Midwest Weekend Getaway: My Mackinac Island Escape
With horse-drawn carriages, picturesque views, and the intoxicating smell of freshly baked fudge wafting down Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI, invites you to slow down and enjoy a simpler slice of life. Image: Bonny Osterhage
For decades, I’ve listened as my Michigander husband waxed nostalgic about magical childhood summers spent on Mackinac Island with its sparkling waters, unhurried vibe, and legendary fudge. So when he suggested a quick detour to this Midwest paradise during a recent vacation, I was all in. (Honestly, he had me at fudge.)
I always assumed he had romanticized this place — I was wrong. This sparkling gem is alive with rich history and natural beauty. And did I mention fudge? Here are some things to do on Mackinac Island, plus a few tips for getting the most out of it and making your own memories to talk about for years.
Getting to Mackinac Island
Part of the appeal of Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island is that it’s like taking a step back in time to a simpler life. No cars are allowed on the island. There are no big chain hotels. In fact, aside from one lone Starbucks (which feels oddly out of place), the island is hyper-local.
Although it’s just a little more than a three-hour drive from Detroit, Mackinac feels worlds away — and getting there is half the fun. After parking your car at the docks, it’s all aboard a ferry for the 15- to 20-minute ride across the Straits of Mackinac. I strongly recommend snagging a seat on the top, open-air deck for the best views of the famous Mackinac Bridge, the majestic Grand Hotel, historic Fort Mackinac, and the iconic lighthouses.
Once you arrive, the vibe feels a bit like a movie set, which might explain why classic films like Somewhere in Time and This Time for Keeps were filmed in this idyllic setting.
The first thing you notice after docking is the smell of chocolate wafting through the air. The second thing is the transportation options. You have four choices: bicycle, horseback, horse-drawn carriage, or your own two feet.
As an active traveler, the biking and walking options appealed to me, and we spent the first day exploring the eight-mile loop of Mackinac on two wheels and the rest of our trip meandering on foot. (Had we stayed longer, I would’ve spent one day on horseback, but time did not allow).
Where to Stay
The island is home to plenty of boutique hotels, cozy inns, and charming bed-and-breakfasts, most of which line downtown’s bustling Main Street. Large porches and bright colors are the hallmarks of many of these establishments, where the hospitality flows as effortlessly as the waters of Lake Michigan.
We chose the Lilac Tree Suites based on a friend’s recommendation, and it did not disappoint. Nestled between several local storefronts (and conveniently across the street from Murdick’s Fudge — more on that later), our spacious suite had a balcony that overlooked Main Street and offered beautiful views of the boats on the water beyond.
An added bonus of this property is that guests can enjoy the amenities (namely the hot tub and sun deck) at its sister property, the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront, home of the popular Pink Pony Restaurant.
We were thrilled with our accommodations, but the truth is you can’t go wrong anywhere on the island. Other standout options include Hotel Iroquis, and the Victorian-style Bay View Bed and Breakfast. For a resort-style experience, Grand Hotel — with its sweeping views, manicured grounds, fine dining, and upscale shops — is the ultimate in luxury.
What to Do
My husband and I are very different types of travelers: he enjoys learning about history, while I prefer physical (ideally outdoor) activities. Fortunately, Mackinac offers something for both of us! Day one found us biking along the shoreline to Arch Rock, a natural geological structure that sits high above the water and is more than 50 feet wide. Be warned — you climb more than 200 stairs to reach it, but the spectacular view is worth every step.
From there, we rode to Skull Cave, a former burial ground, and Sugar Loaf, the tallest limestone stack on the Island. According to Native American lore, this structure was formed when a young man angered the part-human/part-divine messenger of the great spirit, Manabozho, by asking for eternal life. As legend has it, Manabozho granted his wish by turning him to stone.
On day two, we set off on foot for a guided tour of Fort Mackinac, a historic military outpost (complete with cannon firing!). We followed it up with a visit to the Native American Museum at Biddle House. Other points of interest for history buffs include the McGulpin House and the Stuart House Museum.
After exploring the historical sites, we popped into a few of the shops that dot Main Street. There are plenty of places to pick up the usual souvenir items like T-shirts and coffee mugs, but if you really want something that says Mackinac Island, look no further than Murdick’s Fudge.
Mackinac is home to several fudge shops, and people have their loyalties, but the original Murdick’s is widely considered to be the best. (After “forcing” myself to taste test many brands, I have to agree — but my husband will die on the Ryba’s Fudge hill!).
Murdick’s was the first candy shop to open on the island in 1887, and has served up its rich, delicious, handcrafted fudge, peanut brittle, and caramel corn ever since. Try to time your visit so you arrive while the fudge is being made. Not only is the process fun to watch, but you might just get a free sample straight off the slab!
Where to Eat
Because you cannot live by fudge alone (despite my best efforts), Mackinac has plenty of dining options, from casual coffee shops to waterside watering holes and elegant restaurants. We picked up Italian sub sandwiches from Good Day Cafe and Coffee Bar on our first day and ate them in the park by the water.
Later that evening, we headed to Pink Pony Restaurant for a waterfront meal that started with a Whipped Boursin Spread, topped with hot honey, green olives, rosemary, olive oil, and sweet drop peppers, served with focaccia bread. My husband ordered a burger, while I enjoyed the Michigan Apple and Goat Cheese Salad, served with a house-made champagne vinaigrette. It should also be noted that the mocktail menu here was outstanding!
Because the only thing I love as much as chocolate is pancakes, we started day two at the famous Pancake House, where breakfast is an all-day event. Here you can get waffles, omelets, and breakfast plates, but the pancakes are the stars of the show. These light, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth stacks were a trip highlight. I highly recommend the blueberry!
Our dinner on day two was at another waterfront restaurant, Mary’s Bistro, where we shared a delicious wood-fired pizza while watching the boats dock in the harbor.
Our third and final evening on the island was spent at the Grand Hotel, where we explored the breathtaking grounds, lobby, and shops before going upstairs for appetizers and cocktails (again, an impressive mocktail selection here), in the Cupola Bar. Perched high atop the hotel, this round room literally elevates the experience with panoramic views of the Straits of Mackinac, perfect for watching the sunset.
The hotel is home to 13 restaurants, each with a different vibe. After 6 p.m., the more formal Main Dining Room requires guests to “dress for dinner,” with a coat and tie mandatory for men. The dress code is also enforced in the hotel’s main areas after 6:30 p.m.
For a more casual yet equally “grand” experience, the Detroit-style pizza from Mackinac Island Pizza Company and the elevated wood-fired grill classics at The Jockey Club both came highly recommended. However, we opted for the laid-back outdoor option at the Gate House, where we could enjoy the cool breeze and watch the Mackinac Bridge come to life with lights as we walked back to our hotel.
We crammed a lot into three days, but there was still so much more we didn’t have time for in our itinerary. Kayaking, horseback riding, and several art galleries and restaurants that didn’t make the cut will be at the top of next year’s itinerary. And, yes, there will be a next year — because, well, I’m already out of fudge.
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Bonny Osterhage
Bonny Osterhage is a professional journalist with more than 25 years of experience in both print and digital media. An avid fitness fanatic, when she isn't exploring the next trending topic, Bonny can be found cycling, running, and leading classes at SolidCore. Find more of her work at Mind Body Green, The List, Business Insider, and more.