Anyone ever been to Mackinac Island or Harbor Springs,MI?

[tkyes]

We are going on a mini-vacation to Harbor Springs, MI this summer and plan on taking a day to visit Mackinac Island.

I checked out their local tourism websites but was looking for comments and tips from people who have been there before.

Can anyone offer any suggestions of places to visit or eat ?

TIA, Tamie

 

[Mishetta]

I live in Michigan & have yet to go to Mackinac Island! I hear it is very very beautiful but be sure you bring lots of $$$. This is an island where no cars are allowed so you have to bike or horse & buggy ride everywhere.

Harbor Springs is absolutely beautiful but can't remember where we ate. We stayed in Traverse City & did most of our "eating" there. If you can, make a trip out of Traverse City. Now that's another fabulous place.

 

[Penny2]

Have been to both lots of times, but not in the last few years. Here were some of our favorite things:

Mackinac Island
Rent a self-drive carraige...how often or where do you EVER get to do this?? They are really easy to drive and the horses KNOW the way!

Go to the Grand Hotel for lunch, dinner, anything...it is beautiful. I didn't like staying there too much but it's is a really great place to visit. They may charge you to just look around, but it should be free if you are eating.

There is also a pub on Main St. that has great food (sorry I forgot the name).

The Iriquois Hotel has a great restaurant with lake views.

Take tea at the fort.

Tons of historic stuff....the fort, houses, etc. if this interests you. I love history/museums and DH thinks its BORING.

French Trader bar if you are there at night for music!

Buy fudge...EVERYONE does!!! That's why the islanders call tourists fudgies!!

Shop..shop..shop....bike...bike...bike...eat...eat...eat....hike...hike...hike!

Harbor Springs
Lots of neat shops and restaurants. One of our favorite restaurants was called The New York (not sure if it is still there).

Boat watch...there are some truly amazing boats that pull into Harbor Springs.

I liked staying on Mackinac Island much more than Harbor Springs. At night, the Island is truly magical and romantic and there is more to do. Perhaps you can change your reservations around??? There are a ton of hotels and B&B's on the Island and some are pretty reasonable. The Grand Hotel is expensive ($300+ a night) but there are other hotels that run around $150 or less. We stayed at Mission Point one year and it was great.

Both places have tons of festivals, too. Art festivals, fish festivals, lilac festivals....so hopefully you'll hit a weekend with this added attraction.

Either place is fun and relaxing...ENJOY!!

 

[Blondie]

I've wanted to go to Mackinac Island ever since I saw the movie Somewhere In Time with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour!

 

[Megan's Mom]

Blondie so have I. I hope that we get to go there next year for vaction only we won't stay at the Grand. can't see spending $385 a night for a hotel room.

 

[Goofyposter]

OR......

You could take DH Joe to WDW.....and stay at PORiverside.....eat at Fulton's crab house....rent a pontoon boat....see Illuminations....


but....as you know.....

....I'm biased!


I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time where ever you go Tamie!

 

[Penny2]

The Grand Hotel does a 'Somewhere in Time' weekend in October where people dress up, meet, and discuss the movie. They usually have a cast member there to talk about it as well.

DH and I found it a little 'stuffy' for our tastes...although it was about 10 years ago and we are a little more sedate now. The pool was designed for Esther Williams and is lovely....but you have to go down a bunch of stairs and walk across a huge lawn to get to it. They had other weird practices that just turned us off...all the waitstaff were African American...like it was 'somewhere in bad time'....you have to have a jacket and tie to walk around at night, the hotel is old and although it's been renovated...it is still creaky and small and sans air (for the most part).


But I still love the Island...used to go for our anniversary every year (when we could spend it alone-without my mom and her dog)! Again, there are a plethora of other resorts that are easier on the wallet and less pretentious. Nothing like waking up in the AM to the sound of the clippity-cloppity of horses hooves and the jangling of harness!

 

[Mishetta]

Actually, if I remember right, I don't believe any of the resorts have A/C on Mackinac Island. Hopefully it won't be too hot, unless you are not bothered by the heat.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

We've stayed at the Island House and The Lilac Tree Hotel and The Inn on Mackinac all had air conditioning and this was a number of years ago.

The Inn On Mack is a lovely old house *HUGE* painted in gorgeous pastels...just off the end of main street. The prices for rooms in the dead of summer were comparable to anywhere off the island. I think we paid less than $90 for a room about 5 years ago, but would guess the prices are up a bit. LOL


It's wonderful to be on the island after the day guests depart. You really get a feel of the laid back atmosphere and you'll no doubt see (read: hear) some of the island summer workers as they party through the night.

