Top Mackinaw City Culture

Explore Mackinac Island at your own pace, choosing to stop wherever you like with this self-guided audio tour. Rent your bicycles separately, and then choose your route. You don’t need to stick with a tour group or a fixed itinerary. You can start and finish when you like, and you also have offline access to maps, geodata, and your audio guide.

Immerse yourself in a world of history and engineering while taking in fresh air on a boat tour along the Straits of Mackinac. Travel under Michigan’s majestic Mackinac Bridge and learn about the many shipwrecks that happened below. Discover more than 100 years of history in the Straits of Mackinac and see Fort Michilimackinac and the Old Mackinac Point Light from the water.

Explore the charm of Mackinac Island on a guided bike tour that showcases its stunning landscapes and rich history. Cycle along car-free roads and beautiful trails, feeling the breeze as you take in spectacular views of Lake Huron. Your knowledgeable guide will share stories about the island's past. Visit iconic sites like Arch Rock and Fort Mackinac while enjoying the vibrant Victorian architecture and lush floral surroundings. This tour is suitable for all skill levels, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone. - Guided tour around the perimeter of Mackinac Island - View historical sites including Arch Rock and Fort Mackina - Suitable for all cycling skill levels with well-maintained bikes - Expert guides provide fascinating historical insights throughout the ride

Explore Michigan’s Mackinac Island on a self-guided walking tour highlighting Somewhere in Time's filming locations. This picturesque island, with its preserved Victorian architecture and car-free charm, was the perfect backdrop for the 1912-set film. Starting at the iconic "Somewhere in Time Tree," you’ll visit spots like Windermere Point and Marquette Park while hearing insider stories from Dan Dewey, a production assistant and island resident. Along the way, gain behind-the-scenes insights into how the movie was made and the challenges of filming on this unique, timeless island.

Mackinac Island is a popular stop for cruise passengers and larger groups visiting the area. Skip the risk of missing out during your time on the island by securing your Fort Mackinac ticket in advance, as entry can sell out. Your ticket grants access to all 14 historic buildings, plus live demonstrations and guided tours throughout the day. Learn about the fort's history and enjoy free time to explore at your own pace.

Colonial Michilimackinac is a National Historic Landmark, and is home to North America's longest ongoing archaeological dig. Costumed interpreters portraying British soldiers, merchants, voyageurs, Native Americans, and other tradespeople are on site daily, providing demonstrations, tours, and programs. Colonial Michilimackinac also offers unparalleled views of the Straits of Mackinac, Mackinac Bridge, and Mackinac Island. During the summer months, weather permitting, archaeologists are on site, digging through the layers of soil, pulling out bits of history in front of you.

Historic Downtown Mackinac is a collection of historic sites located throughout downtown Mackinac Island, presenting history from pre-European contact into the 1950s. This self-guided museum experience includes The Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, explores the history of the Anishnaabek people of Mackinac Island through the lens of Agatha Biddle, an Odawa woman who lived in the house in the 1830s. The Benjamin Blacksmith Shop is a working blacksmith shop set in the 1950s, toward the end of the shop's life. The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum displays works inspired by Mackinac Island, including a juried exhibition. The American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum was the site of a famous accident that altered the course of medical history, while the McGulpin House is a rare example of French Canadian architecture, and possibly the oldest residence still standing on Mackinac Island.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse was known as the "Castle on the Straits" upon its completion, and it's not hard to see why. The house and grounds are being restored back to its 1910 appearance, and interactive exhibits and galleries, informative demonstrations, and tours of the tower allow guests the opportunity to step back int time and see what life was like for keepers and mariners at the turn of the 20th century.