MI Best - Weekend Section - Sept 4, 2022

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GRAND RAPIDS | KALAMAZOO | MUSKEGON | 9.4.22

When we chose the stories for this edition, all the events and dates were accurate. As always, find the mostup-to-date information on the event/ activity website, Facebook page or other direct information source.

[LOOK INSIDE] More Mackinac Island Magic

7 Tips for First-Time

Mackinac Island Visitors You might already know that Mackinac Island is a special place where horses are king, bikes are abundant, and history comes to life. But maybe you don’t know these seven things about visiting Mackinac Island: BRING COMFORTABLE SHOES – With no vehicles on Mackinac Island, you’ll find yourself walking more than normal.

Mackinac Island’s

SPONSORED by Mackinac Island Convention and Visitor Bureau

Most Magical Season is Underway Charming atmosphere.

Extraordinary hospitality.

Incredible natural beauty.

No One Should Miss Out on No. 1 This Fall

Those are some of the reasons Travel + Leisure readers voted Mackinac Island No. 1 this year on the magazine’s list of the Top 15 Islands in the Continental U.S. Visitors from across the globe also love the car-free streets full of horse-drawn carriages and bicycles, the historic character of old forts and well-preserved Victorian homes and, of course, world-famous Mackinac Island fudge.

BEST U.S ISLANDS Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards 2018 HOTTEST U.S. SUMMER DESTINATION 2018 Trip Advisor

This time of year, Mackinac Island features a wealth of fall delights, from the dazzling colors of changing leaves and epic Halloween costume parties to end-of-season deals on shopping and lodging.

Come see for yourself why Mackinac Island is No. 1!

The pages here offer a glimpse of Mackinac Island in the fall and are full of tips to help plan your trip. Then, be sure to visit mackinacisland. org to finalize all the details of your fall adventure on the No. 1 Island in the Lower 48!

A MOST TOURIST FRIENDLY U.S. CITY 2018 Expedia BEST LITTLE BEACH TOWNS TO VISIT THIS SUMMER 2018 Coastal Living BEST PICNIC SPOT IN MICHIGAN 2018 Reader’s Digest 5 BEST GOLF EXPERIENCES IN MICHIGAN 2018 Golf Digest TOP TEN ISLAND IN THE U.S. Trip Advisor MACKINAC ISLAND STATE PARK WAS NAMED THE #1 STATE PARK IN THE U.S. FamilyFun LILAC FESTIVAL CHOSEN AS ONE OF AMERICA’S 14 BEST SMALL-TOWN FESTIVALS Fodor’s

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COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE NAMES MACKINAC ISLAND IN THE TOP 5 ALL AMERICAN ISLANDS Country Living Magazine BEST U.S ISLAND DESTINATION Islands.com PINK PONY NAMED THE MOST ICONIC BAR IN MICHIGAN Thrillist BEST ISLAND DESTINATION IN THE WORLD, #5 National Geographic AMERICA’S GRANDEST HOTELS, #6: GRAND HOTEL The Huffington Post TOP FAMILY-FRIENDLY BEACH TOWN Nerd Wallet Travel TOP 10 CAR-FREE DESTINATION IN THE WORLD, #5 Sherman’s Travel

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GRAND HOTEL TOP MICHIGAN HOTEL U.S. News & World Report BEST WEDDING DESTINATION IN THE U.S. DESTINATION Weddings.com GRAND HOTEL AMONG THE 50 MOST ROMANTIC HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES Yahoo

GET TO HORSE ACTIVITIES EARLY – Horse attractions sometimes sell out by midday, so plan an early start or make a reservation in advance.

BRING LAYERS OF CLOTHING – While fall days can be sunny and warm, it also can get chilly this time of year. And even on warm days, fall nights are o!en cool and crisp.

CALL 30 MINUTES AHEAD FOR A TAXI – The clip-clop pace of Mackinac Island is a respite from the daily hustle and bustle. Be patient, relax and enjoy the slower lifestyle.

BRING CASH FOR TIPS AND TAXIS – Customer service is paramount on Mackinac Island, so be ready to show your appreciation.

GET A GOOD MAP – Stop by the Mackinac Island Tourism Information Booth on Main Street for a free, detailed map to help you find your way.

