A good nostalgia visit

I recently visited Mackinac Island for the first time since the 1970s. My thanks to those who provided advice on this forum, by the way. I really enjoyed it and my spouse (it was her first time there) absolutely loved it. We did the tourist stuff, fudge, a carriage ride, etc. The carriage tour I would give mixed reviews on. They change carriage and team half way through, and while the young lady on the first leg was personable and fun to listen to, the gentleman on the second leg was so dreadfully corny - I mean nauseatingly corny - and never shut up for one second the whole ride. There%26#39;s getting a guided tour, and then there%26#39;s something else ... this was the latter.

That being said, it didn%26#39;t mar the visit much. We had lunch at Yankee Rebel, which was pretty good food and service. I%26#39;d return, but I would probably try a different restaurant for variety.

A lot of really great shops, and I don%26#39;t mean so much on the tourist strip but a couple streets full of them further inland.

The carriage ride nicely covered the main points of interest on the south side of the island and offers a stop at Ft. Mackinac (worth doing if you like history at all). I have heard great things about the north side but have never been. Does anyone offer a carriage tour out that far?

We used Shepler%26#39;s to get out to the island, and have no complaints: fast, efficient, on time.

A good nostalgia visit

You can hire a carriage and driver for a private tour going anywhere on the island.

I did the regular carriage tour in October, and discovered that during the off season, they don%26#39;t do the wagon exchange. The same driver does the entire tour.

Back in the %26#39;60s and %26#39;70s the carriage tours were significantly longer.

A good nostalgia visit

hmmmm ... my carriage ride was also in October (the 4th I believe) and they changed up the teams/teamsters. Maybe the 4th was early enough to be in season.

My last carriage tour was in the %26#39;70s, and it certainly seemed longer, which you%26#39;ve confirmed.

Next time I will book a private trip to the north side.

I would also strongly suggest the private tour or, if you can, discover the island on your own by bike. There are so many wonderful places to discover on the north side and throughout the interior. Did you stay overnight? The place is completely different at night and there is nothing in the world like a sunset bikeride around the perimeter of the island. *sigh* Only 7 months till we%26#39;re back.

Happy you and your wife enjoyed the trip!