What to do and see in Mackinac Island, Michigan (MI): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

Kayak and stand up paddle board rentals with 2 locations: one on Mackinac Island, MI and one in Mackinaw City, MI. For beginners we offer basic instruction and guided tours in the calm waters of the marina, and for our more experienced paddlers, we lead tours to Arch Rock, Devil's Kitchen, the Mackinac Bridge, Round Island, and Bois Blanc Island, on the Straits of Mackinac in Lake Huron. Our summer tours are popular, and they book up fast, so reserve on our website now to secure your time!

Go beyond the beaten path with Mackinac Revealed. See what makes Mackinac so special, the Victorian cottages, neighborhoods, stables, trails, diverse community, local culture, summer & winter lifestyles. Hear about Island history, Great Lakes shipwrecks, Native People, and reliance on horses and carriages. Let us show you the "behind the scenes" excitement. Walking tours, seated presentations +/or bike excursions led by an authentic Islander. Experience Mackinac's fabulous, Victorian summer cottages & traditions, living without automobiles, the natural wonders- - geology, plants & animals. The only walking tour offered by genuine Islander who hails from original cottager family and reveals 6-generations of insights. Tour times show on webpage. Meet me at Mackinac!

Enjoy 90 minutes of panoramic views aboard the Isle Royale Queen III, an 81' well-appointed vessel with multiple viewing areas, heated cabins, restrooms and a full service cash bar. Enjoy a beautiful evening cruise and view the sunset under the Mighty Mackinac Bridge. Ply the pristine waters of both big lakes, Huron and Michigan on this spectacular cruise. Take advantage of amazing photo opportunities as you skirt the shoreline of Mackinac Island and view the elegant Victorian and turn of the century homes. Enjoy Live Entertainment by a line-up of talented musicians and singer/songwriters. The Porthole Bar is stocked with your beverage of choice along with a few specialty cocktails that will add to your fun! This cruise will leave you talking about your unique adventure on Mackinac Island and longing to return. Whether you are by yourself, on a date or in a group you will have a memorable experience on a Sip n' Sail cruise with our friendly crew!

Step into this blacksmith shop and forge your own knife! Chad Osborne, two-time Forged in Fire competitor will guide you through the process. There are 4 sizes of knives to choose and the price ranges from $25-100 depending on the knife you forge. All knives come with a sheath. This activity is perfect for visitors that would like to Forge a Memory while visiting Mackinac Island.

Iconic. The cannon blasts, the rifles fire, the soldiers march and history comes alive. The oldest building in Michigan and 13 other historical structures boast exhibits explaining everything from military training and battles to medical treatments to family life within the fort. More than just a military outpost, Fort Mackinac served as a home for soldiers and their families and eventually the headquarters for Mackinac National Park, where tourists to the island visited the great fortress on the bluff, much like they do today. This is Mackinac.

A Time of Change. Step into the home of Agatha and Edward Biddle, merchants who moved in around 1830. This was a time of change, and the 1830s were critical to the Biddles for another reason: as an Anishnaabek woman, Agatha and other indigenous people witnessed their culture subjected to immense changes. The decade transformed the Anishnaabek, linking old ways with Michigan’s modern indigenous culture. The continuing story of the Anishnaabek of northern Michigan is not always a happy one. It is a story of battles won and lost, promises made and broken, and cultures repressed and resurgent. Most importantly, the story in which the Biddle family played a role is one that continues today. This new exhibit, created in conjunction with tribal partners, explores that story and how it still resonates on Mackinac Island and throughout northern Michigan. This is Mackinac.

Narrated tours of this island that doesn't allow cars.

Experience free-flying exotic butterflies in a lush garden environment.