BRING YOUR OWN BIKE – You can take it on the ferry with you and be sure to bring a bike lock along. There also are many vendors on the island that rent bikes.

5 of the most fall things to do on Mackinac Island If you seek a memorable experience of autumn, Mackinac Island is an oasis. Specifically, you should check out Cannonball Oasis, a 115-year-old icon known for its famous deep-fried pickles, amazing barbecue chicken and this time of year, hot cider and warm homemade donuts.

“It’s a little specialty we do,” said Jason St. Onge, who owns the takeout place at Mackinac Island’s British Landing with his wife, Marielle. “I couldn’t tell you the number of people who say, ‘That’s the best donut I’ve ever had in my life.’ And we went through hot cider last fall like you wouldn’t believe.”

Mackinac Island is busiest between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but here’s a little secret: Michigan’s most popular summertime travel destination can be even more fun in the fall!

Here are four more ways to enjoy the season on Mackinac Island: FALL COLOR TOURS – There are more than 70 miles of trails in Mackinac Island

State Park for hiking, biking and horseback riding through a forest of changing leaves. You can also charter a flight for an aerial color tour!

HAUNTED WALKING TOUR – Get in the “spirit” of fall with a Haunts of Mackinac tour that’s full of entertaining history about ghostly sites. Or, visit the Haunted Theatre and come face to face with 3-D monsters from Mackinac Island’s legendary past.

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND – Speaking of spirits, Mackinac Island’s bars and restaurants will be full of costumed characters during the annual Halloween Weekend, Oct. 21-23. Festivities include a!ernoon trick-or-treating for kids and adult costume parties at night.

PUMPKIN FUDGE – Pop into a downtown fudge shop or two for fall-themed flavors including pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie. Or, get your morning fix of fall with delicious pumpkin flavors at one of Mackinac Island’s distinctive coffee shops.

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Ultimate Mackinac Island Shopping Guide

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hopping on Mackinac Island often gets associated with downtown, but there is so much more to explore. From Mission Point Resort up to Surrey Hill, here are some shopping-specific areas you’ll want to check out this fall on Mackinac Island. (Bonus: You’ll find great sales as shops markdown remaining inventory before winter!

MISSION DISTRICT SHOPPING Make your way along M-185 east of town, sit on Mission Point Resort’s Great Lawn and explore the east side of Mackinac Island. The Marketplace at Mission Point features two unique shops – The Boutique and Garden Gate Gi!s, Sundries & Souvenirs – as well as a coffee shop and Lakeside Spa and Salon. You’ll find a wide variety of Michiganmade products, prints from local artists, books, coffee mugs and clothing.

DOWNTOWN MACKINAC ISLAND SHOPPING Stroll Main Street, Market Street and each block in between as you take your time admiring Mackinac Island’s small-town shops.

You won’t find a department store or outlet mall. Instead, there are unique galleries, beautiful boutiques, islandthemed souvenir shops and clothing options for the whole family.

The Downtown District is also home to Doud’s Market, America’s oldest family-owned grocery store, and 13 storefronts making and selling world-famous Mackinac Island fudge!

grab-and-go snacks and golf accessories. Grand Men, Women and Kids has clothing, Grand Coffee & Provisions has snacks, and The Jewel Pro Shop will have you feeling like a champ.

Mackinac Market is five shops in one, while you can get floral arrangements from Margaret’s Garden, relax at Astor’s Salon & Spa and treat yourself at Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor.

GRAND HILL SHOPPING As you make your way up the hill to Grand Hotel, take a break and visit the Grand Hotel Outlet Store, Rustic Chic/Sew UP Style and Noel Skiba Art. Then, when you arrive at Grand Hotel, shop the wide variety of stores featuring clothing, goods, Grand Hotel memorabilia,

SHOPPING AT SURREY HILL Horse-drawn carriage tours stop in Surrey Hill, which is a hidden gem featuring a blacksmith, butterfly conservatory, carriage museum and an array of shops. Feel free to hop off and look around for the perfect gi! or souvenir.

What’s

fall weather like on Mackinac Island?

