Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is a small island in Lake Huron off Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula, noted for its car-free streets and preserved Victorian-era character. The island developed as a military and trading post and later became a major late-19th-century resort destination.

European use of the island dates to the 18th century when it hosted a strategic British fort; it later passed to American control and evolved into a summer resort in the late 19th century with hotels and amenities catering to visitors. Preservation efforts have kept much of the island’s historic built environment and large portions as protected parkland.

Located in the Straits of Mackinac between Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas, the island lies a short ferry ride from the towns of Mackinaw City (south) and St. Ignace (north), and is administered as part of Mackinac County.

• Vehicle restrictions: Motor vehicles are restricted on the island; transportation is primarily by bicycle, foot, or horse-drawn carriage, which defines the visitor experience.
• Ferry access: The island is reached by regular ferries from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace; ferries operate year-round when weather permits and are the only practical way for visitors to arrive.

What to See #

• Fort Mackinac: Built by the British during the American Revolutionary era and later expanded by American forces, the fort sits on a bluff overlooking the harbor and contains restored barracks, cannons, and museum displays.
• Grand Hotel: Opened in 1887, this historic hotel is famous for its 660-foot-long veranda and period architecture; it occupies a prominent hilltop site overlooking the island and is a major draw for visitors.
• Arch Rock: A natural limestone arch and scenic cliff formation on the island's eastern shore that is reached by trail; it provides panoramic views over Lake Huron and is one of the island's best-known natural landmarks.
• Mackinac Island State Park: A state park that covers about 80 percent of the island, combining trails, shoreline, and historical sites across roughly 1,800 hectares and preserving much of the island's natural landscape.