Mackinac Island sits in Lake Huron between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, reached only by ferry, and has banned motor vehicles since the 1890s — everyone gets around by bicycle, on foot, or by horse-drawn carriage. The whole island can be circled on the paved lakeshore road (M-185) in a couple of hours, and the day is really a mix of that ride, Fort Mackinac's history, and the fudge shops Main Street is known for.
| Distance | 4.5 hours from Detroit (300 miles); 30-min ferry crossing |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 4.5 hours from Detroit; 30 min ferry from Mackinaw City |
| Getting there | Car to Mackinaw City, then Shepler's Ferry (+1-231-436-5023; $29 adult round-trip); no cars on island |
| Cost | $$ |
| Address | Shepler's Ferry, 556 E Central Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 |
How to get there
- Drive to Mackinaw City (I-75 north), then ferry
- Fly to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) — 15 miles from Mackinaw City
Location
Shepler's Ferry, 556 E Central Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
45.7782, -84.7228 View on map
Highlights
- Fort Mackinac - restored British/American fort overlooking the harbor, with costumed interpreters and cannon and rifle demonstrations
- Arch Rock - a natural limestone arch on the island's eastern bluffs, a standard stop on the perimeter bike loop
- Grand Hotel - the famously long-porched 19th-century resort; non-guests can view the porch and grounds for a posted fee
- Main Street fudge shops - the island's signature souvenir, with several long-running makers side by side downtown
- M-185 lakeshore loop - the roughly 8-mile car-free road that circles the island, doable by rented bike in about an hour of riding