We're going to Mackinac for 4th of July....

[goldilocks_63]

Okay we're finally taking the plunge.... and going to Mackinac.

Can anyone give any tips / suggestions. Staying at the Grand, driving from Chicagoland.

http://www.grandhotel.com/


I'm so excited!!!

Goldi

 

[shantay1008]

Oh, wow. My family spent a day on Mackinac Island when I was a kid. The movie Somewhere in Time had just been filmed there, and there was a big display about it in one of their museums, I think. Have you seen it yet? (Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve...total sobfest.) It'll totally get you psyched for your trip.

We didn't spend the night, but we stopped in at the hotel and it was gorgeous. I remember lots of fudge shops and renting tandem bikes to ride around the island.

Have a great time, and please report back!
Shannon

 

[rocketriter]

Rent bicycles and have fun with the long hill up to the Grand. Swim in the pool and imagine Greta Garbo swimming there at night, with the lights off, au naturel. Eat too much fudge. You'll have a great time.

 

[tvwalsh]

We spent three nights at the Grand Hotel, two years ago during the worst possible weather, in October celebrating our anniversary. The weather was so bad, cold, windy and torrential rain, yet we had a great time. We spent a part of that time feeling sorry for Mackinac island visitors who were staying anyplace else on the Island since, it seemed, all the action was at the Grand Hotel. There was a ballroom dance competition, Someplace in Time commemorations, dance classes, interesting shopping, wonderful meals, etc. You will enjoy every minute.

 

[wdwstar]

Lucy you will just love it up there. We usually drive up there every year and we bring our own bikes. Its $6 a bike r/t on the ferry. We use the star something ferry a few times, but the one before the hugh bridge, you get free parking with your ticket purchase. Then there is another one that is a
block down that we use to, but you have to pay for parking per day.

We were actually talking about going for the 4th but staying at the Island House Hotel. We didnt want to use our points. We put the plans on hold because we are talking a aug. trip to wdw.

Just be careful of the horses & the other people on bikes. The grand hotel will send you a beautiful carriage to pick you and your luggage up to take you to the hotel.

you will get your breakfast & dinner from the grand hotel and you will find some nice places for a quich sandwich for lunch.

if you have any question just ask.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Have a great time. We visited the Grand Hotel, paid for the tour and for the buffet lunch. It all was pricey, but absolutely worth it. We were there over a rainy Memorial Day weekend. We did take some sort of organized tour around the island. One thing that sticks out, was the pileated woodpecker holes, they are square, in many of the trees. If you are a bird lover at all, keep your eyes opened for them.

Bobbi

 

[BCV23]

Have fun. It is a very cool hotel. We went several times right before the 4th and had glorious weather each time.

We enjoyed going on a carriage ride around the island. We had the same horse two years in a row....Jake. There is a driver for the carriage and it is just fun.

Although our last trip was some years ago, there were some very nice kids programs then.

I love their geranium products.

Be sure to sit out on the porch in a rocker and enjoy the view.

 

[corinnak]

It has been too long since we had a trip to Mackinac - I am intending to go for a day trip this summer, though! DH's family tends to gather in Norhtern Michigan for the summer, and when we can get away, we love to take a jaunt up to Mackinaw for the touristy stuff. I have always wanted to see the historic Camp Michilimacinac, not part of the island, but have not yet managed it.

I got to explore the Grand Hotel a little when I was pregant with my now 7 year old so it has been a while. Didn't stay there, but also had the buffet lunch which was nice enough.

I would recommend a trip up to the Cupola Bar ? Lounge? Whatever it is, it's really neat up there! The horse drawn carriage tours are really informative, and they will drop you off at the fort if you aren't feeling equal to all those stairs, I believe! It's a long climb up to the fort, but interesting if you like old forts!

Have a lovely trip!

 

[jodifla]

Looking forward to a trip report! The Grand Hotel is on our list of places to go, too....

 

[ToddnLiz]

Goldilocks 63,

How was your trip. My wife and I are thinking about going there next year and staying at the Grand Hotel. How was it?

 

[Cruelladeville]

If you are a history buff, visit the fort on the island. They had a cool wigwam on display there. Michimilimackinac, on the mainland, is on the site of the native american trading post, at least two centuries old. John Jacob Astor convinced the Native Americans to hunt for him, then he bought the pelts, and became rich in about 20 years.

 

[Stitch1404]

This will be my first summer in 17 years not going to the Grand. I am more than bummed but we needed a new roof...something had to go and it was the trip to the Grand. It is a beautiful hotel. We have taken all the tours and done the shopping downtown, but now we mostly just stay around the hotel. The pool is absolutely huge and it is always the perfect temperature. The big dinners in the dining room are to die for, you will feel like royalty. Make sure to go dancing one night in the ballroom and try the fudge! I am so jealous!