Mackinac Island???

[DisneyPhD]

We took our summer trip early this year to WDW and sailing on the wonder. However it isn't summer with out a little get away. For us Mac Island is it. We love to ride bikes around the Island. Last year we rented, but this year we are taking ours. Sometime in Aug not sure yet. My friends parents have a cottage about 30 min from there so we will go up and visit them a few days and then everyone go to the Island for some biking.

When in Mac City be sure to eat at Scallywags. Wonderful fish and chicken.

http://www.scalawagswhitefish.com/locations/mackinaw.htm


Oh and the best fudge is Joanns. By far.

http://www.joannsfudge.com/


Funny that it is 6 hours from Chicago. It is 6 hours from Detroit.

 

[cme]

6 hours from Royal Oak???

 

[Yzerbear19]

Oh and the best fudge is Joanns. By far.

http://www.joannsfudge.com/

NO WAY! Rybas is so much better! The pistachio fudge from Rybas is so good. I keep trying to get my brother who is going up there in a few weeks to just drive a bit further north to Mackinaw on a fudge run for us to get some pistachio fudge from Rybas!

Funny that it is 6 hours from Chicago. It is 6 hours from Detroit.

Mackinaw is about 3 hours from where I live and I live about 2 hours from Detroit. So yeah, it is about 5-6 from the Detroit area give or take an hour or two for deconstruction and traffic! From Detroit its pretty much a straight shot up I-75. Though my brother, sister, and I once took a really strange route up there. We left from where I live went up to Clare then Harrison then over to Cadillac then up to Petosky then up to Mackinaw. Talk about a screwed up way to go! It was fun though. We came home on I-75.

 

[DisneyPhD]

6 hours from Royal Oak???

For us, every time it seems. Of course we do normally make a short stop for food along the way, but that is only 30 min or so. Much longer if we stop at Birch run, but we don't if DH can help it.

I guess coming from Chicago you start on the west side of MI and go up, not having to cross the whole southern half of MI which is much bigger then the northern tip of the Mitten. To go from Chicago to Detroit and then over would be a lot longer.

Sorry Yzerbear19, I stand by my statement. Ryba's isn't bad, it is Mac Island Fudge after all and there isn't a bad one in the bunch. I haven't tried the pistachio at Ryba's I might have to next time just to compare. The dark fudge, and maple at Joann is to die for!

 

[Yzerbear19]

For us, every time it seems. Of course we do normally make a short stop for food along the way, but that is only 30 min or so. Much longer if we stop at Birch run, but we don't if DH can help it.

The outlets at Birch Run can be a good place to stop. Though I will let you know that if you are traveling up there this summer on I-75, take 475 around Flint because there is a ton of construction on I-75 between Flint and Saginaw. When we came back from Gettysburg we stayed on I-75 and it was a mess, but this last weekend we took 475 around and it was smooth, clear sailing.

Sorry Yzerbear19, I stand by my statement. Ryba's isn't bad, it is Mac Island Fudge after all and there isn't a bad one in the bunch. I haven't tried the pistachio at Ryba's I might have to next time just to compare. The dark fudge, and maple at Joann is to die for!

You really should try the pistachio! Yum! The last time we were there they also had a strawberry fudge that was sooooo good. I'm weird because I don't really like chocolate fudge. The maple or vanilla are also really good.

 

[DisneyPhD]

The outlets at Birch Run can be a good place to stop. Though I will let you know that if you are traveling up there this summer on I-75, take 475 around Flint because there is a ton of construction on I-75 between Flint and Saginaw. When we came back from Gettysburg we stayed on I-75 and it was a mess, but this last weekend we took 475 around and it was smooth, clear sailing.

You really should try the pistachio! Yum! The last time we were there they also had a strawberry fudge that was sooooo good. I'm weird because I don't really like chocolate fudge. The maple or vanilla are also really good.

Good to know!

Not like chocolate? That is crazy! Still the non chocolate ones are good too. 2 years ago we stopped in Mac City and I couldn't have any fudge at all. DD was allerigic to milk and as a breast feeding mom, all her food went through me 1st. Man that is love let me tell you.

 

[Yzerbear19]

Not like chocolate? That is crazy! Still the non chocolate ones are good too. 2 years ago we stopped in Mac City and I couldn't have any fudge at all. DD was allerigic to milk and as a breast feeding mom, all her food went through me 1st. Man that is love let me tell you.

See I like chocolate, but for some strange reason I don't really like chocolate fudge. I think because that is the kind my mom makes at the holidays so that has kind of turned me off to the chocolate fudge. I truly have some strange likes and dislikes!

 

[TerriP]

Forget the fudge...go to Marshall's in Mackinac City and get THE BEST caramel apples in the world. They take Granny Smith apples and coat them in caramel, then you can get all sorts of things added...milk chocolate, white chocolate, candies, all sorts of nuts, etc. They are so YUMMY!

 

[Scutapipig]

DisneyPhD, I have to agree with you on Scalawags! Darrow's is another favorite of ours, too.

And we vote for Joann's Fudge, too. The dark chocolates and the English toffee, specifically. Of course, we're probably biased because the hotel we stay at on the island provides Joann's samples at turn-down service. And a 10% off coupon. All done so you end up eating more fudge.

