Mackinac Island Ferry & Tour

Mackinac Island is located in the Straits of Mackinac. You can only get to the island via air or water and there are no cars allowed on the island. You have the option of walking, biking, or taking horse drawn carriages to get around the island.

A Different Ferry & Island Experience

We awoke to the sound of birds chirping and as we open the blinds we see sunshine, flat water, and only a light breeze. The anticipation mounts as we know it’s going to be a completely different experience than our ferry ride and tour of South Manitou Island last week.

It’s time for a quick breakfast and a short walk to catch the shuttle over to the ferry dock.

There are already people waiting at the shuttle stop, including a few families trying to wrangle in their children’s excitement. Everyone is smiling and looking forward to what the day has to offer.

The Ferry

As we arrive at the ferry dock, we are directed down the pier where we catch our first glimpse of the ferry a few minutes later. They quickly board us and we’re off.

The ride is a quick 20 minutes with beautiful views of the shoreline and two lighthouses as we approach the island.

The Island

We disembark and walk up the pier onto Main Street… to nearly be run over by bicycles. Our noses are assaulted with the scent of manure and we’re having to watch where we’re placing our feet to avoid stepping in it.

This definitely explains why everyone has been telling us that even though there are no automobiles on the island, you still need to watch where you’re going. It also explains the smirk, as they’re giving us this sage advice.

Marquette Park and Fort Mackinac

We quickly leave Main Street and head toward Marquette Park and Fort Mackinac. Marquette Park is on the site of the original Fort Gardens; which were planted by the soldiers to supplement their daily diet. Four years after the fort was closed in 1895, the garden was converted to a park and dedicated to Father Jacques Marquette.

As we head up the hill by the fort, we look back at the view from the top.

Once past the fort we leave the main roads for the forested paths. This is more like what we were expecting from an island still using horses for transportation. So, we use as many trails as we can to visit Skull Cave, Sugar Loaf Overlook, Sugar Loaf Rock, and finally Arch Rock.

Skull Cave

One of the Island’s oldest geological formations, Skull Cave was formed 11,000 years ago by wave erosion.

According to legend, this is the cave where English fur-trader Alexander Henry hid during the Indian uprising of 1763. He was one of the few survivors of the uprising and later claimed the floor of the cave was covered with human bones.

The bones have now been relocated as part of a joint effort between the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and Mackinac State Historic Parks.

Sugar Loaf Overlook and Rock

Sugar Loaf Rock stands 75ft above the surrounding land and is the largest limestone stack on Mackinac Island. It was originally connected to the Sugar Loaf overlook, where we are standing to get this view; but the softer materials between the overlook and the stack were washed away more that 11,000 ago.

There are two legends surrounding the creation of Sugar Loaf Rock:

• One says the rock is a place frequented by the Great Spirit
• A second says 10 young men traveled to Mackinac Island to seek out Nanabozho – a powerful spirit with human traits who helped shape the world of the Anishnaabek. After presenting gifts to Nanabozho, the men each asked him to fulfill a personal wish. Nanabozho granted the wishes of the first nine men; but grew angry when the tenth man asked for immortal life. Nanabozho, granted the final man’s wish by turning him into Sugar Loaf Rock.

Arch Rock

The arch towers above the water and is more than fifty feet wide. You can see bicycles on the road below the arch and kayakers in the water through it.

Native American legends say that Arch Rock is either a bridge to the afterlife, or a bridge between the two with spirits being able to pass back and forth.

The Manitou Trail

Leaving Arch Rock, there are three obvious choices to get back to town. We see crowds heading for two of them and a third that is empty, so we choose the empty trail that takes us up the hill, into the woods, along the bluff, and to Robinson’s Folly. We don’t see another sole along the trail, the air is clean, and the only sounds are the gentle rustling of leaves, birds singing, and the occasional woodpecker. Every once in a while we catch a glimpse of the mass of humanity on Lake Shore Blvd below and are happy we’ve chosen the path less traveled.

Robinson’s Folly

Robinson’s Folly is a 127ft limestone tower on the southeast corner of the island.

It is named for Captain Daniel Robertson, who commanded the British garrison at Fort Mackinac from 1782 to 1787. It is believed that he built a small pavilion (folly) where he could relax and entertain guests while taking in the view over the Straits of Mackinac.

There are many legends from the 19th Century surrounding Robinson’s Folly, most of them romantic and a bit macabre as they all involve Robertson falling to his death over the bluff edge.

None are true, as records show Robertson survived his time on Mackinac Island and died in Montreal in 1810.

The Outskirts of Town

The trail eventually ends at a road that gently heads down the hill and into town via back roads where we pass residents living their daily lives.

As we reach Lake Shore Drive we pass St Ann’s Church, which was built in 1874. This incredible building houses a museum dedicated to the religious history of the island going back to the 1600’s.

As we walk further down the street, my nose catches the sent of something wonderful. It’s coming from a covered patio with a few tables and chairs in front of the Harbor View Inn with a small sign that read’s Brad’s Grill. We just found lunch, and the Inn’s lush lawn and picturesque gardens provide a peaceful setting to sit and people watch for a while.

Main Street

After enjoying a delicious lunch, we head toward and through Main Street. It’s teeming with activity and there seems to be a fudge shop on every corner. We had heard the island is known for it’s fudge; but we decide not to indulge.

The Southwest Side of the Island

Once we get to the other side of Main Street we continue to walk around the island and past some beautifully maintained 19th Century homes. We get a view of the bridge, walk along a smooth rock beach, and finally see the Grand Hotel.

The Trip Back

As we reach the dock, the ferry is boarding and are able to walk right on. The ride back is smooth and we talk about all we’ve seen as we watch the island slowly shrink behind us.

What a wonderful day!