Sightseeing on Mackinac Island

There wasn't a lot of time for shopping or sightseeing, but we did squeeze in a few things.

80% of the island is State Park property.  Traveler's Choice listed Mackinac as one of the top ten islands in the United States.  There are scores of summer residents, but only about 500 brave year-round residents. Motorized vehicles have been prohibited on the island since 1898 except for emergency and service vehicles, and snowmobiles during winter.  The primary means of transportation are horses [there are 500 of them on the island], bicycles, and foot. The island does have a small airport.

Many tourists like to bike around the eight mile circumference of the island.  I have done that a few times, but not this time.  The island is 3.8 square miles.

It truly is like stepping back in time to a much more slower pace of living.  We couldn't have picked a time when the weather was better.

 ~ Main Street ~

~ Main Street looking towards Marquette Park and Fort Mackinac ~

There is a tea room at Fort Mackinac so, of course, I had to check it out - which meant walking up the long incline pictured below!

~ Looking towards Haldimand Bay from Fort Mackinac ~

~ The tea room is operated by the Grand Hotel ~

It resembles the front porch of the Grand Hotel.  There is indoor seating, but on such a gorgeous day we ate al fresco.  After the trek up that incline I wanted iced tea, not hot tea!  I ordered an Arnold Palmer.

A proper Afternoon Tea is reserved for the hotel, the Fort tea room is actually a lunch spot, albeit a very good one.  I ordered a roasted turkey tortilla wrap and shared it with Jerry.

Farther up Fort Street [beyond Fort Mackinac] is the Governor's summer residence.  The three-story home was built in 1902 as a private residence, and the Mackinac Island State Park Commission purchased it in 1944, and maintains it. 

~ Hotels on the other end of Main Street ~

~ Market Street ~

Cutest U.S. Post Office I've ever seen!

~ Cadotte Avenue ~

That's it for this trip!  I hope you've enjoyed the armchair tour.  Mackinac Island is a wonderful place to visit.