 

[kaseyC]

What a great thread! We are thinking about a short trip to Mackinac Island in August. Any comments about the Island House Hotel?
http://www.theislandhouse.com/

 

[cme]

We live approx. 20 minutes from downtown DTW on the northern fringe of Royal Oak and we typically make it within 4.5 hours. We usually leave by 6:00 AM though, stop for a quick breakfast (ie: MacDonalds) and are at the boat docks for 10:30 AM departure. I know that leaving early may sound a little crazy, but when going for just a long week-end, we like to have a much time on the Island as we possibly can! Plus, traffic is usually pretty light at that time of day.

Anyway, RYBA's....plain chocolate!!! I have two slices in the freezer right now!

To all DIS'ers making a trip to Mackinac Island....have fun! It's such a nice spot to vacation....a true Michigan jewel!

 

[RLccweems]

http://www.scalawagswhitefish.com/lo...s/mackinaw.htm


They do have the best whitefish around! I'll be eating there in a few weeks. I just hope the weather is going to be nice when I'm there.

lettie

 

[DonnaW]

This thread is making me look forward to our Michigan trip more and more! Thanks to all!!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

We live approx. 20 minutes from downtown DTW on the northern fringe of Royal Oak and we typically make it within 4.5 hours. We usually leave by 6:00 AM though, stop for a quick breakfast (ie: MacDonalds) and are at the boat docks for 10:30 AM departure. I know that leaving early may sound a little crazy, but when going for just a long week-end, we like to have a much time on the Island as we possibly can! Plus, traffic is usually pretty light at that time of day.

Anyway, RYBA's....plain chocolate!!! I have two slices in the freezer right now!

To all DIS'ers making a trip to Mackinac Island....have fun! It's such a nice spot to vacation....a true Michigan jewel!

Never even tried to leave the house at 6:00 am. That might do that trick. For us, with kids, it is pretty much 6 hours (or just under.)

We normally stay in the City and day trip it (or go to other areas around there too.) There is this cheap hotel on the strip called the Rainbow motel. It really isn't great, but clean and nice and CHEAP. If you are looking for a place to rest, it works and is close to everything.

 

[DonnaW]

You all have been so helpful with my trying to plan this trip to Mackinac Island...again, thank you all so much!

If you don't mind, here's another question about another Michigan destination...we are thinking of possibly stopping in Frankenmuth on the way back to Chicago...I know it's a little out of the way, but I am wondering if you guys think it's "worth" it...how about the Bavarian Inn Lodge? Bronner's Christmas store? Any info on Frankenmuth also greatly appreciated!

Thx!

 

[Yzerbear19]

You all have been so helpful with my trying to plan this trip to Mackinac Island...again, thank you all so much!

If you don't mind, here's another question about another Michigan destination...we are thinking of possibly stopping in Frankenmuth on the way back to Chicago...I know it's a little out of the way, but I am wondering if you guys think it's "worth" it...how about the Bavarian Inn Lodge? Bronner's Christmas store? Any info on Frankenmuth also greatly appreciated!

Thx!

Bronner's is a MUST!!! Its better in the summer when there aren't as many people. Its easy to get to off of I-75.

 

[Yzerbear19]

Zehender's is also really good
http://www.zehnders.com/

They also have Splash Village
http://www.zehnders.com/new-site/hotel/index.htm

I've never stayed overnight in Frankenmuth because I live like only 30 minutes away, so I can't recommend any of the hotels/inns.

Frankenmuth River Place
http://www.frankenmuth-riverplace.com/

 

[Yzerbear19]

OK. I talked to my friend last night who goes to Frankenmuth frequently. She says that the chicken dinner at the Bavarian Inn is better. My parents have said that the chicken dinner at Zehenders is better! Oy! Both though I guess are pretty much the same. The two are actually owned by cousins or something, so that would explain why they are similar. You really should go to Frankenmuth. Its such a neat little town. I love Bronner's. And summer IMO is the best time to go since it is CRAZY at the holidays!

It was weird my sister and I were flipping channels over the weekend that there was this show on PBS about destinations to see in Michigan. The first one they talked about was Mackinac then they moved on to talk about Frankenmuth and finished up with Dearborn. Its like they had been reading this thread!

 

[DonnaW]

Hi, and again, thanks for all the helpful comments! The trip is shaping up to look like this:

Staying two nights at the Chippewa Hotel on Mackinac Island, then moving in to the Grand Hotel for the last night (the day of my birthday!) I found a special rate for the Grand on-line, still not "cheap" by any means, but a whole lot less $$ than what I was first quoted. So I am excited to have the oppty to check it out for at least the one night! Then, we are planning to stop in Frankenmuth on the way back home, and I have booked a room at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, and hope to try the chicken dinner at the Bavarian Inn rest, and go to Bronners, as well as see some of the German themed stuff they have in the town.

I am really happy to be able to go to Mackinac Island (a dream coming true for me!) and again, thanks to all for your help.

 

[WDWMom]

DD says that the Grand Hotel lunch buffet is the best. $20 for lunch but was well worth it.