Father Jacques Marquette stands in the the park named after him. The Officers' Stone Quarters at Fort Mackinac in the background date from 1780 and is the oldest building in Michigan. The Tea Room on the lower level of the Quarters is a beautiful place to take a break or have lunch. Arch Rock Mackinac Island, Michigan is located in the Straits of Mackinac approximately 7 miles east of the Mackinac Bridge. No automobiles (except for government vehicles) are permitted on Mackinac Island. The most common way to reach Mackinac Island is by ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. Native Americans have visited Mackinac Island for over 11,000 year. The first Europeans visited the island in the 1630s. During the American Revolution, the British closed Fort Michilimackinac in present day Mackinaw City and moved the Fort, now called Fort Mackinac, to the Island. Following the Revolution, control of the Straits of Mackinac was turned over to the Americans. The British retook Fort Mackinac for a brief period during the War of 1812. In 1875, Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) became the nation's 2nd National Park. 20 years later the park was turned over to the State of Michigan. 85% of the Island are administered by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. Although many of Island visitors never leave the community, the majority of Mackinac Island is covered with lush forests and wildflowers interspersed with natural limestone formations like Arch Rock, Sugar Loaf and Skull Cave. Most travel to Mackinac Island is by Ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, though some people travel there by airplane, private boats or across the ice in winter. Air taxi service is available year around from Great Lakes Air.

Fort Mackinac Mackinac Island in Winter Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery Stuart House City Museum Mackinac Art Museum Mackinac Island Carriage Tours Fort Mackinac in Winter Mackinac Island Fall Colors

The beautiful swimming pool at the Grand Hotel was built for Esther Williams' use in the 1946 film, This Time for Keeps. In 1979 the Grand Hotel was the setting for Somewhere In Time, a fantasy love story with a near cult following.

Admission to the Grand Hotel and its grounds is $10, but includes a $10 credit toward a purchase at the Grand Hotel. My favorite spot at the Grand Hotel is the Cupola Bar at the top. It has an amazing view and is nearly vacant during the day time. Formal dress is required after 6:30PM.

Built of Michigan white pine in 1887, the Grand Hotel is one of the world's great resort hotels. The 660' wide hotel has 385 guest rooms with no two decorated the same.

The Grand Hotel Part of the Grand Hotel parking lot

Since the 1880s, Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City have been famous for one more thing: FUDGE. So much fudge is sold in the Straits' area that tourists in this part of the state are known universally as "fudgies." There are dozens of candy shops. My personal favorite is Marshall's Fudge. The Marshall's family has been producing fudge for nearly 80 years and today have a shop on Central Avenue in Mackinaw City.

Copyright 1997-2020 by Keith Stokes. These photos may not be reproduced without written permission.