiful! Not far from Mackinac either. Then, instead of going back the same way, we came down the WI side. Great trip! enjoy! Michelle
Apr 21st, 2002, 03:56 PM
#14
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Patrick is totaly correct! You will actually see it spelled Mackinac and Mackinaw....We pronounce both Mack-in-awe!
Everyone is correct in their assesment of the Island. Two days is plenty unless you just want to sit around and relax. Once you have seen things that's pretty much all there is to do. I would suggest, as someone else did, that you stay in either Mackinaw or St. Ignace and make day trips north into the U.P. and south down to Charlevoix. If you do the Charlevoix trip, follow the west coast (think it's hwy 19-I'll check for you)through Cross Village to Petoskey/Harbor Springs. This can easily be done in a day trip. I would also consider staying the 2 nights in Mackinaw and just take the boat to the Island for one day, see the Petoskey area the next day and pack up and go north to Copper Harbor in the UP. You will see beautiful Tequamenon Falls, Marquette is really cool, as is the entire peninsula on which Copper Harbor is the northern-most point. This will use up the rest of your time, but I think you would br happier with this itenerary. I guess I should say "I would be".
Everyone is correct in their assesment of the Island. Two days is plenty unless you just want to sit around and relax. Once you have seen things that's pretty much all there is to do. I would suggest, as someone else did, that you stay in either Mackinaw or St. Ignace and make day trips north into the U.P. and south down to Charlevoix. If you do the Charlevoix trip, follow the west coast (think it's hwy 19-I'll check for you)through Cross Village to Petoskey/Harbor Springs. This can easily be done in a day trip. I would also consider staying the 2 nights in Mackinaw and just take the boat to the Island for one day, see the Petoskey area the next day and pack up and go north to Copper Harbor in the UP. You will see beautiful Tequamenon Falls, Marquette is really cool, as is the entire peninsula on which Copper Harbor is the northern-most point. This will use up the rest of your time, but I think you would br happier with this itenerary. I guess I should say "I would be".
Apr 21st, 2002, 04:34 PM
#15
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Patrick is totaly correct! You will actually see it spelled Mackinac and Mackinaw....We pronounce both Mack-in-awe!
Everyone is correct in their assesment of the Island. Two days is plenty unless you just want to sit around and relax. Once you have seen things that's pretty much all there is to do. I would suggest, as someone else did, that you stay in either Mackinaw or St. Ignace and make day trips north into the U.P. and south down to Charlevoix. If you do the Charlevoix trip, follow the west coast (think it's hwy 19-I'll check for you)through Cross Village to Petoskey/Harbor Springs. This can easily be done in a day trip. I would also consider staying the 2 nights in Mackinaw and just take the boat to the Island for one day, see the Petoskey area the next day and pack up and go north to Copper Harbor in the UP. You will see beautiful Tequamenon Falls, Marquette is really cool, as is the entire peninsula on which Copper Harbor is the northern-most point. This will use up the rest of your time, but I think you would br happier with this itenerary. I guess I should say "I would be".
Everyone is correct in their assesment of the Island. Two days is plenty unless you just want to sit around and relax. Once you have seen things that's pretty much all there is to do. I would suggest, as someone else did, that you stay in either Mackinaw or St. Ignace and make day trips north into the U.P. and south down to Charlevoix. If you do the Charlevoix trip, follow the west coast (think it's hwy 19-I'll check for you)through Cross Village to Petoskey/Harbor Springs. This can easily be done in a day trip. I would also consider staying the 2 nights in Mackinaw and just take the boat to the Island for one day, see the Petoskey area the next day and pack up and go north to Copper Harbor in the UP. You will see beautiful Tequamenon Falls, Marquette is really cool, as is the entire peninsula on which Copper Harbor is the northern-most point. This will use up the rest of your time, but I think you would br happier with this itenerary. I guess I should say "I would be".
Apr 21st, 2002, 05:56 PM
#16
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Patrick is totaly correct! You will actually see it spelled Mackinac and Mackinaw....We pronounce both Mack-in-awe!
Everyone is correct in their assesment of the Island. Two days is plenty unless you just want to sit around and relax. Once you have seen things that's pretty much all there is to do. I would suggest, as someone else did, that you stay in either Mackinaw or St. Ignace and make day trips north into the U.P. and south down to Charlevoix. If you do the Charlevoix trip, follow the west coast (think it's hwy 19-I'll check for you)through Cross Village to Petoskey/Harbor Springs. This can easily be done in a day trip. I would also consider staying the 2 nights in Mackinaw and just take the boat to the Island for one day, see the Petoskey area the next day and pack up and go north to Copper Harbor in the UP. You will see beautiful Tequamenon Falls, Marquette is really cool, as is the entire peninsula on which Copper Harbor is the northern-most point. This will use up the rest of your time, but I think you would br happier with this itenerary. I guess I should say "I would be".
