Finding Your Place on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island
If you're looking for a picturesque and timeless island escape, consider Mackinac Island in the spring or summer. What makes it unique is its Victorian architecture, horse-drawn carriages, and absence of cars. Beyond the delightful aromas of fudge and caramel popcorn, and the charming clip-clop of horses' hooves, you'll find yourself surrounded by rolling hills, dense forests, limestone cliffs, unique rock formations, and the stunning blue waters of Lake Huron. Mackinac Island has a land area of 3.8 square miles — approximately 3 miles long by 2 miles wide. If you love biking, there are plenty of rentals available (from single bikes to tandems), and the island's 8.2-mile perimeter offers ample opportunity to explore.
Let's talk Logistics
Getting to the island is straightforward, so let’s help you get to where you need to be without giving up and deciding to swim across Lake Huron to the island — that would be disastrous! Depending on where you choose to stay, your destination point is going to be either St. Ignace or Mackinaw City. There you will take a passenger ferry across Lake Huron to Mackinac Island. Since there are a few passenger ferries to choose from, I will provide you with the available choices.
Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry
Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry has a rich history dating back to 1944, when Captain William H. Shepler began offering rides to the island on his small cabin cruiser, The Miss Margy. From these humble beginnings, the company grew to become a vital link between the mainland and Mackinac Island, now boasting a modern fleet of high-speed ferries. Shepler's is renowned for its fast and frequent service, typically transporting passengers from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace in just 16-18 minutes. Still family-owned and operated, the company prides itself on its commitment to "Shepler's Service," a dedication to providing a positive and efficient experience for every passenger, and maintains the title of longest running ferry to the island. Shepler's has multiple routes, some being direct, and others that cruise under the Mackinac Bridge.
Customer Service Operations:
Online Ticketing & Reservations: Convenient online booking system allows customers to purchase tickets and reserve ferry times in advance, streamlining the boarding process.
Luggage Handling: Shepler's staff assists with loading and unloading luggage, ensuring a hassle-free transfer of baggage to and from the island.
Bicycle Transport: Accommodates passengers who wish to bring their bicycles to the island, providing a convenient way to explore Mackinac's car-free roads.
Multiple Departure Locations: Offers ferry service from both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, providing flexibility for travelers.
Frequent Departures: Maintains a schedule of frequent departures throughout the day, minimizing wait times and accommodating various travel plans.
Clean and Comfortable Vessels: Ensures ferries are well-maintained, clean, and comfortable, with amenities like restrooms and seating options.
Friendly and Helpful Staff: Employs staff trained to be courteous, knowledgeable, and helpful in assisting passengers with their needs.
Efficient Boarding Procedures: Streamlined boarding and disembarkation processes to ensure a smooth and timely transition on and off the ferries.
Parking Options: Provides a range of parking options (Mackinaw City & St. Ignace), including day parking and overnight parking, for the convenience of passengers driving to the ferry docks.
Customer Feedback Mechanisms: Actively seeks and responds to customer feedback to continuously improve service quality.
Arnold Transit Company
Arnold Transit Company
Arnold Transit Co. has a storied history in the Straits of Mackinac, originally founded in 1878. While it ceased passenger operations in 2016 after being acquired by Star Line, the name has been revived in 2024. The Hoffmann Family of Companies acquired the former Mackinac Island Ferry Company (previously Star Line) and rebranded it as the new Arnold Transit Company. This revitalized company continues to provide passenger ferry service to Mackinac Island from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, utilizing multiple docks, including historic ones previously associated with the original Arnold Line. They focus solely on passenger transport, with no car ferry service to the car-free Mackinac Island.
Customer Service Operations:
Online Ticketing: Offers convenient online ticket purchasing through their website.
In-Person Ticket Sales: Maintains ticket booths at their docks in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace for walk-up customers.
Luggage Handling: Provides luggage transport services between the mainland and Mackinac Island for passengers.
Customer Service Staff: Has representatives available at docks and likely via phone/email to address inquiries.
Lost and Found: Operates a lost and found system for items misplaced during travel.
Published Schedules: No reservations are needed for the ferries; they operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The company recommends that passengers arrive about 45 minutes before their desired departure.
Group Bookings: Facilitates group travel with potential discounts and coordination services.
Accessibility Assistance: The Arnold Transit Company ferry offers wheelchair accessibility. The crew is dedicated to assisting passengers using wheelchairs, providing support on the ramp to ensure safe boarding and disembarking.
Parking Options: Provides parking at their mainland terminals (details on paid vs. free parking would need confirmation).
Freight Operations: Maintains freight service to the Island.
Bikes & Other Extra Items: Bikes are permitted on the ferry. Passengers can purchase a bikePASS at the ticket booth and attach it to their handlebars. This pass serves as both the bike's ferry ticket and its license on Mackinac Island.
