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!
Sailing is a special pastime that often brings friends together in Northern Michigan. And no wonder. The sailing here is wonderful.
Just a short drive from Harbor Springs or Petoskey are more than a dozen Northern Michigan cross country ski trails in Emmet County.
The many ski resorts in Northern Michigan have winter activities for the entire family including sledding, sleigh rides, tubing, and more.
Wildlife sanctuary Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is located 3 1/2 miles north of Harbor Springs, between Lower Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.
Mackinaw City’s Heritage Village lets visitors explore life in the Straits of Mackinac as it was during the era of 1880-1917.
The history of the fur trade in Northern Michigan is captured at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.