Michigan · the United States

Mackinac Island

A car-free island between Lakes Michigan and Huron, with horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, an 18th-century fort, fudge shops, and the Mackinac Bridge, about 8 km long.

Great Lakes and Midwest (Chicago)

In the photo: Mackinac Island and its harbor on Lake Huron.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Mackinac Strait separates Michigan’s two peninsulas and connects Lakes Michigan and Huron. In the middle of the strait sits Mackinac Island, where motor vehicles have been banned since 1898: people get around on foot, by bicycle, or by horse-drawn carriage, and the sound of horses’ hooves is part of the atmosphere.

About 80% of the island is a state park, with forest trails, limestone formations like Arch Rock, and a roughly 13 km road around the shoreline that’s good for cycling. Atop the bluff, Fort Mackinac, built by the British in 1780, features reenactors in period dress and cannon firings. On Main Street, fudge shops—making a sweet of sugar, butter, and chocolate—have been a tradition since the late 19th century.

On the mainland side, Mackinaw City is the ferry departure point and has Colonial Michilimackinac, a reconstructed 18th-century fort and fur-trading post excavated on site, and the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. The Mackinac Bridge, opened in 1957, spans the strait for about 8 km to St. Ignace on the Upper Peninsula.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Mackinac Island is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Mackinac Island

✈ Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) · 25 km to Mackinaw City

The nearest regional airport is Pellston (PLN), about 25 km from Mackinaw City. Passenger ferries cross from the docks at Mackinaw City and St. Ignace to the island in about 20 minutes. By car, Detroit is roughly a four-and-a-half-hour drive to Mackinaw City.

Suggested arrival point: Mackinaw City

Michigan · Mackinac Island Suggested arrival point

Mackinaw City

Small town at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, at the foot of the Mackinac Bridge. It’s the main departure point for ferries to Mackinac Island and features Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century reconstructed fort and fur trading post, the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and, to the west, Headlands dark-sky park on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Michigan · Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island

A town on the island of the same name in the Mackinac Strait where cars don’t circulate. The downtown, by the docks, has Main Street with fudge shops, Victorian houses, and horse-drawn carriages; atop the bluff sits Fort Mackinac. The rest of the island is state park, with trails, Arch Rock, and the shoreline road that’s explored on foot or by bicycle.

The local experience

Things to do in Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island · Michigan · Historic fort

Fort Mackinac

A stone fort built by the British in 1780 atop the bluff, with reenactors in period dress and cannon firings.

Mackinaw City · Michigan · Bridge

Mackinac Bridge

A suspension bridge about 8 km long that crosses the Mackinac Strait and connects Michigan’s two peninsulas.

Mackinac Island · Michigan · Rock formation

Arch Rock

A natural limestone arch about 45 meters above Lake Huron on the east side of Mackinac Island.

Mackinaw City · Michigan · Historic site

Fort Michilimackinac (Colonial Michilimackinac)

An 18th-century reconstructed fort and fur trading post on the original site, with archaeological excavations and living-history interpreters.

See 3 more places in Mackinac Island

Mackinaw City · Michigan · Lighthouse

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

A brick lighthouse from 1892 at the tip of the strait, with the keeper’s house furnished and views of the Mackinac Bridge.

Mackinac Island · Michigan · State park

Mackinac Island State Park

A park covering about 80% of the island, with forests, trails, Fort Holmes and the roughly 13 km road around the coast.

Mackinaw City · Michigan · Park

Headlands International Dark Sky Park

A dark-sky park on the shore of Lake Michigan west of Mackinaw City, with forest trails and stargazing.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From May to October, when ferries run frequently and attractions are generally open; June through August is the busiest period, and the Lilac Festival in June fills the island. From November to April most things close and access to the mainland is limited.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days: one on Mackinac Island to see the fort, Arch Rock, and cycle around, and another in Mackinaw City for Colonial Michilimackinac and views of the bridge. If you want to see the island quiet, stay overnight after the last ferry.

Which city to stay in

On Mackinac Island accommodations are in the downtown area near the docks or up on the higher hills; at night, without day visitors, the island becomes peaceful. Mackinaw City has more options and a range of prices near the docks and the bridge. St. Ignace, on the other side of the bridge, also has ferries to the island.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Mackinac Island

How many days should you set aside for Mackinac Island?

Two days: one on the island and another in Mackinaw City to visit the reconstructed fort and the bridge.

Can you drive onto Mackinac Island?

No. Motor vehicles are prohibited on the island; you leave your car in the parking lots at the docks in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, and on the island you travel on foot, by bicycle, or by carriage.

What is the best time to visit Mackinac Island?

From May to October, when ferries run and attractions are open; June through August is the busiest period.

How long does it take to cycle around Mackinac Island?

The roughly 13 km road around the coast usually takes one to two hours by bicycle, with stops.

Do I need a visa to visit the United States?

Entry requirements for the United States depend on your nationality and travel document: some countries participate in the visa waiver program, with prior electronic authorization, and others require a visa. Requirements can change: confirm before you travel.

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Mackinac Island

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.