• View
• Edit
• History
• Print

Mackinaw City Michigan

At the top-most point of Michigan's lower penninsula, right before you cross the Mackinac suspension bridge, Mackinaw City resides. A quaint little town, it boasts a multitude of shops and restaurants. Used as a stopping point for those visiting Mackinac Island, flocks of tourists flow through this small town each year.

Mackinaw Crossings is a large, outdoor shopping complex that features daily entertainment and nightly lazer light shows. Northern outdoor stores, bookstores, and cozy tourist shops are scattered throughout the Crossings and town's main street.

Across the street from the Crossings, on the harbor, one can take Sunday night Vesper cruises under the Mackinac Bridge during the summer or partake in parasailing over the Straits of Mackinaw.

Cunningham's is a locally owned restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. It is located on the main drag in the heart of Mackinaw City. Pizza is a popular dining choice, and above one of the pizzerias in town, is the Mackinaw Bridge Museum. Here, visitors can learn about the bridge through artifacts and local collections, view a short film, and stop at the gift shop. Another must for dining in town is the Irish Pub which features both a restaurant and a bar.

The great part about Mackinaw City is that almost everything is within walking distance or a short drive from downtown. Branching off from the main street in all directions are hotels and motels of every shape and size. From single cottages to hotels with every gadget imaginable, there is something for everyone.

Just a short drive South of 'downtown' is the Thunder Falls Family Water Park; a cooling summer's getaway for the entire family.

A brief walk to the West of downtown is the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. By entering the signal house, which has been restored and made into a gift shop, one can purchase tickets for a tour of the lighthouse and a chance to climb the signal tower, which provides wonderful views of the town and the Straits.

Surrounding the lighthouse is a little park where visitors can lounge, feet in the sand, next to the Straits of Mackinac and watch the cars head over the Mackinac Bridge on their way to the Upper Penninsula. Following the trail along the shore through this park as it winds its way toward the bridge, visitors will soon find themselves at Colonial Michilimackinac. By entering the gift shop located directly under the bridge, one can purchase tickets to enter this colonial fort.

Colonial Michilimackinac is a late 18th century fort and fur trading outpost. Its Eastern side lies against the Mackinac Bridge and sweeps Westward along the shore. Here, visitors can engage in conversation with colonial villagers, watch as the British Redcoats fire off their muskets and cannons, and tour twelve historic buildings.

Across the street from the Crossings, resides the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum. Located aboard the USCG ICEBREAKER MACKINAW WAGB-83, built in WWII and decommissioned in 2006, this is a museum must-see!

A short drive out of downtown will take you to Historic Mill Creek. Here, visitors can tour a working, water-powered sawmill complete with lumber-cutting and hand-sawing demonstrations. Located in a major forest, miles of trails abound for hikers; some trails lead to a maple sugar shack and a real beaver dam. For the adventureous few, a specialty ticket can be purchased for the Forest Canopy Discovery Tour. Included in this offer is the Discovery Wall and Climbing Tower, which allows participants to climb a wall (or staircase for the less extreme) up to a platform for a beautiful view of the surrounding area over the tree tops. Thrill-seekers can also gear-up and walk across the tiny Forest Canopy Bridge Walk. Cutting through the trees and across the Mill Creek pond. A tour guide will tell you about the trees and birds that make this height their home. After stepping off the bridge, you will meander through the woods to the far end of the pond, and after a breifing about the Eagle's Nest Zip Line, you will be sent careening across the length of the pond just like a bird on a zip line. Definitely not an adventure to miss!

All along the Mackinac City harbor, one can catch a ferry to Mackinac Island. There are a few different companies that offer this journey: Shepler's, Arnold, and White Star. Most of the trips take about 35-40 minutes.

Also, every Labor Day is the Annual Mackinaw Bridge Walk. This is the only day that people are allowed to walk the "Mighty Mac." Thousands of pedestrians crowd Northern Michigan each year in order to partake in this event.