Early in our marriage, my husband, Nate, and I took a long weekend trip to Mackinac (pronounced “mackinaw”) Island. It’s easily one of our top 5 favorite places we’ve ever visited together. But, make no mistake, a trip to Mackinac Island isn’t inexpensive. You have to take a private ferry to even get to the island. Lodging on the island itself can also be quite spendy. However, with a little creativity and intentional planning, anyone can have an amazing Mackinac Island Getaway to fit any budget whether that’s basic & budget-friendly, mid-level & memorable, or epic & extravagant.
About Mackinac:
Nestled between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan, Mackinac Island is a charming little isle just under 4 square miles. With a rich history, beautifully undeveloped natural landscapes, and a hallmark uniqueness, it draws vacationers from all over the world. One of the most notable traits is that Mackinac is completely devoid of motorized vehicles. This limits transportation to foot, horse, or bike. Though some critics will cite that Mackinac Island is a glorified “tourist trap”, others are drawn to its charm. If you, too, look past the hype and initial cluster of gift shops, you’ll see the many endearing qualities of Mackinac that so many visitors have come to love.
When to Go to Mackinac Island:
Though there are full-time residents on the island, Mackinac Island isn’t fully open to tourists year-round, so you’ll want to plan accordingly. The best months to visit are between May and September. For our trip, we chose a 4-day weekend at the end of May. While we saved on lodging and had mild weather, we did encounter many school field trip groups, especially in the gift shops, which was not our favorite. It didn’t dampen our spirits, but we definitely wished we would have been aware of that that when planning our trip.
In May or September, you can expect to:
- Avoid crowds
- Pay a little less and be more likely to book lodging on short notice
- Risk cooler temperatures
In June, July, and August, you can expect to:
- Experience warmer weather
- Pay a little more and need to book farther in advance for desired lodging
- Tolerate more crowds
As a side note, those looking for an extraordinary experience will want to look at special event dates. Mid-June is the Lilac Festival. The end of August boasts the Fudge Festival. Each weekend in July is a special theme with events.
Where to Stay on Mackinac Island:
We highly recommend expecting to spend two days on the island. Bonus: if you can, plan to spend at least one night there. We haven’t had the chance to stay overnight on the island yet, but it’s on our wish list. We’ve heard that the island is a very different experience after the ferries leave in the evening. But, if that’s not in your budget, you can still get a fantastic and full experience from staying on the mainland.
Basic & Budget-friendly: if this is you, you’re going to want to stay at a hotel, AirBnB, or RV park (if that’s your thing) on the mainland and ferry to the island to keep lodging costs lower.
Mid-level & Memorable: most travelers in this category will choose from B&Bs & non-franchise hotels or resorts on the island or in St Ignace or Mackinaw City.
Epic & Extravagant: if its “go big or go home” on this trip, you’re best place to stay is in a suite at the historic & iconic Grand Hotel.
How to Get Around Mackinac Island:
For getting to the island, you have limited transportation choices. Unless you have access to a private plane or yacht (haha), there are two public vendors, Shepler‘s & Starline, that ferry visitors from either Mackinaw City or St Ignace to the island and back. Their prices are the same so unless you find a coupon, there’s really no major difference. https://www.sheplersferry.com/ https://www.mackinacferry.com/
As previously mentioned, there are no motorized vehicles on the island. It’s so quiet, peaceful, and the streets feel so much safer. However, you do need to plan ahead on how you are going to get around. If you plan to walk for your entire visit, you certainly can, but depending on your itinerary, you may regret it. The island is small, but points of interest are spread throughout the island, and you’ll likely get tired before the end of your visit.
Methods for getting around the island besides walking, include horses or bicycles. There are many bike rental companies, or if you prefer, you can pay an extra ferry fee to bring your own bike with you. Bike rentals offer many extras including tandem bikes and bike trailers for small kids or pets. As far as horses, you can take a horse-drawn carriage tour, rent a buggy by the hour, or even reserve a riding horse by the hour and see the island via horseback. We’ve both rented a bike to ride around the island and a took a guided carriage tour. I can safely say ANY of these options would be fabulous depending on budget level and personal preference.
Do you have any tips for us?
We’ve only visited Mackinac Island once, but may of our friends and family have been countless times. It made quite the impression on us. We love to hear tips from others on when to go, where to stay, and what modes of transportation others have used to get around during their stay. If you’ve been, please share your favorite tips with us for the next time we’re on Mackinac Island!
