Mackinac Island area suggestions please!

Old Jun 15th, 1999, 07:19 AM
  #1  
Cab
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Mackinac Island area suggestions please!

I'll be going to Mackinac Island July 4th with my husband for a much needed, nice weekend away, just the two of us. We're flying in, have three full days and two half days to spend touring and we're staying on the island at the MissionPoint resort. I'm wondering if Missionpoint is the best place for us since I've read comments about Missionpoint being more of a family oriented resort. That's not what I want, I'd prefer a nice romantic place. Any suggestions? Also, since we have three full days, should we spend it on the mainland and if so, where should we go? Will we need a car to get around on the mainland? I don't have one rented. Any suggestions you have would be appreciated to make this a wonderful, romantic, make time for ourselves vacation.
 
Old Jun 16th, 1999, 02:59 AM
  #2  
dale
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Haven't stayed @ mission point so can't comment about whether it would work for you, but it may be too late to change reservations this close to 4th of July.

Be advised that the Island is likely to be extremely crowded during the holiday weekend. If you need to get away from the tourists and fudge shops downtown, rent bikes or take a horse carriage ride around the island. If you rent bikes and are on your own, you should be able to escape the downtown crowds and find your own romance for a while;-)

You have really two choices in heading to the mainland. St. Ignace in the U.P. or Mackinaw City in the Lower Peninsula. Both have all of the usual touristy shops, gifts, artwork, clothing, etc...Mackinaw probably has more and they have live theatre; St. Ignace has shops and a casino, so it really depends on what types of things you want to do on the mainland. If it's just browsing, shopping etc...you won't need a car to get around either town and St. Ignace (I am sure) has shuttles that would take you to the casino, which is a short drive outside of town.

What you may have a hard time finding on the holiday weekend is peace and quiet. I hope you are creative enough to enjoy the romantic weekend you're looking for
 
Old Jun 16th, 1999, 10:11 PM
  #3  
Dii
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Hi Again....I would highly recommend going to Harbor Springs or Charlevoix Area too. Really neat areas with lots of shops etc. WE haven't stayed there recently so can't remember the name of the places to stay. Do you have any travel books on those areas? May give you some ideas of places to look into. It is getting late for that weekend tho so keep the reservations you have til you know if you can move. I would (and so would Bob as he told you) only stay a day on Mackinac and go see some of the other places around there rather than the whole time on Mackinac. It is a fun place to go and see but we would get bored after a day or so and you don't want to have to take the ferry back and forth each day if you don't have to. ENJOY THE TRIP. WE ARE ENVIOUS!!
 
Old Jun 18th, 1999, 03:38 PM
  #4  
Kittie
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Are you into sailing?
There are some charter companies in the area. A "sunset cruise" is romantic. I have an address/ phone number for a company in the area. Please feel free to email me if you wnat the info.
Kittie
 
Old Jun 19th, 1999, 01:38 PM
  #5  
Anne
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I grew up spending summers at Burt Lake which is 20 miles south of Mackinac, and I concur that the island is touristy and crowded. That is not to say that it isn't beautiful once you leave the downtown or that it isn't romantic to rent a bike, buy some wine and cheese, and find a private spot to perch by the water. But as others have said, that won't fill your three days. So...the Grand Hotel is an option if you enjoy just staying put at a beautiful hotel and enjoying the pool and dining. If that's not your thing, I would say that you should look to stay in Harbor Springs--much better for walking around aimlessly, dining, shopping, etc.
 
Old Jun 22nd, 1999, 03:56 AM
  #6  
Suze
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We just got from our first visit to Mackinac Island and it was wonderful. Of course we were there before the big crowds. We spent very little time downtown but did discover lots of trails and side streets with beautiful houses. Be sure to take a carriage ride around the island and a must is lunch at the Grand Hotel or even better dinner (dinner is always a dress-up occasion.) If you want romantic I would stay at the Grand (although very pricey). The Grand is so beautiful and it is entertainment in itself. Be prepared to pay just to browse around the hotel unless of course you eat there and then there is no fee to just walk around. Sitting out on the front veranda was so perfect after eating at the wonderful buffet lunch. Hope you enjoy your stay. Suze
 
Old Jun 22nd, 1999, 04:53 PM
  #7  
bigthinkers
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We have stayed at the Metiever Inn a few times, and it was very romantic. Also, be aware that the "romantic side" of the Island doesn't show itself until after the day tourists have gone. Once the crowds thin, even the main street is lovely and somewhat quiet. Rent your own carriage and take off into the back areas of the Island. We were surprised at how much is really on that island! I agree that three day's may be too many, but do stay overnight. It's a whole different feel, and one I'm glad we did not miss out on. Enjoy! By the way, whomever e-mailed me personally about Mackinaw Island, your return e-mail address is incorrect.
 
Old Jun 24th, 1999, 05:59 AM
  #8  
Kate
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All of these ideas are good. We've gone to the island from Harbor Springs where we've stayed, and always wished we had stayed on the island overnight when the tourists were gone. Go to Harbor Springs/Petosky area during the day, and enjoy the peace and quiet on the island at night! Bike riding on the island is fun, and not too strenous if you stay on the outer road. (we did it with kids on the back!) Harbor Springs is only an hour or so away as I recall. Enjoy! It's been almost 10 years since we've been there, and would go back in a moment if we could!
 
Old Jun 27th, 1999, 10:41 PM
  #9  
Keith Miller
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all though it is a long way from the Island I think Techquamenon Falls is a Romantic place, providing you idea is Romatic involves nature.
 
Old Jun 30th, 1999, 07:42 PM
  #10  
Kittie
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I vote for Techquemenon Falls as very romantic also!
Kittie
 

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