Cruisers can’t help but take it slow on Michigan’s Mackinac Island (pronounced Mackinaw), a national historic landmark. Horsepower, pedal power and foot power are the sole means for exploring this compact, turtle-shaped island and its engaging historic, cultural and natural attractions.
Carriage Rides
Ever since the prohibition of automobile traffic in 1898, horse-drawn carriages have been the primary—and iconic—mode of transportation to get around Mackinac Island. Visiting boaters can call on true horsepower for a tour of the island, as a taxi service, or even for moving golf clubs between the Grand Nine and the Woods Nine of the Grand Hotel’s Jewel Golf Course.
History and Culture
From its panoramic vantage point atop a 150-foot bluff, Fort Mackinac served as a strategic stronghold for American and British forces alike during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. The United States secured it for keeps in 1815. Now a history museum, the fort’s 14 buildings have been restored to highlight different periods from its century of military might. Start your island tour with the film The Heritage of Mackinac, shown on a loop in the soldiers barracks. Check the fort’s website for the current schedule of live events, which include drills, dress parades and rifle demonstrations. For $75 and a reservation, visitors can have the honor of firing the traditional morning round from the fort’s cannon.
Also check out the diverse collection of the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum. It ranges from hand-beaded Native American garments to 17th- and 18th-century maps of the Great Lakes to artifacts reflecting the island’s Victorian era.
Natural Wonders
Considered the most scenic spot on the island, Arch Rock rewards those visitors who climb the 207 steps for breathtaking views from beneath a 4,000-year-old limestone archway. Visitors can also view it from the road above by taking a (you guessed it) horse-drawn carriage, or explore it by bicycle as a stop along the 8.2-mile trail around the island. The $7.5 million Milliken Nature Center, slated to open this month near Arch Rock, will educate guests about the formation of Arch Rock and the geology of the island as a whole.
Food and Drink
Stop at Doud’s Market, reportedly America’s oldest family-owned grocery store, to restock the galley’s provisions. The lively patio at the Pink Pony is a fun and popular destination at any time of day, and is best known for its creative cocktails and whitefish dip. The 1852 Grill Room earns raves for its seafood dishes, especially its Lake Huron walleye and planked whitefish. The restaurant also has lovely lake and harbor views. Cap off the night by drinking in the Victorian elegance of the landmark Grand Hotel while enjoying a cocktail and 360-degree views from the Cupola Bar.