While many people visit Mackinac Island between Memorial Day and Labor Day because the summer weather is ideal, others love to come in September and October and experience an authentic autumn.

Fall weather on Mackinac Island brings comfortable daytime temperatures and refreshingly crisp nights perfect for a cozy sweater and jeans: • September high temps average 66 degrees and low temps average 50 degrees • October high temps average 53 degrees and low temps average 39 degrees

How to Mackinac

Safety and Etiquette

Your list of what to pack for a fall trip to Mackinac Island should include long pants, long-sleeve tops and sweatshirts, and maybe even hats and gloves in case a cold front comes through.

October typically brings about 10 days of rain to northern Michigan, and fortunately Mackinac Island has lots of things to do on rainy days. For example, shopping! As Mackinac Island’s unique boutiques and galleries look to unload inventory in the fall, they offer deep discounts that make fall a fantastic time to go shopping.

STREETS ARE FOR HORSES. SIDEWALKS ARE FOR PEOPLE.

NOT YOUR BIKE?

PLEASE DON’T MOVE IT OR USE IT.

HILLS AND STEPS.

THE ONLY THING YOU CAN CLIMB ON THE ISLAND

KEEP MACKINAC ISLAND

BEAUTIFUL.

NO DRONE ZONE.

MICHIGAN’S BEST | 9.4.22 |

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As a lifelong Mackinac Island resident, Trish Martin has enjoyed a front-row seat to the island’s striking fall colors for decades. And as a botanist who writes a natural history column for the Town Crier newspaper, she knows a thing or two about where to go for the best colors.

Martin’s top recommendations: Fort Holmes and Point Lookout.

“Those are my two favorite spots, up there looking down, because you can really see everything,” she said. “Coming in on the boat everybody looks for color and there never is any (because the outer edge of Mackinac Island has lots of evergreen trees). People don’t see it until you get inland.”

Up in the interior of Mackinac Island is the highest part, which was the first bit of land to appear as glaciers receded during the last Ice Age. As a result, the soil has been developing there for the longest, making it ideal for hardwood trees including beech and maple that feature spectacular colors every fall.

The interior is also home to many miles of trails that take you right through a forest of stunning fall color. Martin recommends Tranquill Bluff Trail, along the cliffs on the east side of the island, and Partridge Trail, west of Wawashkamo Golf Course.

Horseback rides and horse-drawn carriage tours are great ways of getting up into the interior of Mackinac Island. Even just walking or riding a bike down British Landing Road past the cemeteries and out toward British Landing makes for an afternoon of fabulous fall color, Martin said.

While every fall is different, Martin pegs Oct. 5-10 as the timeframe when fall colors really start to emerge and approach peak beauty on Mackinac Island. The colors tend to stick around through the Halloween Weekend that closes out the season.

MACKINAC ISLAND HI 53o F / LO 39o F

AVERAGE

OCTOBER

TEMPERATURES

Explore the

Botanical Trail While you’re out exploring Mackinac Island you might hear the sounds of birds, smell the sweet scent of a balsam fir tree or spot a vibrant flower and want to know more. The Mackinac Island Botanical Trail has the answers you’re looking for, and it’s gorgeous in the fall.

Located along Arch Rock Bicycle Trail, the Mackinac Island Botanical Trail features seven turn-outs with benches and informational signs.

The signs offer insights on the 600-plus species of plants on Mackinac Island.

The trail also provides information on the diverse wildlife that thrives in the Mackinac Island State Park forest. There’s even a device that lets you listen to the different bird sounds you might hear!

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Guys and Girls Weekends on Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is a lot of different things to a lot of different people – a romantic destination for couples, a paradise for outdoor adventurers, the perfect vacation place for families.

And because Mackinac Island is so popular for weddings, it’s a hot spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, too.

But you don’t have to be in a bridal party to get the gang together and hang out in one of the world’s most extraordinary places. Mackinac Island is ideal for your group to spend a few nights, whether any of you are getting married or not.

HERE ARE 10 WAYS TO HAVE A BLAST ON A GUYS’ OR GIRLS’ GETAWAY TO MACKINAC ISLAND:

A Runner’s Guide to Mackinac Island

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unning Mackinac Island is, quite simply, one of my favorite things to do. Sharing ideas, suggestions and thoughts about running on Mackinac Island is a close second.

