We're headed there next week and plan on doing a day-trip over there via a ferry. Our plan was to take our bikes, have lunch and just check things out. I see that places like the Grand Hotel have strict dress codes, but can we expect to get around the island and eat lunch in cycling attire ?

Any advice would be appreciated.

See if you can book a well deserved tour of the Grand. It might be a way in as the security was tight when we went.

Yes, you'll be fine in cycling attire on the island. However, if you're serious enough about cycling to be taking specific cycling attire, you may get frustrated biking on the island.

A lot (probably most) of the people who bike around the island have no idea how to ride properly, or how to behave around other bikes, or really how to be safe. Lots of little kids riding bikes, who weave in and out and zig-zag all over the place. Not to mention the horse-drawn carriages. They let people with no experience rent those and drive them around too, which just adds to the confusion and "traffic."

I love the island, but hate riding on it. I much prefer walking it. My wife and son love riding on it, however. I liken it to Amateur Night on St Patrick's Day - the morons who don't know how to act appropriately come out in full force.

As far as the Grand goes, the strict dress code is enforced after 6:30pm. I've sat on the porch in shorts, with my son in a wet swimsuit. You can pay to get on to the porch, and sit and have a drink. If you're savvy, you may be able to "sneak" in through the downstairs and just walk up and out to the porch. It's worth seeing, I suppose, but you may not be blown away.

Are you going anywhere else in the area? We get up to Northern Michigan every summer, so I'm very familiar with the area and can give more tips if you want any.

Piggybacking on this topic, what in your opinion is the best way to spend half a day or so on Mackinac? We'll be in Michigan next month and this is the one area my wife requested we check out.

Peter Klaven said:

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Piggybacking on this topic, what in your opinion is the best way to spend half a day or so on Mackinac? We'll be in Michigan next month and this is the one area my wife requested we check out.

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Half a day? You'll be able to see more than you think. Most everything you'll want to see is right on (or close to) Main Street, which is right off the ferry docks. If you're interested in history, the fort is worth a visit. If you want to sit and have a drink, the porch of the Grand Hotel. If you want to people watch, anywhere will work. If you want to see a quieter spot, walk around the road to the left of the docks, and it will take you around to where you can get some great view of Mackinac Bridge (see photo below). You can also walk up into the middle of the island and check out the state park. Whatever you do, watch where you step. There's horse **** and piss everywhere. They do a decent job of picking up the poop, but the pee tends to gather by the curbs.

It's a fun place to visit, and definitely unique. Especially if you've never been there. Walk around, check out the views, and get some fudge. I'm partial to Joann's, but there's a fudge shop every 15 feet or so, so go with what works best for you. Plenty of places to grab lunch, my favorite is the Frisco sandwich at Horn's Gaslight Bar.

Same question for you - Where else in Michigan will you be? Will you be staying in the area before and after your visit to the island? Lots of great places to visit and see in the northern mitt.

By the way, I recommend Shepler's Ferry to the island. Not all ferries are created equal, as my wife finally realized when we had to take another line once. Also, do your best to get one of their "Mighty Mac Departures," which will be marked in a different color on the schedule. It will take you under the Mackinac Bridge for some incredible views, and is no extra charge.

Good stuff, thanks for the info! We are visiting family in Toronto but fly back to DFW via Detroit so we potentially have 2-3 days to explore the general area.

And I say general area knowing that Mackinac is like six hours from Detroit so if there is anything else you recommend in between I'd love to hear about it!

So if you're driving up from the Detroit area, there isn't a lot to see until you get further north. Petoskey is a nice little town if you need a rest break. From there to Mackinaw City is pretty much a straight shot. (It's about 30 miles. I know that because I ran it once.) You'll pass several small (and I mean tiny) towns, not a lot worth stopping to see. But if you have kids, the Oden State Fish Hatchery is worth seeing.

ETA: I just realized if you're coming from Detroit, you'll probably be on I-75, so forget the above (that's all US 31/131). 75 goes through Indian River. You can get off 75 and detour into town to see the Cross in the Woods, which is definitely worth a visit. I'm not as familiar with the 75 route, but I can't think of much else worth a stop.

No recommendation for Frankenmurth? Christmas town 365 days of the year!

Good point! As I mentioned, I don't take the 75 route as much, so that slipped my mind. But yes, Frankenmuth is worth a visit. And you can't miss the signs on 75.

Get ready to dodge horse sht on the island if you're biking.

Mega Lops said:

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Get ready to dodge horse sht on the island if you're biking.

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Sounds divine.

Heading up there in 3 weeks so paying attention

My wife's grandparents had a summer place in UP. Got to go there a couple of times before they got too old. Have been over the bridge a few times but never stopped. I remember driving up to Lake Superior and walking out on this shin deep shelf a few hundred yards. It was almost as cold as the Chattahoochee River!

