Escape to a Coastal Paradise on Mackinac Island

Jun 26, 2025

The picturesque Mackinac Island is located in the glistening waters of Lake Huron, between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula. This charming summer escape gives you all the coastal charm you could dream of: swimming, boating, fishing, beachcombing, and more. If you’re a history buff, art aficionado, or nature lover, you’ll also find something to delight you on the island. A one-week stay is absolutely the ideal summer getaway for plenty of R&R. Today, we’re sharing our picks for best spots to visit and activities to enjoy on a summer vacation at Mackinac Island! You’ll find gardens, nature trails, historic homes and museums, and so much more.

Mackinac Island is a History Buff’s Dream come true:

The land is richly steeped in indigenous history, including that of the Native Michilimackinac. The island was once a sacred burial ground and local spot for fishing, trapping and travel! In fact,its name is derived from Ashinaabek for “Place of the Great Turtle”, and it’s an integral part of the Anishinaabek Peoples history and tradition. Take a tour along the Native American Cultural History Trail to get an immersive look and educational history hike about the indigenous people and their culture, tradition, and history living on the island! Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also suggest stopping by the Biddle House Mackinac Island Native American History Museum, the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, the American Fur Co Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum, McGulpin House, and the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum. For a personal perspective on the island’s lore, we can’t say enough great things about “Mackinac Island Legends and Lore Trek” for a personal guided history tour with local guide Dr. Mary! For another unique perspective on the island, check out the Mackinac Island Horse-drawn carriage taxis, a blast from the past! Or spend a day exploring both Fort Holmes and Fort Mackinac.

Get out there and enjoy the fresh air, crystal waters, and trails on the island:

As you may know, we’re certainly avid adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts here at Classic, and it should come as no surprise to hear Mackinac Island is the perfect place for it. With more than 70 miles of trails for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, the trails cover more than 80% of the island, a real trek enthusiasts dream! Visitors recommend checking out Mackinac Island Outer Loop Trail, the Arch Rock trail, Tranquil Bluff Trail, Fort Holmes Trail, and the Mackinac Island Inner Loop Trail as their top five favorites!

Make sure you take in the scenery and appreciate the stunning rock croppings and formations on the island. Mackinac Island’s Arch Rock is one of the most photographed spots on the island. It sits 140 feet above the water level, and you can check out the Arch at multiple angles from a hike, a horse-drawn carriage tour, or a kayaking tour from the water. Sugar Loaf juts out 75-feet up into the air in the center of Mackinac Island State Park Forest, and can be seen from Point Lookout or from the ground level. You can take the car-less highway M-185 around the outer rim of the island by biking or trail running, and get a waterfront view of the area.

Crack-in-the-Island can be reached by horseback or bike, and is one of the most interesting geological formations in the area; you can walk through the crack and explore, or stop for a funny photo op being “stuck” in the island! Devil’s Kitchen is a small cave along the southwestern shore of Mackinac Island, featuring two stacked carved hollows in the side of a rocky cliff, carved during the post-glacial period by the magnificent waves on Lake Huron.

Make memories to last a lifetime with unique experiences on the island:

The Original Butterfly House and Insect World of Mackinac Island is Michigan’s 1st butterfly house and the 3rd oldest in the US! It’s sure to charm visitors of all ages as you get an up close look at hundreds of insect specimens and butterflies at this interactive science attraction. Likewise, the Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory allows you to walk through magical glassed-in displays and habitats of hundreds of butterfly species.

The Forge a Memory Blacksmith Shop is an unforgettable stop on your vacation! You’ll learn how speciality items like knives, swords, axes, and other important tools are forged, and the history of Blacksmithing. You’ll even get the chance to help customize your own one-of-a-kind handmade knife, finished right in front of your eyes. Appointments are recommended.

Stop by the Haunted Theatre and enjoy a 3D/4D interactive haunted house featuring local artists’ interpretations of “Monsters from Mackinac’s History”. This campy local favorite offers a fun rainy day excursion and perfect for the “halloween all year” crowd! And of course, you don’t want to miss the 3-D Maze of Mirrors for another unique excursion, taking you through a quirky life-sized maze of mirrors and creative glasswords.

An afternoon spent at the Watercolor Cafe affords visitors the opportunity to create scenic nature inspired landscapes and harbor scene paintings inspired and led by local Mackinac Island and surrounding area artists. Adults can enjoy one of the Paint & Sip evenings, jewelry workshops, or personal watercolor lesson workshops. The studio offers made-to-order meals for breakfast and lunch, and a delicious menu of coffee drinks and smoothies. The facility also offers a select number of small, intimate afternoon activities for kids such as sun prints, watercolor painting, and even marbled paint and coloring workshops!

Adults 21+ can book a fun adventure on the Mackinac Island Cruise “Sip-n-Sail” experience around the island. You’ll have an opportunity to do some shopping, scenic tours, enjoy themed cruise nights, live music and entertainment, and so much more. If you’re on the lookout for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you’ll certainly find it with an air tour from North Country Aviation or My Flight Tours, offering visitors a small aircraft or helicopter tour ride. Thrillseekers will love the Mackinaw Parasailing experience and visit the “Straits of Mackinac” right from the water!

Take it slow and steady with a stroll downtown to shop:

The Downtown Shopping District is dotted with beautiful shops carrying local artwork, beautiful home decor, specialty clothing and jewelry, fine artwork and accessories, and even books. Kids will love visiting the Great Turtle Toys Shop, Mackinac Kids, The Island Bookstore, and bringing their furry friends a souvenir from Mackinpaws Dog Gear shop! There are numerous clothing retailers including Pink Pony Store, Nadia’s Fashion Shop, Threads of Mackinac, and more. Shop for unique artwork and gifts at Mackinac’s Little Gallery, Lilacs and Lace, Benjamin Gifts, and other small retailers.

The island is home to numerous restaurants and seasonal eateries offering everything from casual grab-and-go snacks to fine dining date-night options and plenty of family-friendly fare. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, local favorites include Woods Restaurant and Bobby’s Bar, The Gate House featuring traditional american cuisine, the Pink Pony Grill, Bistro on the Greens, Yankee Rebel Tavern, Kingston Kitchen at the VIllage Inn for some delicious Jamaican Cuisine, The Carriage House for fine dining, the Ice House BBQ for outdoor dining and seasonal bites, just to name a few.

Have you been to Mackinac Island with your family and friends? Let us know in a comment on our social media which places you’d recommend! We may just feature your suggestions in an upcoming blog.