Introducing Mackinac Island
From either St Ignace or Mackinaw City you can catch a ferry to Mackinac Island, Michigan’s first tourist destination. The British built a fort atop the famous limestone cliffs in 1780 and then fought the Americans for control of it during the War of 1812.
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The most important date on this 2000-acre island was 1898 – the year cars were banned to encourage tourism. Today all travel is by horses or bicycles; even the police use bikes to patrol the town. The crowds of tourists (called Fudgies by the islanders) can be crushing at times, particularly at summer weekends. If at all possible, spend a night on Mackinac Island; the real charm of this historic place emerges after the last ferry leaves in the evening.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Michigan + Chicago
by LouisXIV 05 August 2011
Maybe drive to Mackinac Island, spend a day there and then head south along Lake Michigan through Petoskey, Charveloix, Elk Rapids, Traverse…
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RE: Michigan + Chicago
by Midwesterner 03 August 2011
Consider a coastal drive to Mackinaw City, Mi / St. Ignace, MI and a passenger ferry for the day-trip to Mackinac Island. Return to Grand…
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RE: USA road trip in October '11
by Midwesterner 28 July 2011
In the Michigan UP - visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. If you arrive before mid-October you'll be able to take a 3-hour boat tour,…
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