Just a short stroll or ride away, Fort Mackinac is a National Historic Landmark and the sentinel of the Straits of Mackinac for 224 years. Guides are dressed in period costumes. You'll witness cannon and rifle firing demonstrations, explore the real history of Mackinac in 14 original buildings filled with period settings, exhibits and videos. Enjoy a panoramic view of the harbor, and Grand Hotel service at the Fort Mackinac Tea Room.

Riding stables are located near the hotel. Mackinac Island features more than forty miles of bridle paths. Drive-yourself carriages are also available from local liveries.

Bicycles, which can be rented at Grand Hotel's Tennis Shop, are ideal for exploring Mackinac Island at your own speed. Special Grand Hotel box luncheons can be enjoyed at any of the picnic spots throughout the island.

We will be happy to arrange a tour of the island in a colorful horse-drawn carriage. This is a great way to discover Mackinac's rich heritage and natural beauty.

Historic Downtown Mackinac Island features fur trade era homes and shops, as well as grand Victorian cottages. You will find a unique variety of shops and restaurants on Mackinac Island. Art galleries and world-famous fudge shops abound.

Two butterfly conservatories offer visitors a chance to see native and exotic species up close.

All overnight guests receive free admission in 2012. From Native American baskets to present-day paintings of the island by residents, the art museum showcases fine and decorative arts inspired by Mackinac Island through the ages. Look for “Mackinac’s Grand Hotel” art exhibition this year.

From 1892 to 1957, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse (located in Mackinaw City) guided ships through the Straits of Mackinac. It will open to public tours on May 10, 2010. Visitors will see a restoration in progress, including exhibits, period settings, and historical interpreters in costume.

Plan a day trip to nearby St. Ignace and Mackinaw City to visit the Father Marquette Memorial honoring the founder of St. Ignace. Experience Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fur trade and military outpost with a dozen reconstructed buildings, and guides dressed as British redcoats, French voyageurs, colonial villagers and American Indians.

Mackinac Island is a popular locale for this outdoor activity in which participants explore the island using a GPS (Global Positioning System) to both hide and locate containers (called "geocaches" or "caches"). For more information, visit geo-caching.com.