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Mackinac Island, Michigan
Springtime on Mackinac
Island offers blue skies and the promise of a new season. Most
attractions, shops and much of the seasonal businesses open up in late
April and early May. The Mackinac State Historic Parks opens its historic
sites to the public in early May. A spring trip to Mackinac Island is
great for a quiet getaway, hiking in the state park and reconnecting with
nature. The Grand Hotel opens in late April and all ferries resume their
schedules at April’s end. Horses arrive ready to lose their winter coats
and get back to work from their winter hiatus.
Each June since 1949, the
Island celebrates the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, ushering in the
warm, breezy days of early summer and the return of yachts to the harbor.
A Taste of Mackinac is the heralded culinary event showcasing the talents
of Mackinac Island’s finest restaurants. The Mackinac Island Dog and
Pony Show and Epona and Barkus Parade celebrate Mackinac Island’s canine
and equine friends. The Grand Parade, distinctive because horses pull all
of the floats, closes the festival each season. June also marks the
beginning of free guided tours of the Governor’s Summer Residence each
Wednesday morning. Fourth of July festivities include the Old Fashioned
Games with the Mackinac Island Fire Department and the All American Picnic
at Fort Mackinac catered by Grand Hotel capped off with the downtown
fireworks display. The century old annual Chicago to Mackinac and Bay View
to Mackinac Yacht Races known as the longest freshwater yacht races in the
world brings in hundreds of sailing professionals to the shores every
July. Notable August events include the Benjamin Blacksmith Convention,
Hickory Stick Golf Classic and the Mackinac Island Music Festival at
Mission Point Resort. August ends appropriately with the annual Mackinac
Island Fudge Festival which features music, dance, “Daddy, I want the
Golden Ticket” wonka-esque family vacation giveaway, culinary events and
the Children’s Ballet Theatre of Michigan’s final summer performance
at Mission Point Resort Theatre.
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Arch Rock at Mackinac Island
Horse drawn carriage around the island
Cannon firing from Fort Mackinac
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DOWNLOADABLE
PUBLICATIONS
Mackinac
Island Visitors Guide
The most comprehensive guide to Mackinac Island which
includes lodging, shopping, dining, attractions,
itineraries, history and more. Please give this document
time to download...it is well worth the wait.
Mackinac Island Visitors Guide Flip Book
A nice fun way to view the guide online.
Mackinac
Island Accommodations Guide
The perfect lodging resource which includes images,
prices, web addresses and contact info for all of the
Island's resorts, hotels, historic inns, bed and breakfasts,
apartments, suites, vacation condos, cottage and home
rentals.
Mackinac
Island Dining Guide
All the restaurants in an easy to use format for your
nourishment while on Island.
Detailed
Map
The best trail map and business locator map available
period. To print, be sure to use 8.5" x 14" paper
Easy
Print General Island Map
This map is very easy to print on 8.5 x 11 paper and shows
the entire Island.
Mackinac
Island Architectural Walking Tour
This brochure is meant to be used as a self guided trip
through 300 years of American Architecture that may be found
on Mackinac Island. Please use in conjunction with the
Island Map for specific locations.
Mackinac
Island Digital Wedding Organizer
From the official wedding site for the Island www.mackinacislandweddings.org,
this great guide will help brides stay organized for their
upcoming Mackinac Island Wedding.wedding
website
Mackinac
Island Wedding Specialists
Congratulations! This directory is organized by category for
only those vendors that we know will make your wedding
absolutely fabulous.
National
Historic Landmark Source Document
For those researching and writing about Mackinac Island,
this document outlines much of the historic information used
by Mackinac State Historic Parks to assist us in obtaining
our National Historic Landmark Status. For other historic
publications, click on www.mackinacparks.com
or www.islandbookstore.com. |
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THE
GRAND HOTEL
Grand dame of Michigan's Mackinac island, the Grand Hotel — a member of the Historic Hotels of America — has been hosting summer vacationers since 1887. Somewhat more recently, the Grand Hotel provided the setting for the historic romance Somewhere in Time, filmed in 1980. Yet her greatest claim to fame is visible from afar: The majestic 660-foot-long veranda that evokes her Victorian heritage is reputed to be the world's longest. Strolling along it won't be the only walking you do: Cars are restricted on Mackinac Island — and that's just the way generations of guests like it.
The Grand Hotel's 385 rooms vary in size and location, so the one you choose may have an effect on your enjoyment. For instance, would you rather spend less for a small one without much of a view? Or can you afford larger, deluxe digs with a balcony that overlooks the water? Regardless, your room will have been designed under the direction of Carlton Varney, known for a certain frou-frou comfort and elegance (think floral-patterned wallpaper and fabrics) one rarely sees in sleek new hotels. There are also six suites named for the U.S. First Ladies who consulted on their decor.
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Daily breakfast and dinner are included in the rate. Between 7:30am and 11am, there's always something to eat in the morning. Specialties include pancakes or French toast with real Michigan maple syrup. The hotel offers a lunch buffet, but there are also many choices in town. Male guests who eat in the Main Dining Room are expected to show up wearing a coat and tie. (And pants.) There are also casual-dress eateries on site. The Grand Hotel Orchestra performs nightly in the parlor after dinner.
During the season (May through October), the Grand Hotel's picturesque lawn and lakeview settings, indoors and out, are a prime location for destination weddings. With a dedicated wedding coordinator and house orchestra, two planning pressures are eased. Although the minimum charge for a big wedding is $5,000, there's also a package that costs under $1,000 for weddings of 10 guests or fewer, including the bride and groom. Payment for the officiant is additional. For more details, download the
Grand
Hotel wedding brochure.
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The hotel's honeymoon/anniversary package includes three nights' lodging, daily breakfast and dinner, flowers, champagne, Grand Hotel fudge, one afternoon tea, an hourlong private horse-and-carriage ride, and 10 percent off the package the next time you visit. The price is determined by the category of lodging you select. There's also a simple romantic gift package (flowers, fudge, wine or champagne, and a card) as well as a swoon-worthy romance basket whose bounty consists of a dozen long-stemmed roses, 2 complimentary bathrobes, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a card. The rest is up to you.
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Golf on the 18-hole Jewel course, play tennis on one of four Har Tru courts, and swim outdoors in the heated pool. It stretches serpent-like for 220 feet and contains one half million gallons of water. Indoors, there's shopping, for everything from teas to toys to tableware.
Given that guests 11 years old and younger stay and eat free, the Grand Hotel attracts lots of families with kids. Early in the season (May, and before school lets out in June), and late September and October are the best times to avoid them. Nonetheless, the hotel frequently earns a spot on Travel & Leisure magazine's list of the world's top 500 hotels and garners a Four-Diamond Award from the AAA. The world’s largest summer hotel, the Grand Hotel is a one-of-a-kind place.
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