Events & What’s Happening
A 10-day celebration of the island's famous lilac blooms featuring a grand parade, horse-drawn carriage tours, a 10K race, and a crowning of the Lilac Queen.
💡The Grand Parade down Main Street is free and perfect for kids — grab a spot on the curb early and watch the horse-drawn floats go by.
Mackinac Island celebrates Independence Day with fireworks launched over the Straits of Mackinac, live music on the waterfront, and family festivities throughout the village.
💡Watch fireworks from the waterfront boardwalk or from a ferry for a stunning view over the water — bring a blanket and arrive well before dark.
Held annually at Windermere Point, this beloved community event invites participants of all ages to compete in flat-stone skipping across the Straits of Mackinac.
💡There is a kids' division so little ones can compete too — collect flat stones along the shoreline before the event for practice.
One of the oldest and longest freshwater sailboat races in the world, finishing at Mackinac Island. The harbor fills with hundreds of racing sailboats and the island celebrates with festivities for several days.
💡Kids love watching the fleet of sailboats arrive in the harbor — line up along the dock area with binoculars for an exciting finish-line experience.
The second major sailing race to finish at Mackinac Island each summer, bringing another wave of racing yachts and festive energy to the waterfront just after the Chicago race.
💡Combine a visit with the Chicago race week for maximum waterfront excitement — the harbor is packed with beautiful boats kids can admire up close.
A family-friendly autumn weekend celebrating the spectacular fall foliage on the island, featuring guided nature walks, carriage tours through the state park, and special dining events.
💡Rent bikes and ride the 8-mile perimeter road with kids for a breathtaking fall foliage experience with far fewer crowds than summer.
The iconic Grand Hotel hosts a festive holiday season with elaborate decorations, special dinners, holiday music performances, and seasonal afternoon teas before the island quiets for winter.
💡Book the holiday tea or dinner well in advance — children are welcome and the historic hotel dressed in Christmas decor is truly magical for kids.
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡Book Shepler's Ferry online at least a week ahead in July — the 8am departure from Mackinaw City is the least crowded crossing and gets your family to the island before the Main Street fudge shop lines form.
- 💡Fort Mackinac offers a free re-entry stamp, so visit early for the first cannon firing (typically 9:30am), bike the perimeter loop midday, and return for the afternoon firing without paying twice.
- 💡Murdick's Fudge on Main Street cuts fresh batches on marble slabs starting around 10am — position kids at the window to watch the pull-and-fold process before buying; the peanut butter chocolate is the island's most-copied recipe.
- 💡Rent bikes at Ryba's Bikes or Bob's Bikes near the ferry dock rather than the first kiosks you see immediately at the dock — prices are comparable but lines are shorter one block inland.
- 💡British Landing on the northwest side of the perimeter loop has a small grill open in summer selling hot dogs and soft drinks — the only mid-ride food stop on M-185, roughly 4 miles from Downtown, so plan your snack timing accordingly.
- 💡The Mackinac Island State Park interior trail to Sugar Loaf rock (a 75-foot natural limestone stack) is only about a half-mile off the main road and dramatically less visited than Arch Rock — a worthwhile detour for kids who like scrambling near geological formations.
- 💡Carriage tour reservations through Mackinac Island Carriage Tours fill up by mid-morning on summer weekends; book the first departure slot of the day (usually 9am) when you arrive at the dock rather than waiting until you're ready to tour.
- 💡The Grand Hotel's famous fudge pecan pie is served at lunch in the Jockey Club at the Gate House — a more affordable way to experience Grand Hotel food without the formal dinner dress code or $10 porch admission fee.
- 💡Pack rain gear even in July — when a Lake Huron squall grounds ferries, the island's population briefly doubles with stranded day-trippers and lodging becomes impossible to find; having booked overnight accommodations means you simply wait it out comfortably.