Known as the gem of the Great Lakes, Mackinac Island had up until this summer held a long time spot on my list of places to visit. When we finally began planning our Mackinac Island trip, I was ecstatic. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, Mackinac Island has something for everyone. If you’ve been thinking about a trip to Mackinac Island for a while or are just now learning about this hidden treasure, it’s one of the best places to make some amazing family memories.
We spent two nights on the island which meant we had one full day to explore. Accessible only by ferry, motor vehicles are not allowed on the island. Horse drawn carriages and bicycles are the main methods of transportation. We were hosted by Mission Point Resort and you can read here all about why it was the key to our amazing trip. While we didn’t have time to do everything on the island, I’m excited to share with you some highlights from the day.
1. Fort Mackinac
During the Great Lakes fur trade the island held a key position, eventually leading to the establishment of Fort Mackinac by the British during the American Revolutionary War. It would later go on to be the site of two battles during the War of 1812. During the 19th century it was used mainly as a US Army outpost. Closed in 1895, it now serves as a museum.
My kids had so much fun watching the cannons blast and experiencing the costumed soldiers fire their rifles. Visitors can learn about everything from military battles to medical treatment to family life at the fort. The Kids’ Quarters was our favorite area. Full of hands on learning, kids can even ‘fire’ a canon!
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2. Lunch in the Main Dining Room at the Grand Hotel
When traveling with kids, it’s hard to find a place that makes everyone happy, but lunch at the Grand Hotel fits the bill. Celebrating it’s 131st birthday, the hotel features the world’s longest porch lined with American flags overlooking the Straits of Mackinac and the island.
Everyday from 12pm - 2pm the Main Dining Room offers a massive luncheon buffet. We found something for everyone from fresh salads to seafood to breads to slow roasted meats. The dessert bar at the end was by far my kids’ favorite part. They were over the moon about having the chance to sample a variety of desserts. My husband and I loved that we didn’t have to entertain our littles while waiting for the food to arrive and how everyone easily found a few things they were excited to eat.
The picturesque dining room is only a small part of what is an amazing venue that certainly lives up to it’s ‘Grand’ name! After lunch we walked and explored some more of the hotel and it’s majestic grounds.
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3. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
After filling our bellies, we hopped on one of the tours offered by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. A horse enthusiast, this was the part of the day my daughter was most looking forward to. Each tour is narrated by a guide and the experience is hands down the best way to learn about both the modern day times and the history of the island. We saw so many sites that we would not have had the time to get to on foot. It was the perfect way for us to relax and take it easy for the afternoon.
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After the carriage ride, it was time to move. We rented bikes from Mission Point Resort and headed out on the island’s eight mile loop known as Lake Shore Boulevard, Michigan’s only state highway that’s absolutely automobile free. Riding along Lake Huron, it’s a breathtaking ride with deep blue water and incredible views of the mighty Mackinac Bridge on the horizon. This was the part of the trip I was most looking forward to and the ride definitely lived up to it’s ‘not to be missed’ hype. Historical stops lined the roadway and there was even a spot to stop midway and enjoy some ice cream. History, bike riding and soft serve ice cream made for one happy family!
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While we would have loved staying on the island a few more days, we made the most of our one full day and created memories that simply cannot be made anywhere else.
Wondering where to stay on your trip to Mackinac Island? Click here to read all about why Mission Point Resort really made our family’s trip spectacular.
I was provided with free tickets/accommodations for all of these activities in exchange for this article. All opinions are 100% my own.
