Mackinac Area
The Mackinac Area lies at the point where the two peninsulas
of Michigan meet. The region encompasses many of the popular tourist
attractions of Michigan into one area.
At the tip of the Lower Peninsula is Mackinaw City.
In downtown Mackinaw City, many shopping, dining, and lodging opportunities
are available, including a free Laser Light Show after dark. Casino
gambling can be found here, along with the Voyaguer's Jubilee Dinner Show.
Mackinaw City is also home to Colonial Michilimackinac, a reconstructed
fur trading village of the 1700's. Fort Michilimackinac is a reconstructed
American Revolutionary War fort. During the summer, recreations of
the battles between the British and the Ottawa Inidians take place at the
fort. Also in Mackinaw City is the Welcome Revolutionary War Sloop,
a reconstructed British sloop from the time of the American Revolution.
Winter comes to Fort Michilimackinac
(photo used by permission of Dr. Gail Vander Stoep, Copyright 1997)
Next, cross the mighty Mackinac Bridge to travel to
the upper peninsula. The five mile long suspension bridge (the world's
longest) allows access across the Straits of Mackinac.
The Mackinac Bridge
(photo by Karen Stark)
Finally, catch a 15 minute ferry ride to Mackinac
Island, or hop a catamaran, hydroplane, or jet plane to get there.
No automobiles are allowed on Mackinac Island, so be prepared to walk or
rent a bicycle when you get there. Horse-drawn carriage rides are
also available to tour you through the scenic charms of the island.
Mackinac Island harbor
(photo by Meg Clark)
Another British fort awaits on Mackinac Island: Fort
Mackinac. The fort was constructed high on a bluff by the British
during the 1880's and has now been declared a National Historic Landmark.
Military music presentations, along with rifle and cannon firings are part
of the pageanty at Fort Mackinac.
Fort Mackinac
(photo by Dr. Robert Thomas)
Among the many natural wonders of Mackinac Island
is Arch Rock. This feature rises 146 feet above the water and spans
50 feet at its widest point. It was formed over thousands of years
by wind and water eroding the soft rock below, leaving only the hard breccia
rock which formed the arch.
Mackinac Island: Arch Rock
(photo by Deb Cramer)
Be sure to visit the Butterfly
House, a butterfly-filled greenhouse. As you tour the streets of
Mackinac Island, stop to see the picturesque homes and small Victorian
hotels along the way. Arts and crafts exhibits, garden tours, nighly
fireworks, and the annual lilac festival (from June 6 - 15) are part of
the splendor of the island.
Home on Mackinac Island
(photo by Karen Stark)
Another popular sight on Mackinac Island is the Grand
Hotel, which was featured in the 1979 movie "Somewhere in Time" starring
Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. The Grand Hotel was built in
1887 and sports the world's longest front porch, at 660 feet. The
Grand Hotel features tennis courts, cycling, horseback riding, carriage
tours, and swimming in the luxurious 500,000 gallon Esther Williams Swimming
Pool.
The Grand Hotel
(photo by Dr. Robert Thomas)
Finally, no one can leave Mackinac Island without
a sample of the world famous Mackinac Island fudge!
The one and only Mackinac Island fudge
(photo by Dr. Robert Thomas)
Map of the area
(Map Source: US Census TIGER Maps)
other web sites of interest:
Mackinac Home Page: project..mackinac.com
Mackinaw City Home Page: project..mackinawcity.com/
Mackinac Bridge Home Page: project..mackinacbridge.org/
Grand Hotel Home Page: project..grandhotel.com/