Mackinac Island Michigan

Macinac Island is fun! It’s all walking, so keep that in mind if you don’t like to walk around. It’s definitely a tourist town but it’s old timey and cute. I would only go in the summer, it becomes dead in the fall/winter. There are also a lot of other places in northern Michigan that are less touristy if you want to break up your trip.

There are a lot of beautiful places on the island! Lots to do, though it's very touristy. I recommend visiting there at least once. You can do horse/carriage tours, rent bikes and ride around the entire island, visit the fort, hike around, etc. I'm not sure if any of those activities have been altered/temporarily closed due to COVID, but if you are planning to go after the pandemic has settled down and places return to normal business, those are all good activities to do. The boats to the island typically only run during the winter months if there's not much ice, and they run multiple times daily during the summer, though the island is usually super crowded in the summer. Most of the shops shut down around end of October/early November, and they don't re-open until like April/May, so I would suggest visiting sometime in the late summer/early fall (maybe end of September?), since it's usually a little less busy. There are also places to visit in the area around the island (though not on the island), such as Tahquamenon Falls or Mackinac City.

I have stayed on the island once... there is not much to do, so it depends on if you want to stay busy or just relax for a day or two! Also, we went in May and it is still too cold there for me! I would also check if all the restaurants are open- no great place to eat on the island. Best wishes!

View Quoted Comment We would definitely be doing summer. I originally was thinking a May 1st wedding, but I think it would be too chilly. Plus we want to go jet skiing, and I can’t imagine trying to do that in early May! We would probably only be there for a couple of days and then do a trip across Canada into New England and have a reception type get together with family (since I’m originally from Massachusetts and my entire family lives there.)

View Quoted Comment We are looking for low key and I love the idea of taking a carriage ride after we do our vows and just being able to be together in the moment! I did find a hotel that has a spa and restaurant so, I thought that would be nice. He is a steak and seafood kind of guy- so as long as we can get a decent steak- all is good!

View Quoted Comment We are aiming for after things calm down with covid. We would definitely be aiming for summer- we would be coming from Ohio- so it’s not too far and want to be able to enjoy it when the temps are warmer!

View Quoted Comment Summer is a great time on the island! It'll likely be crowded, but you'll definitely have plenty of things to do (and if you stay overnight on the island, it gets a lot less crowded after the last boat leaves in the evening). Fudge shops, carriage tours, and biking the island would be the top three activities I'd suggest.

View Quoted Comment Honestly, in that case, I’d skip mackinac. There are so many beautiful places in Canada and New England. Maybe take a trip to Maine, Portland is beautiful and lots of fun!

Omggg yesssss we are planning on having our wedding there!! It’s the cutest most romantic place! You have to get around either by bike, walking or horse drawn buggie taxi! You should check out the inn at stonecliffe for their elopement package. It’s a cute old time mansion and I’m like 95% sure that’s where we’ll book when we go back to visit this summer.

View Quoted Comment I love the idea of the horse drawn buggy! It would just be the two of us. I will check out the Inn at Stonecliffe!