Mackinac Island

July 20, 2025 -- As part of our trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Ty and I visited Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island sits in Lake Huron, between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. It is only accessible by boat or flying. We stayed in nearby Mackinaw City and took a ferry to the island. We were picked up at the hotel (and brought back). The bus ride freaked Ty out a bit (it was noisy). He was better on the way back. 

Mackinac Island, discovered by Europeans in 1634

Roundtrip to/from Mackinaw City

Mackinac Island as seen from the boat

St. Anne's Catholic Church (L), c. 1874

View from the fort

The docks

A barge coming through

It was Ty's first boat ride. We sat on the top deck for the 20 minute ride to the island. It was very windy. I tried to explain to Ty that it was just like putting his head out the window of the car. The waters were calm. We didn't get wet. We sat in the front on the starboard side, where the captain recommended. While on the island, we went on a 2-hour horse carriage ride (another first for Ty), visited the fort, and took a hike (along a botanical trail) to Arch Rock. We left on the last ferry back to the mainland (6 pm). 

Ty's first boat ride

Waiting for the ride back

Trinity Episcopal Church, c. 1882

Horses and bikes -- no cars

Mackinac Island is a small island, only 3.8 square miles or 2,342 acres in size. The road around the island is 8.2 miles. Eighty percent of the island (1800 acres) is designated state park. Mostly the middle part of the island. There are lots of trails. There are only about 500 full-time island residents, but a million people visit each year. Ty and I went at the end of the tourist season, so it wasn't overly crowded, though crowded enough. I can't imagine how crowded it must be in summer.

Governor's Summer Residence, c. 1902

The Grand Hotel

Carriage Tour

Little Stone Church, c. 1904

With the exception of emergency services, cars are not permitted on Mackinac Island. Transportation is primarily via bicycle or horses.  During the tourist season, there are about 500 (draft) horses on the island. While there is only one doctor on the island, there are 4 to 5 veterinarians to look after the horses. When the tourist season ends in late October, most of the horses are ferried back to the mainland. It is more practical to move horses than all the feed they would require. 

Draft horses

Our team and driver

On the carriage ride

Warning

Trash pick-up