After a good night’s sleep following such a long but wonderful day, we got up and began our drive to Mackinac Island. It was a beautiful day and an easy drive. We enjoyed the random pops of color along the way announcing that fall is just around the corner. Mackinac Island does not allow motorized vehicles – except for a couple emergency vehicles so we had to park our car and catch the ferry over to the island. We had two options to choose from. Ferries departing from St Ignace require driving across the Mackinac Bridge – a 5 mile long suspension bridge.
We opted for this option. However, for those who do not like bridges, or those, like our friends who choose to fly into the airport closest to the island and shuttle to the ferry, ferries also depart from Mackinac City.
Mackinac Bridge
The ferry service was efficient, and the ferry ride was beautiful. We handed over our luggage, parked our car, boarded the ferry and our luggage was delivered to our hotel upon arrival.
Ferry
On Ferry
View from Ferry
The island has a plethora of accommodations to choose from, from the most famous (The Grand Hotel) insert Grand Hotel photo, to smaller hotels and bed and breakfasts. We chose to stay at The Inn at Stonecliffe.
Inn at Stonecliffe
We were visiting over a busy holiday weekend and we liked the idea of being away from the crowds. Morevoer, the grounds were beautiful and they offered on site activities that appealed to us. The Inn at Stonecliffe is also a Humanitarian Hotel which means 100% of its profits to go charity.
Grounds
Grotto Grounds
Our Room
We loved our spacious room and the morning lake view from the balcony.
Our Room
Our Room
Our View
On Property Activities
The property offers a variety of activities on property including: tours of the grounds, Sunset Rock, 2 pools (including 1 adults only pool), a fitness center, morning yoga, live music, and pizza making classes to name a few. I’d like to say I took advantage of morning yoga, but that would be a lie! We did however, enjoy the pool one afternoon, and chatting with other guests over the firepit eating S’mores one evening.
Firepits
Other activities we enjoyed included a wine and fudge tasting, a lesson in beekeeping, and just hanging out in a hammock.
Wine and Fudge
Beekeeping
Chilling at the Inn
The Food
There were 3 restaurants, a pub, and a general store on property. 2 of the restaurants belong to the Inn at Stonecliffe, while the 3rd belongs to the Grand Hotel. We enjoyed breakfasts daily at the Straits and 2 dinners at The Backyard.
Breakfast
Breakfast
The Woods is on the same property as the Inn at Stonecliffe and we enjoyed a very nice dinner there one evening. The Woods was originally the playhouse for a wealthy family and their duckpin bowling alley is still there. We enjoyed bowling a few frames on rainy afternoon.
Woods Restaurant
We ate most of our meals at the Inn except for our second evening when we chose a restaurant in town before setting sail on our Sunset Cruise.
Bridge at Sunset
Transportation on the Island
As mentioned before, motorized vehicles are not an option for getting around the island. Guests may walk, ride bikes and take a horse drawn carriage. These options, especially the horse drawn carriage, really lend themselves to a relaxing vacation where we were forced to slow
down and just enjoy the moments.
Taxi with Friends
Horses
Biking around the island was a highlight of our trip for me. A 8.2 mile “highway”, mostly flat, circles the island. We rented bicycles from Mackinac Island Mobility & Bicycle Rental. Free helmets were included in the rental. Andy, the avid cyclist knew it would be no problem at all for him. The rest of us were concerned, but we all cycled the full distance and had a great time. In fact, we had such a great time, I was remiss in taking photos. Along the way, we passed Arch Rock. Andy was our explorer and climbed the stairs to see it from above. The rest of us were content to wait at the bottom and take a photo from down below.
Arch Rock
I was so proud of my bicycling accomplishment that I brought home a souvenir.
8.2
On our bike ride, I found evidence of another way to visit the island – on a Viking River cruise! Here is the Viking Polaris in the background as guests are being tendered to the island for some sightseeing.
Viking Polaris
Tender
Michigan you were a wonderful addition to my list of visited states! Thank you for your beauty and hospitality!
Melissa
