MI Best - Weekend Section - Nov 20, 2022

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

Island time

Mackinac Island Vacation Planning Tips

CHOOSING WHERE TO STAY

With over 39 properties and 1,600 rooms, there is a wide variety of options when you are planning to spend the night. While each place to stay is unique, some are filled with history, others with unmatched water views, and all o er the charm that can only be found on Mackinac Island.

From B&Bs to condos, cottages, hotels and resorts, this list will help you know what to expect when you book next year’s trip!

B&Bs

Mackinac Island

Many of the B&Bs date back to the 1800s and almost all of them have a unique story. Enjoy distinct rooms, knowledgeable hosts and meet fellow travelers as you gather together for breakfast. Some, but not all B&Bs have shared restrooms and all of them are an extraordinary stay for an experience you won’t forget!

Condos on Mackinac Island

Enjoy a penthouse suite with waterfront views or a quiet escape outside the hustle and bustle of downtown. Like all the places to stay on Mackinac Island, each condo o ers something a little di erent.

Some are perfect for larger groups and can sleep up to 12 people.

Cottages & homes on Mackinac Island

with Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, now’s the time to plan a 2023 trip and take advantage of holiday specials. Many Mackinac Island places to stay, restaurants, shops and ferry boat companies are offering deep discounts this month.

You can get bonus cash on purchases of gift certi cates, for example, discounted lodging nights or even free slices of world-famous Mackinac Island fudge!

Visit www.mackinacisland. org/specials to see this year’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals. And if you’d like some ideas for a physical present to go along with Mackinac Island gift cards, here are three suggestions to keep in mind:

• As a car-free destination for more than 100 years, Mackinac Island is a bicycler’s paradise. How about some biking accessories to get excited about your trip next year? Biking apparel and gloves are a good match for serious cyclists, while a cute little handlebar basket might be perfect for someone who just likes to cruise around. Or, how about a brand-new bike?!?

• From Fort Mackinac to Skull Cave, Mackinac Island oozes history. Part of the charm is that it looks and feels a lot like it did 150 years ago! But what was life really like back then? If there’s a history buff on your gift list, a book about Mackinac Island’s storied past could be just the thing to whet their appetite for next year’s visit. Check out the books available through Mackinac State Historic Parks at www. mackinacparks.com/moreinfo/books-publications/ and through the Island Book Store at islandbookstore.com.

• Of course, you can’t go wrong with fudge! There’s still time to place an order and have the delicious Mackinac Island delicacy delivered to your door in time for holiday parties.

Several boutiques, galleries and shops also are ready to ship out your purchases of unique Mackinac Island items to get you and your loved ones excited about your trip next year. Visit www. mackinacisland.org/shop.

There’s a lot of deals to be had on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But they won’t last long, so start planning your 2023 visit to Mackinac Island!

A er exploring the incredible beauty of Mackinac Island, you can return to your “home” at the end of each day. Experience a slower pace and get to know Mackinac Island like a Victorian-era vacationer who would have visited this popular summer destination in the late 1800s. Most cottages and homes require a 2-week or 1-month minimum stay.

Hotels & Inns on Mackinac Island

From boutique hotels on Main Street to Tudor-style mansions on the West Blu , Mackinac Island hotels and inns have a charm you won’t find anywhere else. These family-owned and operated gems have all the modern amenities you’d expect along with Mackinac Island flair.

Mackinac Island resorts

Mackinac Island’s Mission Point Resort and the iconic Grand Hotel both o er full-service amenities as well as special touches such as a great lawn full of relaxing Adirondack chairs and the world’s longest porch.

How many nights to spend

Is 1 night enough to see Mackinac Island?

Of course! Especially, if that’s all the time you have. But more o en than not, we hear people withing they had more time on Mackinac Island.

continued | pg 2

It’s almost time for the holidays. Why not give the gi of Mackinac Island this year? (And treat yourself while you’re at it!)

Mackinac Island Vacation Planning Tips

hile you’ll get a good feel by staying overnight, the best way to really appreciate the vibe of Mackinac Island is to spend multiple nights. You’ll get the lay of the land. Start to understand the history. And you’ll have time to slow down, take it all in and feel the island’s energy.

