Mackinac Island, Michigan (1)

Mackinac Island, a small island located in Lake Huron between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, is a popular tourist attraction. We have been thinking of going there for years, but it's such a long drive for us, so the trip has been delayed until this Memorial Day weekend.

1. We camped at Michigan's Wilderness State Park this time. It's a bit out of the way (11 miles) from Mackinaw City, where you catch the boat to Mackinac Island. But it's nice and quiet. Camping cost $27/night. Park access cost $8/car (non-resident) for daily access, or $29/car for an annual sticker. The beach is right next to the campground.


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From Mackinaw City, we took Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry ($24/person round trip, $21 if you buy it online). It took about 16 minutes to get to the island.

3. Mackinac Bridge from our ferry ride.


4. Approaching Mackinac Island, you can see the Grand Hotel (the biggest white building in the middle of the picture) from far away.


Since 1898 the island has banned automobile, so to get around, you either have to walk, bike, or take a carriage ride. There are many bike rental shops on the island. We rented a tandem bike ($40 for 4 hours, or $70 for 8 hours). It's great to circle the island (8 miles around and mostly flat), but not so good if you want to take the interior roads. Every time there's hills, we had to get off the bike and push it. A mountain bike would be better for that.

5. Main street.


6. If you circle the island counter clockwise, not far after you leave the downtown area, you will see a sign for Arch Rock. Park your bike and climb a couple hundred stairs up, you will see this rock formation.


7. Arch Rock from the circle island road.


8. Our bike.


9. Circle island road.


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11. Probably due to unusual high temperature (it was in the 80s when we were there), lilacs were in full bloom.


12. Back to main street where we ate. Honestly the food sucks, so don't expect much. The island is famous for its fudge. There were so many fudge shops and they all claimed they were voted best somewhere. We tried some from Joann's Fudge. My gosh they were sweet.


13. Marquette Park with Fort Mackinac in the back. It's a nice place to sit and relax, watching boats go by in the harbor.


14. Most of the houses on the island we saw were well kept.


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16. Mackinac Bridge from Fort Holmes, the highest point of Mackinac Island. The fort's mostly gone except some walls and a gateway.


17. The Grand Hotel.


18. In the Grand Hotel's garden.


19. A nice little church near the Grand Hotel.


(To be continued)