Is one day (10 AM - 6 PM) enough time to explore the island?

Hello!

We were originally not planning to go to Mackinac during our vacation, but a friend was telling me since it%26#39;s only a few hours away we should give it a day trip. If we get to a ferry at like 10 AM, and stay on the island until 5:30-6 (last ferry leaves), does that give us enough time to do a bike tour, really explore the island (site-seeing) and eat? We really don%26#39;t shop and we really are just in it for the site-seeing, only eating because we have to :-D We might visit Mackinac island for longer someday, but for now we just want a taste.

I guess you can also tell me how long it takes to bike around the island, if you stop here and there for site-seeing?

Thanks in advance!!! I wouldn%26#39;t want to drive the 2 hours to see Mackinac if it turns out one day is too rushed.

Suzanne

Is one day (10 AM - 6 PM) enough time to explore the island?

Do it.

You will not get to explore much of the interior of the Island, but only a small percentage of visitors do. The most popular bike ride along the shore is only 8 miles and flat. Not much over an hour at a leisurely pace and stopping.

7 hours will give you time for the bike ride, a carriage tour including some highlights of the interior, a visit to the fort, lunch, some of the other historic buildings, and the Grand Hotel.

When are you going? During the peak season the ferries run late in the evening.

Is one day (10 AM - 6 PM) enough time to explore the island?

Hi Vivasuzi,

You can certainly get a good feel for the island in one day, but to me the best part of the island is first thing in the morning and after the last ferry leaves.

That said, if you only have one day, here%26#39;s my recommendations. Take the carriage tour. You%26#39;ll get a good bit of information about the history of the island and you have the option of leaving the tour at the fort, saving you a walk up the steep sidewalk.

A bike ride will take less than 2 hours with a few stops along the way to enjoy the scenery.

The Original Butterfly House is a popular attraction, as our some of the historic buildings on Market Street. You can usually find $1 off coupons at the visitor information booth downtown.

The Public Library is a great little place to relax, plus it%26#39;s colorful and has an incredible view of Round Island Lighthouse.

There%26#39;s a great little coffee house/sandwich shop behind the Bay View B%26amp;B that is right on the water, as is the Pink Pony restaurant/bar.

Be sure to visit the Chamber of Commerce website for additional information on events and things to do, such as going on a horseback ride on the trails in the interior of the island.

Have fun!

Thanks guys, I think I%26#39;ll do it :) I am going in June (end of June) and already saw some ferry schedules saying the last ride out is at 6. We are planning to stay in St. Ignace the night before so we can hop on the ferry whenever we want, but I put 10 AM because I know we aren%26#39;t early riders!

The bike tour sounds like the most fun to me. We aren%26#39;t big on historical information, we just like to see things and take pics! It sounds like we will have plenty of time for that, plus eating, and of course picking up some fudge.

The butterfly place sounds cool too! I%26#39;m sure I can squeeze that in if we are only doing a few things on the island.

If you would like some more time, for $54 the two of you could stay on the Island in the evening and return to St. Ignace on a charter with Great Lakes Air.

The end of June is a great time on the Island. It is likely to be cooler, but the crowds are not bad.

I agree with all the recommendations you have received so far. It sounds like you are like us, like to explore, taking in scenery, and the like. If you have time (and energy) try to get up to Fort Holmes, the highest point on the Island. It is quite a hike but so well worth. Check out the pictures posted on this site. I%26#39;ve put in several of our favorite views, including ones from Fort Holmes.

I also agree that the best times are early in the morning and in the evening after the last ferry. My absolute favorite is an early morning bike ride around the perimeter of the Island. Amazing way to start the day!

If you can%26#39;t swing an overnight this time, I hope you fall in love with the Island like so many of us have and plan another trip.

Enjoy!

Most visitors to Mackinac Island are day trippers. It%26#39;s a fabulous way to see a place that is unique and historic and downright beautiful. That said, I will add that if you are fortunate enough to be able to stay over night on the island as well, it does become a different place after that last ferry leaves the dock. Both aspects should be experienced, but if you only have a day, by all means, do it!

Those who know me are aware that I give the same kind of advice for visitors to the Grand Canyon NP. Everyone should see it, one way or another, but it%26#39;s even better if you can stay inside the park overnight.

I think that for this time we will stick to the day time only, because I%26#39;m sure one day I will visit again. One day I plan to stay on the island for a weekend, but just not this time b/c we are so interested in seeing other parts of MI.

i%26#39;m already gonna be booking 2 hotels, which is one more than I usually book for a week vacation, so I think that%26#39;s all I can handle right now :) I know road-trippers are used to going to hotel after hotel, but I%26#39;ve never done more than 1 per vacation so this shall be interesting.

We will be back in St. Ignace spending the night AFTER the island, so if we really felt like we missed something we could always return the next day before heading home.

Thanks for all the location advice! Now I%26#39;m excited and just want to get on with this trip!