Jackal99 - Thanks so much for the replies. It's very helpful. We weren't really thinking about attempting a long day of cycling on the island, just using our bikes to get around and stretch the legs. However, we were looking into going to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore. Have you ever been there ? We will be in St. Ignace for the bulk of the trip and then spend a few days in Traverse City.

Sleeping Bear is definitely worth it. If you do the full dune hike to Lake Michigan, be sure to take plenty of water and give yourselves plenty of time. I did it and didn't realize how far it was, just kept going because I figured the end had to be close. It wasn't, and I ran out of water and my cell phone battery died. That said, the end at Lake Michigan is beautiful. Worth it, yes, but as I said, go prepared.

If you're baseball fans (or even if you just like fun), the Traverse City Pit Spitters are a Northwoods League (summer college league) and have a great stadium. Check out a game if you have time.

From the St. Ignace/Mackinaw City area to Travese City, there are two ways you can go. I highly recommend taking US31 over I-75, as it goes along Lake Michigan and is much more picturesque. Worth a stop in Petoskey if you have time. Then you can stop in Charlevoix and see the world's largest cherry pie(right along the road).

Jackal99 - Are the ferry rides fairly stable ? I don't know how choppy it needs to get before the ride over to the island gets rough ?

For the most part, it's fairly stable. If it's a nice, sunny day, it's usually more stable. If the weather is already rough, I think the captains take it a little easier. They navigate those waters several times a day, so they know how to handle it when it's rougher, and they certainly don't want people getting sick. All the times I've taken the ferry, I don't think I've ever seen anyone get sick. If you're prone to motion sickness, I would recommend sitting on the bottom level, which is inside. The top is great for views, but it can be a little rougher and you run a chance of getting wet (especially if you sit on the sides).

Per your recommendation, we're heading out on Shepler's ferry. The wind and cloud cover makes the wind chill a little on the borderline to sit outside today. Our rental house is right on the water and it's been a great break from Houston's heat and humidity. We rode bikes in Petowsky ( sp ? ) yesterday and it was quite nice. This is our 2nd trip to the Great Lakes region and I can see why people like to vacation here.

Great! Have fun on the island. Let me know what you think.

Are you on the departure that goes under the bridge? Petoskey is a great place. We have a family place in the area, so get up there every summer.

+1 For driving the Petoskey - Charlevoix - Traverse City drive. Really really scenic. Also would recommend driving the Leelanau Peninsula, it's also very scenic. There's a great little wine region around Traverse City that is really up-and-coming if you're into that kind of thing.
Sleeping Bear is also can't miss. Like they said above, going all the way down the dune is brutal and a lot farther than it looks.
If you go through Petoskey, take a little time to walk the lakefront and look for a Petoskey stone. They're really cool and although you can buy them, finding one yourself is special.
If you have time, go up to Sault Ste. Marie in the UP and take a Soo Locks tour, it was pretty cool to say I had technically been on Superior, Huron, and Michigan in the same day after taking the ferry to Mackinac.
I did a 2-night whirlwind tour from Detroit - Mackinac - Sault Ste. Marie - Traverse City - Sleeping Bear - Detroit. It was definitely a lot to see and would have been better suited for 4-5 days.

You may be familiar with the movie "Somewhere in Time," which was filmed on the island. If you follow the road along to the left after you get off the ferry, you'll find a plaque marking a famous scene along the water.

I thought the island was nice, but we were not there the entire day. Started by the ferry, ate lunch, walked out to Arch Rock. I saw what you meant regarding the busy streets and trying to cycle the main street area. Too crowded for my liking. However, we did notice that there seemed to be a hiking/cyclingb path around the island that might be an option for another trip.
I was a bit surprised by the cost of the ferry, guided carriage tours, etc. . We didn't take a carriage tour, but I think it was about 100 per person. I might be wrong. I did take your recommendation for Joann;s fudge shop and it was great.
Drove back to Traverse City today via Petoskey and Charlevoix and it was beautiful. My wife and I both mentioned the vibrant green of the landscape. Speaking of which, we stopped at one of the farmers markets along the way and bought some of the freshest, best-tasting asparagus. It was fresh-cut and super dark green. I don't see it like that in the Houston grocery stores.

Jackal - We rode in Sleeping Bear today and stopped at the Dune Climb. I walked up the first dune and thought it was brutal. I don't know where you started your hike from, but how the heck did you walk for hours in those sand dunes ? Sleeping Bear Dune was definitely worth the trip today. Very unique and I would absolutely return again. The beaches below the dunes are so freaking cool.

For those considering a trip to Michigan, I would recommend it if you enjoy being outside. The UP, Petoskey, Travserse City areas are beautiful and we've found the locals to be quite nice. I've really enjoyed the rural areas.