Mackinac Island Travel Guide (1 Day)
Mid-July we visited Mackinac island during our road trip around Lake Michigan. It’s charming (car free) streets, horse-drawn carriages, and pastel painted buildings makes for a dreamy Midwest town to explore. I’ve been to Mackinac Island as a kid but A has never been. It was lovely to explore together and create new memories. This Mackinac Island travel guide is perfect for first timer’s or those looking for inspiration.
This site uses affiliate links which may result in a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting Midwest & Wonder!
1-Day Itinerary Overview
Honestly, we didn’t plan the day down to the hour but we had certain things that we wanted to see. Since this was a 1-day outing, we couldn’t fit in everything. July means big crowds and a warm sunny day and we were tired by the time we took the ferry home. If you’re reading this list and realize you want to spend more time on the island, a weekend should be enough to explore!
Our Itinerary
- Walk around Main Street
- Visit Fort Mackinac
- Stop at the Tea Room in Fort Mackinac for the views
- Buy some fudge, there’s many spots to choose from!
- Go to the Original Butterfly House and Insect Museum (I love a butterfly house)
- Eat at a local cafe
15 Things To Do On Mackinac Island
Here’s a list of other fun things to do (that we didn’t do this time). There are more things beyond this list but it’s a good starting point for your planning.
- Rent and ride bikes around the island, there’s also bike tours.
- Take a horse-drawn carriage ride to see the island.
- Shop at the various boutique and trinket stores which are perfect if you want a souvenir.
- Visit Mackinac Island State Park which accounts for over 80% of Mackinac Island. There are lots of trails to hike on for walkers, bikers, and horses while other trails are best for hiking only.
- If you enjoy museums, check out the Mackinac Art Museum which showcases Mackinac related art and photography to head-beaded Native American garments and a collection of Great Lake maps from the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Visit the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop for a demonstration and lesson in traditional blacksmithing techniques.
- Take a tour. There are many ways to take a guided tour to experience the island from a narrated house drawn carriage, to biking and walking tours.
- Sit on the Grand Hotel front porch (non-guests have to pay a fee) or book in-advance for afternoon tea at The Parlor. This hotel is quite something to see, truly an old-world experience with it’s decor and flare.
- Visit Arch Rock, a famous 146-foot natural limestone rock formation on the island. You can reach it by walking, biking, a taxi, or carriage.
- Haunts of Mackinac is for those interested in history and ghost stories. They offer nightly tours that will take you on an easy walk through downtown Mackinac Island.
- Dine at the historic Island House Hotel. Enjoy a meal at one of the two restaurants located at the hotel and learn about it’s rich history.
- If you’re interested in golf, then check out The Gem mini golf course at the Grand Hotel or The Greens of Mackinac at Mission Point Resort for an 18-hole putting course.
- Get out on the water and enjoy a boat charter. There are many ways to enjoy the island and being on the water is perfect for those wanting some adventure.
- Grab coffee and a treat at one of the local cafes then find a nice spot to sit and take in the scenery.
- Go on your own “fudge tour” and sample fudge from all of the different fudge shops!
Getting To Mackinac Island
We drove up from Petoskey, MI (where we were staying) to Mackinaw City which was about a 50-minute drive. You can depart from Mackinaw City (Lower Peninsula) or St. Ignace (Upper Peninsula), which is a city across the Mackinac Bridge.
There’s different ferry services that will get you over to the island, but we choose Shepler’s Ferry due to their good reviews.
You can purchase ferry tickets in advance by choosing the date and time of departure, but we didn’t want to feel rushed so we purchased tickets in-person. The ferry departs pretty regularly but make sure to check the schedule!
- Park in one of Shepler’s large parking lots
- Wait for the shuttle or walk if you prefer
- Purchase tickets at the window
- Wait for the ferry, board, and enjoy the boat ride!
- Look out for the lighthouses and the Mackinac Bridge from the ferry
Things To Do On Mackinac Island
Walk Around Main Street
Depending on the time of year that you go you may run into crowds. Our trip was mid-July and it was quite crowded. If you’d prefer to avoid crowds, it’s best to go at the start of the season or the end. The main street has lots of activity going on, boutiques to browse, and fudge shops to visit.
Original Butterfly House & Insect World
This is a fun learning experience for kids and adults alike, also perfect for a rainy day. The butterfly house has some spaces to sit in their tropical garden where you can watch hundreds of live butterflies gently floating and landing on the plants (and sometimes you!). They seemed to enjoy my light blue hat.
The Insect World exhibit was added in the 2000’s and houses a variety of bugs that I had never seen in person before. It took us about an hour overall, during which we sat and watched the butterflies for a good portion of the time. The main reason that we stopped here is because I love butterflies and watching them gently fly about. It was raining when we first got to the island so it was a perfect place to stay dry.
Explore the island
If you aren’t sure what to do, just get out and explore! There are interesting buildings to see, people watching, streets to lazily walk through, and exhibits on display (when we were visiting). There’s lots to see on foot or by bike and remember there’s no cars.
Fort Mackinac
Explore Fort Mackinac and learn about the history of this military outpost. There are buildings to explore, demonstrations, and tours that you can join throughout the day. We watched a rifle firing demo and a cannon demo. Another highlight of visiting the fort are the beautiful views overlooking the island. Be aware that to walk up to the fort there is an incline.
Buy Fudge and watch the process
Fudge has a long history on the island! Beyond just sampling and buying fudge, some shops let you watch it being made. This goes far back in time to the Murdick candy store that made fudge on marble slabs. Fudge plays a huge role throughout the islands history and makes for a great souvenir for someone or a treat for you.
What To Eat
Tea Room Restaurant
The famous Tea Room is a great spot to take a break. It’s located within Fort Mackinac and after we spent a few hours exploring, we stopped to get a gorgeous view of the island and lake. The bright yellow umbrellas offer lovely shade and quite the view against the bright jeweled blues and greens of the island. The white rolling clouds reminded me of an impressionist painting capturing a warm sunny summer day.
Watercolor Cafe
Although there is a Starbucks on the main street, we prefer to support local cafes when we can. This fun and quirky cafe offered food and drinks, and was the perfect easy lunch. It’s a slight walk from the main street and offers a lovely view of the docks.
Other Mentions
- The Pink Pony: Famous for it’s pink nautical themed restaurant and the must-try whitefish.
- Seabiscuit: A former bank from the 1800s that has a tasty food and drink menu.
- Great Turtle Brewery & Distillery: The islands first brewery and distillery also offering food and outdoor seating.
Overall Thoughts
Mackinac Island offers something for everyone, whether you’re a couple, family, or traveling solo or with friends. There’s a nice mix of outdoor activities, chances to learn about it’s history, and food and drink. I felt like I was in an impressionist painting set against a sparkling lake and puffy white rolling clouds. You can fit in a lot of activities in one day, but if you really want to explore, a weekend would be perfect.
