topic Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs. in Community Chat

Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 14:41:52 GMT

I've been wanting to go to Mackinac Island and stay at The Grand Hotel as long as I can remember. It's always been a back burner kind of thing due to the expense. DH and I are going to be on a bit of a road trip this fall and it worked out perfectly for us to spend about a day and a half on the island and staying overnight at the GH. I don't care if they put me in a broom closet, I want to be able to rock on that porch! I'm looking for a little guidance as to what are the absolute "musts" while we're there. We already have dinner and evening plans for the night we'll be there. Aside from just walking or taking a carriage ride around town that day, I'd like to make the most of our time there. I'm pretty sure we're going to take the boat ride to see the Pictured Rocks. I can't stand bridges, but as long as we're there I almost think I have to suck it up and cross over to St. Ignace too.

If you've been there, what do you suggest?

Thanks in advance

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

butterfly123 — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 04:16:32 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch

The fudge shops, ice cream shops and Fort Mackinac.

Do you AAA membership? They are very helpful also.

Have a fantastic time.

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

SharkE — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 04:27:25 GMT

Some nice shops down town. Didn't care for the fudge mine is better. Real thick and dry. Grand Hotel is pretty on the outside. Dated on the inside. Guess maybe it's supposed to look like that, though.

Whole town stinks. Sorry, but, true. Everything is by horse and buggy and even though the horses wear bags . They P up and down the streets and people have the jobs of cleaning up after them. P runs into the street drains.

I'm glad I went, but, got tired of smelling horse manure. As we ate breakfast in the breakfast room, windows were open and didn't improve your appetite.

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

Snowpuppy — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 04:33:14 GMT

I live here. Well, south of the bridge, anyway.

After Labor Day the tourist season really dies out. There is the Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day Weekend but it sounds like that may not be something enjoyable for you! The Mighty Mack is an engineering feat. The bridge spans The Straits for 5 miles. It's lit at night and really beautiful.

The only way to the island is by ferry. We take the jet express. 1/2 the time of the traditional ferry. Pack accordingly and tell the hotel you'd like baggage service so you're not lugging your bags to the hotel.

The Grand Hotel is a must stay. They serve a traditional afternoon tea that is a great experience. Jacket for dinner at the hotel is required. September can have truly chilly nites so jacket or heavy sweater is a must.

They say some of the rooms are haunted so that may be a plus or a minus in your view. The island itself is peaceful. No motorized vehicles. Get a horse drawn buggy tour of the island. You can rent a bicycle at many places to get around. Lots of quaint shops on the island and in Mackinaw City.

If you're in the mood for a fabulous burger & beer, Maggie's in Mackinaw City is great. Then there's the fudge! OMG, who doesnt love the great fudge shops?!

Pictured Rocks boat tour is spectacular. Their boat tour schedule is posted online. Take the sunset tour and a good camera! I'd recommend the Holiday Inn if you're going to stay in Munising. It's a spectacular drive from the bridge along the south shore of the UP. It's also quite remote so gas up in Mackinac City. A day trip to the boat tour might be better if the remote drive after dark doesn't suit you.

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

kjw — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 05:55:59 GMT

Go on the carriage tour of the town, really interesting. Lots of cute shops. You can rent bikes but there is horse ****** all over.

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

blondiechick — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 06:18:46 GMT

It's a real pretty island. My husband and i went to mackinac island in May. However, the smell of the island is not pleasant. Plus, i really didn't like see the horse manure laying on the roads. Not a good sight. I will say that they do have people constantly cleaning up after the horses.....but it is a sight i would rather not see.

You can take a bike ride or a carriage ride thru the island. There are a lot of good restaurnts on the island. Other than that, all you really need is a day or two.

Also the movie Some Where in Time was filmed on the island.

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

vickie25 — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 06:34:42 GMT

I highly recommend spending an afternoon at Fort Mackinac on the island. It was founded in 1780. Demonstrations and tours by costumed interpreters are scheduled throughout the day.

Fourteen buildings in the fort are restored and open to the public. They are furnished with period settings highlighting the building’s particular function or a themed exhibit

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

deedledeedeedle — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 07:12:16 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch,

Oh, Ms. Finch, you are in for the time of your lives! After you park your car and arrive by ferry, do not expect to use Uber unless they've branched out to horse drawn carriages, too. Cars of any sort are prohibited from the Island. The Grand Hotel experience is worth every penny, IMHO. It has undergone a major renovation in recent years. Why don't you watch Somewhere In Time as a prequel to your stay? Such a bittersweet love story with Mackinac Island, and of course the GH, as backdrop. Jane Seymour has fond memories of filming there with Christopher Reeve, btw.

If you are golfers, the GH has an excellent golf course. If the weather's hot during your stay, you can dip your tootsies into Lake Huron at the waterfront along the foot of the Hotel. If you are history buffs, the Fort tours are interesting, too.

The fudge is to die for. The island employs college students on summer break, who are very friendly & knowledgeable. The workers must attend a month long orientation at the beginning of tourist season. To be honest, I much preferred the island before it got so commercialized, and when it had authentic shops circa 1970's.

Enjoy your trip!

dee

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

qualitygal — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 10:01:02 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch, good for you!!! I wish you sunny days for that trip. Take pictures. It's one of our favorite areas to visit. You'll love it, I'm sure.

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

ValuSkr — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 10:05:57 GMT

It's a nice town except for the horse manure. Remember to get some fudge!