As for the activities you get to experience by spending the night on Mackinac Island, here are just a few…

TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS

As you plan how you’re going to get to Mackinac Island, where you’re going to stay and all the things you’re going to do, we want to share some tips for your first visit:

BRING COMFORTABLE SHOES because you’ll find yourself doing an above-average amount of walking

W• Incredible sunsets set against the Mackinac Bridge

• Sip N’ Sail Cruise under the bridge with live music and a cash bar

• Downtown nightlife after the daytrippers have returned home

• Ballroom dancing at Grand Hotel

• Glow-golf at Mission Point Resort

• Outdoor movies at Fort Mackinac

• Stargazing at Fort Holmes

• Sunrise kayak tours

MAKE PLANS FOR YOUR LUGGAGE. When you board the ferry, you’ll tag your luggage and put it on a cart at the dock. Then, upon arrival, some places to stay will have dockporters take your bags straight from the ferry dock to your room. For other places, you may be responsible for getting your luggage to your room. Call the place where you’re staying to find out for sure.

GET TO HORSE ACTIVITIES EARLY before those attractions sell out or make reservations in advance for a private experience.

BRING CASH FOR TIPS. From taxi drivers to hotel sta , tips are welcome and appreciated. Share your love of Mackinac Island with the hard-working people who make your visit so enjoyable!

PICK UP A MAP at the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau’s Visitor Center on Main Street and get answers to any questions you might have.

THINGS TO DO THE FIRST (OR NEXT) TIME YOU VISIT MACKINAC ISLAND

Whatever you do during your stay, you’ll enjoy being here – even if your idea of the perfect vacation is just to sit on the porch and breathe in the fresh, island air. But if you’re looking for activity, there’s so much to do on Mackinac Island that figuring out where to start can be overwhelming.

Let this be your guide: Start with these five things to do and then add to the list or pare it back based on the vacation pace you prefer. And if you’ve been to Mackinac Island before and didn’t do all of these things, then come on back because you’re missing out!

doesn’t allow cars. It only takes about 60 minutes at a leisurely pace. Been to Mackinac Island before? Head into the island’s interior where there are more than 70 miles of paved and dirt trails to explore and cool sites including Sugarloaf, Crack-in-the-Island and more.

Visit Grand Hotel – Looming large atop Mackinac Island’s limestone blu s as you approach on a ferry boat is historic Grand Hotel. Even if you’re not staying there, you can walk through the hotel and grounds, including the world’s longest porch, for $10. Been to Mackinac Island before? Enjoy lunch or dinner in the hotel’s beautiful Main Dining Room, a ernoon tea in the parlor or a cocktail in the Cupola Bar while enjoying the panoramic views.

WATCH OUT FOR HORSES AND BIKES when you’re walking on the road. It’s easy to be mesmerized by the hustle and bustle of downtown but remember that the streets are working streets.

PACK LAYERS OF CLOTHES because the weather can change quickly on Mackinac Island, and even in the summer temperatures can drop sharply a er dark.

Horse-drawn Carriage Tour – Taking a narrated tour gives you an overview of the island and stops by notable sites including Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac and Grand Hotel. Been to Mackinac Island before? Get behind the wheel, er, reins of your own horse-drawn carriage and drive one yourself! Or ditch the carriage and ride horseback into the middle of the island on a guided or unguided trail ride.

Bike around Mackinac Island – Rent a bike or bring your own bike on the ferry and pedal safely around the outer rim of Mackinac Island on M-185, the only state highway in the country that

Sample fudge – Where else in the world can you visit 13 fudge shops – yes, 13! – all within a short walk? Mackinac Island fudge makers churn out five tons of the tasty treat each day during peak tourism season. And it’s not just the fudge that’s a draw. Watching the actual fudge-making has been part of the visitor experience for generations –marble slabs, wooden paddles and all. Been to Mackinac Island before? Sample more fudge. It’s still delicious!

Tour historic Fort Mackinac – With the ever-present clip-clop of horse hooves, Mackinac Island naturally takes on a historic charm. But the place really is full of history. Fort Mackinac dates to 1780 and has been restored to how it looked in the late 1800s. You can tour the fort and see life as it was way back then. Been to Mackinac Island before? Other historic attractions include an old blacksmith shop, the 200-year-old Biddle and McGulpin houses, an antique carriage museum, historic fur company store and a museum that tells the story of a doctor who experimented on a Mackinac Island man with a window to his stomach.

So, there’s five things to do on your first trip to Mackinac Island. And we haven’t even mentioned stargazing from Mackinac Island’s highest point, taking a selfie at Arch Rock, surviving the Haunted Theatre, playing golf on a battlefield or browsing downtown’s unique shops. And, of course, you’ll want to find a favorite Mackinac Island restaurant, too!

