Are you planning a trip to Mackinaw City, Michigan, and want to make it more fun by doing some fun things? Don’t look any further! This is the right place for you because we will talk about the 26 best and most fun things to do in Mackinaw City, MI. This will make your trip more interesting.
Mackinaw City is at the very end of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, making it easy to get to Mackinac Island. It is also a center of historical, natural, and cultural attractions. Mackinaw City is a great place to visit whether you’re interested in history, or nature, or just want to relax.
There are many must-see and do things in this family-friendly spot that will make sure you get the most out of your trip. You should also know when the best time is to go to Mackinaw City, Michigan, so you can get the most out of your trip.
Here are the 26 best and most fun things to do in Mackinaw City, Michigan in 2024.
1. Take A Ferry To Mackinac Island
You can start your trip in Mackinaw City by taking a boat to Mackinac Island. This famous island is in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac. It is a paradise where cars are not allowed, and you can only get there by boat.
Visitors to the island can take one of two boat companies that run between St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, and Mackinac Island. The Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry of the Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry can take you to the island if you are a guest.
Horse-drawn carriages and scooters are the main ways to get around here, making the trip feel like going back in time. Mackinac Island candy is a treat that is known all over the world and has a lot of history behind it.
Address: United States, Mackinaw City, MI
2. Colonial Michilimackinac
Explore the Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City, Michigan. It is a special place to visit because it is a trading post and fort from the 18th century at the Straits of Mackinac.
The Colonial Michilimackinac was built in 1715 and links Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. A number of the wooden buildings and palisade have been rebuilt and now stand as an open-air history museum. The site is part of Fort Michilimackinac State Park.
During your stay, there will be historical interpreters all over the fort ready to answer your questions and show you around. People can also see the smoke from cannons, mortars, and muskets, as well as how the people live prepare food, and take care of their fields.
800 N Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 USA
3. Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Mackinac City’s Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse is one of the best places to see. This ancient building, which was built in 1892 along the Straits of Mackinac, gives visitors a look into the life of a lighthouse keeper.
The Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse helped ships get through the Straits of Mackinac, which are very dangerous. People can look at displays like the original lens, view the second floor of the house, take tours of the lighthouse tower, watch a movie, and visit the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum.
Ascending to the top gives guests views of the beautiful Mackinac Bridge and where Lakes Michigan and Huron meet that can’t be found anywhere else.
526 N Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 USA
4. Mackinaw Crossings
The Mackinaw Crossings are a great place for families to visit in Mackinaw City, MI. This Victorian-style shopping, eating, and entertainment center has something for everyone.
The shopping area has more than 50 unique stores, attractions, and places to eat. A free laser show happens every night at the mall. There is also a rock climbing wall, an archery shooting lane, and a 10,000-gallon fish tank.
Take your family to this mall and eat at one of the special restaurants. At night, let your kids watch the laser light shows.
The address is 248 S Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USA.
5. Headlands International Dark Sky Park
Going to the Headlands International Dark Sky Park is one of the coolest things you can do outside in Mackinaw City. With its 550 acres, this park is one of the few places where you can see the Milky Way’s beauty with your own eyes.
There are marked paths in the park for cross-country skiing, hiking, photography, and biking. It also has untouched forests, more than two miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline, and a lot of rare and threatened plant species.
When you go, you might see a black bear, bald eagle, osprey, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, wolves, or one of the many other wild animals that live in the area. A regular event, like seeing a meteor shower, makes this a magical experience.
15675 Headlands Rd, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USA
6. Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
As a floating museum, the USCGC Mackinaw is now known as the “Queen of the Great Lakes” and was once the biggest icebreaker on the Great Lakes. There is a museum ship at the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime which is a 290-foot-long former Coast Guard icebreaker.
People who tour this ship get a unique look into maritime history and learn how important it is for military logistics to break through the ice. No matter where you are on the ship, every room has a story to tell about life at sea.
