karen

Am considering interesting locations for a couple's
getaway. We like hiking, history, beautiful
architecture, laid back pace. We're just learning
about Mackinac Island and it sounds like it may
suit us. Can anyone recommend a memorable
place to stay? Should we go Grand Hotel / Island
House (sounds large scale / upscale) or more
intimate / friendly small inn or B&B. Which sites
are on the must do list? We would be visiting next summer. Thanks for your help.

Dii

Mackinac Island is a truly lovely place to visit. In fact all of Northern Michigan along the lakes or fabulous. (No, I'm not a Michigan native.) If money is no object do stay at the Grand Hotel. It is truly a "Grand Place" and you will always remember your stay there. If you are watching your money a bit, try some of the other places. They are nice too and you can always go to the "Grand" for tea or dinner. Make sure you have dress clothes for the "Grand Hotel" tho. Other neat places in Michigan are: Charlevioux, Harbor Springs and Traverse Bay Area. Lots of beautiful things to see all over Michigan. Have a great trip.

annesally

Mack. Is a lovely place to visit (I am a Michigan resident)--however, you must ask yourselves exactly what you want to do on vacation. Island is not large, Grand Hotel is drop-dead gorgeous, but quite expensive. Main St., unfortunately, is nothing to speak of (around pier area). Just alot of touristy shops, smell of fudge and horse manure can get to you on a hot day! Extremely crowded downtown--ferries run just about every hour or less all day and into evening. B&B's I only seen from outside--beware tho', most are not airconditioned and don't let anyone tell you that it can't get hot and humid there!

We have had a cottage on Walloon Lake (been in my husband's family for about 3 generations)-it is situated near Boyne City-Petoskey. I would suggest that you perhaps make the Petosky, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs area your headquarters and perhaps spend a day or so at Mack Is. The weather is not always to be counted on and it would, frankly, be miserable to spend time there if it was raining. Most visitors to the island who stay for more than a day are conventions (big business there) or have summer homes. Unless you are privy to that part of the island, you might not find it great.

And, you do know that there are absolutely no cars allowed? Just horses, horse and buggies and bikes. The latter can be tough to rent if it is a busy day.

Sorry to have been so long-winded, but have been spending summers in Northern Michigan for 40 years and there are so many places to see and things to do, that to confine yourself to just Mack might be a disappointment.

smar

Be careful with the Grand Hotel...if you go with a less expensive room it is not updated to the original Victorian. It is a bland room. Go to a B&B on the Island and then rent a bike or hike to the inland part of the Island. Don't go in July or August, it is much too crowded!

E. Raines

Mackinac Island is a great visit if you enjoy Victorian architecture. The fact there are no vehicles on the island is a plus as long as you have access to the limited transportation ( horse and buggy, bicycles ). When my wife and I visited we stayed in St. Ignace and took the ferry to the island. The lodging prices off the island were easily half the cost of those on the island. The Grand Hotel is a must visit. We even paid to tour the lobby and found it worth every penney. I agree, however, with some of the comments concerning the length of time you would want to stay. The coastline drive from Mackinac to Escanaba is a beautiful drive. We visited in the second week of June and didn't find the island too crowded. The weather was cool -- highs in the upper 50's / lower 60's. I don't think you would be disappointed.

Diana

Just returned from Mackinac Island. Stayed at the Island House. It is very nice. Rooms range in price according to size and view. Ask what days the rooms are cheaper. We found that the same room ranged in price from $59 - $140 depending on day of the week. The hotel is nicely decorated and well kept and clean. People are friendly. It is about 2 blocks from the main shopping area. If you like to walk and bike, there are plenty of trails all over the island. Check the Mackinac Island web site for maps etc.
Most people told us you could see it in a day. That depends on how much you like to explore and experience. I could see spending a couple of days there if you like to take your time looking. We only spent a day and I really felt like we could have spent longer.

JoAnn

When are you planning on going? We went in October quite a few years ago and so many of the restaurants were closed, or closing. Don't know if that is still true, but I would check it out, unless someone else can help you. We had a good time and rode bikes all over the island--even though it turned cold and we had a little snow.

JoAnn

When are you planning on going? We went in October quite a few years ago and so many of the restaurants were closed, or closing. Don't know if that is still true, but I would check it out, unless someone else can help you. We had a good time and rode bikes all over the island--even though it turned cold and we had a little snow.

marilyn

I'd like to agree with the poster who said Mackinac was better for a day trip from a base in Charlevoix or Harbor Springs. There is lots of hiking on the island, and the Grand Hotel is an experience, but if the weather were bad you would feel you were trapped in a horse-drawn fudge shop! The day we visited in July it was in the low 50's and COLD!

We loved our stay in Charlevoix, and also recently spent a great weekend on the Leelanau Peninsula side of the Grand Traverse Bay. The Peninsula reminded me of New England for the towns and the Sonoma wine country because it has fruit orchards and a winery. There are a number of excellent B&Bs--we stayed at the Snowbird Inn in Leland--shopping and galleries in Sutton's Bay, and a restaurant called Keys (I think) near Leland is one of the best restaurants I have EVER eaten at in a resort area. Then the Sleeping Bear Dunes are also right there.

janice

We went for 2 nites/3 days in September. That was good-a week would be too long. Got a good rate at the Lakeview Hotel on the main street. It was almost right across from the ferry. We were driving from Ohio and we also spent two days at Frankenmuth, Michigan. That was very nice also.

Michelle

As a Michigan native, I had not been there in years and spent a day there this summer. I find the main street to be very touristy/t-shirt shops and fudge. Have never stayed at Grand Hotel but you are required to wear jackets/ties for men and dresses for women in the evening. It costs $7 to walk through or in front of the hotel if you're not a guest! They do have a beautiful golf course. Rented bicycles and rode around the island-8 miles but not hilly-and enjoyed that part the most.

Leslie

The Lilac Inn right on the main street on the Island is great. My kids loved people watching from the balcony. Great location to everything and charming.