Michigan - Mackinaw Island

[cabmom]

Hi anyone from Michigan that can help with planning a vacation?
We are driving up thru Canada on August 3 and getting to Mackinaw Island on the 4th. Does anyone know of a nice reasonable hotel on the island or the city for 2 people? We are going to travel for the rest of the week after we stay one night. Where else should we visit in Michigan? We are travelling on a budget.
Any help is appreciated!

 

[lisajl]

Hi!

I am not sure how much you want to spend, but if you want to stay on the island it will cost you!

We have stayed at the Murray Hotel before. It is a very nice older hotel. They have great turtle fudge.

On the other hand if you want to spend less, stay at Mackinaw City or St. Ignace.
Try this website
www.mackinawcity.com

It should give you some insights.

Lisa

 

[Itsanalias]

I lived in Northern Michigan for a year and have spent a couple of nights on Mackinac Island. There are many bed and breakfasts that are great for 2 people. No phones, no tv, no cars...it's awesome. Be sure to check out the bats that fly around at night...pretty eerie.

Here's somewhere to start...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g42423-Mackinac_Island_Michigan-Hotels.html

Mackinaw City is a fun place to hang out in the summertime...other than that, Traverse City and/or Petoskey are nice little towns on Lake Michigan. If you go across the Mackinaw Bridge, the Soo Locks are right in Sault Ste. Marie, I think about 90 miles north, right on the canadian border. Also St. Ignus is a nice little town just on the north side of the bridge.

Enjoy!

 

[Sherlee]

We have vacationed several times on Mackinac Island. Our last visit we went to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area south of Mackinac and loved it! We can't wait to go back and explore more of the Eastern shore of Lake Michigan.

 

[Chattyaholic]

This is their tourist season, so hotels and B&B's on the island are going to be kind of expensive so you might want to just stay in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. My advice would be to do some research and price comparison on the internet and then make a reservation before you go. Other places to see in Michigan? I'd skip Canada and travel around the upper peninsula myself! Sault Ste. Marie with the locks the freighters go through would be a must see, there are tons of waterfalls and lighthouses all through the state, Whitefish Point where the Edmund Fitzgerald went down (nice lighthouse and museum, three gift shops, boardwalk out to the beach and a great place to collect stones/pretty rocks if you're into that), the Copper Harbor area is beautiful, especially the Brockway Mt. drive, Porcupine Mountains, oh gee, I could just go on and on.

 

[tkyes]

We just returned from there last night

We didn't stay on the island though. We stayed in Harbor Springs, MI. A very cute, charming place about a half an hour from Mackinac Island.

We spent one day on the island. We drove up to Mackinaw City and took the ferry to the island. Then we walked around and shopped and ate and rented bikes for an hour and a half. It was a great day.

Another day we went to Bay Harbor, Petosky and did more shopping in Harbor Springs.

You might have better luck finding something cheaper if you don't stay on the island. I didn't really care for Mackinaw City, too "touristy". I liked the charm of Harbor Springs.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Tamie

 

[Tina]

How much of Michigan are you planning to cover? If you get down near the "thumb" area, be sure to take some time to visit Frankenmuth (near Flint). Eat dinner at the Bavarian Inn or Zhenders and have the all-you-can-eat chicken dinner. I grew up eating that stuff!! Its the best. For more info on Frankenmuth, go to http://www.frankenmuth.com

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

We stayed at Holiday Inn Express the first week of June and thought it was a great deal. Newer, clean hotel and great staff! I think we paid off season rates, under $100 for a room with two queen beds. I suppose it would cost a little more this time of year.

I'll second Tina's suggestion that you try Zhenders in Frankenmuth if you can. Great atmosphere, great food and A LOT of it! I would also recommend purchasing some Traverse City Cherry coffee from their gift shop.

Have fun!

 

[gepetto]

Zhenders is wonderful. Frankenmuth is really worth a visit.

We've only stayed in St. Ignace at the Holiday Inn Express. It was very nice...right on the water. I remember it being quite expensive getting to the island on the ferrys. Check the newspaper for coupons.

 

[tkyes]

From Mackinaw City the ferry was $16.50 (or 17.50, can't remember).

Bikes were $6.00 an hour for a 7 speed bike (highly recommend). Definately rent a bike. Biking around the island was so much fun and so beautiful. It's pretty flat but you'll encounter a few small hills, that's why I would recommend a multi speed bike.

 

[cabmom]

Thanks for all the responses!
I live just north east of Toronto, that's why I'm coming thru Canada to get there. I guess I could go up thru Micihigan, but it's nicer going and coming different ways.
I've been to Petosky, done all the Sault Ste. Marie things when I lived there. I'll check into Harbour Springs, sounds nice. I definitely want to try the all you can eat chicken!
Thanks again!

 

[Tina]

Coming or going.... Frankenmuth is easy. You could travel into the US via Port Huron/Sarnia. Hop onto I-94, then onto I-69 toward Flint. Frankenmuth is about 20 minutes off of I-69 just north of Flint. If you're interested, there is also a very large outlet mall called Birch Run at the same exit from I-69.

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by Tina
If you're interested, there is also a very large outlet mall called Birch Run at the same exit from I-69.

I found some very good deals there. Bronner's (gigantic Christmas store) on the outskirts of Frankenmuth can't be missed either.

 

[Fire14]

I recomend Franenmuth and a vist to Bronner's. I also personally want to vist Henry Ford Museum and Green Field Village in Dearborn, MI. How about Holland it has the last windmill let out of Netherlands it also has bullet holes in it's blades from WW2. It still works and grinds flour.

 

[Kitty 34]

We will be staying in Mackinaw City August 3,4, and 5th. We always take the ferry over to the island for the day, rent bikes and ride around the island. It's so much fun!!