Things to Know for a First Visit to Mackinac Island 

Visiting Mackinac Island has been on my USA travel list for as long as I can remember. This popular, car-free oasis is tucked away in Michigan, reached via a passenger ferry either from St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula (UP) or Mackinaw City. Based on everything I had heard, it was a priority to fit in a visit when I started mapping out our 2-week Michigan road trip. As a first-time visitor, I learned a few things during our 2-day stay on the island. Here are a few things to know for a first visit to Mackinac Island.

Things to Do on Mackinac Island

Consistently voted as one of the top places for a USA summer vacation, you might wonder what brings people to Mackinac Island. Regulars, first-time visitors, and day trippers come for the quiet charm and feeling of stepping back in time from the minute you step off the ferry and onto Main Street. Visitors may also be surprised to learn that Mackinac Island State Park covers over 80% of the island. It’s hard to know what to do first when you arrive, but here are some of the popular activities.

Stroll along Main Street, where many of the shops and restaurants are located. Pop into any of the fudge shops for a sample of flavors like the Double Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt (Original Murdick’s Fudge) and German Chocolate or Michigan Cherry Chocolate (Ryba’s Fudge Shops). Stop by the Pink Pony Store for everything pink; find the store inside the Chippewa Hotel.

Sightseeing around the island in a horse-drawn carriage is a popular activity. Just show up at the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours booth on Main Street to purchase a ticket and head out on the next available tour. The line seemed to move quickly when we were there, with a group of 25+ filling a horse-drawn carriage. The tours last about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

The small island packs a big punch for nature lovers, with over 70 miles of trails to get away from the crowds. Wander through the woods, explore historic forts including Fort Holmes and Fort Mackinac, and get up close with Arch Rock, a limestone formation estimated to be several thousand years old. Stop into the nearby Milliken Nature Center to see exhibits and learn more.

The Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau has great suggestions for hikes of various lengths. We loosely followed the light green trail, setting out on our 3-mile walk from the Island House, the historic hotel where we spent the night. Expect a steep hill as you walk towards Fort Mackinac, where you can stop and explore the fort. The entrance fee also includes other historic buildings on the island if you have more time. We opted to save the fort visit for the next day.

Walking on the quiet Mackinac Island Botanical Trail made for a peaceful afternoon adventure. Educational signs are posted along the way so you can learn about the local plants and people important to the area. You might also encounter cyclists on some of the trails, as many are bike-friendly.

Arch Rock was the most popular spot on our walk, as it is also a stop on the carriage tour. The arch sits over 140 feet above Lake Huron, and the viewing platform gives a wonderful up-close view of the lake sparkling through the arch. If you come by bike on Lake Shore Drive, prepare to walk up over 200 steps to reach the viewing platform.

With no cars allowed, it’s no surprise that bicycles are popular with visitors on Mackinac Island, and bike rentals are everywhere! Even though we had our own bikes in the van, we opted to rent from Island House Bike Rental directly in front of our hotel. This location is the perfect spot to start the 8.2-mile bike ride around the island. Note that E-bikes are only allowed under special circumstances, and a process is in place to request a license. You will also be sharing the road at times with the horse-drawn carriages.

Once on the bikes, we quickly found ourselves on a quiet stretch of Lake Shore Drive that traverses the island. The mainly flat ride had stunning green/blue water views. If you get hungry along the way, make a stop at Cannonball Oasis, about halfway around the island. Biking around Mackinac Island was a highlight of our visit.

Special events happen throughout the season on the island. We happened to catch the end of the 10-day Mackinac Island Lilac Festival in June, with beautiful lilacs in full bloom. I would love to return in the fall for the Mackinac Island Fall Fudge Festival!

Getting Around On the Island

As you have read, horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, and walking are the primary modes of transportation for visitors to Mackinac Island. Horse-drawn taxis are an option to get to some of the higher points on the island but can take a bit during the busy summer season. Keep that in mind when you book a place to stay.

You can’t beat the convenience of shops and restaurants if you stay on Main Street. One thing to know for a first visit to Mackinac Island is to bring shoes that can be cleaned! With all the horses, you really do have to watch your step when walking around town. Most visitors, and many of the locals we chatted with, seem to take this in stride. Street cleaners can often be seen working behind the horses on the busy streets.

Where to Eat on Mackinac Island

When you aren’t snacking on the iconic Mackinac Island fudge, there are plenty of establishments offering food and drink. The Pink Pony is a classic spot, with an outside patio and water views. At the Chuckwagon of Mackinac Island, a seat at the counter puts you close to the action while waiting for your hearty breakfast or highly rated burger. Check out the huge variety of craft beer at Mary’s Bistro Draught House.

The historic Island House Hotel where we spent the night is home to fine dining at the 1852 Grill Room, and the casual, outdoor Ice House BBQ. Don’t miss the delicious pizzas at the Ice House like the Tuscan Cowboy Pizza with house-smoked brisket. It was a perfect way to cap off our active day.

If you think prices are high on the island, spend some time chatting with one of the locals. We had an interesting discussion with a long-time resident, and came away with a better appreciation of the process of transporting goods throughout the island.

Places to Stay on Mackinac Island

There’s no shortage of places to stay on Mackinac Island, but plan to book early during the busy summer season. We really enjoyed the historic Island House Inn for our one-night stay, with rocking chairs on the front porch, on-site restaurants, and bike rentals at our doorstep.

We never made it down to see the Grand Hotel in person (they charge a fee to access the grounds and the iconic front porch). It’s arguably the most famous hotel on the island.

The island is home to plenty of inns, along with a few suite hotels like the Bicycle Street Inn and the Lilac Tree Suites. Keep in mind, if you are staying in a rental on the island that is not walkable, you must rely on the “horse taxis” or bicycles. Many of the hotels will transport your luggage from the ferry, including the Island House Inn. Search for other Mackinac Island hotels here.

Ready to plan your trip? Here’s how to get to Mackinac Island

There are some logistics travelling to car-free Mackinac Island. Both day trippers and overnight visitors must park their car at one of the two ferry parking lots and walk on. Passengers can pay extra to bring a bicycle. The ferry offers convenient departures all day from both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.

Rides range from about 15 – 25 minutes, depending on if you take the Mighty Mac scenic route or the regular ride. Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry and Arnold Transit Company make trips regularly (as often as every half hour) during the season that typically runs from late April through October. While reservations are not required, we easily booked tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in line. I would definitely recommend this during the busy summer season.

If you are flying to Michigan, the Chippewa County Regional Airport is less than 40 miles away on the UP, with connections to the larger Minneapolis and Detroit airports. You will still need to take the ferry to the island. If you want to splurge, air taxi service is an option from St. Ignace to the small airport on Mackinac Island. Horse-drawn taxis are available for a fee once you arrive on the island.

Mackinac Island has been voted the Best Summer Travel Destination 2026 by USA Today 10 Best and named by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 Best Summer Vacation in the USA!
You can see all the awards the island has earned over the years. So, what are you waiting for?