Welcome to Mackinac Island
Now that you have arrived safely on Mackinac Island, you will have plenty of things to do and see. The island is well documented, and there are plenty of websites to help you. One of my favorite sites that helps me out when I want to navigate safely is mackinacisland.org. There is nothing that is not covered on this site, so take your time and review it, preferably before you arrive on the island. As a matter of fact, request a visitor's guide to help you get started. The website incorporates simple, easy-to-understand instructions, backed up with colorful graphics, and it's easy to navigate to your desired inquiry.
When I worked on the island for a summer, I had an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I started out working for the grounds department at the Grand Hotel. I was tasked with cutting their golf course, The Jewel. There were moments that I would get distracted while riding the specialized mower because I could see the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge through the trees on the golf course. The water is so blue that the green landscape makes it remarkably mesmerizing. After working outside for a while, I decided to see if I could work for the Grand Hotel’s security department. I made my request for a transfer, and within a few days, I started patrolling the hotel and the hotel grounds. I met so many interesting people while at the Grand Hotel. Learning about customer service turned out to be a positive experience for me because I was able to foster my interactions with the hotel’s guests and staff, and I noticed I became more confident about how I spoke and treated others.
Make the Experience Your Own
Whether you have an opportunity to work on the island, or maybe you are a first-time visitor, make your visit to the island memorable. If you have friends joining you, this will make it even more memorable. If you can, rent a bike and take a ride around the island. When I rode around the island, I remember the breeze coming off the water and giving me a slight chill — how refreshing! Bring a long-sleeved sweatshirt and a sun hat. Depending on what time of the year you are visiting the island, there is typically a cooler breeze, especially on the northern side of the island where the sun might not hit those bike paths.
Best Time to Visit: The peak season is June through August, offering the warmest weather and all attractions open. For fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures, consider the shoulder seasons: May and September/October. Fall colors in late September and early October are beautiful. Winter is very quiet, with limited services, but offers a unique, peaceful experience.
Top Things to Do:
Explore Fort Mackinac: A historic military fort with exhibits and demonstrations.
Bike the Island's Perimeter: Rent a bike and cycle the 8.2-mile loop around the island (M-185) – it's car-free!
Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: A classic Mackinac Island experience.
Visit Arch Rock: A stunning natural limestone arch formation.
Explore the Mackinac Island State Park: Hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and historical sites.
Visit the Butterfly Houses.
Hospital on the Island?: Yes, there is a medical center: Mackinac Island Medical Center. It provides emergency services, primary care, and some specialist services.
Phone Number: (906) 847-3582. For serious emergencies, patients may be transported off-island.
Best Fudge Shops: This is subjective, but some highly-rated and popular shops include:
Joann's Fudge
Murdick's Fudge
Ryba's Fudge Shops
May's Candy Shop
Top Restaurants: Dining options range from casual to fine dining. Some popular choices (covering various styles):
Fine Dining: 1852 Grill Room (at the Island House Hotel), The Woods (a Grand Hotel property, away from downtown).
Casual/Mid-Range: Pink Pony (iconic, waterfront), Yankee Rebel Tavern, Goodfellows Italian Chop House.
Pub Fare: Horn's Gaslight Bar & Restaurant, Mustang Lounge.
Island Transportation: Remember, cars are not allowed. Transportation options include:
Walking
Bicycling (rentals widely available)
Horse-drawn carriages (taxis and tours)
Horseback riding (rentals available)
Shopping: Main Street is lined with shops selling souvenirs, clothing, artwork, jewelry, and, of course, fudge.
Lodging: Options range from grand hotels like the Grand Hotel (famous for its porch and dress code) to smaller hotels, B&Bs, and condos. Book well in advance, especially for peak season.
Best Clothes to Wear:
Layers are Key: The weather can change quickly. Pack layers you can add or remove.
Comfortable Shoes: You'll be doing a lot of walking or biking.
Rain Gear: A light jacket or poncho is a good idea, even in summer.
Dress Code Considerations: If you plan to dine at the Grand Hotel or some other upscale establishments, check their dress code requirements (often jackets for men in the evening). Otherwise, casual attire is generally acceptable.
Events: Consider attending a special event during your stay. Mackinac Island offers several events during the year. The Annual Lilac Festival happens every June.
Closing Thoughts
Take the first step to a great adventure on Mackinac Island, where you can hike the trails, bike around the perimeter of the island (or do some off-road mountain biking), or ride a horse for part of a day! There are endless opportunities to make memories this spring and summer. There’s more places to see if Mackinac Island is too much to handle: St. Ignace and Michigan City. One of the most important things you can do is try some of Mackinac Island fudge — that is, if you have a sweet tooth. Also, bring some good shoes with you if you plan on doing a lot of walking. The last thing you need is to get a blister. If you haven’t ridden in a horse-drawn taxi, well, you are in for a treat, because that's the primary mode of transportation on the island — other than for emergency vehicles.
MJ Grenier
With a passion for crafting compelling content, he creates captivating pieces for Scáth Solas Life. He thrives on interviewing people, exploring their photography interests, traveling, and composing stories about their lives. His dedication to the craft is evident in every piece he creates, weaving together vibrant narratives that reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of those he encounters.
