Mackinac Island/Straits SP, Michigan

[AustinBoston]

On the way back from DD#2's wedding in June, we will be spending two nights (and one day) at Straits SP, and spending some time on the island...any "must see" things beyond that?

Austin

[dthurk]

AB, are you talking of must sees at Mackinac or on the way?  I thought I remembered you being in NYS, possibly Rochester area.  Am I correct?  So, outside of US as a must see (remember our free campsite offer), I'd recommend lunch at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac.  That allows you to see the hotel without paying the tour only fee.  On our trip there, we stayed a night in Detroit and spent a day at Greenfield Village.  It was wonderful.

[PJay]

AB, are you talking of must sees at Mackinac or on the way?  I thought I remembered you being in NYS, possibly Rochester area.  Am I correct?

Correction on that ... I was from Batavia NYS.  When I married AB I moved to his home state of Massachusetts.  In 2003 we moved to MN so that I could finish college.

So, outside of US as a must see (remember our free campsite offer), I'd recommend lunch at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac.  That allows you to see the hotel without paying the tour only fee.  On our trip there, we stayed a night in Detroit and spent a day at Greenfield Village.  It was wonderful.

Always remember the chance to hook up with camping friends, but at this time NYS is a much longer side trip.  We are driving from PA back to MN and decided to alter our route.  I had stayed in Mackinac once just for an overnight and have been anxious to actually "taste" its sights.  We will have spent most of our time at DD #2's wedding so can only visit for the one day and wish to know what is actually in the immediate area for "must sees."

[ForestCreature]

There are alot of great things to see in that area. 1 day isn't enough, my guess is you'll spend the majority of that on the island, the town on the island itself is pretty touristy but if you rent bikes and ride around to the various spots it's nice. If you do ride bikes and are not fit and used to riding hills, ride the perimiter not thru the center of the island.


An early morning visit to Seney National Wildlife  Refuge[/url]  from there You can drive over to Tahquamenon Falls

If you like the big ships a short drive up to Sault Ste Marie to see the Soo Locks,[/url]


On your way home as you drive along on 2 , in Brevort you can stop at Gustafsons (it's a gas station/store) for some of the best smoke fish there is. Then  a quick stretch at Big Spring

[SpeakEasy]

If you are at Straits SP when the moon is full, be sure to reserve an evening for just sitting and looking out over the strait, the bridge and the moon from the vantage point of the campground. There's a place where you can take some lawn chairs down to the shore and look southeast. With the bridge lit up, and the moonlight sparkling on the water, it is an outstanding "down time."

-Speak

[PJay]

If you are at Straits SP when the moon is full, be sure to reserve an evening for just sitting and looking out over the strait, the bridge and the moon from the vantage point of the campground. There's a place where you can take some lawn chairs down to the shore and look southeast. With the bridge lit up, and the moonlight sparkling on the water, it is an outstanding "down time."

-Speak

Three days past new moon ... no grand sights on the water .... sigh!
We did choose a campsight that should give us a fairly good view to the southeast either way.  

Monday sunset cruises start the FOLLOWing Monday. . . Double sigh!

Already planning next UP camping.

[dthurk]

Correction on that ... I was from Batavia NYS. When I married AB I moved to his home state of Massachusetts. In 2003 we moved to MN so that I could finish college.
 
Always remember the chance to hook up with camping friends, but at this time NYS is a much longer side trip. We are driving from PA back to MN and decided to alter our route. I had stayed in Mackinac once just for an overnight and have been anxious to actually "taste" its sights. We will have spent most of our time at DD #2's wedding so can only visit for the one day and wish to know what is actually in the immediate area for "must sees."

A bit of misunderstanding, easy to do on forums.  I meant that I remembered AB talking about this trip and the wedding being near hear.  In my dim recollection, I thought it might be somewhere around Rochester.  I guess I was wrong, and it's actually in PA.  Even so, I believe you'll be traveling near us.  Sorry to give wrong impressions here.

[GeneF]

I'd go along with a visit to the locks.

If I remember, there are 14 fudge shops on the island.  I agree with Marcy, it is touristy.

[ForestCreature]

I'd go along with a visit to the locks.

  If I remember, there are 14 fudge shops on the island.

But the best fudge is still in Calumet at the Calumet Mercantile. As often as we go in the Mackinaw area I pass the fudge by. I still would rather soothe the fudge beast by having the Calumet fudge, even if it means having it shipped.[/color]

[PJay]

one day still limits ... I am enjoying the "how to avoid" the touristy stuff on the island.  Currently looking into horseback riding or carriage rides.  They are a bit on the expensive side but no outrageous.

A Soo Locks question.  How much different are they from the St. Lawrence Seaway?  I grew up visiting these locks many times in my lifetime.

[ForestCreature]

I imagine the locks aren't much different than the other parts of the seaway if they all have the system to raise and lower the river depth so the big ships can get safe passage from Huron to Superior.

[kacee]

Hi, I worked two summers on the island when I was in college and it is one of my favorite places. We camp at Wilderness State Park on the lower peninsula and spend a day on Mackinac every summer. I advise that in the summer it is too crowded in town for horses and carriages. Take the Carriage Tour. It is expensive but well worth it for a one-day trip as you hit all the highlights and the tour guides are very knowledgable. If you are on the first ferry of the morning you can be first in line. We always pack a lunch (take a backpack), buy beverages and hike up to Fort Holmes (highest point on the island and breathtaking view) to eat. From there you are close to the very historic cemeteries where there are soldiers, sailors, families, etc. buried from the 1700s. It is fun to walk on the porch of the Grand, but the view from the road (free) is outstanding too and a good photo op. We then pop into the French Outpost for a much-needed cold beer on the patio before taking the ferry back. They have been having live music in the afternoon the past few years. An  hour in the souvenir shops in town is more than enough. This is more than you probably wanted to know, but I am a Mackinac addict! Have fun!

[mklawz]

I'd head up to Whitefish Point (just north of the town called Paradise) and visit the Shipwreck Museum.  They have the bell for the Edmund Fitzgerald.  It's a great little complex; the museum, lighthouse, beach, etc..  Spend a few hours there then head over the Tahquamenon Fall S.P.   make sure you find the little center with the ice cream shop and brewery on premises and order the smoked fish dip!!  

ahhh, we went there 3 or 4 years ago and it was absolutely great.  Our camp-neighbors went to both the locks and then Whitefish Point (at our recommendation) and said given the choice to do one again they would do Whitefish Point.  So there ya go.