5 Reasons To Visit Mackinac Island

In my Hunt for Justice books, you’ll find connections between Florida and Michigan. Both are lovely places to visit. And, it turns out, both are lovely places to live! As luck would have it, I’m able to enjoy a snowbird lifestyle, spending part of the year in Florida and part in Michigan. You’ll find the flavor of both states in all of my Hunt for Justice books.

One of the most special spots in Michigan is Mackinac Island. It gets its name from a Native American word for turtle because it’s turtle-shaped. That word is “Mitchimakinak,” which means big turtle. The British shortened it to the Mackinac we know today.

If you’ve ever considered a trip to Michigan, Mackinac Island would be a great spot to incorporate into your travels.

Here are 5 reasons to love Mackinac Island:

1. It’s incredibly quaint and charming.

There are no cars. Visitors reach the island by ferry, private boat, or by a small airplane. That makes for quaint street scenes like this:

It also means lots of people bike around the island, take carriage tours, and even ride horseback.

2. The Food

From casual eateries to fine dining, Mackinac offers an abundance of restaurant options for everyone’s palate and lifestyle. A lot of the hotels and inns have superb restaurants. Plus, the streets are full of tempting snacks, whether it be a doughnut, a pretzel, or some ice cream!

The cuisine of Mackinac Island is as diverse and intriguing as the Island itself. From the historic hotels and their world-renowned chefs, to the quaint little eateries that offer something quick and comforting like a slice of pizza or a juicy burger, it’s a safe bet you will find what you are looking for on Mackinac Island.
–MackinacIsland.org

3. The Music

I’ve told you before about how Michigan has a thriving music scene. That’s true for Mackinac Island, too. A lot of the hotels offer live music in the evenings, especially grand pianos and solo guitars. DJs spin at the clubs downtown. And then there’s the summer concert series in Marquette Park, where people can bring a picnic and enjoy live folk, rock, country, blues music.

4. Fort Mackinac

Fort Mackinac is an educational spot in Mackinac Island State Park, with a restored fortress and interactive demonstrations. The fort was built by the British during the American Revolutionary War. In the war of 1812, Fort Mackinac was the site of two battles for control of the Great Lakes.

Costumed members of the Fort Mackinac interpretive staff walking past the 1816 Officers’ Wood Quarters

5. Shopping

The downtown district is brimming with shops. There are a good number of art galleries, dozens of gift shops, and, of course, my personal favorite, the island book store!

Downtown Mackinac Island

Well, I think I’ve successfully convinced myself that I’m due for a trip back to visit Mackinac Island. How about you? Have you ever been? If not, is it on your bucket list?