You can't really talk about Mackinac Island State Park without talking about the island community, tourism culture, and history. First, the island touts that no cars are allowed. This is, for the most part, true. People get around by bike, horse taxis, and foot. It is worth mentioning that while there, we did see two vehicles—one, a police SUV and another, a truck parked outside the maintenance shed for the fort, which stands out as one the first things you'll see as you step off the ferry and walk down Main Street. Other historical informational tidbits: according to guide books, this island was a trading post for Native Americans and, second, during a British-American war, the British landed here, surprising the Americans who hadn't yet been informed that war had been declared. The island has well-marked trails and historical markers. Mackinac Island State Park comprises 82% of the island. We walked from the dock to the fort, then followed a trail to Arches Rock (about a 15-minute walk), which is a beautiful limestone formation along the coast. We took the steep, and snowy/icy way—it had snowed the past 2 days, which we were not expecting during an early April visit—stairs down to the coastline where we walked a mile on M-185, which circles the island, back to town. Next, we rented bikes and pedaled the 8.2-mile perimeter of the island after sitting down for a yummy lunch at the Village Inn—one of the two restaurants on the island open year-round.
Quick Tips:
To get to the island, take a ferry from Saint Ignace (upper peninsula), or Mackinaw City (lower peninsula)— about -20 per person. Like I said, it will be chilly, so dress appropriately. Best Way To Get Around:
Rent bikes—it's a great way to see the island and get a feel for how big it is. Or, walk or take a horse-taxi.