131 S. Huron Ave., Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USA
7. Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park
The Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park is one of the best places to visit in Mackinaw City. There is history and adventure in this 625-acre park, nature preserve, and historic place.
There are three miles of tracks in the park that lead through beautiful forests, wildflowers, and scenic views. You can not only look at a working model of a water-powered sawmill, but you can also go on the Adventure Tour, which includes a forest sky bridge and a 425-foot zip line.
The park’s Visitor’s Center also has a Museum Store with a lot of different gifts, souvenirs, clothes, and books. Visit this museum to learn about the past of the place where the artifacts were found.
9001 W US-23, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 USA
8. Mackinac Bridge
Crossing the Mackinac Bridge on foot or bike is a free thing to do in Mackinaw City. This suspension bridge, which is sometimes called the “Mighty Mac,” is a great example of modern engineering.
When it opened in 1957, the 4.995-mile-long Mackinac Bridge was one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. It links the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. The Straits of Mackinac are a body of water that connects two Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. The bridge goes over them.
One of the fun things to do in the city is to walk across the bridge during the Labor Day Bridge Walk every year. If you’re driving, stop at one of the many gorgeous overlooks to take beautiful pictures.
Address: United States, Mackinaw City, MI
9. Wawatam Lighthouse
The Wawatam Lighthouse is one of the best things to do near Mackinaw City, Michigan. It’s only a 13-minute drive north of the city.
This 62-foot-tall lighthouse, which was built in 2006 and looks out over the Straits of Mackinac, has quickly become a symbol of Mackinaw City. This modern, automated lighthouse is now an official help to navigation. It can be seen from more than 13 miles across Lake Huron.
As the sun goes down, the sky turns a rainbow of colors that make the scene beautiful. “Lighting of the Lighthouse” every night is an event that you shouldn’t miss.
St. Ignace, MI 49781, USA
10. Mackinaw Club Golf Course
This weekend, playing golf at the Mackinaw Club Golf Course is a fun thing to do in Mackinaw City, MI. This golf course is spread out over 310 acres and has natural wetlands, streams, mature woods, and rolling meadows.
The golf course has 18 holes, a par of 72, bent grass starts, and a total length of 6,807 yards. It opened in 1997. You can also book a spot 24 hours a day, and there’s a pro shop where you can buy or rent gear.
Because the greens are on hills and are bordered by woods and wetlands, golf is both a sport and a peaceful way to enjoy nature.
11891 Mackinaw Hwy, Carp Lake, MI 49718, USA
11. Garlyn Zoological Park
Want to find fun things to do with your family near Mackinaw City, MI? You should then go to Garlyn Zoological Park. The 30 acres of this zoo are the biggest in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is 47 minutes from Mackinaw City.
Since it opened in 1994, the zoo has been home to hundreds of animals from North America, such as alligators, badgers, foxes, wolves, bobcats, whitetail deer, javelinas, cougars, river otters, porcupines, bison, and more. It also has animals from other countries.
People can enjoy the natural beauty of the woods with its old pine trees and cedar mulched paths. You can also enjoy, learn about, and see animals from around the world.
U.S. Route 2 in Naubinway, MI 49762 in the United States
12. Mackinaw City’s Sunset Cruises
Today, a sunset cruise is a special thing to do in Mackinaw City. From the water, you can see how big Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are.
The golden hour, when the sun goes down behind the Mackinac Bridge, is a beautiful sight to see from these trips. Take beautiful pictures, enjoy the cool breeze, and enjoy the view of the distance.
The trip is one of the best ways to end the day in North America, and it leaves every night except Tuesday. On the cruise, you can learn about the island’s past. On the ship, you can also drink your favorite thing.
Address: United States, Mackinaw City, MI
13. Mackinaw Parasailing
Want to do something fun in Mackinaw? And then try flying over the Strait of Mackinac’s clear water. Gliding through the air in a parachute while being pushed by a speedboat is a fun thing to do outside.
