07.26.2023
Mackinac Island weekend trip
Camping In St. Ignace, Michigan's Upper Peninsula
No, the island’s name doesn’t rhyme with “quack.” If you had to think twice about that, you need to visit Mackinac Island (and learn more about how to pronounce it!).
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – Specifically St. Ignace And Mackinac Island – Makes For A Memorable Weekend Trip. We Went Over Memorial Day Weekend With Family, Including Grandma, A Dog, A 6-Year-Old Niece, And Our Little 4-Month Old Daughter, Evelyn. YES, Mackinac Island Is Dog And Kid-Friendly With Plenty To Do And See.
Why Visit Mackinac Island?
First Off, No Motorized Vehicles Are Allowed On The Island, So You’ll See Horses And Carriages Galore. Talk About A Romantic, Old-Timey Feel! It’s Also A Historic Site With Deep Roots Going Back 400+ Years. Indigenous People Lived There Before European Settlers, Inspiring The Native American Name Interpreted By The French As Michilimackinac, Meaning “Place Of The Great Turtle.” Read More About Its Unique History Here.
As eager parents wanting to travel with a baby but not yet ready to tackle an airplane, we decided a road trip was the answer. For us, from NW Ohio to the UP is about 7 hours. This trip was Evelyn (aka Evee)’s first camping trip and RV experience, as well as her first time into Michigan.
Oh, FUDGE! (Fudge capital of the world)
If you have a sweet tooth, you HAVE to try their famous fudge made fresh on the island (if you really can’t make it out to the island, they do sell some in Mackinaw City, just before the bridge). We bought enough fudge from every shop that I think we’ll have enough left for once she starts eating solids (pro tip: don’t refrigerate your fudge, but you can freeze it!).
Our favorite shop was Joann’s Fudge, mainly because of their unique, nostalgic decor and the friendly employees. (Hello, free samples of any fudge you want to try!) They were the only shop to sell Butterfinger flavor fudge, though others had interesting flavors like cherry, Nutella, and the classic maple variations. Luke is a peanut butter fan, while I prefer the deep chocolates with add-ons like nuts, coconut, or salted caramel.
What do do on Mackinac Island? (Grand Hotel, Secret Garden, Carriage Museum & More)
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- First off, make sure you’re prepared before going over Mackinac Bridge; it’s quite the marvel!
- Visit one (or several!) of the 13 fudge shops on the island. They sell so much, the island imports 10 tons of sugar per week!
- See the world’s LONGEST porch at the stunning Grand Hotel, where you can book a tour. The 1980 movie, Somewhere in Time, was filmed here, and guests have to heed special dress codes for dinner. (If you like analogies and want to feel like you’re on the Titanic before it sank, book a room here and get formal for dinner!)
- Don’t miss the Instagram-worthy Secret Garden at the Grand Hotel. (It’s “secret” for a reason, and not everyone can find it!)
- See the Grand Hotel Stable and Carriage Museum. It’s THE coolest carriage museum you’ll probably see in the US. We met the stable dog, got to pet several of the horses, and sat in antique carriages.
- Get ice cream with Mackinac Island fudge (this seems like a no brainer!). Several shops there sell ice cream, and it’s HEAVENLY.
- Tour Fort Mackinac from 1780 and fire the canon.
Hiking & rock formations
- Hike around Mackinac State Park’s 70.5 miles of roads and trails shared by people and horses alike. You can even rent e-bikes if you don’t want to sweat!
- Tip: Skip Skull Rock (not much to see), but see Arch Rock (50+ feet wide) towering above Lake Huron. It’s a gorgeous view!
Where to stay
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, there are several inns and AirBnBs on the island. Or, stay right off the island at St. Ignace, Michigan (just over the bridge as you enter the UP).
KOA campgrounds are great for families with kids. We stayed at St. Ignace / Mackinac Island KOA, which had a few spots left even the day before check-in (great for procrastinators and last-minute Nellies like us). Evelyn was too little to enjoy the bounce pit, putt-putt, and other kid activities, but I’m sure we’ll be back!
Try a pastie! (It's a thing!)
The pasty (or pastie) came to the US from Cornwall, England. It’s a hot meat pie, but in Michigan’s UP, they do it better. Just trust us. Get the gravy and visit the original at Lehto’s Pasties in St. Ignace.
Bonus: Climb the wooden tower for $1 at Curio Fair in St. Ignace.
Where else can you get this unusual of an experience for just a buck? When you see the tower covered in shells, the teepee, and think to yourself, “what’s that?” then you’ve arrived. It’s right off the highway. It’s a bit creepy going up (you have to experience it yourself!), but the view at the top is worthwhile! They also have a shop with clothing, souvenirs, and more.