Mackinac Island is a unique destination for runners. It offers plenty of choices for novice and veteran alike. Routes are always interesting and frequently entertaining.

ROUTES TO RUN ON MACKINAC ISLAND OUTDOOR EXPLORING

While there’s lots of activity downtown, most of Mackinac Island is wilderness with more than 70 miles of trails through the state park. Horseback riding is a blast in the fall. Ditto for hiking. And biking. A kayak tour around Mackinac Island is a great group activity, as are charter LUNCH ON THE fishing trips. From geocaching to bocce ball, there’s lots of WATERFRONT other things to do outdoors on Mackinac Island, too.

Some of the best places to soak in the spectacular views of Mackinac Island are the two dozen bars and HEAD TO THE SPA-AHHH restaurants that offer outdoor A"er walking from store to store (and dining.

Many of them have seating maybe a fudge shop or two), treat right on the water! yourself with a relaxing visit to a Mackinac Island spa. Astor’s Salon and Spa at Grand Hotel, Lakeside Salon and Spa at Mission Point Resort and Mackinac Wellness all offer a wide range of services to unwind any stress and rejuvenate your body and mind!

SHOPPING

Main and Market streets are full of interesting shops, one-of-a-kind boutiques and fascinating art galleries offering end-of-season specials. Surrey Hill, the Mission District and Grand Hill are great places to pick up gi"s and souvenirs, too. At Forge A Memory, for example, you can use traditional blacksmithing techniques to create your own custom knife! Of course, perhaps the most popular thing to take home from Mackinac Island is world-famous Mackinac Island fudge!

ALL GOLF

Built atop an old battlefield, Wawashkamo Golf Club is the oldest course in all of Michigan, with fascinating design features from the 1800s. You can even play it with traditional hickory sticks! For a more luxurious round, play The Jewel, Grand Hotel’s immaculate and scenic resort course that has something no other course offers – a horse-drawn shuttle between nines. A"er your round, go double or nothing on The Greens of Mackinac, a natural-grass putting course on the grounds of beautiful Mission Point Resort.

ENJOY AFTERNOON TEA AT GRAND HOTEL

If you hit the spa one day, then visit Grand Hotel the next. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the grounds and the hotel, including a stroll along the world’s longest porch. You can also take part in the A"ernoon Tea, a bygone tradition that’s alive and well on historic Mackinac Island!

Mackinac Island offers flat, paved roads, packed dirt roads and more than 70 miles of trails woven through the island’s forested interior:

•

The obvious first choice is Lake Shore Boulevard (called Main Street downtown), an 8.2-mile lap around Mackinac Island. Lake Shore is a good way to begin running any distance because you set the limit. You can go all the way around or just out a comfortable distance before returning to the starting point. You could also come back by a different route through the middle of Mackinac Island. That’s where running on Mackinac Island gets really interesting and, in October, colorful!

• Running into the interior of Mackinac Island requires an important decision: hills or stairs. Even runners who aren’t fond of hills or stairs have to use them because it’s the only way to get to the interior to start a training run. Some hills are long, gradual inclines, while others are sharp vertical rises. There also are stairways conveniently placed at each end of downtown – below the West Bluff and just past Mission Point Resort below Arch Rock – and at the back of Marquette Park.

• The middle of Mackinac Island is filled with easy hills that get the heartrate up without requiring serious changes in stride or pace. Paved roads crisscross the interior and intersect with dirt trails – some as flat as the paved sections while others are narrow, tight, tangled paths that redefine the notion of “trail running.” Endless combinations of roads, trails and paths can be blended for long or short runs like you’ve never experienced before in one place. It’s difficult to get bored when a training route can be changed merely by heading in a different direction at the next trail or road.

Peter Marabell is an author and avid runner who has lived full-time in northern Michigan since 2002.

