Mackinaw Island
 

Going to Mackinaw Island from Kentucky in July. Wanting to know a good overnight stopping place along the way. Coming north on I-69, US-127, and I-75. Also any recommendations of things to do while in Mackinaw.

http://www.mackinac.com/

This link should give you alot of information.

It's spelled mackiNAC but it is pronounced mackinaw.....

We toured the fort on the island and bought fudge, of course.

We drove from Cincinnati to Mackinac last fall straight through, so can't help with where to stay. It isn't a bad drive -- took us about 9 hours. The route AAA gave us bypassed Detroit.

We didn't stay on the Island and it was off season, but very crowded in the few blocks of fudge, t shirt shops and restaurants. After we left that area it was great. There is a drug store and pretty well stocked small market at the end of the business district. There is a large green area with the Fort and Governor’s House up the hill across from the Visitor Center and it was much more peaceful there. You can buy a small booklet for a dollar on the ferry or at the Visitor Center put out by the Historical Society that gives you some bike/walk tours on the Island. We walked toward Arch Rock on the shore which was a really nice (flat) walk past Mission Point Resort. We walked up the stairs to Arch Rock and then returned the way we had come. When we got back to the town we decided to take a carriage ride to see some of the other sites. We had our dog with us or we would have rented bicycles and rode the paths. We left on the last ferry and once the majority of the day visitors left it was very peaceful.

We took a day trip up the Upper Peninsula -- lots to do up there also (Taqwahenon Falls, Soo Locks, etc.).

Couple of nice motels in Marshall. MI that will leave you about a 4 hour drive to Mackinac City. Or Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Thanks to all of you for your replies. These will be very helpful to us.

There is a casino in Mt. Pleasant, so there are many hotels there. Claire has a nice old inn downtown.

The city is the only thing spelled Mackinaw, everything else (island, bridge, county) is spelled Mackinac.

As a previous post says, the Island uses the French spelling-Mackinac. The city on the mainland uses the English spelling-Mackinaw however, both are pronounced the same.

You should spend at least one night on the island because the character changes once the last ferry leaves. During the day town is crowded and noisy but at night, about the loudest thing you'll hear are the horses snorting and clopping down the street.

In addition to the fort on the Island be sure to see Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.

The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods in Indian River, about 30 miles south of Mackinaw, has the world's largest crucifix and some nice sculptures by Marshall Fredricks. Their site is www.crossinthewoods.com.

If you stop in Marshall in southern Michigan, you may want to head to Win Schuler's Restaurant. It's a local institution.

If you like to browse Christmas stuff and eat German food, stop in Frankenmuth.

Frankenmuth is not on your route. It is on I-75 but closer to Saginaw. You don't get to I-75 until Grayling.

A neat quick stop is in St. John's, just north of Lansing. There is a cider mill/farm market that is open all summer. They have good treats and a variety of fresh-picked fruits. Last year I got fresh blueberries.

Yes come up US 127 and it will run into I-75 north of West Branch. Lots of open road with small towns after that but not as many motels as you will find in Mt Pleasant (casino area). A number of them in the Gaylord area, but by then you are not very far away from Mackinac where they are all over the place! Otherwise just watch the signs along the road, usually one or two at exits, but if on the weekend in July may be full so call ahead from your cell or stop early. Have fun!

The Coast Guard Cutter is also spelled Mackinaw:-)

http://www.mightymac.org/newmackinaw.htm

Keith

Keith, I almost mentioned that!

I guess the old cutter is now a museum in Mackinaw City. We went through the old cutter just before it was decommishened. The new cutter in Cheboygan is amazing! They give tours whenever it is in port. Just pull up to the dock and ask for a tour. The new one is much better than the old one. One reason they got the new one was they needed a new engine part. They didn't make them anymore, and finally they located one in a guy's back yard in Washington.

They were finding some parts on Ebay.

Keith

Have you seen the new one? The bridge is very cool.

But why is it The <i>Village</i> of Mackinaw <i>City</i>? Sounds like part of George Carlin's stand-up routine. I suppose the same reason it's The <i>City</i> of Lathrup <i>Village</i>.:-\

If I wanted to stop off in mid-Michigan like you've described, I would exit US-127 toward downtown Alma (west)and have some great pizza at Pizza Sam's on Superior Street -- and it is great, I'm from New York City. Then I would drive another 20 miles to the first Mount Pleasant exit and stay at the Fairfield Inn &amp; Suites (very clean, indoor pool). And Mackinac Island is great -- if you're up for it, walk around the island -- I think it's about 8 miles (and if you want shorter, look at an island map -- I seem to recall that you can take a shortcut and walk only half the island). Enjoy!

We love this place, we went for our 25th ann. a few years back.. make sure and go to the grand hotel, for sure do the horse and bussy tour.. we rented bikes, and did a lot of hiking.. we also stayed @ Frankenmuth on our way there from Pa.. That place i wortha stop too, if you ahve the time. enjoy.. You will LOVED the boat ride over to the island too, even mackinac city is great..

Yes, kelliebellie. I toured the new Mackinaw on the day that they decommissioned the old one and commissioned the new.

Sadly, I lost my camera at the end of the day and lost many photos I will never be able to replace.

Keith

Thanks for all of the postings!
I have a couple more questions....
Are there many restaurants on the island and if so, is dress casual there? Also, are there beaches on the island? I havent heard anything mentioned about beaches.