Mackinac Island???

[Squirlz]

Remember that jacket and tie are required for dinner at the Grand. Have fun, I hope you enjoy this experience!

 

[Yzerbear19]

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.

When do you leave? Sounds like an awesome trip!

I really want to go up there, but just don't think we can swing it between our Chicago weekend getaway next weekend, Scrapbook convention in July, and Salem/Boston the first week in October. Plus I have to go visit my one friend down in Howell. Oy. Too much fun stuff to do, so little time.

A Bronner's Story: Back when each of us kids were born my parents went to Bronner's and got us a large (4 or 5 in) glass bulb with our name on it. Every year these are the first bulbs placed on the Christmas tree. There were lots of fights over whose would go where. A few years ago they were starting to look a bit old, they were all over 20 years old. My sister and I decided that we would go to Bronner's and get new ones so that the originals could be stored away where they wouldn't get broken. We decided while we were getting new bulbs to get each of our parents one since they never had one. They had pretty much all the same colors as our originals. My one brother's is blue instead of teal, but it was close enough. We had to custom order three of them because my mom's and sister's names aren't very common. My mom was thrilled with the new bulbs and was so happy that we got both her and my dad one. My brother's wife laughed at the tradition of our name bulbs, so guess who doesn't have one! Nor will I be buying one for her.

 

[DonnaW]

Hi! We are back and had an incredibly amazing trip! I have started a trip report on the board and hope to be able to also post some pix soon! Thanks again to ALL for your help with my planning!

 

[believe]

Donna..we head out tomorrow morning for MacKinaw City. We will visit the island Mon-Wed, but not stay on the island. I'm glad you had a wonderful time. Post some pictures if you get a chance.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

Wow, the pictures that have been posted on this thread are just amazing! When I have more time, I want to go back and read all the reviews and check out the links that were posted!

Question....is Macinac Island kid friendly? What is Macinac City vs. Island?

Thanks!

 

[DonnaW]

Wow, the pictures that have been posted on this thread are just amazing! When I have more time, I want to go back and read all the reviews and check out the links that were posted!

Question....is Macinac Island kid friendly? What is Macinac City vs. Island?

Thanks!

Hi. Mackinac City is just that...it is the city where you park your car, and take the ferry boat over to the island. Quite a few people stay in hotels in the city (they are less $$ than the hotels on the island, usually)...and just take the ferry boat over to the island to spend the day. The ferry boat ride only takes about 20 minutes or so; it is fairly easy to do. But, I would highly recommend trying to spend at least ONE night on the island, if at all possible.

As far as being kid-friendly, I guess it would depend on the kids, and what they like to do. They can ride bikes, they can picnic in the parks, they can tour the fort, they have a butterfly house there, they could see the horses. We didn't go with kids, but I am sure others have that can better answer than question for you!

 

[RLccweems]

Hi. Mackinac City is just that...it is the city where you park your car, and take the ferry boat over to the island. Quite a few people stay in hotels in the city (they are less $$ than the hotels on the island, usually)...and just take the ferry boat over to the island to spend the day. The ferry boat ride only takes about 20 minutes or so; it is fairly easy to do. But, I would highly recommend trying to spend at least ONE night on the island, if at all possible.

As far as being kid-friendly, I guess it would depend on the kids, and what they like to do. They can ride bikes, they can picnic in the parks, they can tour the fort, they have a butterfly house there, they could see the horses. We didn't go with kids, but I am sure others have that can better answer than question for you!

We leave Wednesday....and mine kids are very excited! They have been going up there since they could ride their bikes. Both the city and the island are nice but they rather stay on the island. They love the hiking and biking....their both in their teens now. They always love going here....something about that fudge....

When we get back I'll be sure to post pictures...

lettie

 

[Scutapipig]

My personal opinion is that the Island is kid friendly. My two (ages 9 and 11 years) absolutely love it! They love biking it and walking around and just love being there. If your children love history, the Island has plenty of that to explore, too. You really create your own fun and atmosphere when you go based on what your family likes to do. We're the laid-back type who wander aimlessly and one of our favorite things to do is to head down to the school yard in the early evening and the kids either swing or we play a round of Foxtail. It's just really relaxing for us.

Lettie...have a wonderful time! Looking forward to seeing your photos!

 

[manning]

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!

It's been many years since I have been there, but I seem to remember they shared the same kitchen.

 

[DonnaW]

I've included the link to the trip report in my signature if anyone would like to read it! We had a perfect time!!!!