Quick Tour of Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island (/ˈmækɪnɔː/ MAK-in-aw) is an island and resort area, covering 4.35 square miles in land area, in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island was long home to an Odawa settlement and previous indigenous cultures before European colonization began in the 17th century. It was a strategic center of the fur trade around the Great Lakes. Based on a former trading post, Fort Mackinac was constructed on the island by the British during the American Revolutionary War. It was the site of two battles during the War of 1812 before the northern border was settled and the US gained this island in its territory.

In the late 19th century, Mackinac Island became a popular tourist attraction and summer colony. Many of the structures on the island have undergone extensive historical preservation and restoration. Because of its historic significance, the entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is well known for numerous cultural events; a wide variety of architectural styles, including the Victorian Grand Hotel, and its ban on almost all motor vehicles. More than 80 percent of the island is preserved as Mackinac Island State Park.

The Story of Mackinac Island

Transportation – The island can be reached by private boat, by ferry, by small aircraft and, in the winter, by snowmobile over an ice bridge. The airport has a 3,500-foot (1,070 m) paved runway, and daily charter air service from the mainland is available. In the summer tourist season, ferry service is available from Shepler’s Ferry, and Star Line Ferry to shuttle visitors to the island from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. Motorized vehicles have been prohibited on the island since 1898, with the exception of snowmobiles during winter, emergency vehicles, and service vehicles. Travel on the island is either by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage. Roller skates and roller blades are also allowed, except in the downtown area. Bicycles, roller skates/roller blades, carriages, and saddle horses are available for rent. An 8-mile (13 km) road follows the island’s perimeter, and numerous roads, trails and paths cover the interior.[41] M-185, the United States’ only state highway without motorized vehicles, makes a circular loop around the island, closely hugging the shoreline. Mackinac Island State Park covers approximately 80 percent of the area of the island and includes Fort Mackinac, as well as portions of the island’s historic downtown and harbor. No camping is allowed on the island, but numerous hotels and bed and breakfasts are available. The downtown streets are lined with many retail stores and restaurants.

More about Mackinac Island: CLICK HERE

“This Time for Keeps” 1947 Original Trailer Starring: Esther Williams

The swimming pool at the Grand Hotel is named for Esther Williams, who starred in the 1947 film “This Time for Keeps”. This featured many scenes filmed on Mackinac Island.

“Somewhere in Time” Official Trailer Christopher Reeve & Jane Seymour

The majority of the 1980 film “Somewhere in Time” was filmed at Mission Point on Mackinac Island. Several landmarks are visible in the film, including the Grand Hotel and the lighthouse on nearby Round Island. The film’s director said he needed to “find a place that looked like it hadn’t changed in eighty years.”

Dirty Jobs: Bridge Maintainer	Mackinac Bridge Cable Light Change

Mackinac Island was featured on two episodes of the mid-2000s TV series Dirty Jobs. Host Mike Rowe interviewed a Mackinac Bridge maintenance worker. We found 2 Clips – see above.

Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island

The Grand Hotel is a historic hotel and coastal resort on Mackinac Island, Michigan, a small island located at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac within Lake Huron between the state’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. Constructed in the late 19th century, the facility advertises itself as having the world’s largest porch. The Grand Hotel is well known for a number of notable visitors, including five U.S. presidents, inventor Thomas Edison, and author Mark Twain. Grand Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Acclaim – Conde Nast Traveler “Gold Lists” the hotel as one of the “Best Places to Stay in the Whole World” and Travel + Leisure magazine’s lists it as among the “Top 100 Hotels in the World.” The Wine Spectator noted the Grand Hotel with an “Award of Excellence” and it was included in Gourmet magazine’s “Top 25 Hotels in the World” list. The American Automobile Association (AAA) rates the facilities as a four-diamond resort and in 2009 named the Grand Hotel one of the top 10 U.S. historic hotels.

More about the Grand Hotel: CLICK HERE

Travel Masters currently have 2 Tours heading to Mackinac Island:

Discover Michigan	Sault Ste. Marie & Agawa Canyon
Tour Dates: July 25 – Aug 1, 2020	Tour Dates: September 4 – 14
CLICK HERE	CLICK HERE

Note: The Link takes you to YouTube Videos. The Facts & Photos are from wikipedia.org