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Mackinac Island Grand Hotel, Michigan

For our trip to Michigan, we decided to bring our tent and camping gear and camp at Wilderness State Park. From Minnesota we drove the scenic route that took us through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so we could stop and see sights such as Marquette and Miners Castle along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We traveled through the Upper Peninsula down to our campsite at Wilderness State Park, located at the very top of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. This gave us easy access to the ferry to Mackinac Island while also enjoying miles of beaches on the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. 

We really loved Wilderness State Park. The facilities at many campsites were modern and brand new, the location was perfect, and the views and easy access to the lake was unparalleled. The drive to the Mackinac Island ferry is only 20 – 30 mins depending on if you depart from Mackinaw City or St Ignace. We chose to depart from St Ignace even though we were staying in the Lower Peninsula. It was fun driving over the impressive Mackinac Bridge ($4 toll each way) and St Ignace was easy to navigate.

One of the most unique (and charming) things about Mackinac Island is there are no bridges to the islands and no cars allowed – only bicycles and horse carriages on the island. The ferry ride over to Mackinac Island was definitely an unexpected highlight! It was so easy, a lot of fun sitting on the open top, and the views of the Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island as we ferried over were breathtaking! In the evening on our return journey we took the ferry at sunset. Amazing!

By the way, I’d like to mention there is Mackinac Island, Mackinac Bride, Mackinaw City, and others. Whether it is spelled Mackinac with a C or Mackinaw with a W they are pronounced the same way with an “aw” at the end.

Things to Know: Ferry to Mackinac Island

*No bridges to Mackinac Island so ferry or plane are the most popular ways

*Two ferry companies available, Shepler’s or Star Line. We chose Shepler’s and loved them for the free parking, friendly service, clean facilities and boats, and frequent departures but I’m sure both companies are great!

*Depart from either St Ignace in the Upper Peninsula or Mackinaw City in the Lower Peninsula

*Purchase ticket online or at the ferry dock. Check online for pricing and schedule. 

*Online discount may apply. Packages for return trips or multiple days are also available.

*No reservations required for ferry. Frequent departures are offered throughout the day.

*Ferry ride to Mackinac Island takes only about 15 – 25 mins

*Ferry is dog friendly

Things to Know: Grand Hotel

*Grand Hotel is a historic hotel and summer resort on Mackinac Island

*Grand Hotel’s front porch is the longest in the world at 660 feet

*Built in 1887 in only 93 days

*383 rooms, each uniquely decorated

*Mackinac Island does not allow motor vehicles so transportation to the Grand Hotel is by horse carriage

*Many notable guests have visited the Grand Hotel including five US Presidents (Truman, Kennedy, Ford, Bush and Clinton), inventor Thomas Edison, and author Mark Twain.

*Admission is required to visit Grand Hotel if you are not a guest. $10 Adult, $5 Child ages 6 – 9 years old, FREE under 5 years old.

*Admission includes a self guided tour, access to explore the hotel grounds, relax on the front porch, and enjoy the retail shops. Grand Hotel’s luncheon experience in the main dining room and afternoon tea in the parlor are also available.

Tips:

*Ferry ride was one of our favorite parts of the trip

*No cars on Mackinac Island, only horse carriages and bicycles. We did both on our second day back to the island.

*Mackinac Island is the self-proclaimed “Fudge Capital of America”. There are over a dozen fudge shops and together they make over 10,000 pounds of fudge daily.

*Murdick’s is the original fudge shop and first candy shop that opened on Mackinac Island in 1887. Shops will let you sample any flavor fudge. Our favorite was the Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Fudge from Murdick’s.

*From the ferry we walked to the Grand Hotel. It was a beautiful and scenic walk.

*Our kids enjoyed a stop at the local library and school playground

*Lunch at Might Mac Hamburgers and dinner at Pink Pony (both recommended by locals)

*Take the evening ferry and time it for sunset. You will love it!

Related Posts:

*Marquette Harbor Lighthouse & Sunset Point, Michigan

*Miners Castle in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

*More Michigan related blog posts

*More camping related blog posts

*More traveling in the USA related blog posts

Shop Photography Prints

We saw the Mackinac Island Amazon delivery guy. Also, my kid asking “when can we get more fudge?”:

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