Labor Day walk Mackinac Bridge

[lisajl]

Just curious has anyone done this? We have family friends that did, but they are much older than us.
Anyone know a decent, cheap place to stay?

 

[Penny2]

We haven't done it either but have watched it a few times!

There are two cities on either side of the bridge. Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. We stayed at the Chippewa Hotel in Mackinaw City many times (not to be confused with the hotel on the island). This a small family owned property with two hotel buildings and cabins. It is small but clean and nice. It was usually pretty inexpensive too. Right on the water, it was a few miles outside of the city proper but we liked it that way.

I have found that most of the hotels that we stayed at in either city are usually family owned. None are the Ritz but all have been clean and well kept.

If you are a member of AAA, get one of their books and check the listings. They usually don't wait the hotels that are real dumps. If you can swing it, I would highly recommend trying to stay on the Island. It is a different place at night...very quaint, quiet and fun! The Murray Hotel on Main St. is the most inexpensive place we ever found.

Have a great trip!

 

[Chattyaholic]

DH and I walked the bridge 3-4 years ago. We spent the night in Gaylord (Red Roof Inn) then got up early and drove the rest of the way. Had to park several blocks from the starting point, but that was no biggie. Walked to the Traverse Bay Woolen Co. and they had shuttle busses there to take people over. We had to wait in line awhile for a bus. They took us over, dropped us off and we walked back, across the bridge. It was an awesome experience to be able to do that, you get a different perspective of the bridge than when you drive over it. Really neat and fun and I would love to do it again some time.

Many, many people walk the bridge so if you want to spend the night in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace I would recommend calling to make a reservation. There are many hotels but I bet they fill up for that weekend.

 

[lisajl]

Thank Chatty...
Yep, I've already contacted many hotels and the ones that were reasonable are already sold out.
I did not think about staying in Gaylord. Was looking at Cheboygan.

Lisa

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Walk THAT bridge.

I freak out driving on it. Have fun!

 

[wld]

Campgrounds are probably all full too. We've only walked it once but it was alot of fun. ST Ignace usually will have a better chance at rooms but it is really late. It's fun when the bridge is swaying, makes walking a bit erratic.
We stayed at a campground outside of Mackinaw City and took the bus. It isn't Traverse Bay Woolen Company anymore....It's now a series of stores and a restaurant, but I'm sure that's where the buses would still be. They are very efficient. My sister stayed in St Ignace. Her DH took their truck over to the LP and road the bus back so they wouldn't have to try and cross the bridge. In the early morning you can find parking places downtown. You can start for several hours but we had to start at the very beginning. You walk from St Ignace to Mackinaw City on the East side of the bridge and there are National Guardsmen stationed both on the road side and the water side. Traffic is all on the West side at first, later I believe they move the people to just one lane on the East side to open up more lanes of traffic (there are 4 lanes overall). This may have changed though its been awhile and sometimes the memory fades!!!

 

[Kitty 34]

We haven't walked the bridge but we go every year up to Mackinaw City for a few days. We always stay at Chippewa Lodge. Great place with a very nice pool. Like another poster said......no place up there is the Ritz but CL worked for us very nicely.

 

[wld]

I was just thinking, there may be some cancellations as people's plans change. Also Sault Ste Marie is only an hour farther north and there may be room there. A nice trip is to cross the bridge between the 2 Sault Ste Maries and drive up the coast of Lake Superior. There are some beautiful parks there in Canada. For us the bridge is about a 4.5 hour drive, but DD goes to school in Marquette which is more like 7.5 or 8 so it doesn't seem that bad.
The Agawa train also leaves from the Soo I haven't done it but I've heard it's great. It's also fun to watch the boats go through the locks.

 

[lisajl]

OOOO! I forgot about the Soo! We stayed at a lovely little "mom and pop" motel there a few years ago.

Thanks for the suggestion!
Never been on the train, but have watched the locks in action.
My boys loved it (especially my DH)!

 

[ginna74]

Heck if they are ALL sold out 3 hours north is Marquette and they have wonderfull places to stay and has to be the biggest city in th UP! I was born and raised there! Manistique is closser even and is a decent city. I would say it is about an hour and a half north!

Now if you go to Macinac Island at all get some FUDGE!

 

[BrerMom]

We stayed at Sault Ste Marie and saw the locks. If you go there, be sure to eat at The Antlers. It has an incredibly cool atmosphere. I remember going there before they had a gift shop!

MIL and I dropped everybody that was walking off at the bridge and then shopped until they arrived. It was MUCH easier for them than trying to find a parking spot and take the shuttle back.