Can you get an experience of Mackinac Island in just one night? Yes. But no matter how many nights you decide to stay, you just might find yourself wishing you had more time!

Okay, maybe you were just a kid the last time you visited Mackinac Island. Or maybe you’ve never been here before. Or maybe this is the rst you’ve ever even heard of Mackinac Island. (If that’s the case, the last “c” is pronounced “aw,” FYI. We’ll explain later.)

Whatever your familiarity with Mackinac Island, you probably have some questions. And here are the answers!

Island Vacation Planning FAQs

Let’s go over the basics and get you introduced to, or reacquainted with, Travel + Leisure’s No. 1 Best Island in the Continental U.S.

Q: How can I get to Mackinac Island?

Not by car! Mackinac Island has been car-free for more than 100 years. Most visitors arrive on ferries that depart from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. You also can take a private boat and dock it in the harbor where transient slips are available by the day.

Q: Can I fly to Mackinac Island?

Yes, you can! The nearest commercial airports are Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) just south of Mackinaw City and Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) about 30 minutes north of St. Ignace. From there you can charter a flight to Mackinac Island Airport via Fresh Air Aviation. You also can drive to St. Ignace and hop on a flight to Mackinac Island that takes just 7 minutes!

Q: How can I get around on Mackinac Island?

Horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the most common forms of transportation. Many people find that it’s also relatively easy to walk around town. Just be sure to bring good shoes! You can take your own bicycle on the ferry, if you’d like, or rent from one of many shops on the island. And horse-drawn taxi service is available 24 hours a day in season.

Q: What is there to do on Mackinac Island?

Ordering Mackinac Island Fudge for the Holidays

Even though Mackinac Island fudge shops are “closed” for the winter, you can still order the creamy goodness for anyone and everyone on your holiday gift list. Visit www. mackinacisland.org/shop. Joann’s Fudge, Original Murdick’s Fudge and Ryba’s Fudge all take online orders.

Those stores also offer holiday specials and seasonal avors during the winter, and they can give a good estimate of when you need to order fudge so that it can get shipped and delivered in time for your holiday celebrations.

More than you can experience in a single trip! Many visitors enjoy riding a bike around Mackinac Island, sampling worldfamous fudge or just relaxing on a hotel porch and seeing the breathtaking views. Going on a horse-drawn carriage tour and exploring historic Fort Mackinac are also very popular activities. And because more than 80% of Mackinac Island is a state park,

MACKINAC ISLAND IS HOME TO THE LARGEST LILAC TREE IN MICHIGAN There is a week-long festival dedicated to lilacs that happens every June on Mackinac Island.

MACKINAC ISLAND FEATURES THE SECOND NATIONAL PARK & MICHIGAN’S FIRST STATE PARK Mackinac Island was the second national park in the U.S. In 1895 Fort Mackinac was handed over to the State of Michigan and became Michigan’s first State Park!

MACKINAC ISLAND IS THE SCENE OF

HISTORIC MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS

In June 1822 Alexis St. Martin was shot in the stomach by accident. Dr. Beaumont took the opportunity to study the stomach. You can learn all about this incredible bit of history at Mackinac Island’s American Fur Company Store and Dr. Beaumont Museum.

MACKINAC ISLAND USES 10 TONS OF MICHIGAN SUGAR PER WEEK! It’s all transported by ferry and then a horse-drawn dray.

MACKINAC ISLAND IS HOME OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST PORCH Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel features the world’s

it’s ideal for outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking and horseback riding. Plus, Mackinac Island is home to unique golf courses, amazing butterfly conservatories, scores of distinctive shops, many extraordinary bars and restaurants and no fewer than 13 fudge shops!

Q:: What else in Mackinac Island known for?

In addition to the famous fudge, Mackinac Island is home to some of the world’s largest lilacs, which are celebrated each June during the Lilac Festival. Mackinac Island also hosts the country’s most prestigious stoneskipping competition every Fourth of July, a spooktacular Halloween Weekend in October and an old-fashioned Mackinac Island Christmas tree-lighting in December.

Q: When does Mackinac Island open?

Mackinac Island is always open! A er all, about 500 people live here year-round. The state park is open in all four seasons and some places to stay, and two restaurants remain open through the winter (The Village Inn and Mustang Lounge). However, the peak season for visitors runs from late April through the end of October, when ferry boats make several daily trips back and forth to the mainland. Ferry service continues on a limited basis from November through April, unless the Straits of Mackinac freezes over.

