I have planned a trip to this area last week in sept. Have booked a B&B on the Island and one in the "city". The city B&B looks very nice and is comparable in price. The ferry seems to run at good times also. If we stay in the city, are we missing out? or if we want to do a late dinner and drinks would it be better for us to stay here and visit the island by ferry. I am so confused! HELP!

Stephy, the first thing you need to know is that you won't be island hopping just for dinner or drinks. The ferry includes admission to the State Park - basically the island is designated a park - and the cost is around $18 (I haven't been to the island this summer) round trip.

The island is fine to visit for a day but is also a great experience at night. No cars means that you'll hear the clip-clop of horses' hooves on the roads night and day. I will always remember staying at a B&B on the island and calling a "taxi" (team of horses of course) to drive us out to The Woods restaurant for dinner. It was dark and rainy and you really feel like you've gone back in time. If you enjoy things like leisurely walks and bike riding the Island will be a good choice for you.

If you need hustle and bustle and lots of people around, Mackinaw City has shopping and a laser show in the evenings at Mackinaw Crossings, and there are miniature golf courses and performances in the park...you might want to check into what'll be happening in Mackinaw City while you'll be there before you decide which B&B to stay at. (For example I know the Hops of Fun beer & wine festival will be in Sept. sometime - I think it's before your stay though.

Have fun whatever you decide!

Thanks ElCheapo.
I made a reservation at the Cloughan B&B. It was really the only one available during the weekend we wanted. I was thinking of making one at the Briggerdoon in the city. I guess I just want to make sure we don't miss out. I called some of the bars on the island and they do stay open until 2am until november. I think I might just stay on the island. It sounds like the easiest way and to get the most out of the experiene. I will check out the Bogan Lane B&B too. Any other advise?

Just read in the paper today that there have been lots of cancellations in the Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island area due to the increse in gas costs. Many of the hotels have even lifted their minimum stay this Labor Day weekend to encourage more people to come. If you had your eye on any otehr B&B's you may want to stay in contact with them in case an opening occurs. My personal favorite is the Metivier Inn.

The only other advice I can offer is to come prepared for just about any weather. The end of Sept can be a gorgeous Indian Summer or snowy and if you're comfortably dressed you'll have a lot more fun. If you do run into a cold snap there will be plenty of shops willing to sell you a warm jacket, sweatshirts and mittens though!

I used to spend my summers near Mackinac from age 14 to 27. I've only been back once. You are making me homesick. It is wonderful in September. I think that the fall colors are better than those in New England. It's got a nice crisp feeling to the sunny days. Have a good time.

What do you like about the Metivier?
Have you heard good things about the Cloughan?

There is less reason to stay overnight on the Island in the fall.

It will not be crowded during the day, so there is no reason to wait for the day trippers to leave. Plus there will be fewer things to do in the evning.

BTW: Since other people interested in the Straits will probably being looking at this thread: Mama Mia's Pizza in Mackinaw City and the free Mackinac Bridge Museum above it were destroyed in a fire Sunday.

Keith

Keith,
It is so sad about Mama Mia's. It was a tradition any time we stayed in the area to have pizza and visit the musuem. It made waiting for a table almost fun
SuzieTrue

I don't have any personal experience with the Cloughan but there are several B&B's reviewed at TripAdvisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g4...an-Hotels.html

Things I liked about the Metivier:
They're not on the main drag but a block up from the docks and the heavy horse traffic. Some people can be bothered by that sort of noise. They have a huge porch that's great for watching the world go by and they have an awesome breakfast buffet. You can eat on the porch if you like as tehre are several tables set up. Plus they get bonus points for frequently donating overnight stays to the auctions that many of our area nonprofits hold. That's what brought us there in the first place.

I'm not sure what Keith means about there being fewer things to do in the fall on the island. It's my favorite time of the year up here. No flies around the horses for one! But agin, it's up to you as to whether you prefer the mainland or the island.

ElCheapo, I am talking about things to do in the evening, after dark, which is starting to come early in northern Michigan by the end of September.

Keith

I heard about Mama Mia from my friends in Carp Lake. We had never been and were planning to visit next week. How's Mario's pizza/food?

ttt & good example of a travel thread...

Oops, sorry I missed the question about Mario's. I haven't had any experience with it at all and I live within 15 miles of Mackinaw City. Darrow's Family Restaurant has great home cooked food. There will always be a crowd there. Audie's Chippewa Room is more upscale and we've eaten there. My ultra-casual favorite is Scalawag's Fish & Chips. The Boathouse in Cheboygan is recommended. Also, Douglas Lake Bar in Pellston is pricey but has great food and wine.

Just got back from the trip to Mackinac Island this weekend. We missed the ferry the first night b/c we did not calculate the time change. We stayed in Mac. City and I must say, whoever said there would be more to do there....I totally disagree. I did not enjoy it there at all. Just not my scene. I am sooooooo sooooo glad we stayed on the Island and did not do day trips to it. I love love loved the Cloghaun! Butterfly house rules! The Fort was very interesting and fun and we biked all the way around the island!
The "Woods" is spectacular! Ate at the Grand too. It was good but Im glad we did not stay there and I would not go back again. Well, maybe just to the porch for drinks.
I really enjoyed this trip but I would never recommend to any one to stay in the city unless you have small kids or can't afford it.
Plus there was so much to do there. We did have excellent weather though, 76 yesterday on the 1st of October. Luck maybe.