Mackinac Island State Park - MI

Mackinac Bridge

On July 9th of this year we had the opportunity to revisit Mackinac Island.  Our friends, Bill and Janice, came from Texas via Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula to meet us at Mill Creek RV Park in Mackinaw City.  This was their first visit to the island and we were excited to act as their tour guides.

 Ready for the Star Line Ferry ride to the island

In Mackinaw City in the Star Line Ferry parking area, we purchased tickets to ride the Star Line Ferry, to transport our bikes, to ride a horse-drawn carriage on the island, and to dine at the magnificent Grand Hotel.  The ticket also included transporting us under the Mackinac Bridge (opening photo).

Mackinac Bridge seen from the Mill Creek Campground

The bridge, which was about 3.5 years in construction, opened in 1957, connects Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsula, and is breathtaking.

This is a view of the Grand Hotel from our ferry.  The National Historic Landmark has welcomed guests since 1887.

Once we arrived we quickly claimed our bikes/trikes and found parking in town.  The bike ride around the island would wait until the afternoon.

Our Carriage Ride through town

This photo was taken around 10 am and the streets are not too crowded.  Motor vehicles are not permitted on the island.  Carriage taxis are available, bike rentals are available (if you don't want to bring your own), or there is sightseeing by walking.

Our carriage next takes us past the Grand Hotel where we will enjoy lunch after our carriage tour.

The carriage tour is quite informative and allows various stops for photos and close inspection of our destinations.  We passed by an old cemetery.  The remains of an old fort are nearby but we did not visit it.  Our carriage driver did tell us a ghost story while winding our way through a wooded area.

This is Arch Rock and makes for a stunning photo.  

We rode past the green and red stables for the Grand Hotel.  All horses we observed throughout the day seemed  healthy and well cared for.
Our carriage driver dropped us off a few blocks from the Grand and we walked the short distance to enjoy an elegant lunch buffet.

Have you seen Somewhere in Time?  If not, I recommend seeing it before visiting the hotel.  The setting for the movie is Mackinac Island.  The movie takes us back in time and we get an idea of what life might have been like in the 19th century.

Grand Hotel Carriage

Inside the hotel

The Grand Hotel dining area

There are signs out front that alert visitors to dress up for evening dining.

World's longest porch

Enjoying the view with Bill and Janice

It was 2:00 pm when by the time we had lunch, looked around the hotel, and made our way to town to get our bikes for our 8 mile ride around the island.  The entire trail is paved and most is along the water.

The Straits of Mackinac surround the island and are crystal clear near the shore.

A popular stop on the trail is a stairway to view the Arch Rock.

Bill and Janice lead the way

 We made frequent stops to enjoy the beauty around us.

Kites in the afternoon breeze

It took just over an hour and a half for the bike ride as we made frequent stops for pictures.  By 3:30 we had pulled away from the dock and were headed back to Mackinaw City.

 In Mackinaw City there is a shuttle for the Star Line that will deliver us and our bikes to our campground.  The process is seamless.  A fun day was had by all.