The parasailers can take off and land right from the flight deck of this special boat. This makes for a smooth, safe, and dry parasail flight. See the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline and well-known spots like the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse from above.
201 S Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 USA
14. Mackinaw Area Historical Society Heritage Village
Go to the Mackinaw Area Historical Society Heritage Village to learn about the past of Mackinaw City. This is one of the coolest things to do in the city.
People can learn about how people lived in the Straits of Mackinac in the late 1800s and early 1900s at this 143-acre living museum. There are no lights, cars, or other modern comforts in the Heritage Village.
Step back in time by going on a walk in the village with a guide. Enjoy the hiking trails. Events that happen often, like traditional craft shows, make it even more charming.
1425 W Central Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USA
15. Soo Locks
Some people call the Soo Locks the “Linchpin of the Great Lakes” because they join Lakes Superior and Huron. They are a great example of engineering and human ingenuity.
Using a system of gates and rooms, the locks move boats up and down between the levels of Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. Gravity is the only force that moves water and boats. The Soo Locks, which were built in the middle of the 1800s, are a popular place for tourists to visit in Mackinaw City.
When you go, you can see and hear huge lake freighters and other interesting boats, like tall ships, yachts, cruise ships, and military ships, locking into Lake Superior or Huron. You can also climb up to the viewing platform, which gives you a great view of the locking process.
Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, USA
16. The Haunted Theatre And Mackinaw Haunted House
Going to the Haunted Theatre and Mackinaw Haunted House is one of the special things to do in Mackinaw City. This site has been open since 1974 and is owned by a family.
This annual event runs from May 1st to October 31st and has a fully automated haunted house, animatronics special effects, and cutting-edge sound technology to make your and your friends’ experience scary.
Going to this spooky house will make you laugh, scream, and have a great time. You’ll remember it forever.
114 S Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 USA
17. Tahquamenon Falls State Park
If you’re going to Mackinaw City, you have to check out Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The second-largest state park in Michigan, this 50,000-acre park is in Paradise.
A big draw for the park is the Tahquamenon River and its waterfalls. It is one of the biggest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. The Upper Falls are more than 200 feet wide and drop about 50 feet.
Wild animals that nature lovers can see include black bears, wolves, otters, deer, foxes, porcupines, beavers, and a lot of birds, such as spruce grouse, pileated woodpeckers, bald eagers, and many types of waterfowl and songbirds.
You can go climbing, camping, boating, and canoeing at the park as fun things to do outside near Mackinaw City.
41382 W M-123, Paradise, MI 49768, USA
18. Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
The Great Lake Museum is a marine museum located at the Whitefish Point Light Station. There are over 200 shipwrecks nearby.
Shipwreck items, artwork, shipwreck models, and lifelike mannequins are on display at the museum. The Whitefish Point Light Station is home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, which is a marine museum.
Take a self-guided walk of the restored 1861 Lightkeeper’s Quarters, the 1923 Lifeboat Station Surfboat House, the Motor Lifeboat House, and the Navy Radio building, which is currently showing the Daniel J. Morrell Exhibit. These are all free things to do near Mackinaw City.
Inside the Shipwreck Museum Gallery, you can see the bell of the famous steamer Edmund Fitzgerald. It is a tribute to the people who worked on it.
The address is 18335 N Whitefish Point Rd, Paradise, MI 49768, USA.
19. WaWatam Park
One fun thing to do outside in Mackinaw City is to explore Wawatam Park, which is on Lake Huron. Family-friendly things to do abound in the park.
Wawatam Park has a playground for kids, a carving of the famous Chief Wawatam made of wood, picnic tables, benches, gills, and a beautiful view of the Mackinac Bridge.
Among other things, you can kayak, paddleboard, or just walk along the shore and look at the Mackinac Bridge at the access point.
