Activities

Mackinaw is fringed with beaches. These beaches offer a spectacular view of freighters moving products between distant ports, ferries skittering tourists to Mackinac Island, and recreational boats with sunbathers. The beaches are a perfect place to walk, swim, people-watch, or just relax. Bring a book and enjoy the day. Our beach front allows dogs but please keep your pet on a lease and pick up after them. Alexander Henry Park offers a curving sidewalk with a view of the Mackinac Bridge that is suitable for wheelchairs.

Dark Skies

Look up and see stars that are elusive in more developed areas. The perfect viewing location is at the waterfront in Headlands Park. You can gaze over the Lake Michigan sky. The Headlands is under national consideration as a Dark Skies Preserve.

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Events

Weekly events are planned for the summer. These vary from craft shows, to rendezvous, food tasting, to races. There is something for everyone. Be sure to check the Chamber and Visitors Bureau pages.

Mackinaw City Chamber Commerce
Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau

Events by the Season:

  • January - Winter Fest and a Black Tie Ball
  • February - Ice fishing tournament at Carp Lake
  • May - Zoo-De-Mackinac Bicycle Ride, Memorial Day Parade with 100s of bands and floats on Saturday, free Saturday-Monday reenactment of the local battle of Pontiac’s War where the Indians outwitted the British to capture the fort, fireworks, footrace across Mackinac Bridge
  • June - Bike tour including a ride across the Mackinac Bridge, Art & Craft Show
  • July - Largest fireworks in Northern Michigan on July 4th evening, old fashioned games during the day
  • August - Mackinaw Antique Show, Historic Festival, Corvette Show, Art & Craft Show
  • September - Bridge Walk allows anyone to walk the Mackinac Bridge, Beer and Wine Festival, Antique Tractor Parade, Semi-Truck Parade of Lights, and Bike tour including a ride across the Bridge
  • October - Foot race across Mackinac Bridge, Fall Shoppers Fest
  • December - Parade and Christmas tree lighting
   
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Geocaching

Geocaching has become a popular activity in Mackinaw. There are 32 caches in town and dozens more on the periphery. Take the time to search for dozens of these and you will find yourself in Mackinaw parks you never noticed before. The Straits Area Geocachers of Northern Michigan can be found at www.geo-cachers.com
 
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Kites

Kite flying is a natural family activity in windy Mackinaw City. When the winds are from the west there is great kite flying in Conkling Heritage Park. But for any wind direction visit Heritage Village, on the west side of town. It is a park with lots of open fields for great kite flying. It also has a picnic pavilion for your gear and lunch. If you forgot your kite you can buy one downtown and learn about the wide variety of types available.
 
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Photography

Great scenery is what makes Mackinaw the post card capital of Michigan. Turn your camera towards your companions but also toward the Bridge, the sky, the ferries and the freighters. Nature lovers can find wildlife and flowers at Headlands, McGulpin Point, and Heritage Village.

 
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Skating

The Recreation Center is home to an NHL-size ice rink hosting a youth hockey league, tournaments and recreational skating opportunities.

 

 
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Stone Skipping

Enjoy this leisure activity. There are even stone skipping contests (http://stoneskipping.com). Feel free to pick up a nice flat rock and see if you can approach the regional record of 33 skips. Be sure to watch for people, pets, and boats in the water.

 
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Swimming, Sunbathing & Refreshing

The water in the Straits of Mackinac is refreshing. In late summer the water temperature rises to 65-70 degrees. So wading is very popular on a hot summer day. Many of the beach front parks are rocky, so water shoes are recommended for wading. The best sand beaches are located at 1st and 2nd Beach on Trails End Road or at Sturgeon Bay, 12 miles south of Mackinaw City. None of the public beaches have lifeguards. If your kids are determined to get wet but don’t want to wade into the big lake, you might want to run through the water fountain, west of the entrance to Colonial Michilimackinac, that squirts on an 15 minute cycle.
   
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