Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography
Mackinac Island is known as the “Jewel of the Great Lakes” for so many reason. It’s home to historic Fort Mackinac and world-famous Mackinac Island fudge. And it’s charm can’t be beat while strolling the carless streets full of horse drawn carriages. The Island also hosts many special festivals and events during their peak season for visitors and locals to enjoy.
June
The annual Mackinac Island Lilac Festival features many varieties of gorgeous lilacs during the ten days of activities. Some varieties of these beauties were brought to the island before the Civil War and this festival makes the lilacs the stars of this spectacular celebration. Activities include live music, boat cruises, free seminars, walking tours, and so much more.
July
There are a multitude of events that occur on the island to celebrate Independence Day. The Grand Hotel holds it’s annual Old Fashioned Mackinac Fourth of July Celebration with special packages that include lodging, food, and fun activities. Elsewhere on the island is the annual Stone Skipping Clinic and Tournament at Windemere Park and the ever-popular Star Spangled Fourth of July at Fort Mackinac. Including with an admission ticket are special events like a 38-gun salutes honoring the states of the period, performances of patriotic music, Victorian children’s games, and more.
August
Mackinac Island’s fudge is so legendary, the island hosts an annual festival to honor the tasty treat! Activities include the opportunity to fire the canon at Fort Mackinac, a coloring mural, movies in the park, the chance to be a fudge maker for a day, a soccer match, and more!
Travel along the Tunnel of Trees in Northern Michigan and you will pass through Good Hart and see historic Saint Ignatius Catholic Church.
The history of the fur trade in Northern Michigan is captured at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.
Northern Michigan builder Earl Young created the unusual mushroom houses in Charlevoix. Tours are available.
Wilderness State Park’s 2,582 acres of natural area and 4,492 acres of wilderness area make this a great place to explore all year ’round.
Charlevoix has beaches on Lake Michigan and also offers the warmer swimming waters of inland lake beaches on Lake Charlevoix.
A visit to Northern Michigan is not complete without a walk along the Lake Michigan in search of Petoskey stones.