If you need to budget, you can take a walking tour of the island. The cemetaries are facinating and there's quite a bit of flora and fauna to absorb as you walk along.

As far as restaurants go, just eat fudge. That'll keep ya for a while. LOL

Have FUN. It's a memorable trip and it doesn't have to cost that much.

 

[Dan Murphy]

One of our stops on our honeymoon drive around the Lake, 32 years ago. We styaed a night or two in St Ignace, taking a day for the Island. It is beautiful. As said, FUDGE. And make sure you have your camera.

 

[DonnaS]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionGeek

As far as restaurants go, just eat fudge. That'll keep ya for a while. LOL

I wasn't going to post on this thread because I've never been and I didn't want HMG to think I was stalking her (I'm not). But the above quote just cracked me up. It sounds like how we toured Solvang in California.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Originally posted by DonnaS
I wasn't going to post on this thread because I've never been and I didn't want HMG to think I was stalking her (I'm not). But the above quote just cracked me up. It sounds like how we toured Solvang in California.

LOL

Donna, have you heard the joke about where Mackinac Island GETS all their fudge?


Remember, there are NO motorized vehicles on the island...just LOTS and LOTS of horses.

We used to joke that we were eating "horse fudge".

OK, I think I just grossed myself out.

 

[DonnaS]

I think I need the puking smilie now. LOL

 

[Annie68]

Tami,
We live in Michigan & go to Mackinac Island 1-2x per year. We were married on the Island 13 years ago this summer.....I can't believe it's been that long now! We absolutely love it. I have stayed in many of the hotels & have to say that my all time favorite is Stonecliffe, on the back of the Island. We were married on the back porch of the hotel, the views of the bridge are amazing! Although we love the hotel, we usually stay in the condos that are next to it. There is a wonderful restaurant there, that the Grand Hotel now owns & runs. The food was incredible! You can see the hotel & the new condos they built on their website, www.theinnatstoncliffe.com.

As far as Harbor Springs goes, I would suggest looking at the Bay View Inn. It's actually located in Petoskey, which is just a few minutes west of Harbor Springs. It's a hotel with the feel of a B&B. Their Sunday brunch is famous, if you are going for a weekend be sure to make brunch reservations ahead of time! The view of the bay is breathtaking, we love to sit on the huge porch & relax with a drink.

I hope you have a wonderful time wherever you decide to go! If you are bike riders, I would suggest bringing them with you to the Island. We spend all day on the trails . You'll love it!!

 

[Annie68]

Oops, that address should have been www.theinnatstonecliffe.com

 

[faith]

I hope you make it to Mackinaw! Definitely take the horse drawn tours offered on Main street. It's about 21/2 hours long(you will change to a different horse vehicle at the half way point with a shop, food, and bathrooms etc). The guide has tons of information and the sites along the way are beautiful. I have stayed on the island, but it is very expensive. Right at Shepards ferry in Mackinaw City you will find many hotels for less.

 

[tkyes]

Thanks guys!

Goofy - I wish I could convince DH to go to Disney, but I promised him our next trip would be because he wanted to go, not me. I hope I'm not waiting too long.

We have a BBQ to go to on Saturday night in Harbor Springs that's why we are staying there. We did talk last night about maybe seeing if we could stay one night on Mackinac Island, I'll have to check into that and see if it's too much more.

I saw a little story about Tom's Mom's Cookies in Harbor Springs, so I'll have to stop and get a few cookies. Plus fudge on the island? I think I'm going to have to go on a diet before we leave!

Tamie

 

[whirlsy]

I really enjoyed renting bikes and riding around the Island, I have gone to Mackinac Island many of times and had never done so, It was a great ride I recommend it, It is so beautiful and you get to see all the homes that are built there. Have fun.

 

[maleficent1959]

This thread is making me homesick. I grew up in Michigan and went to Mackinac Island every summer. When I was little my dream in life was to own a house there. Now I'm an adult and realize that may not be entirely within my budget!

Now I live in Florida and haven't been there in a few years. I would dearly love to take DH there and leave the microtot with his Michigan "Grammy."

Take the time to really explore the island -- it is so beautiful. At least go see the Grand Hotel. It really is something. And rent a bike or you'll do alot of walking.

 

[caitycaity]

i used to go there every summer (i have family in petoskey). they still send me mackinac island fudge every year on my birthday and christmas!

anyways, i just wanted to add that although the horse/bike thing is fun, you can certainly walk too. that is what we usually did as kids.

if you or your dh is interested in history you could stop by michilimackinac too. they have a whole villiage set up and they have reenactors there. it's a lot of fun.

http://www.mackinacparks.com/michilimackinac/