Everyone is correct in their assesment of the Island. Two days is plenty unless you just want to sit around and relax. Once you have seen things that's pretty much all there is to do. I would suggest, as someone else did, that you stay in either Mackinaw or St. Ignace and make day trips north into the U.P. and south down to Charlevoix. If you do the Charlevoix trip, follow the west coast (think it's hwy 19-I'll check for you)through Cross Village to Petoskey/Harbor Springs. This can easily be done in a day trip. I would also consider staying the 2 nights in Mackinaw and just take the boat to the Island for one day, see the Petoskey area the next day and pack up and go north to Copper Harbor in the UP. You will see beautiful Tequamenon Falls, Marquette is really cool, as is the entire peninsula on which Copper Harbor is the northern-most point. This will use up the rest of your time, but I think you would br happier with this itenerary. I guess I should say "I would be".
Apr 21st, 2002, 07:21 PM
#17
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Patrick is totaly correct! You will actually see it spelled Mackinac and Mackinaw....We pronounce both Mack-in-awe!
Everyone is correct in their assesment of the Island. Two days is plenty unless you just want to sit around and relax. Once you have seen things that's pretty much all there is to do. I would suggest, as someone else did, that you stay in either Mackinaw or St. Ignace and make day trips north into the U.P. and south down to Charlevoix. If you do the Charlevoix trip, follow the west coast (think it's hwy 19-I'll check for you)through Cross Village to Petoskey/Harbor Springs. This can easily be done in a day trip. I would also consider staying the 2 nights in Mackinaw and just take the boat to the Island for one day, see the Petoskey area the next day and pack up and go north to Copper Harbor in the UP. You will see beautiful Tequamenon Falls, Marquette is really cool, as is the entire peninsula on which Copper Harbor is the northern-most point. This will use up the rest of your time, but I think you would br happier with this itenerary. I guess I should say "I would be".
Everyone is correct in their assesment of the Island. Two days is plenty unless you just want to sit around and relax. Once you have seen things that's pretty much all there is to do. I would suggest, as someone else did, that you stay in either Mackinaw or St. Ignace and make day trips north into the U.P. and south down to Charlevoix. If you do the Charlevoix trip, follow the west coast (think it's hwy 19-I'll check for you)through Cross Village to Petoskey/Harbor Springs. This can easily be done in a day trip. I would also consider staying the 2 nights in Mackinaw and just take the boat to the Island for one day, see the Petoskey area the next day and pack up and go north to Copper Harbor in the UP. You will see beautiful Tequamenon Falls, Marquette is really cool, as is the entire peninsula on which Copper Harbor is the northern-most point. This will use up the rest of your time, but I think you would br happier with this itenerary. I guess I should say "I would be".
Apr 25th, 2002, 12:21 PM
#18
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oh god, you'll kill yourself after 2 days! it is soooo crowded and full of horse shit that two days is enought. the island is beautiful, but there is so much to see in the proximity. i lived for a number of summers in harbor springs so i kind of feel i know what i am talking about. don't miss the petoskey and harbor springs, great little resort towns. head north on m119 and stop at the general store in good hart - get a homebaked cookie and ask for directions to church beach - lovely pristine beach where locals go. then continue north and stop for lunch or dinner at legs inn in cross village. it is the one of the weirdest places in america. all driftwood in the interior - polish food and lots of native american stuff - the view from the rear lawn of sturgeon bay is breathtaking. drive further north to wilderness state park. you could spend a lifetime walking the beach here!! so beautful and if you walk north, within 30 minutes you'll be alone. enjoy! and get out of mackinac island after you have had your fill!
Oct 22nd, 2002, 02:10 PM
#19
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I would add just one thing to the comments above.
The nicest tie on the island is the evening and the aelry morning when the say trippers aren;t there. If you stay there at least one overnight, you can see it at its best.
Or go in June when it is fairly warm (maybe) and the crowds haven;t hit yet.
Some of my photos of the Island are at http://mightymac.org/island.htm
Keith
The nicest tie on the island is the evening and the aelry morning when the say trippers aren;t there. If you stay there at least one overnight, you can see it at its best.
Or go in June when it is fairly warm (maybe) and the crowds haven;t hit yet.
Some of my photos of the Island are at http://mightymac.org/island.htm
Keith
