[ry57pont]

Any input on a vacation on Mackinac island? good but cheap places to stay, eat ect.. what things are a must see in the area? thanks - Ryan

[David Jones]

subscribed........

[Tom Vaught]

EVERYTHING on the ISLAND is $$$$, (:>(

There are places to stay in St Ignace (Upper Peninsula) or near the top of the Lower Peninsula (close to the Bridge). Again, nothing is "cheap" but now days some rooms are "reasonable".

Have a great time.

Tom Vaught

[151007]

I have a friend with a summer home on the island and usually go there once or twice a year. The Grand Hotel and Mission Resort are pricey, but there are a lot of smaller hotels that have reasonable rates. I would recommend staying on the Island if for no other reason but to hear the sound of bicycle chains and horse shoes at bar time. (No cars allowed.) There is a paved road around the perimeter of the Island which makes for a pleasant bike ride. Through the center there are quite a few challenging unimproved trails for mountain bike riding. The fort and surrounding area have alot of historical buildings to tour. The local visitors bureau puts out a nice brochure on all the attractions. We try to time our visits to coincide with the Staights Car Show, Woodward Dream Cruise (4-5 hours south in Detroit), antique boat show, semi show, etc. I'll try to track my friend down and come up with a few suggestions for you. If you are coming from Minnesota, you might want to spend a day in Munising, Michigan and check out Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Park, take the 2 hour boat tour of the rocks at sunset. On the way back you might consider driving a few hours south and taking the SS Badger Car Ferry from Ludington, Michigan across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

[mzbk2l]

I usually stay in Mackinaw City (on the lower penninsula) in a hotel with a heated pool and stuff, then just take the ferry over for the day.

Once, when I was much younger, we sailed up there and stayed on the boat moored at the ferry docks, but I think that's my only overnight on the island.

I guess a day trip is about enough for me... all the fudge I can eat, then go find something else to do.

Personally, I prefer a visit to the Soo Locks over a visit to Mackinac.

[67drake]

Remember the time change.
The wife and I went up there years ago and planned to catch the last boat for the day. Entered into the UP and saw the sign for entering Eastern time zone!! Crap I forgot about that! Missed the ferry and had to fly over to the island.

[Blackcat]

Be ready to either walk or ride bicycles!

[65WJ]

what 151007 said.
See the Fort and light the cannon. Eat fudge, see the butterflies, play golf have a cheeseburger. Walk the grounds of the Grand Hotel do some more walking etc.
Fun place for a day trip.

patrick

[Brad Pringle]

Hey,

They are right the island is pricey. If have kids stay in mackinaw and visit the indoor water park. Pirates adventure. Lots of nice shops in Mackinaw City and St Ignace. Just as nice as the island shops, maynot have the atmosphere as island. Mackinaw City has better food than st ignace but if want pizza BC in both towns. Mackinaw City Food is Nonna Lisa, Audey for atmosphere. I would definatly spend day on the island the carriage guided tours are worthwhile. When you comning up? Plenty of car shows in June!

[Dick Boneske]

We stayed in a bed & breakfast in St. Ignace and were very pleased. Yes, prices on the island are high, but enjoy it!!!--It's a great vacation destination.

[topless lemans]

Big car show towards the end of June, In July the third week is the boat race (Port Huron to Mackinac sail boat race) which will bring large crowds plus trying to find a place to stay
Second the pictured rocks in Munising!! Have to take the boat ride to fully see it
It is pricy but worth a day trip though, got to have a pasty sandwich brought over from Europe way back when, fudge, fudge

[poncho_cruz]

Once we were standing outside the Hotel, still a fair distance from the building. A lady comes up and asks if we were staying there. We said no and she told us we have to move back several feet or she would have to charge us $10 each.

St. Ignace has a lot of Mom and Pop places you probably won't find on the internet. I could give you some names but I can't really vouch for how nice they are.

[Stu Norman]

I have never been, but it would seem that you almost HAVE to stay at the Pontiac Lodge on Mackinac Island.

http://www.pontiaclodge.com/

[beemergary]

My great great grandmother lived in the Bidle House (oldest house on the island) Stay away from the Grand Hotel ($$$$$$$) A neat place to go too once and you get to cross the longest suspension bridge in the world if your comming from the south. Most people don't say there going to the island but are making A FUDGE RUN. My grandma was born on Boise Blanc Island (the island to the south of Mackinaw). All the furniture and pictures etc. are in that house just like the day she was born (The Shaw House) and I am 62 yrs old. Have fun. You wouldn't believe the amount of people who live in southern Mi. and have never seen the bridge. There loss.

[spartazoo]

Originally Posted by beemergary

You wouldn't believe the amount of people who live in southern Mi. and have never seen the bridge. There loss.

My parents fall into this category.

[PonchoV8]

I never saw it when I was living in Detroit.

[74gto]

There is a museum above a pizza place in St.Ignance that has a lot of artifacts from the bridge building. It's pretty neat, but was even better a few years back. Unfortunatly, the building caught fire a few years ago, and a lot of the original bridge items were lost.

Wife and I rented a horse and carriage, was a fun way to check out the island. Being a city boy, it was a challenge to get the horse moving again when he decided to stop. A local saw my distress, and came over and slapped the horse in the ass!! Got him going again!!

Bring your pooper scooper!!

[beemergary]

Originally Posted by 74gto

There is a museum above a pizza place in St.Ignance that has a lot of artifacts from the bridge building. It's pretty neat, but was even better a few years back. Unfortunatly, the building caught fire a few years ago, and a lot of the original bridge items were lost.

Wife and I rented a horse and carriage, was a fun way to check out the island. Being a city boy, it was a challenge to get the horse moving again when he decided to stop. A local saw my distress, and came over and slapped the horse in the ass!! Got him going again!!

Bring your pooper scooper!!

Sure that horse wasn't a Her and not a HIM