Headed to Mich for 10 days..Mackinac Island Ideas? - Montana Owners Club

chris199 · 08-01-2016, 07:01 AM

Headed primarily to Mackinac Island Labor Day weekend.

How much time do we need to take in Mackinac? Are there other things to do in the area?

We will arrive central Michigan (1hr south of Mackinac) Sat Sept 3. Staying there Sat night and Sunday night. Headed to Mackinac on Labor Day. Assuming we should stay there a few days.....

Then what is the question.....

Would appreciate any suggestions!!!

bethandkevin · 08-01-2016, 07:14 AM

There is an annual walk the bridge event on Labor Day-don't plan on crossing the bridge that day. Lots to see and do in Mackinaw City. see the bridge museum over the store front downtown. Fort Michilimackinac is there as well. I haven't been since the kids were little, but the major attractions stay the same. Good spot to pick up a comfortable pair of moccasins or sandals-just shop and compare prices first-they all carry the same brands.

**DQDick** · 08-01-2016, 07:33 AM

If you have your bikes with you, taking them on the ferry and then riding around the island is a fun way to see it.

HOOK · 08-01-2016, 07:54 AM

Sault St Marie is a great visit! The locks are amazing! Be sure to eat at "Antlers Restaurant ".

Mrs. CountryGuy · 08-01-2016, 09:03 AM

Consider staying on the UP side, Tiki campground is quiet and nice. I will never stay on the Lower P side after staying on the UP side.

Have fun. Buy fudge! It is mandatory!

**DQDick** · 08-01-2016, 09:28 AM

Also, if you get to the shipwreck museum (http://www.shipwreckmuseum.com/shipw...rea-resources/) to see the ships bell etc from the Edmond Fitzgerald buy fudge in the gift shop. it didn't make sense, but it was the best we bought in the UP and we tried to buy some of each

rmthelen · 08-01-2016, 12:51 PM

There is a welcome center at the south end of the bridge with a wealth of information available for you to peruse at your leisure and decide which to participate in. Have a great time, we always do when in the area.

PackerFan · 08-01-2016, 01:06 PM

If you go to Mackinac Island plan on spending a whole day. It is worth it! Take the horse drawn carriage ride around the island and be sure to see the Grand Hotel. The old fort is interesting to visit also as they have re-enactors there often.

Sault Ste Marie is also worth a visit to the Soo Locks and watch the Laker Ships go through it.

1retired06 · 08-01-2016, 02:26 PM

As stated previously, take your bikes!

Fritz7 · 08-01-2016, 03:19 PM

By all means take your bikes. It is just 8 miles around the island - very easy to do. If not able
ride the horse drawn carriage. If you get to the Soo there is a city owned campground just East of
locks. If you see an upbound ship coming you will have time to drive to the locks and watch it
go thru. And the bridge is a "madhouse" on Labor Day. I believe buses take you to the north end and
you walk back to Mackinaw City. If you plan to stay there make your reservations now! Don't forget
to buy fudge! Also, don't forget to buy pasties. One place we have bought them is at Suzy's (I think
that's the name) about 1 to 2 miles west of the bridge. Have fun!

bethandkevin · 08-02-2016, 03:02 AM

If you go to the Soo, the restaurant right across from the locks serves some of the best whitefish I have eaten. We always plan on eating there when in town. there is an old freighter that you can tour in the Soo as well. One of the coolest stops I've done. Walk the ship top to bottom.
x2 on the shipwreck museum as well.
If you make it that far, check out http://www.oswaldsbearranch.com/. Ten dollars a car load. See the bears up close. This is a local man who moved to the U.P. and takes in orphaned cubs from all over the country. It's not far from the museum and Tahquamenon Falls.

mjammersc · 08-02-2016, 06:59 AM

One or owo days on the Island will allow you to tour it, hit the highlights, etc and then just depends on how much you want to do there.

In the upper lower peninsula, there are several options of things to do in the area. The Petoskey/Charlevoix area is nice, lots of shops and restaurants, especially Charlevoix, and there is a bike path along the lake between the two. Sleeping Bear Dunes is a great day trip option as well.

If you do venture to the UP, I agree Whitefish Point Shipwreck museum & lighthouse are great. If you go there, stop at Browns Fish House in Paradise, Mi for lunch - great fresh whitefish. The time we were there, they had to delay opening an hour or so because the fisherman were late bringing the fish in due to fog - it's that fresh. Also Tahquamenon Falls State Park is another highlight on the east end of the UP. It has camping in the main park near the falls and also at Paradise.

jimcol · 08-02-2016, 09:56 AM

The big truck show in St.Ignace is a great experience. We just happen to be there in 2014 while it was going on. The parade across the bridge and back is quite a site at night. This may be after you leave the area but here is a link to this years show: http://www.mackinawcity.com/richard-...of-lights-188/

mazboy · 08-05-2016, 09:56 AM

labor day is interesting. the bridge walk is great. and the island, it is a whole day over there, buy joann's fudge, the best.

as for the bridge walk, it starts at 7am on the st. ignace side. you can take a bus from mackinac city over to st. ignace.

remeber 60K people walk the bridge on labor day....kinda of busy.

if interested, email me I'll note you.
ed from mackinaw island of years past.

old turbo · 08-07-2016, 03:16 PM

You have to understand Labor Day here in MI. To some in MI it is the last hurrah for the summer. You are going to run into a lot of traffic in the Mackinaw City area. I hope you have camping reservations at a campgrounds in the area so you can drop the rv as it is almost impossible to get around with a RV in the Mackinaw City area on a holiday weekend.

chris199 · 08-09-2016, 06:57 AM

Have booked reservations at Aune-Osborn CG up at Sault St Marie Sept 3 thru 10.

Wanted to see Mackinaw Island and also head up to Soo land. Original plan was camp at Mackinaw then move north. Rather than move, we decided to make Soo the base and do a couple of day trips south to Mackinaw.

old turbo · 08-09-2016, 04:35 PM

Chris if you get a chance look up the Cut River Bridge it is a short distance west of Sault St. Marie on highway 2. A few miles west on 2 you will come to a beautiful shore line with sand and a great view of Lake Michigan. Not many tourist go to the Cut River but it is beautiful. Towns along the route have French names from the old fur trade era. You can also pull off at the national forest campground. I travel this route a lot to get to Minnesota.

chris199 · 08-09-2016, 04:38 PM

Old Turbo

Thank you so much for that advice!! Will do!!

Thanks to all who replied! Thanks so much!

Chris and Patty

rmthelen · 08-10-2016, 05:21 AM

Another interesting attraction is the snowmobile museum in Naubinway just west of the Cut River. It is well worth your time to take in this attraction and learn the history of snowmobiles. Even if snowmobiles don't interest you, I am sure you will find it a great stop and the cost is very nominal. Here is a link to whet your appetite.
http://www.snowmobilemuseum.com/

bethandkevin · 08-16-2016, 05:41 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by chris199

Have booked reservations at Aune-Osborn CG up at Sault St Marie Sept 3 thru 10.

Wanted to see Mackinaw Island and also head up to Soo land. Original plan was camp at Mackinaw then move north. Rather than move, we decided to make Soo the base and do a couple of day trips south to Mackinaw.

Wow, you picked a great place to stay. We haven't been personally, but I have a buddy that goes every year, gets a waterfront lot and watches the freighters go by.

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