Michigan's Mackinac Island

Travel Guide

Commuter planes fly into Pellston (15 miles south of Mackinaw City) or Sault Ste. Marie on the Upper Peninsula (50 miles north of St. Ignace). Major airlines fly into Traverse City (about 100 miles southwest of Mackinaw City). For local information, contact: Drummond Island Tourism (800/737-8666); Mackinac Island Chamber of Commerce (800/454-5227); Mackinaw City Convention & Visitors Bureau (800/666-0160); Petoskey/Harbor Springs/Boyne Country Visitors Bureau (800/845-2828); St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau (800/338-6660).

Three companies operate ferries to Mackinac Island from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, as often as every 15 minutes mid-June through August. Round-trip tickets cost about $15 per person. For additional information, contact: Arnold Transit Company (906/847-3351), Shepler's (231/436-5023) and Star Line (800/638-9892).

Attractions
Sight-seeing cruises departing Mackinaw City past historic Great Lakes lighthouses. Tickets $45.50 per person. Call for schedule: 800/828-6157.

Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island (906/847-3328) and Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City (231/436-4100). Hands-on exhibits for children to slip on soldiers' uniforms, try out bunks and experience life at the forts. Admission to each: adults $8, $5 for children 6-17, free for children 5 and younger. Combined family tickets, including both forts and Historic Mill Creek, $49 (see below). Carriage Tours Group and individual excursions in horse-drawn carriages to Mackinac Island's landmarks (906/847-3307).

Center Stage Theater In Mackinaw City, a new facility at Mackinaw Crossings (see Shopping Finds) for performances of Lost in the 50s, featuring rock 'n' roll favorites (231/436-2200).

Historic Mill Creek Just southeast of Mackinaw City, a re-created early- 1800s town, with a working sawmill, as well as a naturalist program. Adults $6.75, $4 for children 6-17, free for chil-dren 5 and younger (231/436-4100).

Celebrations
Lilac Festival A week of events on Mackinac Island, including a parade, tours and Tastes of Mackinac. (800/454-5227).

Shopping Finds
Perry Sherwood Gallery, Petoskey (231/348-5079).

The Whistling Moose Gallery, Petoskey (231/347-5281).

By the Bay A gallery in Harbor Springs specializing in nautical scenes and memorabilia, which includes some antiques (231/526-3964).

Cutler's A Petoskey institution stocking imported china, glassware and other uncommon tablewear and gifts (231/347-0341).

Grandpa Shorter's Gifts and a variety of home accessories in a historic Petoskey building (231/347-2603).

Mackinaw Crossings In Mackinaw City, a Victorian-design outdoor mall, with splashing fountains, restaurants and more than 50 gift and specialty shops (231/436-5030).

Quarters A Harbor Springs gallery for local and area artists' works, from watercolors to jewelry (231/526-1122).

Good Eating
Stafford's Bay View Inn, Bay View (800/258-1886).

Bayside Restaurant, Drummond Island Resort & Conference Center, Drummond Island (800/ 999-6343).

Murdick's, Mackinac Island candy-maker (906/847-3499).

Audie's Chippewa Room In Mackinaw City, a family-friendly restaurant specializing in fresh Great Lakes whitefish (231/436-5744).

Fort Mackinac Tea Room Lunch served at umbrella-shaded tables outdoors on a balcony overlooking the straits at historic Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island (906/847-3331).

Hotel Iroquois On Mackinac Island, elegant lake-view dining room with delectable desserts, including Michigan cherry pie, at a grand Victorian hotel of the same name (see Lodgings).

Jesperson's In Petoskey, a casual cafe known for fresh Great Lakes fish and from-scratch pies (231/347-3601).

Yankee Rebel Tavern A laid-back, reasonably priced Mackinac Island favorite serving from-scratch pot pies and other comfort foods, plus pastas, seafood and steaks (906/847-6249).

Lodgings
Many lodgings charge lower off-season rates in May and early June. Even then, staying on Mackinac Island tends to be expensive. You'll find a range of moderately priced chain-style motels in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Many of the historic hotels and inns don't have air-conditioning (often not needed, especially in May and early June). If it's important to you, be sure to ask.

Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island. Doubles from $390, including breakfast and dinner (800/334-7263).

Windemere Hotel, Mackinac Island. Doubles from $108 (800/847-3125).

Metivier Inn, Mackinac Island. Doubles from $125 (800/847-6234).

Stafford's Perry Hotel, Petoskey. Doubles from $85 (800/ 737-1899).

Stafford's Bay View Inn, Bay View. Doubles from $135 (800/ 258-1886).

Gingerbread House, Bay View. Doubles from $100 (231/347-3538).

Brigadoon Bed & Breakfast, Mackinaw City. Doubles from $95 (231/436-8882).

Drummond Island Resort, Drummond Island Resort & Conference Center. Doubles from $114 (800/999-6343).

Chippewa Hotel Some of Mackinac Island's most affordable accommodations in a renovated early-1900s landmark overlooking the harbor. Doubles from $165 (800/241-3341).

Grand Mackinaw Beach Resort In Mackinaw City, new and remodeled motel rooms, with a beach, indoor pool and Continental breakfast. Doubles from $55 (800/822-8314).

Hotel Iroquois A grand Queen Anne-style inn on the shore at the edge of Mackinac Island's downtown. Doubles from $150 (906/847-3321).

Terrace Inn In the heart of Bay View, a historic, family-friendly hotel with simple rooms. Doubles from $77 (800/530-9898).

Camping
Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping Large, well-kept private campground along the shore just south of Mackinaw City. Free shuttles into town. Sites from $15 (231/436-5584).

Wilderness State Park Sites near a secluded stretch of beach 8 miles west of Mackinaw City (231/436-5381).