The Unreal Mackinaw Island

The Unreal Mackinaw Island

Mackinaw Island is a short ferry ride back in time to this magical vacation destination. Although the natural nature's beauty helps add to the fantasy of the island, the workers are the backbone of this getaway. Mackinaw Island is a big pot of soup mixed with all different cultures and people. However, Mackinaw Island is almost too perfect, is this island a real place, or is this just a tourist trap? 

Truly Mackinaw Island is an amazing place with beautiful sites, people, and deserts! As someone who has been able to go multiple summers in a row, the energy of the island is the cutest "old-timey" town with a dash of Mamma Mia in nature. From the water to the trees and rocks, to the people, food, and shopping it's never hard to find something to do! There are even multiple bed-in-breakfasts or hotels if you want to make your stay longer, one hotel that is well known is the Grand Hotel which is featured in the 1980's classic movie, Somewhere in Time. Anyways I have always wondered about the island itself, what happens when summer is over?

The People of Mackinaw Island:

There is a part of Mackinaw Island that is almost mysterious. Where do all these people live, how does this town look so perfect, it's almost too perfect. After asking around the locals and employees were willing to share how the people of Mackinaw go about their lives, not only those who live on the Island year-round but the seasonal guest also. 

Living in the Upper Peninsula is an experience in itself, so the thought of living through the treacherous conditions of the UP (Slang for Upper Peninsula) winters on a small remote island, especially an island that has no cars. I had the opportunity to chat with a local pottery shop owner, Jay who also lives on the island year-round. Knowing that they send almost all the horses off the island for the winter to get fat keeping about 30 for the mail truck and taxis service in the winters, I was still surprised Jay said snowmobiles were the transportation in the winter. Fun fact, if the lake fully freezes the citizens can ride from the island to St Ignace in the upper Penisula. Also, the community of the locals is strong and forgiving; Jay and his mother both provide free classes in pottery, cooking, knitting, etc. As he shared "there is something every day." Everyone is willing to help each other, making it more of a family than just a town.

During the summer is when all the seasonal people start flooding in, people from multiple cultures and parts of the world coming together. Shockingly, not all seasonal workers live on the island, due to the little living areas most have to take the ferry every day to the island. Sadly, after discussing with a couple of shop owners and employees, Mackinaw Island is not all glamorous. The seasonal workers who do live on the island are given places to stay but that is the end of their benefits. Although, no matter what, it is hard to hate your time there due to how tremendous this time machine of an island is. 

The beauty of Mackinaw Island:

Now ~500 people call this Island home year-round, although what makes about 600,000 people every year want to come to the fantasy island to enjoy this almost somewhat fairy tale way of life? The island has loads of attractions, from its beautiful rock beaches, Caribbean blue water, towering trees, etc. Oh, plus one of my favorite aspects of this time machine island is that there are no cars (other than 1 cop car and 1 ambulance) on the island, so everyone owns bikes, or horses it's an inspiring way of life. You can take a trip around the island or stop and swim depending on where along the shore. Take a hike in the woods of the island and see if you can find Arche Rock! If you are an animal lover and want to check the horses out, ride them around the island and through the woods, or if you want to keep your space a bit hop in a Buggie and enjoy the ride.

I always make a stop at Joanne's Fudge to pick up some famous Mackinaw Island Fudge and some other goodies. You can also sit down and enjoy a meal at one of the endless restaurants along the strip. However, I always pick up a to-go snack/meal from the local market and pop a squat along the shoreline or in a grassy area. If you would like to stay two or more days there are multiple hotels, not only the well-known, Grande Hotel. Although I always find it more enjoyable and cheaper to camp in Mackinaw City and take the ferry over. Also, it's a must to jump into the water, Lake Huron is refreshing blue making it hard to resist. 

Background:

Mackinaw Island was home to Native Americans, specifically The Anishinaabe (Ojibwa) who looked at the island as a sacred home of the Gitche Manitou, “Great Spirit”. Mackinaw was their home before the settlement of the Europeans in the 17th century. The island played a massive role in the fur trade in the Great Lakes for the French, but in 1783 the United States received this beautiful Island in the Treaty of Paris. For some more in-depth History on Mackinaw Island Check out MackinawInfo.com!

Mackinaw Island is a magical place not only in the summer but in the winter as well. The community is diverse and welcoming as well as very close due to being on a small plot of land together. No matter how small though, there is still plenty to do for a day or more. This trip back in time is like no other, and the energy of this old town will always stick with you, pulling you back to the island in the following years.