Mackinaw City

Cross the Mighty Mac for unrivaled views of the Straits of Mackinac, with Lake Huron to the east and Lake Michigan to the west. From the high vantage point, you are likely to see ferries travelling to and from Mackinac Island and maybe even a freighter passing below the bridge.

Have breakfast at the Mackinaw City Bakery, a family-owned and operated business open from May through October and located just off Central Avenue at 110 Langlade Street. Try one of their Big Mac donuts, grab an iced coffee, or dine in with homemade soup or a sandwich on fresh, homemade bread.

Spend some time at the beach skipping stones and wading into the water at Michilimackinac State Park next to Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. Walk underneath the Mackinac Bridge, explore the lighthouse, and stop into the Colonial Michilimackinac visitor’s center to plan your trip to the historical site.

Grab lunch at Darrow’s Family Restaurant, located on the west side of I-75. Be sure to grab a slice of pie while you’re there or take a piece to go. Take a walk through downtown Mackinaw City to check out the various shops on Central Avenue and in the Mackinaw Crossings mall. If you need to escape the rain or heat, take in a movie at the Courtyard Cinema, open year-round.

Get a heaping scoop of ice cream at Mickey’s Ice Cream shop on Huron Avenue. Enjoy your waffle cone or malt from Wawatam Park, the Mackinaw City Marina, or Conkling Heritage Park. All are located across the street from Mickey’s and have views of Lake Huron and the boats coming in and out of port.

Have dinner and a drink at the Keyhole Bar and Grill on Central Avenue. While you wait for your broiled whitefish or burger with onion rings, try to count as many keys as you can before losing track. As the sun goes down, head west out of town toward the McGulpin Point Lighthouse and Headlands International Dark Sky Park. The lakeshore is down a steep hill past the lighthouse, but the views are well worth it, and locals judge the lake’s water level by McGulpin Rock.

In the same area is the Mackinaw Area Historical Society Village, with a small set of trails and buildings depicting what life was once like in the region, and celebrating the area’s heritage. Continuing on, about 11 miles west of Mackinaw City, is Wilderness State Park with 26-miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 20-miles of trails, a swimming beach, and incredible views of the setting sun.