Vacation rentals in Mackinaw City

Mackinaw is a heritage village located between the Great Lakes Huron and Superior. Its position on the very tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula makes it a great location for exploring the sandy beaches, islands, and natural parks of the area. The iconic Mackinac Bridge grants access to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This charming destination offers visitors a wealth of fascinating sights to explore such as: unique lighthouses, historical forts, shipwreck museums and nature parks. There’s also plenty of shopping, dining, and stargazing.

These Mackinaw City rentals are located along the lake, right on the beach. They deliver stunning views of the area and feature swimming pool and garden access. Most of them include amenities such as private kitchen, living room, TV, and desks for remote workers. Great for small groups and couples, these vacation rentals are also child friendly. Slip on your swimsuit and have a picnic and swim right on the beach in front of your home away from home.

With so many activities to do in such a picturesque setting, you’ll wonder why Mackinaw wasn’t on your travel radar before. With islands to explore, hiking trails, kayaking, boating, historical sightseeing and more, you might consider extending your visit. Mackinaw City has plenty of restaurants and nightlife downtown, including casinos and family-friendly activities like stargazing at Headlands International Dark Sky Park and nightly laser light shows. Hang out at Mackinaw Crossings for beautiful views of the harbor and shopping. This lively center also has plenty of restaurants to satisfy your cravings.

Check out Mackinaw’s budding food scene, boasting fresh ingredients and local flavors. Whether it’s an All-American breakfast you’re craving, gourmet cookies, Cornwall pasties or fine dining, you won’t be disappointed. For something unusual, try the elk at The Chippewa Room at Audie’s. Or try eating American Traditional Cuisine in a lighthouse at The Lighthouse Restaurant. Complete your food tour with a trip to the Popcorn Factory. Popular with locals and visitors, this shop sells 47 flavors of popcorn as well as other, non-popcorn related, sweet and savory treats.

History lovers will definitely not be disappointed by this underrated destination. Full of fascinating Lighthouses and museums steeped in history, you will find enough here to stimulate your appetite for culture. McGulpin Point Lighthouse, built in 1869, once served as a beacon for ships facing intense storms and dense fog. Since its reopening in 2006, visitors can now visit and learn all about its past. Also, check out the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, the most sought-after cultural tourism attraction in Michigan. Located at Whitefish Point, aka “Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast”, visitors will be amazed by the stories and artifacts of brave captains and sailors who survived and lost their lives in Lake Superior, the most treacherous of the 5 Great Lakes.

Mackinaw has tons of activities for outdoorsy people to enjoy. Whether it’s ziplining above the trees at Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park or parasailing over the water, this Northern Michigan town has got you covered. The Wilderness State Park, for instance, includes both water and land activities due to its many trails passing through miles of Lake Michigan coastline and dense coniferous and hardwood forests. Travelers to Mackinaw will also enjoy visiting Mackinac Island known for its heritage, greenery and Original Butterfly House and Insect World. Cars are prohibited and much of the island is a protected park with hiking trails, lookouts, and caves.

Old Mackinac Point Light Station, founded in 1889, is one of the most iconic lighthouses in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Recently restored, it offers visitors stunning views of the intersection between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron from its tower.

Great for families and solo travelers alike, this nighttime competitive show will have you on the edge of your seat as you watch champion lumberjacks chop, saw wood, throw axes and speed climb. This entertaining spectacle will open your mind to the unbelievable world of lumberjacks and leave you with nothing but awe and admiration for what these guys do.

Built during WWII, this 290 ft vessel was meticulously designed for the purpose of breaking ice on the Great Lakes, notorious for their cold winters and flash ice. Affectionately known as The Queen of the Great Lakes, she is now open to visitors who wish to learn more about “The Largest Icebreaker in the Great Lakes’” captivating story and its role in the region during its 62-year career.

Every year, from June to October, visitors can feast their eyes on living history. Within Fort Michilimackinac, the oldest fort in Michigan, you can experience the 1800s when soldiers and civilians maintained their livelihoods through years of war, peace, and the fur trade. These people are brought back to life through re-enactments demonstrating their daily lives at the fort and are available to answer your questions. This fort was reconstructed using old history maps and over 60 years of excavation. It’s also a great place to bring kids.

Crossing the historical, 5 mile long Mackinac Bridge is considered by many to be a bucket list activity in its own right. However, you can’t ignore visiting the exciting Upper Peninsula once you’ve arrived. There is an incredible amount of adventure activities to do here. Bike historical trails, visit stunning beaches and secret waterfalls, take a lighthouse cruise, see ghost towns, go moose watching, go island hopping and so much more at this wild peninsula.