After a great first day visiting Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel, we decided to return for day two! Our second day at Mackinac Island was beautiful and sunny. After a simple breakfast at our campsite at Wilderness State Park, we drove across the Mackinac Bridge (aka “Mighty Mac”) to St Ignace where we parked the car and boarded the ferry to Mackinac Island. Again, as it was the day before, the ferry ride to the island was so much fun. This time the ferry company even treated us to an up-close view of “Mighty Mac” by going under and around the impressive structure. Very cool!
For our second day on Mackinac Island, we let the kids plan the activities. They asked to take a horse carriage ride, rent bicycles, and eat more fudge! It sounded like a great plan. We started with the horse carriage ride in the morning. We learned about Mackinac Island’s history and sights, and got a nice overview of the island. The 1 hour and 45 min narrated tour stopped at many sights including Arch Rock, Surrey Hill Museum, Grand Hotel, and Fort Mackinac. We ended our tour at Fort Mackinac then walked down the hill to Marquette Park and back to downtown.
Mackinac’s waterfront downtown is full of fudge shops, restaurants, and bicycle rental shops. We rented bikes for an hour, including a Burley Bee bike trailer for the youngest. Helmets were free and our shop provided complimentary bottles of water. We biked around the entire island on Highway M-185 (remember there are no motor vehicles on Mackinac Island), stopping at sights along the way. The entire route is about 8.2 miles and fairly level with very few hills. The kids were very happy and comfortable biking around the entire island and it ended up being one of our favorite memories from the whole trip.
We returned the bikes within our 1 hour time limit and we realized afterward that we hadn’t had a proper meal all day. We were basically fueled by snacking on Mackinac Island fudge! We were recommended dinner at Seabiscuit Cafe, a horse-themed eatery known for their drinks and white fish. After dinner we went for one last walk along the waterfront, played at Marquette Park, then bought more Double Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Fudge from Murdick’s before boarding the ferry back to the mainland. We timed the ferry again to watch the sunset. It did not disappoint!
Things to know: Mackinac Island Horse Carriage Tours
*Horse carriage tours are a must-do for first timers to Mackinac Island
*Narrated tours are 1 hour 45 mins, providing an overview of the island, it’s sights, and history.
*Tour stops include Arch Rock, Surrey Hill Museum, Grand Hotel, and Fort Mackinac
*There are no set departure times. You will be on the next available carriage after you purchase your ticket at the ticket office.
*Reservations are not accepted
*Tours are pet friendly! Small dogs welcome on lap. Larger dogs may require purchase of child ticket.
*Check online for ticket prices and hours
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Things to know: Bicycle Rentals on Mackinac Island
*No automobiles allowed on Mackinac Island, so bicycles are a scenic way to enjoy the beauty of the island
*You are welcome to bring your own bike on the ferry, or there are several bicycle rental shops in downtown
*A variety of bike rentals available from single-speed cruisers, to tandem bikes, to tag-along trailers for little kids
*One of the most iconic ways to see Mackinac Island is by biking the entire island on Highway M-185
*The route is fairly level with very few hills
*The entire route is a leisurely 8.2 mile ride and takes about 60-90 mins
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Tips:
*Arrive at the Horse Carriage Tours office early as the popular tour is first come first serve
*Many bike shops include helmets free with bike rentals
*You can stop and see Arch Rock and British Landing on your bike ride on Highway M-185
*Plan to take the ferry back to the mainland at sunset
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Related Blog Posts
*Mackinac Island Grand Hotel, Michigan
*Riding Bicycles & Ginkakuji in Kyoto, Japan
*More Michigan related blog posts
*More adventure related blog posts
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Shop Photography Prints
Views of Mackinac Bridge (aka “Mighty Mac) from the ferry:
Views of Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel from the ferry:
Fudge shops making a variety of flavors:
Our favorite fudge flavor is Double Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt from Murdick’s. Their cute boxes also come with a handy wood knife for easy sharing:
Horse Carriage Tour of Mackinac Island:
Arch Rock with a view of Lake Huron:
We ended our horse carriage tour at Fort Mackinac:
Beautiful scenery as we bike around the entire island:
Stopping for a fudge break! We were basically fueled all day by fudge.
The kids loved hunting for treasure, and in this case, pretty rocks like agate:
British Landing:
Back in downtown after our bike ride. Dinner at Seabiscuit Cafe and shopping for more fudge!
Admiring the waterfront, Market Street, and all the pretty houses:
Back on the ferry returning to the mainland. Amazing sunset as we said goodbye to Mackinac Island!
One last view of Mackinac Island. Such a charming and magical place!