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Run Mackinac events are on tap this fall

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ore than 300 runners and walkers took part in the Fort2Fort 5 Mile Challenge back in May, and more than 700 completed the Lilac Festival 10K Run & Walk in June. Now, the two biggest Run Mackinac events of the year are coming this fall:

EXPLORE MACKINAC ISLAND HISTORY

With cannon booms, rifle demonstrations and exciting reenactments, Fort Mackinac gives you a fascinating glimpse of what it was like to be a 19th-century soldier stationed on Mackinac Island. The fort features 14 original structures including the oldest surviving building in all of Michigan. Your ticket also gets you into Historic Downtown Mackinac attractions including the Biddle House Mackinac Island Native American Museum, Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum and more.

GET OUT ON THE WATER

Book a fascinating boat tour of Mackinac Island aboard the Ugly Anne, an authentic North Atlantic lobster boat. Rise high above the water on a soaring adventure with Mackinaw Parasailing. Or relax with a Sip ‘n Sail Cruise and see the breathtaking Mackinac Island sunset from the water. If weather permits, you’ll cruise right under the mighty Mackinac Bridge!

TAKE A PRIVATE CARRIAGE TOUR

A narrated horse-drawn carriage tour is one of the most popular visitor activities on Mackinac Island. Did you know you can book a private carriage tour just for your group this fall? Your personal driver will point out the sights and answer your questions, while recommending the best places to snap photos along the way.

NIGHTLIFE AND ENTERTAINMENT

A"er dark is when Mackinac Island really comes alive. Main Street is full of bars and restaurants serving up signature cocktails, with live music at many venues. And on Mackinac Island, there’s no need for a designated driver because there are no cars! It’s easy to undertake a pub crawl on foot, or to order up a horse-drawn taxi to get from one watering hole to the next.

• Nearly 2,000 people are expected to participate in the Mackinac Island Eight Mile on Saturday, Sept. 10.

It’s one of Michigan’s oldest road races, and it follows the scenic lakeshore road that goes all the way around the rim of Mackinac Island. Register at runmackinac.com

• Upwards of 3,000 people typically complete the Great Turtle Trail Run on Saturday, Oct. 22.

Held during Mackinac Island’s iconic Halloween Weekend, the run includes both a halfmarathon option and a shorter, 5.7-mile course through glorious fall colors before finishing on the waterfront.

Register at runmackinac.com “People talk about the courses on Mackinac Island as being unparalleled,” said Anne Gault, race director for the Run Mackinac events. “There’s no place on earth like Mackinac Island. You’re in a place that’s just kind of set away in time. It feels very special when you’re there.”

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Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel’s new

Woodlands Activity Center

g TANDA GMITER | tgmiter@mlive.com

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI

uests and visitors to Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel just got a lot more choices when it comes to playing outside.

Newly-opened this summer, the Woodlands Activity Center is drawing guests to a renovated section of the grounds in front of the famous resort. Here, people will find a new, 18hole miniature golf course called The Gem, bike rentals, and recreation courts ready for games of pickleball, bocce ball and shuffleboard. Nearby, they’ll find the hotel’s Secret Garden area, the recently redone Esther Williams Swimming Pool and plenty of places to relax in the shade.

Still to come is a bike track, which should be ready next season, and a large greenhouse where the island’s flora and fauna can be seen up close.

The new additions are designed to give people lots of new spaces to gather and have fun together.

“This year at Grand Hotel, we’re excited to celebrate a ‘Season of Discovery,’ and there’s truly no better place to do so than at our brand new Woodlands Activity Center,” said David Jurcak, Grand Hotel’s president of operations. “The facility is designed to spark adventure and exploration for everyone – be it hotel guests, visitors, or the Mackinac Island

community. We hope that anyone who spends time at the Woodlands Activity Center will enjoy a fun, new way to experience our historic property and this beautiful island.”

Once completed, the greenhouse/nature center will offer the expertise of an on-site naturalist. Activities and guided tours are to be offered.

The new space was designed to complement the best of the island’s large state park area and interior features while giving people opportunities for new experiences at the resort, Jurcak has said.

“The state park is fantastic,” Jurcak told MLive earlier this year. “There is so much to see. What we expect is that the Activity Center will give you a taste of that. We hope that it’s going to spur some additional exploration of this amazing island.”

This area follows last year’s debut of new groundlevel shops inside Grand Hotel and a complete renovation of its swimming pool area, which now features cabanas and a redone pool house, too.

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