Step back into time on Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island Voted #1

Travel & Leisure Magazine voted Mackinac Island the #1 Island in the Continental USA for 2022! We are all very excited because Trout Creek is so close to Mackinaw City where you hop on the ferry to get to this famous, historic Island.

 

The Mackinac Bridge

Mackinaw City and the Mackinac Bridge are only a short 30 minute drive from Trout Creek. The 5 mile bridge over the Straits of Mackinac will deliver you to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Visit Tahquamenon Falls, St. Ignace and many other historic places.

Check out this 1944 film about Mackinac Island (Don’t forget to turn up your speakers) The charm and beauty of this famous Island will never change. Come visit to see for yourself.

Shepler’s ferry will get you there

When you ride the Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry over to the Island, you will have the choice of either riding down below or on the top deck of the boat. The views are spectacular and provide great photo opportunities.

Explore Mackinac Island

There are several ways to explore the Island. Motor vehicles are not permitted so here are some fun suggestions.

  • Carriage Tours offer a narrated tour of the main highlights of Island
  • Horseback – rent a horse or a horse drawn carriage
  • Bike ride – there are several bike rental shops on the island
  • Walk and Hike – maps available at the Tourism Office (next to the Carriage Tours)

The 6 Best things to do on Mackinac Island

  1. So much history – Fort Mackinac, British Landing, The Biddle House,  McGulpin House, Dr. Beaumont Museum and so much more!
  2. Visit The Grand Hotel for a self guided tour of the largest front porch in the world, the grounds, the restaurants, the Secret Garden and where the movie “Somewhere in Time” was filmed.
  3. Take a bike ride around this beautiful 8 mile island. Stop to skip stones, take a picnic, visit the sites.
  4. Hike some of the many marked trails in the woods, or around the perimeter with views of the lake.
  5. Visit Arch Rock, historic cemeteries, Anne’s Tablet. 
  6. Explore the Butterfly Houses, shop and eat ice cream, dine in the many restaurants and some are on the water.

did you know?

To explain the differences in the spelling of Mackinac vs. Mackinaw…I have included a recent article written by Joe Grimm of the Detroit Free Press. We are sure that you will find this piece amusing and interesting.

You Haven’t Lived Here Until…You finally learn to say Mackinac

How do you say it? It ends in “awe,” never “ack”. Never, ever. Make Mackinac rhyme with Saginaw. Doesn’t that sound nicer? If you simply MUST say “ack”, you can call the bridge “The Big Mac.” That’s the only time you can say “ack”.

So, what’s with the spelling? Well, it’s confusing. So, while we’re at it, let’s get the spelling right, too.

  • Mackinac Island
  • Mackinac Bridge
  • Straits of Mackinac
  • Fort Michilimackinac
  • Mackinaw City

 

Why the confusion? Blame the French. And the British. You can even blame the area’s Native Americans. When Europeans got here (the French first), they picked up on all these words spoken by the local people and tried to write them down in their own language.

Are there other Mackinaw things? You bet. A mackinaw can also be cloth or coat made from thick woolen material, pronounced with an “awe.”

What does Mackinac – or Mackinaw – even mean? Mackinac – and Mackinaw – are abbreviations for Michinnimakinong. Michinnimakinong is four words mashed together; mish-inni-maki-nong. In English they mean great connecting sound fault land or place. That, of course, is a good way to describe the Mackinac area.