The Island In Michigan That Comes Alive During The Winter Season
By Emily Tieman|Updated on January 15, 2024(Originally published December 21, 2022)
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Emily Tieman
Author
Emily Tieman is a lifelong Michigander and has a love for locally owned small businesses. She is a freelance writer for Only In Your State and has her own vintage content creator business.
The crown jewel of the Great Lakes State is the ever-popular Mackinac Island. People travel from all over the world to experience this old-fashioned vacation spot. There are eight miles of breathtaking freshwater coastline, and the entire island is car-free. While this is an incredibly popular summer destination, the fun begins when tourists vacate the island and leave the locals to play in the snow. Let’s check out a few things to do on Mackinac Island in the wintertime.
Mackinac Island, Michigan is located in Lake Huron between the Upper and Lower Peninsula.
There are 500 year-round residents that live on the island permanently, which is much less than the 5,000 daily visitors that arrive in the summer during peak season.
When you’re visiting Mackinac Island in the summer, there are so many tourists it can be overwhelming.
That’s why, if you’re up for the challenge, we recommend visiting this unbelievably unique island in the dead of winter. You will most likely only run into locals and get to experience what the island is truly like without all the hustle and bustle.
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You will need to plan ahead for how to get to the island during the winter months.
You can use the ferry until the ice forms on Lake Huron, which is weather-dependent. Once the ice solidifies, the other option is to fly into the small airport on the island by booking a charter flight.
There are no public restrooms available on the island during the winter season, but you can use the bathroom at the ferry dock if the ferries are running. Visitors are encouraged to stay the night and use the hotel restrooms or patronize a restaurant and use its restroom.
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While you’re walking around Mackinac, you’ll begin to notice the peace and quiet of the area. No cars are allowed on the island, creating a serene escape.
But Mackinac Island State Park is open year-round, and you’ll nearly have the entire park to yourself. In the winter months, you can hike or cross-country ski, for example. Bring your own gear and explore the forest — it's magical.
Located in the heart of downtown Mackinac you’ll find Pontiac Lodge, which is a boutique hotel and one of the few places you can spend the night in the winter.
You can’t get much fresher than that! There are plenty of tasty dishes to try, and there's something for everyone.
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If you’re ready for an incredible adventure that very few Michiganders have checked off their bucket list, grab your snowshoes and take the ferry to Mackinac Island this winter.
Enjoy winter on Mackinac Island in this video from Make Today Count:
For more travel information for visiting Mackinac Island in the off-season, check out the Mackinac Island website. You can also follow the Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Facebook page for updates on when the ferry is running.
