With one week on Mackinac Island, you’ll have ample time to explore the entire island at a breezy, relaxed pace. With its Victorian charm reminiscent of days gone by, this Northern Michigan vacation getaway has the magical ability to make the rest of the world and all its hang-ups disappear. So arm yourself with a little sunscreen, a good book and the mindset to let it all go for a supremely sublime stay on Mackinac Island. Here’s what to do on Mackinac Island in one week.
Follow the links below to find more Mackinac Island tips and travel ideas:
Only have 1 day? Here are the best things to do on Mackinac Island in 24 hours.
Where to Stay
From small, historic bed and breakfasts to Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island has accommodations for all budgets and travelers. Find your perfect hotel with MyNorth’s Mackinac Island Hotel Directory:
Staying with kids? Both the Grand Hotel and Mission Point Resort were named Top 10 Northern Michigan hotels to stay with kids according to MyNorth’s 2014 Red Hot Best polling. Check out their kids programs with the above links, but know that Mackinac Island is—in and of itself—a veritable playground for kids of all ages.
What to Do
In one week, you’ll have time to explore almost every corner of Mackinac Island with time to spare. That being said, don’t prioritize the attractions over relaxing: the solitude and scenery are a big part of what makes Mackinac Island so special. Find the Top 10 things to do on Mackinac Island—and pick your favorites—below:
Between the sight-seeing, you’ll need some time to take it all in. A few favorite spots to veg out, read a few chapters, and let the kids play are:
- Great Turtle Park — Located in the island’s interior, Great Turtle Park boasts baseball, basketball and soccer fields, a small skate park and a nice playground—as well as a large sculpture of a rather charming turtle who supervises the park. Find entrances to this refuge off Cupid’s Pathway and Garrison Rd.
- Marquette Park — This lovely park sits between the southern shore of Mackinac Island and Fort Mackinac. A statue of Father Marquette, a missionary and pioneer who settled Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, stands guard in the middle of the park, while a replica 17th-century Jesuit chapel rests to the west. If planning a bike ride around the island, Marquette Park is mile zero.
- The Grand Hotel’s Front Porch — Known as the longest in the world, the front porch at the Grand Hotel overlooks the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. Cozy up in a rocker and take in the fresh air—just be prepared to pony up $10 dollars for a non-guest entrance fee.
Where to Eat
Lots of options await. With one week, you could dine at a different restaurant operated by the Grand Hotel every evening. Find more Mackinac Island eateries at MyNorth’s Mackinac Island Restaurant Directory:
For those looking to dine in, there are two grocery stores servicing the island. Doud’s Market is at the corner of Fort and Main in downtown Mackinac Island, and the Harrisonville General Store, which feeds many of the island’s year-round residents, is located just west of Great Turtle Park in the island’s little hamlet of Harrisonville.