Q: Where can I stay

on

Mackinac

Island?

There are more than 1,600 unique lodging rooms on Mackinac Island. Visit www.mackinacisland.org/stay to find the hotel, resort, bed-and-breakfast, condo or cottage that suits your needs.

Q: Why is the last “c” pronounced “aw” in Mackinac Island?

Native Americans used a word meaning “great turtle” to name the area around Mackinac Island, which looks a bit like a turtle shell rising out of the water. When the French built a nearby fort, they called it by the Native American word, Michilimackinac, but pronounced it with a silent “c” at the end – making it sound like “aw.” Over the years, Michilimackinac was shortened to Mackinac, but the pronunciation has remained “Mackinaw.” (Interestingly, Mackinaw City over on the mainland is spelled with a “w” because the British who controlled the area in the late 18th and early 19th centuries decided to spell the name like it sounds.)

longest front porch. At 660 feet, it’s the largest porch in the world.

MACKINAC ISLAND HAS ABOUT 500 FULL-TIME RESIDENTS

Mackinac Island may be more of a May-October destination but it’s also home to about 500 fulltime residents.

MACKINAC ISLAND MEANS PLACE OF THE GREAT TURTLE

Before the French or British settled in the area, Native Americans called Mackinac Island, Michilimackinac, meaning place of the great turtle.

OVER 82% OF MACKINAC ISLAND IS STATE PARK The 3.8 square mile Island is a maze of trails, blu s,

and geological formations that make up Michigan’s first State Park.

MACKINAC ISLAND HAS 1,400 BIKES FOR RENT Grab a partner and try out a tandem, check out a trike for a leisurely ride, or if you’re feeling adventurous hop on a fat tire bike and hit the trails.

MACKINAC ISLAND WAS THE CENTER OF THE FUR TRADE Records indicated fur trading was popular as early as the 1600s. In 1809, John Jacob Astor established the American Fur Company.

OVER 1 MILLION PEOPLE VISIT MACKINAC ISLAND EACH YEAR

SP

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT VISITING MACKINAC ISLAND IN THE WINTER:

• There are no public restrooms from November to April. Visitors are encouraged to spend the night and use bathrooms at their place to stay or grab a bite to eat at one of bars and restaurants and use those bathrooms.

• There are a handful of places to stay on Mackinac Island in the winter. Above Mackinac Condos, Bicycle Street Inn, Pontiac Lodge and Village Inn Suites are open year-round, while Lilac Tree Hotel, Mackinac House and Small Point B&B have limited winter weekend or holiday dates. Visit www. mackinacisland.org/2021-2022mackinac-island-winter-season/ for details.

• One or two restaurants including Mustang Lounge are usually open daily as well as the local grocery store, Doud’s Market. Limited shops are open and have various hours that will be updated at https://www.mackinacisland.org/ mackinac-island-winter-season/. It’s always advised to call ahead to confirm what is open and what is closed.

• Attractions such as Fort Mackinac, Grand Hotel, butterfly houses and carriage tours are closed during the winter.

• Trails and roads in Mackinac Island State Park are available for fat tire biking, hiking and cross-country skiing. (Skis are not available to rent on the island.)

• Horse-drawn taxis are available by reservation.

Winter

f you can’t wait until next April to visit, then come on up this winter. Mackinac Island in the snow makes for an extraordinary experience much different than in the spring, summer, or fall. Wouldn’t it be great to celebrate Christmas this year on Mackinac Island? Or to ring in New Year’s 2023 with the Great Turtle Drop?

Mackinac Island in the

Things to do on Mackinac Island in the Winter

Curl up with a good book, cross-country ski or snowshoe (with your own equipment) and enjoy some peace and quiet. There also are several winter events including the Christmas Bazaar and Christmas Tree Lighting in early December, the New Year’s Eve Great Turtle Drop on Dec. 31 and the Twilight Turtle Trek through Mackinac Island State Park on select winter dates.

How to get to Mackinac Island in the winter

You can catch Mackinac Island Star Line Ferry from St. Ignace so long as there isn’t ice in the harbor. The ferry schedule varies throughout the winter and generally runs about three times a day, sometimes only six days a week. Flying to Mackinac Island is also an option. Both Great Lakes Air and Fresh Air Aviation o er year-round service to Mackinac Island from St. Ignace, weather permitting.

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