My family is planning a little trip in October to see the autumn colors and to spend a little time on the fascinating island. I have never been there, so this is extra exciting. I have done some research online, but if any of you photographers know of any "not to be missed" sights, please post them here.
Rent the movie, "Somewhere In Time". It was filmed there.
Looks beautiful
We watched that last weekend after the plans for this little trip started to look like they might actually happen. The Grand Hotel will be on our short list of things to see.
Rent a horse or horse and buggy, they are always fun. (Pro-tip: don't feed the horse Beef-A-Reeno before you go.) If you bring your bike you can really get around.
I've not been over there in the fall so don't know where the secret color tour spots are, sorry :(
Are you staying on the island? If not call Carol at the Tradewinds Motel in St. Ignace, she's nice people and will treat you right. Tell her JP told you to call. Really.
Rent a horse or horse and buggy, they are always fun. (Pro-tip: don't feed the horse Beef-A-Reeno before you go.) If you bring your bike you can really get around.
I've not been over there in the fall so don't know where the secret color tour spots are, sorry :(
Are you staying on the island? If not call Carol at the Tradewinds Motel in St. Ignace, she's nice people and will treat you right. Tell her JP told you to call. Really.
Thanks for the recommendation, but for this trip we are staying at the Mission Resort. The off season rates are quite inexpensive, so we are treating ourselves. This will be our first ever family vacation, where all 3 of us are included. My daughter PaulinaRD actually picked the spot, it never would have been on my list of possibilities. Now that its a done deal I am starting to get excited.
I hope you like fudge because Mackinaw Island has to be the fudge capital of the world. The Grand hotel is fantastic. You can also rent bicycles and ride around the island. It's 8 miles around.
From the fort you get a beautiful view of the marina, and out on to the lake, and can even see Big Mac out in the distance.
Arch Rock is a neat spot. Go there on your own though if you want to shoot it, because the carriage tour only stops there for about 8 minutes.
The Governors house is pretty photogenic too.
Lots of cool stuff to shoot just wondering around the town too.
Barbara - what a lovely time you are going to have. Now, I don't know how you are going to get there and get back. There is a perfectly serviceable ferry that takes tourists to and from the island. There is also a small air strip at the top of the island where small planes land.
When I went there a few years ago, I took the little 6-seater scheduled airline plane. There were high winds and overcast skies. It is the only time in my long career as a passenger on aircraft that I wished the runway was wider. Nevertheless, the little airport is charming and - yes - you are met by a horse and wagon that, with driver, takes you to your appointed hotel. Giving you a lovely introduction to the island as you slowly clop along.
You can rent a horse, a horse and carriage, a bike, or you can just walk. Every step is an adventure. Do not neglect evening ramblings. However, if you ramble onto grass, day or night, be reminded there are colonies of Canada geese processing the grass.
I agree with everything said in this thread so far as far as the attractions. I wish bmartuch had not brought up the fudge.
I am now hungry for fudge.
PS If you rent something with a horse attached, be sure you know how to back up. Some delightfully funny (not to the participants) incidents seem to occur when they only have a learner's permit in that department.
I haven't been there since I was a kid, But We did go there a few times, Was actually one of my dad's favorite weekend retreats. Had always planned to take our Kids there and to Washington Island also. But still haven't got around to it.
