A little background information for you: Mackinac Island (also spelled Mackinaw) is an island located in Lake Huron, right off the coast of Northern Michigan. The island is only 8 miles around, and no motorized vehicles are allowed — people must get around on foot, bike, horse and buggy, or in the winter, snowmobiles. The island is only open to the public seven months out of the year (the ferries stop running the last weekend in October because of the cold temperatures and winds), and it seriously one of the most magical places I’ve ever visited (as cheesy as that sounds).
Though I’ve been to Mackinac City (where the ferries leave for the island) at least a dozen times, I’ve only been to the island a handful of times, and until last week, I had never stayed overnight. Now that I’ve stayed on the island, however, I don’t know that I’d ever want to stay in the city again. I’ve been spoiled — I loved it so much! We left for the island late on Saturday morning, when it was pouring down rain.
After a quick ferry ride over to the island, we bundled up (it was cold!), grabbed our umbrellas, and went out to explore. The first day was a little frustrating and disappointing, because it’s hard to do anything when sheets of rain are falling in your face, but we tried to make the best of it.
adorable fridge in Little Luxuries
the fancy Grand Hotel (fun fact: ‘Somewhere in Time‘ was filmed here)
our hotel
The inside of our hotel — it was so cute!
We walked a couple of miles around the island before heading back to our hotel to dry off — literally; we had to use blow dryers to dry our clothes. Thankfully, we had better luck with the weather on our second day. My dad and I went for a 4 mile run around the island shortly after we woke up. It was drizzling and windy at that time, but it was still fun.
After the run, we went to brunch as a family, and then we rented bikes. By that time, the rain had stopped, and we were so thankful to explore the island without having to get soaking wet!
my favorite church
the Arch Rock
the school (grades preschool through 12)
We took about two hours to bike 9 miles, stopping at different attractions. As you can imagine, I was pretty tired after exercising for most of the day! My sister and her friend were even more ambitious — they ran 10 miles that morning!
On our last day on the island, we woke up to sunshine (go figure 
). We decided to take a later ferry back to the city so we’d have some time to walk around.
Mackinac Bridge
the marina
horses helping to back the cart onto the dock
If you’ve never been to, or stayed on, Mackinac Island, I highly recommend that you do it at least once. Jordan and I are already planning to go next summer for our anniversary! Ahh…I love it there. Until next year, Mackinac .
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Aw, this looks like such a great place to visit! Your hotel that you stayed at looks so adorable! Oh my gosh!
Oh, it was! I’m already missing it!
Looks like a beautiful place! And I absolutely love the pink fridge! So cute!
Beautiful pictures! Our family’s regular vacation spot is Ocean City, NJ. I’ve been going there since I was about a year old! It’s nice, but my absolute favorite place to vacation is Naples, Florida. I’d live there if I had the money!
I’ve never been to Mackinac Island before, but I’ve always wanted to! It seems like such a beautiful and quaint place! One of my favorite vacation spots is Marco Island, Florida. Beautiful, beaches, and sun!
gosh so adorable, that place looks amazing. i mean what could go wrong with a family vacation? they are my favorite type!
That picture of me is just so flattering. Not.
hahaha. It made me smile:)
Haha, sorry, I don’t know why you made that facial expression! I thought you were trying to be funny or something.
Wow!! It looks beautiful there! We need to go up there sometime… maybe when it is warmer!!
Yeah, haha, it’s beautiful in the summer, though a lot more crowded too!
What a quaint town!! I would be in heaven there!
It looks like it would make a great setting for either a romantic comedy or a thriller/horror movie (although I think I have the thrillers on the brain because of the time of year!) …
My favourite place to vacation is Prince Edward Island … it reminds me a lot of Mackinac (but it’s bigger) — just as quaint, beautiful red sand beaches, emerald countryside. Exquisite, gorgeous, but ever so calm.
It sounds beautiful!
AWWW I LOVE Somewhere in time! How neat!! I would love to go here! Sounds like my kind of place! I love quaint little places and visiting places where you can sight see but also be active!
Omg I’ve never been there, but it’s so cute!! And I seriously want that pink refrigerator. So awesome! I’ll have to convince my family to go there!
Pingback: Friday Things |
Omg that island sounds perfect! I love quaint little towns that don’t have the hustle and bustle of the northeast! I’m so glad you enjoyed your vacation!
I love that I happened across this blog! Mackinac Island is mine and my family’s favorite vacation spot. My husband and I were married on the island, and we take our kids there every chance we get. It is truly a magical one of a kind place. In all the times we have gone, we’ve never been in the fall, and I so enjoyed seeing your pics! Thank you so much for a little glimpse to my favorite place!
Oh my gosh, I’m so jealous that you were married there! That was always my dream
. This was the first time I had been in the fall… it is definitely worth the trip!
Love the island! We’ve stayed at both the Grand and the Main Street Inn. And there are some other hotels I want to try. Love renting bikes there!