Mackinaw City, MI: the most popular tourist city in Michigan
Submitted by Wanderlust AndiMackinaw City, Michigan is a great place to visit while you are working on the road. It is a smaller town, so it doesn't have the traffic and parking issues that a larger city has. And, most hotels are within walking distance to the town's activities.
It also a beautiful town, as you are right on Lake Huron. It is located on the northern tip of Michigan's lower peninsula and is at the southern end of the Mackinaw Bridge, the magnificent bridge which unites the Lower Peninsula of Michigan with the Upper Peninsula. The drive across the bridge is, in itself, an amazing experience.
It is very much a tourist town. In fact, it has been called the most popular tourist city in Michigan. It's main attraction is Mackinac Island, an island that has built a major tourist trade based on the fact that is has no cars. Mackinaw City has several ferries that take the tons of tourist to the island.
The town itself is more of a village, with a multitude of fudge and candy shops, souvenir shops and restaurants. It is just the right size for a pleasant shopping trip in between bouts of working, or on the weekend.
Machinaw City also has several other easy-to-do tourist attractions, including Jack Pine Lumberjack Show, Colonial Michilimackinac (a 1770's fort), the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum Inc., the Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park and Mackinac Bridge Museum.
The town itself is less than 1000 people (without tourists) - it is literally a one-grocery store town, and has no Walmart or Target stores. So, don't expect to get caught up on any utility or technical shopping you might have.
I was there in mid October – only find that many of the tourist attractions were closed in September, and that much of the town would close the end of October, including most hotels, many restaurants, and most of the tourist attractions. After all, you can't get to Mackinac Island by ferry when the lake is frozen. The good news is that I was able to get some good deals on my hotel costs, so could enjoy working with a great view of Lake Huron right outside my window.
I would highly recommend a visit to this town - even in October!
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