Mackinac Island

A Harbor Towns Special

By Lynda Wheatley | July 2, 2022

The secluded spots and quaint towns tucked away in harbors and bays on the Lake Michigan coast have long been desirable destinations for those seeking a weekend respite or relaxing summer season away from the usual harried hubbub. Sandy beaches with hidden Petoskey Stone treasures beckon, restaurants of local fame prepare home-style meals, and freshwater bodies welcome you with friendly waves. With so many tiny towns and cozy communities to visit and explore, let Northern Express provide some insight.

It’s been 200 years since an accidental musket shot to the stomach made Canadian voyager Alexis St. Martin the world’s first window into human digestion. The Mackinac Island “hospital” where physician William Beaumont studied St. Martin’s open stomach still stands and is also open for exploration (with a new exhibit for the double-century anniversary!), but that’s only one spot—and story—that make this car-free 3.8-square-mile island so special. Whether you love science, history, and nature; prefer to shop, sip wine, golf, and go to art galleries; or simply need to slow your high-paced roll, the United States’ second national park (and Michigan’s first state park) is the place to stop and smell the roses. (And lilacs. And geraniums.)

Nosh & Nibble
Every single day during peak season, Mackinac Island fudge shops crank out 5 tons of the famous stuff. We suggest saving your pounds for home-bound souvenirs, so while you’re on-island, you’ll still have room for a cone full of Mackinac Island Lilac Ice Cream, a just-right floral flavor that’s just debuted at Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor in the Grand Hotel (whose signature dessert, the Grand Pecan Ball, celebrates 75 years on the menu this summer).

Down on Main Street, count on the tried-and-true Chuckwagon restaurant for a no-frills diner-style breakfast the locals love. chuckwagononmackinac.com

For awesome and affordable refueling any time of day, try the Doghouse, home to hot dogs, chili dogs, brats, Polish sausage, and other picnic-type treats available on the shore across from Windermere Hotel. windermerehotel.com/doghouse

Save your splurges for a night inside the opulent Tudor-style Woods Restaurant tucked away in the island’s interior; prime rib from the historic Island House Hotel’s 1852 Grill Room; or some of the finest cocktails and exceptionally good eats inside the Pink Pony party palace.

Must-do & Must-see
Last year’s $10-million renovation of The Grand Hotel’s swimming pool, which played a near-starring role alongside Esther Williams in the 1947 “aquamusical” This Time for Keeps, is a hard act to follow, but the Grand this summer is unveiling another mega-modern update: The Woodlands Activity Center, complete with a BMX bike track for kids; courts for pickleball, four-square, hopscotch, and soccer; an 18-hole miniature golf course; and a nature center. grandhotel.com

Adventure seekers of all ages should also seek out Great Turtle Kayak tours for SUP and single/tandem kayak tours around the island, nearby Bois Blanc or Round islands, or a route you can customize. mackinackayak.com

Whether by paddle, foot, horse-drawn carriage, or bicycle, there’s no right way to experience the island’s lush woods and stunning rock formations, elegant Victorian cottages, centuries-old military and Native American histories; it’s only critical that you do.

Lay Your Head
Wherever you can. Summer lodging on Mackinac Island isn’t easy to come by—especially on weekends—but it can be done. We’ve enjoyed contemporary accommodations for a family of four at the 2013-opened Bicycle Street Inn and Suites ($330+); a lovely, romantic island escape (with private beach access) at the 3-star Hotel Iroquois ($600+); and the clean, cozy, and more financially in-reach rooms at Pine Cottage B&B ($139+) on Bogan Lane, all of which are close to Mackinac’s Main Street action but deliver that timeless, world-away vibe we crave.

Dock It
Vessels up to 200 feet—read: private luxury yachts—well know the wee white building with blue roof that beckons them to the recently refreshed East Dock (pictured) for $4 per foot per day (plus $10/50 amp or $20/100 amp per day. eastdockllc.com, (906) 430-0095.

For the rest of us, there’s Mackinac State Harbor, where rates start at $40 per day for a 25-footer. You can book up to six months ahead of your stay at midnrreservations.com, but be warned: Due to the Chicago to Mac and Port Huron to Mac sailboat races and the popularity of the island itself, reservations are limited through late July. However, island harbor staff have a great reputation for helping boaters find a spot to tie up for the night, so even if reservations look full, it’s worth calling the dock at (906) 847-3561.

Wherever you end up, remember that, with multiple ferries moving passengers to and from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, the harbor here is very busy and can be a bit choppy.