| Check out our free interactive Mackinaw City vacation guide and discover Mackinaw City's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Mackinaw City before tell us your vacation tips and help other travellers enjoy great vacations in Mackinaw City. |
| Free Mackinaw City Holiday Guide |
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| MACKINAW CITY LOCAL HISTORY |
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| The French trading post built here in the 1800s became Fort Michilimackinac. It is the only place in America where you can see the sun rise on one Great Lake (Lake Huron) and see it set on another, Lake Michigan. |
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Colonial Michilimackinac - This is a reconstructed French and British outpost and fur trading village from the 18th century where costumed staff add to the feel of the pioneer days. Some highlights include the reenactment of a French colonial wedding, pioneer cooking and crafts, cannon firing and dioramas in restored barracks. There are also working artisans and a market.
Mackinac Island - Vehicles are banned on this island where horse drawn carriages and bicycles are the order on the streets. Ferry boats are the only way to get to the island which is 15 minutes away from the city and where along the way, you can enjoy the Straits of Mackinac. Victorian homes add to the ambience of the island whose landscape has also been kept as natural as possible. One tourist attraction is Fort Mackinac, a restored 18th & 19th century British & American military outpost with 14 original buildings.
Mackinac Bridge - On Labour Day, the State Governor leads a walk from Mackinac City to St Ignace across the Mackinac Bridge. Besides the cultural signficance of the bridge to the town, it is one of ther world's longest suspension bridges. The Mackinaw Bridge Museum has artifacts from the Mackinac Bridge contruction. Five men lost their lives building the bridge and the museum is generally dedicated to steel workers around the world. |
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Douglas Lake Bar and Steakhouse - Known to locals as the DLB is a gourmet dinner roadhouse situated on Douglas Lake. The enormous fieldstone fireplaces and combined with lake views give guests that special northern Michigan experience. The food is hearty country cooking using seasonal and regional ingredients. There is an extensive nice wine list.
'Neath the Birches - This restaurant which has been going strong since 1934 is a Mackinac City institution. White fish the specialty of the area with its many rivers and lakes and the restaurant takes advantage of this to the fullest with its classic fish dishes. For those into meatier things, there is steak and prime ribs. The restaurant is on 1247 Mackinaw Terrance. |
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Dixie Saloon - Originally built in 1890 and re-opened in 2000, this is a two story log restaurant with nightly dancing. The food is reasonably priced for such large portions. It is located at the corner of Huron and Central, across from Shepler's Ferry.
Legs Inn - There is live music and there are some 100 choices of beer at this venue. A city landmark, it is recommended by both locals and visitors alike. The cuisine is Polish and American and if you look outside, you can see the lake. It is located on 6425 Lakeshore Drive. |
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| Historic Mill Creek - Just 5 minutes south of Mackinaw City is this wooded setting of nature trails and forest management displays. The park features a working water saw mill from 1790 and another attraction is a maple sugar shack. There is an active beaver colony. |
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Mackinac Bay Trading Company - This is an indoor shopping mall which has among its facilities a wine tasting room, interactive fudge making and teddy bear factory. It is on Huron Ave, across from Conkling Heritage Park in downtown Mackinaw City. Huron Ave.
Candy Cover - This is a sweets and gifts shop on 331 E Central Ave. Mention is made of this particular outlet because the city if famous for fudge making .
Just a Plain Farm - Going to a farm is just as good as going to a market. This is a farm with 100 acres of pumpkins, squash, gourds, ornamental corn, veggies and sweet corn. Unique gifts and seasonal decorations are also produced. There are hay rides for children and picnic areas. |
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Mackinaw Crossings - This is a Victorian-style theme park consisting of fun attractions and shops as well as an 800 seat, indoor theatre featuring live entertainment daily. An outdoor amphitheatre provides free entertainment and there is a nightly laser light music show. One of the attractions is Maze-N Mirrors where you have to find your way through a maze of mirrors and glass.
Thunder Falls Family Water Park - This has tube slides, speed slides, body slides, flowing lazy river and two interactive play islands besides food and retail outlets. It is on Nicolet Ave. |
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