r/mackinac

It's our last day here and this is something I love to try. Thanks!

This group has been great for advice. Thank you! Next question, for those who have spent several nights on the island (with or without children), what did you forget to bring that you wish you would’ve? Anything that you would absolutely bring again (for yourself or your family)? What did you bring that was a total waste? I’m wondering about things like ponchos, water shoes, etc. I’m not typically an over-thinker and I’m a very relaxed traveler, but I’d like to see what people suggest.

How common is it to encounter a bat when visiting Mackinac Island? I have seen reviews where folks have talked about needing to duck from them or finding them hanging on the back of chairs, etc. I know they are critical for bug control and the environment but I am not keen on seeing one up close. I had one land on me a few years ago in Texas that has left me with PTSD. Thank you for any insight.

I’ve never been to Michigan, but my husband is from Cleveland and we will be visiting Ohio from California. We will be taking a road trip at the end of July and currently have three nights booked on Mackinac Island at the Harbour View Inn and four nights booked at the Cherry Tree Inn in Traverse City. We plan to stop in Frankenmuth for one night between Cleveland and Mackinac. Here’s my question: with two little kids (ages 2.5 and 6) would we be better off cutting one night in Mackinac and spending an extra night in Frankenmuth? Are we spending too many days/nights on the island?

The island looks like complete heaven for me, but I’d love to know what other parents might do. *note: we are very “go with the flow” travelers. We don’t need busy itineraries and don’t mind walking, biking, shopping, and taking our time. We like good food, the water, and just soaking up anything local to where we are.

I’ve been itching to visit this area for a long time. Everyone always talks up how awesome the city and the island are, i was expecting much more and then…. I got here.

First off, the hotels in the city are awful. Musty, dirty, just unkempt in general. I felt cleaner taking a dip in the lake than the showers here. But I’ve heard over 20 of the hotels in the city are owned by one family who is under investigation by the attorney general due to a massive amount of complaints. I can’t speak for the ones on the island themselves but have heard similar experiences from others. If you do stay in the city, the Baymont was by far the best.

The food was subpar and overpriced. Most of the restaurants would be wiped out if something as basic as a McDonald’s was ever put in town. Besides a handful of polite people/servers the general population of the town was rude and seemed depressed to even be in the city. On the Island people were generally nice but the food was again, subpar and overpriced. The burgers were okay but i’m tired of this whole “kettle chips but you can upgrade to fries for an extra $4” on an already $18 burger thing.

On the island my favorite was the Yankee Rebel Tavern despite the price, the prime rib melt was delicious and staff was amazing. In the city the ONLY place truly worth eating is Fox’s Den Pizza, hands down best place in town and well worth the price, staff was also really nice. Dixie Saloon was also good and had a little live music to go with it.

The fudge, was really good, i don’t think it’s truly worth a special trip. But it was good, and was honestly the best thing about the entire trip here. In the city, Joann’s was the best no doubt. Best people and best fudge and was very close to being the #1 fudge but i had to place it #2 because when i got to the island Ryba’s became my outstanding #1. Flavor and texture are unmatched. #3 Kilwins, #4 Murdicks, #5 Marshalls. The other’s didn’t seem worth trying. Also, if you like ice cream, the Sweet Spot has a ton of flavors. Don’t sleep on the Huckleberry.

The beaches, were cold and dirty. I don’t think the lake ever gets warm and if you like stepping on cigarette butts and seagull poo to get to some cold murky water then more power to you. That being said, i can say i have now baptized myself in 2 (soon to be 3 in a few days) great lakes in a week. I also got a tick on my foot from the beach.

The Island, was an Island. If you enjoy a few old cottage houses and the smell of horse poo then great, the main strip is overpacked with people and there are about 6 of the same exact shop repeated along the whole strip and tons of gift shops selling the same overpriced gifts. The tourists are terrible and none of them have awareness of their surroundings and will walk straight into you as they stare at something with their mouth hanging open. The rest of the island is “okay” if you’re willing to pay an arm and a leg to rent a bike or go on a carriage ride. I live near amish so none of that really impresses me. And a forest is a forest, i can see the same forestry without paying to visit an expensive island. I’ll just go to the Manitou’s. And honestly, despite the whole “no cars” thing, i do not see the appeal. The “history” feel didn’t even seem to be there with a massive wave of tourists and people trying to sell you overpriced things. The island was nothing like what i thought it would be and you could pretty much experience everything on the island right in the city and never even bother paying to take the ferry over. That being said, Arnold Transit did amazing with making accommodations for my mother with a walking disability as well as my brother in a wheelchair.

