Mackinac Island (2024)

FAQs

Is one day on Mackinac Island enough? ›

While many day-trippers have a great time on Mackinac Island, you'll make more memories by staying overnight. But even one night might not really be long enough to enjoy everything about Mackinac Island without being in a rush. And rushing around really isn't how things are done on Mackinac Island.

While you'll get a good feel for Mackinac Island by staying overnight – and we always recommend spending the night on Mackinac Island because there's something magical about it – the best way to really appreciate the vibe of Mackinac Island is to spend multiple nights. You'll get the lay of the land.

Because it measures less than four square miles, Mackinac Island is very walkable. You can even walk all the way around Mackinac Island in just a couple hours if you want. Many Mackinac Island attractions are close to town and can be reached on foot from most places to stay.

You might already know that Mackinac Island is the USA's Best Summer Travel Destination. That Mackinac Island is steeped in fascinating history, renowned for world famous Mackinac Island fudge and home to stunning natural features that led Congress to establish Mackinac Island as America's second national park.

Many people choose to stay in Mackinaw City vs. on Mackinac Island. It's a lot less expensive and regardless of where you stay, you still need to take the ferry over to Mackinac Island. Mackinaw City has more modern, less expensive rooms and more extensive night life.

July and August tend to be the busiest times of the year on Mackinac Island. As you might expect, dates during these months often sell out the fastest – especially around the Fourth of July, during the yacht races that take place in July and during the annual Mackinac Island Fudge Festival in August.

Spring is called pre-season, summer is peak season, and fall can be described as the perfect season on Mackinac Island. In September, Mackinac Island transforms into a tranquil paradise, where the fading warmth of summer meets the crisp anticipation of autumn.

If you decide to make your way around the coast of Mackinac Island, walking will take approximately 2.5-4 hours without stopping. You can also bring your own bicycle or rent one from one of the many bicycle shops located on Mackinac Island. It will take you approximately 1 hour to bike without stopping.

Being on Mackinac Island, where no motorized vehicles are allowed other than public safety vehicles, delivery logistics are literally horse-driven. Goods arrive from Wisconsin-based Great Lakes Foods, as well as from dozens of other vendors. The goods are loaded onto horse-drawn carriages and delivered to the store.

What isn t allowed on Mackinac Island? ›

Cars and trucks are generally and famously not allowed on Mackinac Island. Yet, the eight-mile roadway around the island, M-185, is considered a state highway, meaning lawmakers can institute the speed limit. Under Michigan law, the speed limit on state highways where a limit is not posted is 55 mph.

Probably the most well-known Mackinac Island treat is, of course, world-famous Mackinac Island fudge!

While all of Mackinac Island, the landform, is located within the corporate limits of the City of Mackinac Island, today 82 percent of the island's landmass is owned by the State of Michigan and managed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission (MISPC).

How many people live on Mackinac Island year-round? Approximately 500-600 people reside on Mackinac Island on a year-round basis.

There is a lot to see and do at Fort Mackinac. We recommend that you plan to spend a minimum of one to two hours touring the site.

Please note, there are no restrooms on the bridge and the average length of time to walk the bridge is about two hours. Portable toilets will be available in St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. Baby strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on the bridge during the walk.

There's no instruction needed to take in the stunning beauty of Mackinac Island. Just look around! But a guided walking tour can really help you appreciate everything else that's so special about Mackinac Island.