Skip to main content
  • Aerial view of Grand Hotel and Downtown Mackinac

    About Mackinac Island

Mackinac (MACK-in-awe) became one of the nation’s favored summer resort destinations during the Victorian era. Vacationers seeking the cooler weather on Mackinac Island arrived in large lake-excursion boats from Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit. They danced to Strauss’ waltzes, listened to Sousa’s stirring marches, dined on whitefish, and strolled along the broad decks. To accommodate overnight guests, boat and railroad companies financed the building of Grand Hotel.

A Short Trip to Another Time & Place

Mackinac (MACK-in-awe) became one of the nation’s favored summer resort destinations during the Victorian era. Vacationers seeking the cooler weather on Mackinac Island arrived in large lake-excursion boats from Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit. They danced to Strauss’ waltzes, listened to Sousa’s stirring marches, dined on whitefish, and strolled along the broad decks. To accommodate overnight guests, boat and railroad companies financed the building of Grand Hotel.

Where We Go by Foot, Bike, or Horse

One of the most noticeable differences on Mackinac Island (which is accessible only by boat and plane) is the absence of automobiles. Visitors and residents travel by foot, bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. There are only 600 year-round residents. And during the summer, there are more than 500 horses.

Something Different, Something to Remember

If you’d like to learn more about beautiful Mackinac Island — and see why it was awarded “Best Island in the Continental U.S.” by the prestigious Travel + Leisure 2022 World’s Best Awards — here are two recommended websites for you to visit.

Chasing Summer Sale

Have a new kind of old-fashioned getaway at Grand Hotel. Stay longer and save to explore all that Mackinac Island and Grand Hotel have to offer. Get away to get together on Mackinac Island, recently named the Best Summer Travel Destination in the 2023 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice awards.

Book today through May 31 and enjoy 25% off Grand Rooms, Lake View Rooms and Lake View Balcony Rooms and 35% off Suites for select dates in June.