Michigan is comprised of two peninsulas: the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. They are connected by the roughly five-mile-long Mackinac Bridge. Sandwiched between the two peninsulas is Mackinac Island, a car-free vacation destination with the iconic 1887 Grand Hotel and the Victorian-era Fort Mackinac. Exploring this unique island was our focus today.

Deb had already arranged for ferry tickets, so all we had to do is get ourselves to the dock. We could have sailed from St. Ignace on the Upper Peninsula or Mackinaw City on the Lower; we chose Mackinaw City since it is closer.

Getting folks to and from the island works like a well oiled machine. First get yourself to the dock one way or the other. Check luggage and bikes, just like you would if you were flying, with the promise luggage will be delivered to your hotel and bikes will meet you on the dock. Park your car, if you have one, and then queue up for the next ferry. The crossing is 25 minutes long and the dock where we pulled in is right smack downtown.

Dan and I lucked into a room at the Grand Hotel at the last minute (yesterday), so we walked the half mile and could check in right away. On our way to the hotel we passed one ridiculously charming place after the next: homes, inns, businesses, small parks, stables, you name it. Flowers, trees, shrubs…flowers, trees, shrubs…repeat. Clean as a whistle and cute in a Key West meets Disney kind of way. Our favorite just might be the small stone church on the edge of town.

We decided to spend as much of the day as it took to see the impressive hotel and its gorgeous grounds as penance for paying so much (more than we’ve ever spent) for the experience. We explored every common area, had lunch el fresco at the Jockey Club, took a tour of the stables and carriage museum, had drinks in the parlor (common area on the plaza level), sat on the longest porch in the world and enjoyed the spectacular view of Lake Huron; and shared a charcuterie plate and had drinks in the Cupola Bar known for its Venetian chandelier and 180 degree view of the water. We were determined to have the full Monte of an experience and feel very satisfied that we did.

Between drinks and sliders in the parlor and drinks and a charcuterie plate in the Cupola we strolled downtown to enjoy the atmosphere. Think fudge, t-shirt, souvenir, and taffy shops; bars and restaurants; zillions of bicycles (1,400 are for rent) and horse drawn vehicles of all kinds; vacation rentals of all sorts (no chain hotels), pooper scoopers, and a few sites. Our timing was such that we ended up at the small park at the base of the old fort just as Boy Scouts were taking down the flags to the accompaniment of retreat played by a trumpeter at the wall of the fort. The weather was warmer than predicted and tourists like us were showing their appreciation for that by being out and about.

… Fun Facts About the Island …

Five U.S. presidents have visited the island.
In fact we saw the carriage the Grand Hotel used to escort them around the island.

Mackinac National Park, the second national part in the U.S., was established
just three years after Yellowstone National Park. 

Ten tons of sugar arrive on the island each week during the high season.
It’s all transported by ferry and then horse-drawn dray and quickly turned into fudge.

Horses are a way of life here. 500-600 are used during the season.
All but a few winter off island and are brought back year after year.

Records indicate fur trading was popular as early as the 1600s.
In 1809, John Jacob Astor established the American Fur Company and monopolized the fur trade market trading furs valued at more than $3 million annually.
Where was his headquarters? You guessed it, Mackinac Island.