Eat, Relax, & Watch Out for Poop on Mackinac Island

We decided to take a small day trip to Mackinac Island, located in the upper peninsula of Michigan, earlier this summer. I've been intrigued by the idea of visiting the quaint little island for the past few years. The lack of cars and the laid back vibe I've heard about seemed to be my kind of place! So, we made the 7 hour drive, boarded the ferry (about $70 round trip for the 4 of us), and headed over to spend a day soaking in the beauty of the island.

The ferry ride lasted about 40 minutes, but there are other ferry companies that can get you over in half that time. We were just too cheap to pay for it. However, the slow ride allowed us to really soak in the beauty of the island ahead without feeling like it was whizzing by before we had to dock.

Within a few steps of exiting the ferry, you are totally wrapped in many of the charms that the island has to offer. On the main street, you will find many shops and eateries, horse drawn carriages, and bikes galore.

Since there are no cars allowed, you can either get around by foot, carriage, or bike. We decided to bike the perimeter of the island, so we stopped at one of the many bike rental areas to grab our rides. We paid $5 per hour for the single bikes, but you could also get tandems, speed, and comfort bikes for a few more dollars per hour. You are allowed to bring your own bikes over as well.

Our first leg of the trip took us past the town library and some of the island's most gorgeous homes.

 

Our bike tour also took us past beautiful landmarks like Devil's Kitchen and Arch Rock.

Since there are so many horses on the island, the one downfall is all of the POOP! You have to be constantly on watch for it, otherwise you're bound to roll right through a big pile!

We completed the bike ride around the entire island in just over an hour, and that included stops to take a few photos. I was pleased that most of the ride was on flat surfaces with only one or two minor hills that weren't too tough to ride up. I think most anyone who can ride a bike won't have any issues making the ride all the way around without too much exertion. Once we returned our bikes, we took the trails on foot, spending about 4 hours enjoying the views from inside and atop of the island.

The Governor's House

The town is filled with more charming houses and structures.

But, the BEST part of the island is all the FUDGE! You can't walk through town without the heavenly scents of fudge hitting you at every turn. All of the fudge is made right in the shops, and it's a fun process to watch.

For us, we only needed a day to explore all of the wonders of Mackinac Island, but if you want to stay a while and relax, we hear The Grand Hotel is quite lovely. We didn't stop in on our tour, but maybe someday I'll return for a visit with just Jason to celebrate an anniversary. All in all, it was a lovely trip, and if you are in the upper peninsula of Michigan some day, be sure to add Mackinac Island to your travel plans. It's a destination you won't want to miss!