If you’re interested in a day trip offshore, take the Kristen D ferry, located five miles north of Cheboygan Harbor, to Bois Blanc Island. Commonly referred to as “Boblo,” the island rests in the Straits of Mackinac, just southeast of Mackinac Island. Nearly 80 percent of the island is state-owned, and visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, swimming and mountain biking.
On guard Entering the Cheboygan River, on the starboard side, you’ll spot the Cheboygan County Marina, a full-service marina with a launch ramp. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw is to port—when she’s in port—berthed on Coast Guard Drive just northeast of the State Street Bridge. The Mackinaw is the newest ship in the Coast Guard’s fleet, replacing the historic cutter of the same name, which is now retired and on display as a museum in nearby Mackinaw City (see Lakeland Boating, March 2011, p. 55). To arrange a tour of the new, state-of-the-art ship here in Cheboygan, call 231-597-2030. Cheboygan is bisected by the Cheboygan River. A recently completed pedestrian bridge connects the east side of the river to downtown, from Washington Park to Major City Park, and brings people into downtown to eat and shop. On the east side of the river, plans are in the works for a development that will include a Tribal Museum, campground, amphitheater, walking trails, indoor/outdoor community pool, and more.
Dynamic downtown While in town, you’ll want to visit Main Street Market Square, located in the heart of downtown, which repurposed an empty dry-cleaning establishment as a charming mini-mall with an ever-changing cast of vendors. Here, you’re sure to find items that you won’t
find in Wal-Mart (though there is one of those in town, too). Recently, the eclectic collection of shops included hand-made stained glass by Tamarah Johnson, jewelry by Rachael Savenkoff Designs, Court Street Antiques, G&B Ceramics, Longaberger Baskets, Wolfe Jackson’s photography, Flowerphotos by Susan, hand painted Pots by Patsy, West End Quilting, and the Loon’s Nest. Docking is right outside the back door, so boaters on the Cheboygan River can tie up for some shopping, pick up
MACKINAW PHOTO BY MISSY KOSZEGI / LIGHTHOUSE PHOTO BY TERRY W. PHIPPS AERIAL PHOTO BY MARGE BEAVER
Cheboygan is home port to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, the latest ship in the USCG fleet.
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