Overall experience was a 3/10, will not visit again. If you do, visit at the least populated time you can. Maybe i’ll stop by the city to get some fudge on the way to the UP, but the general experience seemed like a giant waste of money and was my least favorite vacation ever. And honestly with how much things costed, you would think both the Island and the city would have way more to offer and be way nicer. Thank you to the few people and places that helped take the edge off of our bitter disappointment.

Has anybody else had a similar experience? Was there something “amazing” i was missing? Maybe i just expect too much when things cost this much.

My husband and I are going to spend our 10 year anniversary on the island. We’ve visited the island for day trips a few times before but have never stayed on the island! I’m trying to decide between these three hotels:

-Mission Point, Straights Lodge (main lodge not available during our dates)
-Harbour View Inn (many different room types available)
-Lilac Tree Suites Guest House (they say it’s separate from the hotel, unsure where it’s located in relation)

Which hotel would you stay at?

Hey all!

I’m traveling up to Mackinac Island this weekend to visit my girlfriend who works on the island. Does anyone have any recommendations on where I should leave my car on the main land? I’ll be there for about 4 days. I’d prefer it to be free parking, obviously, even if I have to walk far to get to the ferry.

Thanks!

I am trying to figure out if I am being scammed. I was in St. Ignace last week, and I parked in a parking lot near the Mackinaw Grill. When I got back to my car I had a ziplock baggy under my windshield wiper. In it was a notice of noncompliance, it says it not affiliated with any government agencies but it's basically a parking ticket. While not happy I will pay if I am in the wrong I just don't want to fall for a scam. The website it list to pay for it, I am getting warning from the computer protections that the website is fishy and may not be reliable. I also don't want to send a check in the mail to some P.O. Box in Colorado. Has anyone come across this and is it legit?

FIL swears by this place, says growing up in St Ignace it was his family tradition to eat here. For the last 3 years of coming here to visit I cannot even navigate the parking lot it is so busy! Last year I finally made it inside and they said 1 hour 30 minute wait on the food, I was too hungry for that and went across to McD's.. lol. I just drove by it last night and sure enough, people parking on the grass, next door parking lots and even saw people playing frogger crossing the road to get there.

So, is this place world famous or something? It was a Sunday night and am here until Tuesday so Im going to check tomorrow, I really want to try it. Do Clyde's fans just accept the crazy wait?

Just 2 days ago it was saying partly cloudy now it’s saying rain and thunder storms any local weather stations that tend to be more accurate?

going to mackinac island soon for a wedding but i don’t know how to ride a bike 😞. i was never taught as a child and have been unsuccessful when i’ve attempted it a couple times as an adult. (i know, embarrassing. i hate that i don’t know how & wish i could figure out how to do it.) am i doomed for a horrible 4 night trip? we also have two little kids. my husband and one kid can ride a bike. my younger child (toddler) and i cannot.

The shuttle prices seem excessive (starting ~$430 for one person one way) so trying to avoid that if possible. We are considering renting a car, but seems like the only drop off point is Pellston airport and from what I’ve read Ubering from that airport to the ferry dock is not reliable.

Would it be best to just rent a car for our whole trip and keep it parked at the ferry dock? We will be on the island for ~5 days. What have other people done? Thanks!

I plan on going in a couple weeks when it’s close to the new moon. Is there anything I need to know? I want to go there to stargaze. What should I bring with me? This is all new to me but I’m definitely doing it. I’ve been wanting to go with friends but all of them throughout the years never committed. I had enough and I’m going alone.

Hi there! My husband and I are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary in September as well as the upcoming birth of our second child. We are planning a trip to the island for a long weekend (likely Sep 10-13) and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the hotel choices since so many of them seem nice. As of now, I am weighing options between Mission Point, Island House, Harbour View Inn, and Bicycle Street Inn. Since I will be 26 weeks pregnant, I am thinking a bit closer to town is ideal but not a dealbreaker. Additionally, we are fine to spend a bit extra for a higher end/romantic experience but not looking to spend over $5k which is what Stonecliff would be for that weekend. Open to any and all suggestions!

I have an emonda and an FX. I always enjoy the faster road bike when it makes sense, but if the roads aren't perfectly smooth or there are a bunch of gravel and dirt trails maybe the hybrid makes more sense.

We are visiting Mackinac Island July 5-10 from Florida. Our flight out back to Florida is from Detroit. What’s the best most cost effective way to get to Detroit from the island? The Pellston regional airport doesn’t seem to have any rental car options available that day. I’m open to any suggestions please and thank you!

Would you recommend Baymont by Wyndham in St. Ignace or Best Western Dockside in Mackinac City?