Suzanne

We are planning to travel up to the UP around the fourth of July. We are looking at Mackinac Island in particular. We also have a 19 month old currently so I need to have a place that is children friendly and is alot of fun for the entire family. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Michelle

If you're going to do Mackinac Island with a child that young, you may want to plan on just seeing the sights in the town. I think the circumfrence of the island is about 5 miles. You can rent bikes etc. I'm not a parent so I don't know how well children that young do on long(?) bike trips. Once you get out of town though, I don't believe there are any facilities except maybe pit toilets. BUT, I haven't been there in a long time so things may have improved. It's definately a family-friendly place. Get some fudge! Fort Michimillimac is kind of neat (at straits of Mackinac on lower peninsula); think it would be good for kids. Remember liking it when I was young. Hope this helps!

lisa

I grew up in Michigan and we went to Mackinac Island often as I was growing up. The ferry ride is a lot of fun for kids. The island is very safe because there are no cars, just horses and bikes. Definitely rent bikes and ride all the way around the island. It doesn't take very long and it is a beautiful ride and kids love it. We stayed at the Grand Hotel a couple of times but the rooms there are overpriced for what you get; it's better to go there for lunch or even just visit the grounds for the view from the front porch. I can't remember the other hotels we stayed at; I think one may have been the Iroquois something? The fort on the island is neat and the kids will like it. It's fun to walk around to the various little fudge shops. Two nights (one full day) is more than enough to see and do everything on the island.

Michelle

Hey Suzanne, I found a good website as I was searching the same topic yesterday. http://www.mackinawcity.com

WAs very helpful.

Michelle

Amy

Mac Island is a wonderful time - all of the above ideas are great. July 4th weekend could be a very hard time to get reservations for accomodations, if you don't have them already. I just got reservations for mid-June and most everything was already booked. I used a website that was very helpful - www.mackinac.com - it has a very helpful listing of lodging on the island and off with phone numbers, rates and etc. Have a great time in Michigan!!

Lisa

We vacation in Grand Marais, MI every year and frequently take day trips to Mackinac. Our daughter toured the island on the back of our bike when she was about nine months old. The U.P. is beautiful and when your 9 month old needs some down time you might just want to explore by car. Consider a day trip to Grand Marais. It has great water falls, sand dunes, and a beautiful bay. It is in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Tahquemenon(?) Falls is also very pretty. Enjoy your trip!

Susan

Suzanne: I agree that the Island may just be a good day trip with a child that young. There are not a lot of activities for tots. Having said that, some of the bike rental places do rent those little enclosed two-wheeled carriers to hitch to the back of a bike. Great way to take the little one along. My husband and I (without our son!) stayed at the Metevier Inn and there was a little boy in the room across the hall, but I have never seen any overly family-friendly hotels/B&Bs on the Island, though Metevier would be our choice even with our son. Better to get into a (much cheaper) nice hotel in St. Ignace or Mackinac City, where almost everything is family oriented (many have playgrounds on site). By the way, there is now a small information-type station on the "back" of the Island that has flush tiolets, and makes a nice half-way-around rest stop. You may also want to consider renting a horse and carriage (you drive!) for a terrific memory and a beautiful tour of the Island. I second the motion for a side trip to Taquhamanon Falls. Beautiful. Have Fun!