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!
Fisherman’s Island State Park has more than 2,600 acres and miles of gorgeous Lake Michigan beach and is located just south of Charlevoix.
The Oden State Fish Hatchery in Alanson produces three strains of brown trout and one strain of rainbow trout.
Get off the ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace to Mackinac Island and the first thing you’ll see is the historic downtown area.
Wildlife sanctuary Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is located 3 1/2 miles north of Harbor Springs, between Lower Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.
Beaver Island is located 32 miles offshore of Charlevoix, Michigan and is the largest island in Lake Michigan.
Bicyclists, walkers, and roller bladers can go from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix on the 26-mile long Little Traverse Wheelway.