300 N Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 USA
20. Animal Tracks Adventure Golf
In Mackinaw City, Animal Tracks Adventure Golf is a fun thing for the whole family to do.
The Animal Tracks is a popular mini-golf course with a forest and wildlife theme. It is right next to the Mackinac Bay Trading Company. In miniature golf, the task is to match any of the 12 animal tracks on the hole markers with the right animal.
You can spend quality time with your kids at this golf course because it’s easy for them to be on their own and still have fun.
220 S Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USA
21. The Mystery Spot
At the Mystery Spot in Mackinaw City, one of the strangest things to do is look for excitement. This strange attraction site gets over 2 million people a year because of its famous “gravity-defying area.”
The Mystery Spot has many fun things to do, like two exciting ziplines, a human maze, and an 18-hole putt-putt golf course that was created just for them. People can go on a guided walk of the famous Mystery Spot and do other things there as well.
We can be reached at N916 Martin Lake Rd, St. Ignace, MI 49781, USA.
22. Enchanted Knights
Going shopping at Enchanted Knights is one of the cool things for people to do in Mackinaw City. This one-of-a-kind store has one of the biggest collections of things inspired by the Middle Ages, Fantasy, and Mythology.
The shop is at the entrance to Central Avenue and sells high-quality swords and knives, as well as a full-size knight samurai fighter, dragon, and Pegasus. It also sells Renaissance clothing, jewelry, mythical figurines, incense, T-shirts, and a lot more.
Go outside the box and shop for mythological things at this one-of-a-kind store.
230 E Central Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 USA
23. McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site
The McGulpin Point Lighthouse and Historic Site is one of the must-see places in Mackinaw City. It is one of the oldest lights in the Straits of Mackinac. It was built in 1869 to help ships navigate through the Straits.
The lighthouse is open from the middle of May to the middle of October and has a great view of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. The nearby paths, which are marked with informational signs, are great for taking it easy.
500 Headlands Rd, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USA
24. Jack Pine Lumberjack Shows
One fun thing for the whole family to do in Mackinaw City is to see the Jack Pine Lumberjack Shows, which take you back to Michigan’s logging history.
These shows honor the state’s lumberjack customs. Professional lumberjacks show off their skills by chopping, sawing, throwing an axe, cross-cut sawing, rolling a log, and cutting it with a chain saw.
As exciting as these family-friendly shows are, they also teach you about the history and importance of each event.
10510 US-23, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 USA
25. Mind Thrill Escape Rooms
Want to do something fun with family and friends in Mackinaw City? Then, go to Mind Thrill Escape Rooms for a journey that will pull you in and keep you guessing.
The Mind Thrill Escape Rooms opened in 2017 and has rooms with puzzles and challenges that you can deal with. In less than an hour, participants have the chance to complete a set of tasks and puzzles. High-Risk Heist, Time Traveler, Ranger Station, and Hot Seat are some of the escape rooms that you can choose from.
Mind Thrill Escape Rooms is one of the best places in Mackinaw City, Michigan, to have fun with your family.
136 S Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USA
26. Mackinaw City Recreation Complex
Doing things inside at the Mackinaw City Recreation Complex is one of the best things to do in Mackinaw City. The center is open to the public, but the Village of Mackinaw City School District uses it as a home field for baseball and softball games.
There is also a playground, pickle ball, roller derby, basketball courts, and board games at the Recreation Center. Also, you can take out 18,000 square feet of space for events.
You can do a lot of indoor things with your family and friends at this indoor recreation center.
The address is W Central Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USA.
Make plans to visit Mackinaw City, MI.
Mackinaw City has so many things to do that it has something for everyone. Every alleyway, wind whisper, and the slow rise and fall of the lakes tell stories of the past while praising the present.
Nature lovers, history buffs, and people looking for adventurers will all enjoy this beautiful city in Michigan. People who visit this beautiful place leave with a fuller soul, memories that will last a lifetime, and a promise to come back.