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

ID2 — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 12:31:26 GMT

The pictured rocks are not around Mackinac Island, its a few hours away up in Munising. But they are absolutely stunning! I live in the upper part of the lower peninsula of Michigan about an hour away from the Island. You will have a lovely time! As far as I know theres still a dress code when staying at the Hotel. I love that they still insist on proper dress for dinner. But its not extreme just no holes in your jeans and such. The best part of staying the night is how everything quiets down when all the tourists leave for the day. I love to shop all the stores up and down main street. Have a wonderful time and be sure to tell us all about it when you return!

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

AuntG — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 12:16:57 GMT

I've read some of those "cozy" murder mysteries set on MI. They mention a dress code at the Grand, but everything else is very casual. I hope you can go and that you like it. A little whiff of horse manure makes it an authentic experience of life before automobiles.

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

cherry — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:00:36 GMT

The Grand is very expensive but it includes 2 meals, at least it used to. It's been a while since we were there.

They serve tea in the parlor evey, afternoon. You must dress for dinner, which means no blue jeans. You can wear a nice slacks set

The chef is European ,and the food is beautiful. If you go later in the fall the rooms are 1/2 the price.

The fudge is just fudge, you can find the same type in a lot of places. They make it in a large batch and use a marble slab to make it on

The hotel is where, Somewhere in Time was filmed. I always thought that movie was a stinker, but the Japanese seem to love it

There were a lot of them touring the hotel when we were staying there

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

itsmagic — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:06:05 GMT

We stayed at the Grand Hotel a couple years ago and I loved it. We went with a group of friends and it was fun to see each other's rooms - they were all uniquely decorated. We had dinner and breakfast included. The dinner was great with several different courses served and everyone dressed up. The breakfast was a buffet and less formal but good as well.

i think it is worth taking a guided carriage tour around the island. Very interesting! Our tour included a visit to the butterfly house. We've also rented bikes and ridden around the island. The Fort is also an interesting spot to visit. Both the island and Mackinaw City have lots of cute shops.

I never really noticed the horse smell on the island but then again I grew up in the country with horses so maybe that's why.

Have a wonderful time!

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

sommertime — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:33:01 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch Hope you have a great trip and enjoy all the sights the island has to offer!

To everyone complaining about the "horse droppings" -- What do you think they did 100+ years ago, before cars?! That was just a part of everyday life!

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

SharkE — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:38:21 GMT

Poor women wearing those long dresses dragging the ground. No washing machines. Bet their houses smelled like ****. LOL

Should name that movie somewhere in poo.

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

SharkE — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:52:22 GMT

I bought a print when I was there of the front of the Grand with the carriages passing by. Put in gold frame. Real pretty I wanted something more then a Kodak moment. Hanging in my bedroom.

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 14:59:54 GMT

I really appreciate everyone's input. There is definitely a dress code at the Grand Hotel - Prior to 6:30PM, no cutoffs, bare midriffs, or sweatpants for ladies and no sleeveless shirts, sweats, or cutoffs for men. After 6:30PM, women are expected to wear a dress, skirt & blouse, dress slacks & dress sweater. Men are expected to wear dress slacks, a jacket & necktie. No jeans at all. I'm excited about the whole thing - finding a porter to handle our bags & get them delivered to our room, riding the ferry from the mainland to the island, the horse drawn carriages, the quaintness (is that a word?), the relaxed pace, etc.

The Pictured Rocks boat tour is 2.25-2.5 hrs., depending on which one you take (3 options). My friend caught a few pictures on a driving trip last year, but weather permitting, I think I'd enjoy the tour if we can work it into the schedule.

As for the island fragrance, that doesn't really bother me. While I've never been blessed to own my own, I've loved horses from early on, even when there were mishaps that could have scared me away (and I've had a few - LOL). Call me weird, but when we'd go to my cousin's house or just horseback riding for a day, their scent would linger on my hand from petting them and I didn't mind. It was a reminder of the day during the car ride home. As for the "other scent", well, to me, it's just part of the package.

I'm sure DH will try to con a fudge sample from as many shops as possible. LOL He's the resident chocoholic. I make a pretty great fudge myself so even though it's a touristy thing to do, we probably won't buy any.

@SharkE - you aren't going to believe this, but I've been looking for a nice picture to hang over our bed for the past 10 months. Our walls are a beautiful sky blue and our quilted comforter has a lot of yellow, white, and light blue patchwork prints with some dark pinkish roses in some of the prints. A scenic picture of the Grand Hotel might actually work. I'll be sure to keep my eyes peeled, to see if something strikes me.

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

akaburtonfan — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 15:11:26 GMT

I spent a summer while in college working at the Grand Hotel. You picked a good time to go as in the fall there will probably be less people visiting the island.

My only suggestion would be to rent a tandem bike from one of the many bike shops and ride around the island. It's 8 miles but it's flat except for 1 very slight hill. It's an enjoyable ride.

Speaking of bikes, watch for them and the horse drawn drays and carriages while you're walking in the street. The year I was working there the Grand's harpist was hit by a bike.

Bring plenty of $$ is you're eating or shopping. Enjoy!!

Re: Mackinac Island, MI - Need Some Recs.

SharkE — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 15:19:28 GMT

I'll upload my picture Ms. Jean here in a minute.

I bought a vintage broken china bracelet set in silver in the town.

Royal Albert pattern. already had one, but, this one had different sizes of china, round, square, pieces.

No telling what that thing is now ! Ouch !