Will be traveling in July to Mackinaw City. Any recommendations for hotel (traveling with two children 8-12)

The Best Western Dockside is my favorite there, but it is fairly safe to say that almost any motel you find online in Mackinaw city will be okay. It is a very nice, safe city, with virtually no "bad" areas. I do prefer the area east of the bridge/highway. I would look for something close to the water and the downtown area of Mackinaw. I am from Northern Michigan and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the area (if I can!)

My family and I have stayed several times at the Clearwater Lakeshore motel. It's a smallish family owned place. We love the views of the Mackinac Bridge from the balconies and having a fire on the beach. Their web site is http://www.mackinawcity.com/lodging/clearwater/. We were there last summer and the photos are an accurate representation of the place.

I go to Mackinaw Island ever year with my son. Here are some other options you may want to consider:

-- Camping at Wilderness State Park. It's a wonderful, secluded spot about 15 miles due West of the Mackinac Bridge. Fantastic sandy beach that's great for kids. You can make resevations by calling the Michigan State Parks toll-free number. I think it's 1-877-44PARKS.

-- Consider staying in beautiful Petoskey or Harbor Springs on Little Traverse Bay. Lovely little Victorian towns with lots to do. You can drive to Mackinaw City in about 45 minutes.

-- The Big Chief Hotel, just East of Mackinaw City, offers cheap, clean rooms, a little pool, and a trail that leads to frontage on Lake Huron. It's a nice way to save money and escape some of the crowds in Mackinaw City itself.

-- You could also consider staying on the Island itself for a bit more money. Shop around and you might find a good deal, especially at some of the smaller places off the main street.

When on the island, I like to rent my bicycle in front of the Island House, which is about 7 blocks due east of the ferry docks. Less crowded. Better deals. No waits.

Enjoy!

-- Peter

How does one get to Mackinaw City from out of state?

If you're driving, it's straight up I-75. I don't know about flying, since I've never done that. It's about a 5 hour drive from Detroit.

If I recall correctly (I lived near Mackinaw City 10+ years ago), the closest airport (and it's small!) is in Pellston, approximately 15-20 minutes from M. City.

Just Me is correct in saying that just about any hotel you choose in Mackinaw City will be fine. The hotels cater to families.

Unsolicited advice:
If you decide to take the kids to play miniature golf: my kids prefer the Trappers Creek course on Nicolet (the street that parallels I-75) over the more visible course that faces Lake Huron.

There is a large shopping center (well, large for Northern Michigan) called Mackinaw Crossings that has what looks to be a tourist trap called The Hall of Mirrors or Mirror Maze or some such. My kids loved that! They said they really had a hard time finding their way out of there. The mirrors are kept meticulously clean to preserve the illusion. I let the kids do this one themselves.

Also, your kids are at the right age to enjoy the "Michigan Chillers" books by local aouthor Jonathan Rand. Mackinaw City Mummies, Mayhem on Mackinac Island, and Strange Spirits of St. Ignace are all books in the series. You can probably find them for sale in the area, and many of them have been signed by the author. Or the author has a website and I'm sure you can purchase them there. Just a thought - they might make good vacation reading for the kids.

Have fun!

Thanks for all your replies! We are looking forward to it!

The Pelson Airport has view flights and they are fairly expensive. Also mostly prop planes.

if you are flying, I recomend flying into Traverse City, 100 miles away from the Straits.

For motels, http://www.mackinawcity.com/ lets you compare rates at many of the motels. There are some real bargains, or you can spend the money and have a nice view of the water.

Keith

That should say "Pellston" not Pelson.


Keith

Just returned from Mackinaw City and was surprised to learn that the $200 weekday rates posted on the web by top-rated motels were unrealistic. Many of the excellent motels near the ferries were actually quoting rates of $70 per night and not $200 when you appeared in person without a reservation. This sitation may not be true on weekends. I would not advise staying Cheboygan just 15 miles away from Mackinaw City just to save money.

$200 night midweek? That should get you a suite on the lake side at a top motel.

Warning, Mackinaw is going into the busy season. I wouldn't go there from July to Labor Day without a reservation.

BTW, the fireworks on the 4th are spectacular in Mackinaw City with the Bridge and the St Ignace and Mackinac Island displays in the distance. But the town really fills up for the display. I strongly recomend walking from your motel to where you intend to watch the display. It takes a couple of hours for the traffice to clear out after the display. Almost all of the motels in Mackinaw are within a mile (or much less) of the downtown.

Keith